10 14 24 AUB student elections Shukri’s story Bucking the trend, AUB restores tenure after more than three decades American University of Beirut Magazine. Spring 2018, Vol. XVI, No. 2 Free and Fair Aidu cat ion. Ahmad Badran (BBA expected ’19) is following in his brother’s footsteps in attending AUB. “Ashraf [his brother] graduated in 2014 with a degree in engineering,” he says. Badran is working towards a degree in business administration at his brother’s encouragement. “I was going to study engineering, but he recommended business.” Why? “Because he knows I want to stay in Lebanon and there are more opportunities here for someone with a business degree.” He hails from a working class family in Der El Zehrani, in the heart of southern Lebanon. His father, now retired, spent his career at the General Directorate of General Security. On arriving at AUB, he applied for financial aid and was awarded a BLOM Bank Scholarship. “I’m extremely grateful,” he says. Inspired by the passion of lecturer Rania Uwaydah Mardini (BBA ’96, MBA ’99), Badran has made accounting his focus. When not working through cash flow statements under Jafet Library’s fluorescent lights, he is watching Prison Break and Designated Survivor , listening to Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello, or perusing the shops on Rue Verdun. “So far it’s been a really pleasant experience.” To speak to someone about supporting financial aid, contact us at
[email protected] or make a gift at give.aub.edu.lb The MainGate Spring 2018 Contents Vol. XVI, No. 2 Student life, the liberal arts, AUB personalities Inspiration 5 past and present 10 A look at AUB’s student elections Discoveries 23 Research, the arts, and current events 24 AUB reinstates tenure, affirming its research bona fides Wellness 33 AUBMC 2020, health, and medicine Dr.