By Yasmine Salamah---

The 2001 Graduation Committee and various members of the administration gathered last Thursday morning at College Hall to witness the final graduation event: the presentation to President John Waterbury of a check for $24,000 by the graduation committee of 2001. The $24,000 check, a direct result of ticket sales from the graduation party at Waves, will be transferred to a restricted account, from which it will then be donated to AUB's hardship cases, as is done annually. Salah Sadeq, professor of civil engineering at AUB and the graduation committee's faculty advisor, praised the committee's dedication and ability to accomplish so much in so little time. "The rate of growth within the last three to four years, in both attendance and the kinds of checks, is only a measure of the commitment of the students who are participating in the end," stated Professor Sadeq. Ali Hamdan, USFC treasurer, explained that the reason behind the event's success was teamwork. "We had a very efficient team. We allocated our time efficiently and all our stands and resources were allocated well," he declared. The event ended with all members of the committee signing their names on the back of the check as well as their graduation year of 2001. What can be learned from this event is that students can attain serious power and recognition if given the chance. "I think this proves that students are able to do a lot more in university if you just trust them and let them handle things," stated Khaled Adra, chair of the graduation party committee.