Only at LAU

For four consecutive years, the LAU-Al Walid Model United Nations has been shaping Lebanese and regional high-school students into tolerant leaders and enlightened thinkers, with a program unique to the Arab world.

This year, a five-person delegation from LAU’s program competed against over 200 other groups from around the world in the 10th Annual High School Conference organized by the U.N. Association of the United States and held at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York on May 14- 16, 2009.

The LAU delegation won three diplomacy awards and ranked in the top 5 percent of delegations worldwide. & ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009

FEATURES CONTENTS 4 When Do Children Leave 3 From the President’s Desk

Home These Days—If Ever? 22 Family Charities A post-university return to the family household is often a financial necessity today. But independence is 25 LAU’s Extended Family increasingly prized by graduates 26 LAU in Motion Family in the Middle East: 6 28 Graduation Oriental or Western? Traditional family vs. Facebook, iPhones, 30 CEP Summer Camp and Hollywood is the obvious equation; some think the answer goes deeper 31 LAU Rugby Team Sets National Record 32 Faculty Talent Highlights 8 Childhood in Turmoil 34 Faculty and Staff on the Move War and other forms of instability make 35 LAU Joint Venture: Med School opens family the definitive center of a child’s world—for better and worse 36 Student Achievement 12 The Ups and Downs 38 Campus Notes of Family Businesses 43 Upcoming Events New Research on the Role 44 Alumni Family Snapshots of Succession and Leadership 46 Legacy and the Promise Campaign Continues Global Launch 15 Live from the Middle East: Radio and Television Hosts 47 Profile of Excellence: Yvonne Kabban Confront Family Taboos 48 Seat and Bench Initiative Conflict for consumption—and instruction 49 Alumni News 18 Family, Law, and 52 Alumni Events Nationality for Women 55 Remembered With Love Lebanese women can’t pass citizenship onto their children and spouses. How a national legal failing 56 Why I Give Back threatens Lebanon’s most vulnerable families 24 Opinion: The Disenfranchised Families Among Us The unique challenges facing Palestinian families in Lebanon

This season LAU’s Rugby team, The Immortals, set the record for most games won in a row LAU students participated again (page 31) this year in the Harvard World Model United Nations, held in The Hague (page 40)

page 1 LAU Magazine & Alumni Bulletin

Wherever You Go LAU Magazine is your platform to share photos and news about yourself, your family and your friends. We encourage you to update us on your professional and personal activities and achievements—from wherever you are!

Help Tell Our History We welcome news from alumni, friends, supporters and current and former faculty and staff representing all the university’s current and former schools and colleges. Submit your stories and photos for inclusion in LAU’s online and print publications.

Submit to: [email protected], or Marketing and Communications New York Office Department Lebanese American University Lebanese American University 475 Riverside Drive #1846 P.O.Box 13-5053/F24 New York, NY 10115-0065 Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801 Lebanon

LAU Magazine is published quarterly by the Marketing and Communications Department at LAU, and is distributed free of charge to alumni, students, staff, faculty, friends and supporters worldwide.

Direct comments can be sent to [email protected].

LAU Magazine & Alumni Bulletin Marketing and Communications Department Lebanese American University P.O.Box 13-5053/F24 Chouran, Beirut 1102-2801 Lebanon Tel. +961 1 786 456 ext. 1948/1917 Fax. +961 1 786 470

New York Office: Corrections for LAU Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 2, spring 2009 475 Riverside Drive #1846 New York, NY 10115-0065 Mr. Samir Kadi serves as Assistant Vice President for Development, not Vice President for Tel. +1 212 870 2592 Development (“Friends, Alumni Welcome LAU Visitors and Their Message,” page 29). Fax. +1 212 870 2762

Mr. Ed Shiner serves as Manager of Alumni Programs, not Director of Alumni Relations Please send changes of address to: (“Detroit” and “Boston,” page 50). [email protected] +961 1 786 456 ext. 1341/1136

LAU President Manager Alumni Programs Freelance Writers Editorial Assistants Photography Joseph G. Jabbra Edward M. Shiner Marc Abi Zeid Edmond Abou Arraj Zoha Abdelsater Kristen Hope Burchill Rasha Accad Ali Chehade Vice President for Managing Editor Josie Ensor Nadia Gabriella Bhuiyan Bassam Lahoud University Advancement Todd Dorman Lucy Fielder Nanor Karageozian Ana-Maria Luca Richard A. Rumsey Dana Halawi Nadine Maknieh Wassim Said Associate Editor Jay Heisler Cindy Saleh Director Marketing and Olga Habre Dalila Mahdawi Graphic Designer Communications, Mathew Mosley Marianne Amkieh Siblini Staff Writers Executive Editor Cindy Saleh Olga Habre Peggy Hanna Molly Sugarman Gregory Houle Anna Sussman Director Alumni Relations Davigh Karamanoukian Abdallah Al Khal Ana-Maria Luca

page 2 photography exhibition thisyear ofhis “LAUmembers Family” at a President JosephJabbra with extended family thatweallhavetheprivilegetobelongto, tolove, andtosodeeplycherish. Magazine bothenjoyable andvaluable. confident that you will find our wide-ranging discussion of family topics in this issue of of the day, including the role of the media in modern society and its impact on families. I am shy to not decided we away fromofferingthoughtfulperspectivesonthecentral—andoften controversial—issuessubjects, those addressing In world. the to and East Middle the of this issue of values intheirownprofessions, families, andcommunities. these live to continue graduation,after will, family LAU the of values the internalized have who students that hope fervent our is it university, the at Here offer. can university a only LAU provides an important sense of family by linking people together through the bonds that nuclear or multigenerational. But there are other kinds of family as well. And in its own way, engaged thethemeinthisissueofLAU Magazine . have we how seeing enjoy will you think I and discussion, extensive of worthy is topic The family begin to blur; the way of we think about what family is and what it means continues to evolve. perceptions traditional the interconnected, more becomes world our people. as different Indeed,for meanings different have can family Yet asset. cherished most our is From thePresident’s Desk PresidentPresident Joseph G. Jabbra Thank you, families,LAU—theyour to for commitment support your your appreciate respect I I and dedicate to decision our in compelling were LAUcommunity close-knit the of values The large, or small are they whether structures, family of kinds many to home is world The family our us, of many For society. of cornerstones the of one been always has Family Dear Friends, LAU Magazine to a variety of family-related topics that are pivotal to this region page 3 page LAU

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 FEATURES

Students at the LAU Byblos dorms

When Do Children Leave Home

These Days—If Ever? By Dalila Mahdawi

A controlling patriarch, a submissive mother, obedient sons, Such traditionally based family relations have meant “there is cloistered daughters: Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz captured no complete independence for any individual in the Arab family the very essence of the 20th–century Arab family in his series of away from the family of birth,” according to an article by the masterpiece novels, The Cairo Trilogy. scholar Khawla Abu Baker in Arab Studies Quarterly. Until very But a century later, family dynamics in the Middle East are recently, the concept of a young adult moving out of the family changing. Because of its history of migration to the West and its home was alien to Arab societies. perceived role as a bridge between East and West, Lebanon has Sarouphim graduated from LAU (formerly BUC) in the 1980s. probably seen more change in familial behavior than any other “No one would have even had the idea of living alone,” she said nation in the Middle East. LAU’s Ketty Sarouphim, an associate of that period: It would have been perceived as a rejection of professor of psychology and education who specializes in family the family. studies, believes a mass exodus sparked by the civil war of The concept of leaving the family home is still “not as clear-cut 1975–90 expedited a transformation in social values. as in the U.S., where it marks a major transition” of a child into an adult, Sarouphim said, explaining that financial matters play a “Now it’s very common among our students to major role. live alone or in the dorms.” “In the United States, for example, you pay for your independence, and this facilitates leaving home,” she said. In Those who returned introduced new family practices to Lebanon, where there are few opportunities to get a student Lebanese society, she said. For example, “now it’s very common loan for university, it is much harder to become financially among our students to live alone or in the dorms,” even if their independent. Indeed, socioeconomics play a vital role in defining parents are not far away, she said. familial relationships. The trend of university students living outside the family Even though education and career-driven migration have home represents a major shift in a culture that, according to typically been seen as “legitimate” reasons to leave home, Rima Bahous—LAU associate professor of education—is often according to psychologist Mona Charabaty, the family-related described as “collectivist,” in contrast to the more “individualist” Western countries. In collectivist societies, parents and extended family members have a big say in the education, marriage, finances, and day-to-day lives of their children. In the Middle East, children have traditionally been regarded as a form of security for parents and extended family—especially in rural areas and financially challenged socioeconomic LAU Professor communities. Deep religious feeling also perpetuates the Rima Bahous authoritative role of the parents.

page 4 home. “I think the concept of privacy is nonexistent in in the family alone living after Lebanon and abroad, that she found it todifficult said return family, to the family who her with analyst lives strategic currently 25-year-old a Nsouli, Yasmine women. senseofliberty.”who respect oneanother’s members,its between relations richer in gained has said,it “but processpositive.is “Thefamily haslost its traditional power,” she relations.”family of concepts new Charabaty,Forwith them this and individualism, and “getting rid of some old values and replacing as roof your parents.” same the under living while individualism your assert you time, same the at together,but staying of form traditional professor of at sociology the university. Tabar, “You are maintaining the Paul said individualism, director of LAU’s Institute for Migration Studies and their an associate practicing from people control ofyourmoneyisalsoincontrol ofyourlife,” shesaid. reinforce the power of parents over their children. “The person in going toneedstaywithmyparents.” not going to be able to support myself even if I’m working, so I’m graduation],I’m [after back go own,”I yoursaid. “When on she live to harder much “It’s support.crucial children offer parents the institutionalizationoffamily behavior. such asLebanon. holds this and countries in politics, noted,particularly of realm the in sway power,”enormous she family on dependent are to autonomous.citizens be the opportunity “These governments their giveflatly. don’tCharabatysaidstates Arab that added She Sarouphim said. a majortransition”ofchildintoanadult, “not asclear-cutintheU.S.,whereitmarks The conceptofleavingthefamilyhomeisstill Development ofPsychoanalysis. the for Association Lebanese the of close member founding a also is The Charabaty,who toll.said East, Middle the “infantilization”of the a in taken have childrenparentstheir of of involvement lives the in resultedhas independence to obstacles of liberty.” —MonaCharabaty members, whorespectoneanother’ssense it hasgainedinricherrelationsbetweenits “The familyhaslostitstraditionalpower, but h pl o taiin s tl srn, oee, seily for especially however, strong, still is tradition of pull The Tabar’sbonds familyIn renegotiatingview, is East Middle the young prevent necessarily not does parents with living Still, to serves only dependence financial that noted Sarouphim that agreed LAU, at student Jordanian a Zananiri, Razan The difficult economic situation in the region has compounded individuals,” become people let doesn’t society “Oriental Ketty Sarouphim LAU Professor the first of its kind in Lebanon. ofitskind the first was colloquium globalization.The of face the the in family Arab of challenges the around scholars international leading amiddleground,we could find great.” itwouldbe all. If at privacy isolation,”have don’t Lebanon,said.you “In she Arabbetween andWesternideasoffamily. you needafamily member.” trouble,of times own,”“In said.your Zock on being and happy family, being together.mean stick always to doesn’t Freedom … independence andaclosefamily bond. for home of sense returnsa between balance a she struck has she said whenholidays, Zock to answer to somebody have to awkward it finds she that admitted she Arabia.Although Saudi in live parents whose student LAU in an Tripoli,”Zock, family Hayat [extended] said and grandmother my with weekends the families,” he their forremarked. love their with do abroad. to nothing work has or “This education further seek to women, especially the desire to break free of the family grasp drives many students, LAU.But at arts communication of chair and therapist mental Mohsen,andhome, familyfamilyRaed their a said to return do hard togoback,” Sarouphim said. tolivewithherfamily. goingback nervous about was she because degree her of end the towardfailing began but academicallystrong is who studentKuwaiti one mentioned She women students are leaving home despite considerable difficulty. sexuallypromiscuous.” toalsobe she hasthepotential suggests woman,and a in permissiveness of sort a reflects own a your on all.Living of] at accepted not concept is own her “[The on living said.woman left,” Nsouli I why know to wanted ofherown. apartment an for looking now is She added. she world,Arab the home”in Psychologist Mona Charabaty, LAU held a familyLAUhelda studiescolloquium June2008,in uniting means often it but privacy, their have people U.S., the “In For Sarouphim, it is vital that the region a find middle ground of importance the know to up brought were we Arabs “As spend and week the during dorms] LAU the [in here stay “I still Arabs young most degree, university a obtaining After own,your on lived you’ve When crisis: createsa it’s it think “I her of more and more that noticing is she said Sarouphim and confused very were people out, moved first I ”When people become individuals.”people let doesn’t “Oriental society — MonaCharabaty page 5 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 FEATURES

“Lebanon East and West and neither of them/Lebanon Christian and Muslim and both of them.” —Fouad Ajami

Family in the Middle East:

Oriental or Western? By Josie Ensor

One doesn’t have to look far to see the imprint the West has Adolescents in Lebanon are increasingly informed by the forces made on the East. The continuing influence of Western modernity of modern technology and popular culture. Adolescent rebellion can be found particularly in Lebanon—with its MTV pop videos, and autonomy, typically observed in the West, are becoming its internet cafes, and its Francophone, Anglophone people, a true more prevalent features in Lebanese society as imported rites testament to the country’s legacy. of passage. Lebanon has long lived with a hybrid identity based on the dual influences of the Middle East and the West, as Fouad Ajami “Now 13- and 14-year-olds are doing things writes: “Lebanon East and West and neither of them/Lebanon that I couldn’t do.” —LAU student Christian and Muslim and both of them.” Certain aspects of Western individualism, however, continue to seep into the value system of the Middle East. Imad Salamey, assistant professor in LAU’s political science Mo Chabel, a 21-year-old student at LAU who wished not to department, observed that “the youth of today are being give his real name, grew up in Lebanon, with a four-year hiatus empowered. They are looking at peers elsewhere in the world in the U.S. between ages 12 and 16. He said his family became and are influenced on a deep level by what they see.” stricter when they were abroad, in an attempt to counteract the There is a strong power hierarchy in the traditional Middle overwhelming Western influence. When he returned to Beirut, he Eastern family, and children are supposed to respect their parents, experienced what he considered a restricted Western lifestyle. Salamey said. But some hold the belief that media, technology, “I thought [my family] would be more lenient, more pop culture, and exposure to other youths’ lives are breaking down understanding, and I would be able to rely on them if I made family relationships and loosening the authoritative structure. mistakes,” he said. “I didn’t think I was being rebellious; I just enjoyed having a good time. I can see now that I was behaving in a way that was disrespectful to my parents.” Chabel said he found reintegrating difficult and was surprised that living in the West had actually made his family more protective of Lebanese family traditions. “Maybe it is because when you are here in Beirut, you aren’t threatened with any loss of cultural identity from Western LAU Professor influence,” he said. ”But once you leave and become the minority, Imad Salamey you fight really hard to keep that identity.”

page 6 ioc i te ein “oa tee s o ob ta divorceto attributed that be could doubt this increased,”“and said, no have he rates is there “Today region. the in divorce impossible.is stillvirtually dominate,divorcevalues Catholic where communitiesMaronite In authorities. religious of restriction the under falls birth, and death,marriage, like much and, Lebanon in upon frowned still influence.increasedresultWestern of a as changing is Divorce is make ittogether.” we make, to decision a is there of when family, more and democratic are a We orders. us give not does mine but house, the and hiswife andchildren hisorders,” mustobey Moubarak said. “There is structure.a Lebanese idea patriarchal of the father a being the king of has the family, family Lebanese traditional the that fromapart myfather,” hesaid. individual an as more think to allowed am I that,but do or this Lebanese “modern” a of family.do things, to definition demand you canfather tell Lebanonthe “In their adapted have they that found extensively, has traveled parents whose and culture generation younger adapting more slowly. the as Yet terms.” establishes its own subculture, new the it finds older often generation on family the world through the Facebook. over So technology in a sense is helping rediscover all together coming family same the of people seeing are we “and added, phones,” Salamey and internet the to stickyourvalues?” suggested: “We live in Moubarak a question,world of technology—how the can you afford begs This ethics. traditional distort or change to technology recognizingof yet and power the behavior new globalism.” for a traditional way of life, in one way or another, to adapt to this necessary similar,“Therefore,”suggested.is Salamey “it said, he familiar,becoming is world whole morebecoming areall we and Technologyfamily.traditionalthe the of notions canexpand The traditional family, it can also be “a uniting power,” Salamey argued. his, wouldnotaccept whatwedonow.” grandfather,before,”“My [accepted]said. and have he wouldn’t now—they accept parents “Things well. as structure family the in change this noticed Byblos,has in Sciences & Arts of School tomore “extensiveWesternmediaexposure.”shift olds are doing things that I couldn’t14-year- do,”and 13- “Now he said.agreed: name, He real attributes the his use to not chose e Slmy cnwegd h goig cetne of acceptance growing the acknowledged Salamey Yet The role and rights of women is another area which some say of ruler as father the find to common is “it that said Nasir consideredonce have experiencemay His been unusual, given Western by influenced heavily family Nasir,a in up grew who like technology of means via communicating youth “Yousee adolescent in changes accept to learning are parents Many the of destroyer a as technology view to easy is it while But Walid Moubarak, associate professor and assistant dean of the Hicham Nasir, a 20-year-old studying at LAU Byblos who also who Byblos LAU at Nasir,studying Hicham 20-year-old a LAU Professor Paul Tabar he said. reinvented,”and reconsidered being continually is Lebanese be Western culture whilemaintainingastrong grasp onitsown. rather the country exists in flux, taking what it can from imported of suspicious very become has Western.everything it this, from itself liberate to attempt Lebanon’s in society, and, its on imprint strong a left are more thanbefore.” permissive secret, but I don’t mind if my children bring their dates home. We said. “In my time, when we wished to date a girl, it was all done in open,”quite is system dating the that Lebanonis in now he find romantic love, freedom ofchoice,” hesaid. becoming more and more based on the concepts of individualism, partner selection. “Decisions to and marry and select dating your partner are of ideas fast-evolving the from stem may trend the more acceptable notionthanitusedtobe.” a is this divorce,forand filing now are they independent,more the breakdown of what is called ‘familism.’ Women are becoming family onnewterms.”—ImadSalamey “Technology inasenseishelpingrediscover the “The very nature of our society here means that what it is to is it what that means here society our of nature very “The society; closed a not is Lebanon that purported Tabar But The pervasive legacy of colonialism in the Middle East has also Moubarak had his own personal experience of this. “What you Tabar,Paul LAU,at suggested sociology professor of associate page 7 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 FEATURES

Childhood in Turmoil By Anna Louie Sussman

In an ideal world, childhood should be the happiest time of one’s life: carefree, and full of love, play, and affection. In these early years, one develops the sense of security and comfort that makes for healthy interactions with the outside world. But what if these years are marred by political conflict, economic insecurity, or domestic violence? How do children cope with problems that have the capacity to damage the lives and mental health of adults? These questions are particularly relevant to the Lebanese context, where a large number of people have experienced war or instability in their lifetimes, including in their childhood. Lebanese who grew up during the Civil War, or who lived through repeated Lebanese children and teenagers seem Israeli attacks; Palestinians who grew up in camps where professional opportunities to be able to adapt remarkably to their are few and financial situations are precarious; Iraqis who left behind violence and threats, only to find themselves outside of any legal framework—all of these circumstances, preserving their mental populations are resident on Lebanese soil, and all of them include innocent, health despite the odds stacked against vulnerable children. them. Others, such as Palestinians and Fortunately, despite the hardships and instability that can plague their lives, Iraqis who lack the resources of Lebanese Lebanese children and teenagers seem to be able to adapt remarkably to their citizens, often have a more difficult time. circumstances, preserving their mental health despite the odds stacked against them. Others, such as Palestinians and Iraqis who lack the resources of Lebanese citizens, often have a more difficult time. At the AMEL Center in Chiah, a large Iraqi flag greets the visitor arriving at its second-floor center. Around 50 Iraqi children ages seven to 14 are being served here on a daily basis. With activities ranging from puppet theater to painting, the center aims to provide a safe, calm atmosphere for children who are often living in cramped and unstable conditions. “It gives them a space,” said Nibal Sayyad, the project manager, as he gestured around the main room, where handwritten signs delineate study rules the kids came up with themselves. The walls are painted with murals that depict lessons learned from workshops on topics like children’s rights. “At home, they often don’t have a room this big,” she added. “You have whole families living in a two-room house.” According to Sayyad, who has a background in psychology and sociology, Iraqi children are at a disadvantage when they do not have the family and social support network that Lebanese children have. Mohammed Saidi, 14, came to Lebanon with his family from Najaf. Although his parents told him that they were moving to Lebanon for “a change” and “a visit,” Sayyad believes it was because their father was receiving

page 8 By AnnaLouie Sussman inTurmoilChildhood as theydraw. releaseto hardtension down their page children the the on bear violence;symbolizealsosaid aggressive veryand coloring, where hands,violence;red,colorbig shetheor which indicatingblood aggressive,”is featureSayyad. children’sdrawings saidoften The very difficult. often is lifeschools, Lebanesehome attend can children that so MemorandumUnderstandingLebanesetheof with government a signed has UNHCR to While Refugees. on party Convention 1951 being the not Lebanon’s of function a illegally, Lebanon entering for prison Roumieh in currently are men Iraqi 70 to 50 NationsHighCommission for Refugees (UNHCR), estimates that toexplore. with noopportunity freely circulateneighborhood, their in stuck nor are boys the Lebanon, employment aroundand decent find neither can he papers,legal later. no even aroundhas stick father their Because home),at do doesn’t he can admitted he shyly so he (something closes at 8 p.m. Sayyad said he will even pick up a broom and clean house.” —NibalSayyad two-room a in living families whole have You big. this room a “Athave don’t often they home, until Ifall asleep.” SaidimissesIraq, andwantstogoback. thinking up stay and home go here,I “Aftercome then school,I Iraqi,”quietly.I’m said because he out hang or me with walk to heisIraqi. because and it’s friends,any have not does September,still last he that said Saidi Although he has been enrolled in a semi-private school here since threats.Syria,to went They Lebanon.to weresmuggled and then en Adla, saf ebr ih h mreig and marketing the with member staff a Abdallah, Zeina “They see how their father hits their mother, or that the mother Rita Kevorkian, a community services assistant with the United it until night every center the at Ali,12,brotherstays Saidi’s “I have the usual chats with people at school, but no one wants focused on building self-esteem andcopingfocused onbuildingself-esteem withstress. participatory research approach to create an intervention package community-based a used camp,and the of residents other and NGOs, people, young together brought department education an unmetneedfor psychological services. noticed camp refugee Barajneh el Burj in working NGOs the of scale basis, an informal after survey in 2005 indicated that many wide- a on childrenPalestinian of health mental the improve to Health opportunities Beirut,saw of University American of the at Science Faculty the of department education and behavior tointervene. in aposition said. The VOC volunteers observed coming,”these situations but were not Abdallah stopped she knew, we thought mother the people.children,of casesabuse saw sexual We of when then but uncles,10 but cousins,familyto nuclear eight etc.,the to seven familybetween members. contact inappropriate for opportunity the provide sometimes chemicals,” said. Abdallah with juice and chocolate and chips eating us to come kids the Iraqi traditional cook meals, whichare delivered to tothekidsatChiah. Tayyouneh in branch sister center’s the at women refugee Iraqi hiring by tackles Amel something well andtaken care of,” shesaid. and atensehomelife aggravated byeconomic difficulties. in Lebanon can face similar problems, such as a lack of play areas 2001.in beginning her,Accordingto the Palestinianchildrenrefugee with worked has Volunteer Outreach LAU,Clinic in Shatila camp since at she was a student, department communications aks ad e clege a ABs elh eair and behavior health AUB’s at colleagues her and Nakkash health the in research of professor assistant Nakkash, Rima “You have whole families living in one or two rooms—not just can situations living cramped the seriously, more Even home,at and cook to have they aware not are mothers “The nutrition, improper is face children these hardship Another “Kids come to us to spend time and feel they’re being treated Burj elBarajneh refugee camp well andtaken careof.” they’re beingtreated spend timeandfeel “Kids cometous —Zeina Abdallah page 9 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Childhood in Turmoil

Children of Iraqi refugees at Amel Association’s community center

“We were not looking at treatment but rather prevention,” she Fayyad and his colleagues found that 14.5 percent of adolescents said of the package. Five hundred and ninety students met with were at risk for mental disorders six months after the war. her and her colleagues 45 times over the course of nearly a year, “The majority of the kids did very well, and the time factor was gathering every Friday from August 2008 to May 2009. Of those very significant,” Fayyad said. “Again, family factors and witnessing students, half received treatment while the other half served as violent events were still two main predictors,” he added. a control group. “The 1996 and the 2006 research confirmed that a lot of Nakkash based the program on best practices tested and kids who experience war do not need a specific psychological evaluated in the West, but adapted the techniques to the local intervention. It’s better to wait several months, and then look for context. For example, a problem-solving exercise used to teach kids who are still having problems, and target them with specific children to restrain themselves and think before acting uses a interventions,” Fayyad said. He pointed out that due to the politics stoplight metaphor: The colors red, yellow, and green symbolize of international aid, blanket interventions are often promoted by stop, think, and then go. But children who live in camps, she NGOs eager to lend a hand. pointed out, have little experience with stoplights. After some “These international NGOs want to jump in and want to do debate, it was decided that introducing this concept would kill something, and this psychosocial support concept is in vogue,” two birds with one stone, teaching about traffic safety as well as Fayyad said. “After the 2006 war, we saw a lot of play activities, decision-making tactics. theater, drama, which got kids engaged, but none of it has been In contrast to their Palestinian and Iraqi peers, Lebanese proven to have any long-lasting effects.” Furthermore, if they are children who have been observed in the studies have shown not done correctly, these activities can actually cause children that they stand a remarkably good chance of resuming ordinary more harm than good, Fayyad said. development if certain precautions are taken. What is most critical in Lebanon, Fayyad asserted, is to train For example, the Institute for Development, Research, primary care physicians—family doctors, general practitioners, Advocacy, and Applied Care (IDRAAC) conducted a sample study those who see many children and families—to recognize early in 1996 representing 45,000 children across South Lebanon after signs of psychological distress. Israel’s extensive Grapes of Wrath operation. The study showed “Many of these children don’t come to psychologists, so that 39 percent of the children were suffering from either we need to give these primary care physicians tools they can depression or anxiety disorders one month after the event. use locally. We need to sensitize primary care providers, since However, when the same group was surveyed a year later, only 9 they’re on the front lines of medical care, particularly in rural or percent of them were still affected. underserved communities,” he said. According to one of the researchers, Dr. John Fayyad of The signs of trauma-related mental distress vary with age. IDRAAC, the persistence of mental illness was due to three main According to Fayyad, younger children usually react by regressing, factors: the direct witnessing of violent events and family risk factors, in particular the fear of being beaten; the witnessing of parental quarrels; and the presence of prewar disorders. For children affected by one or more of these factors, recovery was particularly challenging.

These findings were confirmed in a second study conducted Dr. John Fayyad, Institute after the 2006 War with Israel. After conducting a psychosocial for Development, Research, Advocacy, and Applied Care assessment of a sample of youth from 20 schools representing (IDRAAC) students in South Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut,

page 10 indicating bloodorviolence. The children’s drawings often feature the color red, people who crack because of internal factors?” Abdo gave an an gave Abdo factors?” internal of because crack who people dignity, versus such with it through go who people at look not “Do weseethisasresilience orresignation?” fatalism,”out.the pointed is Abdo religiosity this of angle other “The 2006. in bombings Israeli the during mechanism coping a as prayer to turned percent, 75 approximatelyadolescents, of majoritylarge a that Fayyad’sfindings by out borne is idea The country. faith-based a is Lebanonthat fact the resilienceto of rates high the attributedpsychology. childalso in research Abdo done has LAU,who at Sciences Social of Department the of chairperson as volunteers, tomake themfeel useful.” supervise younger siblings, for example, or with other families, or busy.“keepingthem advocated he to said helpers as them Enlist Fayyad them, help best directly,” To added.themselves Fayyad adults’ to sensitive very are reactions toconflict. children younger that aware be pains in parts of the body), and sleep disturbances. Parents should differentanxiety, (experiencingseparation somatization include bed.” signs the Other wetting begin will toilet-trained already is who four-year-old or three- “a said, he already example,achieved.” For had he or she milestone developmental some “losing “In spite of challenges,ofspite “In instability, violence,” asked, Abdo “why “Faith provides values to hold on to in times of stress,” she said. Abdo, Ayyash Dr. Huda by findings corroborates advice This express to able more “are contrast, by children, Older division (Beirut) Huda Abdo division (Beirut) andcommunicationsof arts LAU professor andchairperson has notshownanysignsoftrauma. shrug,OK—anddate,andwassmile everythingto if childas the wouldnoises. fatherloud The heard he time everyfather the at repeatedly look would war 2006 the during whochild, year-old threatening situation,” shewarned. a it’s that hypothesis the supporting are who parents then and noise, of fear inborn the have you whammy, because double a children will look at their parents if they’re scared—andexample, it can forbe shelling, of case the In darkness. and sounds loud fears: two with born instinctivelyare said.Sarouphim“Children on howtoreact. references,clues,or for guardian her or will his at child look immediately a situation, new a In months. 18 at begins generally referencing,” which “social called phenomenon developmental so because of their parents’ reactions.” She described a childhood said.that.she believeusually areaffectedtrulyare who“I Those children, ingifted specializes to12, mostlyagesfive agreed. factors orinfluences?” protective the are conflict.What by surrounded are conflict.We Arab-Iran conflict,inter-Arab conflict, Arab-Israeli the have “You thetime,”about saidAbdo. creating‘flow,’was forgetyou somethingyou’reanddoing when andplaychess.stay downinhisbasement example of a student of hers who, during the July 2006 war, would example of a student of hers who, during the July 2006 war, would But she also gave the example of a friend of hers with a four-a with hers of friend a of example the gave also she But events,” trauma-related or war with happens same “The resilient,”very are children Lebanese that is experience “My Dr. Ketty Sarouphim, an associate professor at LAU whose work Lebanon,”in living continued.of she challenges the at “Look reality.’ own He my created ‘I me, told he chess, “Through health behavior and education department at andeducationAUB health behavior department Professor Nakkash Rima andhercolleagues at the Children from Qaderoon, theprogram by started hang outbecauseI’mIraqi.” wants towalkwithmeor people atschool,butnoone “I havetheusualchatswith —Mohammed Saidi,14 page 11 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 FEATURES

What causes family businesses to sell out and fade away after the third generation is the absence of family governance, trust, and a shared vision among relatives.

The Ups and Downs of Family Businesses: New Research on the Role of Succession and Leadership By Dana Halawi

Family businesses, like all enterprises, face the unique “Sometimes perceptions are based on a bad challenges of the 21st century: maneuvering in a global market dealing that has happened in the past, and the economy, competing for the best employees, managing problem is that family members take it and information in real time, and innovating to stay ahead of the capitalize on it.” —Josiane Sreih competition. However, a family business, unlike a publicly owned company, is typically passed down through the generations—and Tabar differentiates between small and large businesses, that tradition is especially dominant in the Middle East, where saying that if the business is small, then the family becomes an great importance is placed on the family as a unified entity. asset, at least at a time when the company has to be established In an effort to understand how family-run enterprises can and looked after. “When the first generation passes away and the maximize their chances of survival in a changing economy, business is transferred to the second generation, then problems scholars at LAU and their colleagues are undertaking studies that are very likely to happen, because some might want to keep it are shedding light on the dynamics that can lead to the success running jointly while others may prefer to divide it,” he said. or failure of these businesses. “There is a contradiction between the logic of running a family business if the business is to develop and progress, and the logic of family unity,” said Paul Tabar, associate professor of sociology at LAU. “Business is based on individual profit, while the logic of the family is based on its interest as a single entity, which is primary over the interests of individuals within the family. Private LAU Professor property requires individualistic thinking to be able to run it Josiane Sreih smoothly and make a profit,” he added.

page 12 take itand capitalize onit.” members family that is problem past,the the and in happened has that dealing bad a on based are perceptions “Sometimes and perceptions that do not necessarily reflect reality, are she placeadded: take that usually caused by miscommunication family between problems members the of Most conflicts. avoid internal and relationships facilitate will that channels communication create of to is businesses family in longevity to secret of Family and Entrepreneurial Business at LAU, that believes the governance, trust, andashared visionamongrelatives. and fade away the after third generation is the absence of family succession planningorleadershipdevelopment,” Nazersaid. excellence, and H.R. alignment were the top four challenges—not “Issues like strategy, challenges: planning, business organization structure, typical with operational grapple must companies the Rather,enterprises. such of characteristics specific the with do on’ Mdl Es Fml Bsns Cne o Excellence, to nothing of have businesses family by Center faced issues the of Business most Family East Middle Young’s third-generation companies are theleaststable. second-generation family businesses tend to fare the best, while that added study ones.The larger than condition overall better in be to tend members, fewer with enterprises, family smaller that stated East, Middle the in businesses family of conditions tosplitwhenthefamily itisbound grows,”because one, headded. small a or business large a is it generations,whether two forfamilymorebusiness the than of unity the maintain cannot share,business.out, the own walk his general,establish “In and you all feed is transferred to between generations, each member should sell his enough lucrative grandchildren, be Tabar said. Therefore, not he added, when succession might company ofthefamily, tomembers confined atimebomb. thenitcan be owners the is members.However,companyfamily sincethe all said,if not he are family the for problem a pose not may this owners,andof number a between divided is capitaladded, the Ernst & Young Rami Nazer, Josiane Sreih, associate professor and director of the Institute out sell to businesses family causes what that added Nazer codn t Rm Nzr prnr n ha o Ent & Ernst of head and partner Nazer, Rami to According current the examining at Young,aimed & Ernst by study A the that is businesses family facing challenge Another Tabar shareholders, with corporation a to comes it When handles conflict well.”handles conflict strong butfair values, and other family members, has that isproud, supports “A strong family isone Jabra Societe Jabra,Michele —Rami Nazer on tothethird andfourth generations. passed is business the when applicable be not may noted,this eldest son assumes the leading role his father. after However, he secondthe to fromgeneration, first the traditionthe the that is familybusiness,”the Nazer.said transitionthe in that added He Middle East it usually takes place upon the loss of a key player in the in constitution,but family the in designated be could that thefamilyto playinboth andthebusiness. will take place and what role the existing leadership will continue transition the when of strong,also leaders,into but competent generationnext the developing Families of only not think must business is paramount to the continued success of the company. not leadtoacrisis, does. it often longevity and performance of a business. While succession need the affect turn in can problems,which can of set unique generation a involve next the to company a Handing enterprises. the businesscorporate governance structure.” family council, the while the and business conflicts are constitution usually handled through family the through resolved and handled be should conflicts “Family said. Nazer business, the of prosperity and sustainability the to crucial is either ignoring be inorder must updated for themtosucceed inthefuture. structure organizational present their that believed survey the to responded that businesses family the of percent governance stakeholders.other shareholdersand 68 that showed study The family effective controlcompany,and the forenhancevalue and sustain to and an directdirectors—to of have board a and councilfamily structure—a must businesses is ofparamount importance. agility,structuregovernancecorporate and suitable a finding so as and speed work on compete often not well.businesses family Successful does cousins seven by ownership joint that find business,the in childrenworking generationhave next may the siblings three all if effectively, but operate may by siblings three owned company A next. the in dysfunctional turn can quickly generation one for well worked that structure ownership an pinch,as a in businesses family better.leave can often That is simpler ownership, business to comes it instance,when For efficient strategy, business processes, andskilledemployees.” business sound development, managerial planning,good succession governance, efficient good with one well,” conflict fairhandles is said.values,“Aand business he strong but strong has members, family other supports proud, is reinforceways.crucial in other each “A strong that familyone is same objectivesfor theoverall success ofthefamily. competency their differentlevels, as this will how increase their awareness of working matter toward the no together work to actions. It is the role their of for the accountable leader, members family she hold added,also should to encourageleader people Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the objectiveandfairmust be inhisdealingswitheachmember. level of competency in order to maintain trust in the family, and “Leadership transfer can take place at an agreed-upon time agreed-upon an at place take can transfer“Leadership A well-structured plan for transitioning leadership of a family family in role pivotal a play can succession of issue The without issues business from issues family Separating family Young, & Ernst by study same the to According But families and businesses can often work at cross-purposes. can business strong a and family strong a that noted Nazer the at consultant and sociologist Rizk, Huda to According high a show must leader business Moreover,the said,Sreih page 13 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 The Ups and Downs of Family Businesses

“This is why in many cases webfeatures succession fails: It is based on culture and not on merit. It is also often restricted to family members. Moreover, succession in the Middle East is biased against women.” — Michele Jabra

“The observation is that the tribal mentality is still strong; however, families are American Business becoming more pragmatic in selecting their leadership regardless of age and gender,” he said. Icon Restored and Michele Jabra, LAU alumna and marketing manager for distribution at Jabra Societe, Renewed by LAU said that it is still very common in the Middle East for the successor to be the eldest male Alumna Amini Audi in the family. “This is why in many cases succession fails: It is based on culture and not on merit. It is also often restricted to family members,” she said. “Moreover, succession The L. & J.G. Stickley Company was in the Middle East is biased against women.” founded by brothers Gustav, Leopold, Mona Bawarshi, LAU alumna and CEO and chairwoman of Gezairi Transport, a family and John George Stickley in 1900. business founded in 1945, pointed out that there is no standard time frame for transfer The firm became famous for its of leadership. “This depends on many factors, some of which can be the willingness of distinctly American, Arts and Crafts the older generation to give the reins, and the speed at which the new generation is style of furniture; but by the 1970s, showing professionalism and maturity,” she said. with only 27 employees and flagging Whatever the timing of the succession, Bawarshi added that the way in which sales, the Stickley Company was at leadership is passed on is of great importance for the future success of the business. the brink of bankruptcy. “The generation giving the power should do it slowly and try to be fair in granting the How did LAU alumna Amini Audi power,” she said. She explained that the family members taking over the succession and her husband Alfred save this should be able to prove—to themselves and to others around them—that they have American institution and turn it into earned that power and that it was not just handed to them as a gift. one of the most respected businesses A study prepared by Sreih and Salpie Djoundourian, an associate professor of in the United States? economics and chairperson of the Economics and Management Division at LAU, showed Read more online: that effective succession planning is considered a determinant of longevity. The study, www.lau.edu.lb/news/stickley published in the Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, cited the German sociologist Max Weber, who noted that succession planning should take place in the presence of the founder of the business in order to ensure the continuity of the enterprise. According to a commonly cited statistic included in the study, 30 percent of family firms worldwide pass leadership on to the second generation, and this percentage drops to 15 percent from the second generation to the third; only 3 percent of family firms go beyond the third generation. The Ernst & Young research stated that only 16 percent of the family businesses surveyed have a proper succession plan—a potential reason why family businesses rarely go beyond the third generation. Jabra mentioned a famous saying about family-owned businesses in Mexico: “Father, founder of the company; son, rich; and grandson, poor.” She explained it by saying that the founder works and builds a business; the son takes it over and is poorly prepared Knowledge is Power: to manage it and make it grow but enjoys the wealth; and the grandson inherits a dead Family and Education business and an empty bank account. A family business with a great product but poor management does not last, she The good news is that illiteracy is added, while a family business with a poor product but great management may have on the wane, according to Nimat a chance. Kanaan, LAU alumnus and former Director-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs. But there’s still a long way to go. Even with improved library access and outside assistance, it all comes back to the family’s dedication to their children’s school experience. Read more online: www.lau.edu. Mona Bawarshi, Gezairi Transport lb/news/familyandeducation

page 14 “The sourceofourbehavioris the home.”—HoneyAlSayed Saturday morning. Matters,”“Personal programcalledhour-long an on every featuredbroadcast is mornings,and Wednesday and thatthere imbalance. isapower important Theparents shouldhavethe authority.” family,”the within balance power a is there issues.when typicalis most “It the explained,of he one addressing dynamics.family “Adolescentsand adolescentsoppositional to become related questions answer to frequently adolescents Oppositional misunderstandings rear theirheadswhenever themediathrows onthefamily. issues: itsspotlight intergenerational And family airtime. of with deal great a dealings receive honesty of on-air Questions tension. of their source common a in are again and again up come that issues station HotFMduringherundergraduate daysatLAU. “Weknowhowtopackagethem.” on Al-MadinaFM, privateradio Syria’s first station. controversial topics are discussed.being LAU alumna Honey Al Sayed hosts and produces Morning Syria” “Good whose show is broadcast on Future over TV the entire Middle East region. But Beirut is not the only place where in theregion, interviewwithaprostitute. on-air tothefirst now in its 10th year and is famous forinterviewed live on air from to be AIDS a patient variety of firsts: the first pressuresand contemporaryof life. Kouyoumjian’sLAUZaven alumnus show, “Sire Wenfatahet,” for instance, is By MatthewMosley Family Taboos Radio andTelevision HostsConfront Live from theMiddleEast: For the past three years, Mohsen has on been Future threeTV times a week. He advicedispenses on Monday Raed Mohsen, associate professor and chairperson of the communications department, appears on television main three identify Most families? modern about learned producers and hosts show talk the have what So Beirut now-defunct the on Dizzies” “Quizzy hosted who Sayed, Al topics,” said daring tackles show “Our sector,” Kouyoumjian, entertainment said and show talk the dominated has Beirut 1990s, late the “Since All over the Middle East, the airwaves are humming with talk taboo-busting shows that deal with the problems we are formed.” which from basis the is influences,course,home outside of the many are “Therebut the home,” said Al Sayed, whose program is heard by teenagers as well as their parents. For all of these shows, family life is a prime concern. “The source of our is behavior FEATURES page 15 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Live from the Middle East

Once an undergraduate student of communication at LAU, What was the cause of these different responses? “It all Mohsen did a master’s in social work at Gallaudet University depends on the individual’s response to fame,” Karaki explained. in Washington, D.C., before earning a Ph.D. in interpersonal “Some people remained embedded in their family, so that communication from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. the success and good fortune was felt by everyone. Other people Since 1996, Mohsen has been a professor at LAU, alongside his cut their families off, which is not sustainable. What will they do practice as family therapist and psychotherapist at his Beirut when they are older?” clinic. Future TV tried to convince Mohsen to appear on air for a “If you give your 4-year-old $200 per month number of years before Mohsen felt comfortable enough to take up the challenge. pocket money, what do you expect?” “When you are dealing with problems live on air, you have to —Honey Al Sayed be very sure of the advice you are giving,” Mohsen explained. “It Karaki’s route into producing and hosting television took me a long time to build up to this stage. Even now, there programs was an unconventional one. After studying business are some calls where I don’t have enough information to give and computing at LAU, Karaki earned a master’s in educational advice. There is perhaps one phone call every three days where I management and leadership at the American University of Beirut tell them to call back when the show has finished.” (AUB). “I didn’t get on very well with either of the subjects,” she Many callers to the show are parents who are concerned said, “but my studies taught me so many things which I now use about the behavior of their teenagers. “In some families, when all the time in my shows: a logical way of thinking, for example, the child is in a bad mood, this negatively affects the mood of and the questions you should ask to get the answers you want.” everyone else,” Mohsen said. “This is not good either for the child In Karaki’s opinion, honesty—one of the most popular topics or for the family unit.” on the call-in shows—is the biggest issue facing families. “In Al Sayed too has experienced children who exert a tyrannical order to please others, we end up wearing masks,” she said. influence over their parents. “If you give your 4-year-old $200 per “In the Arab world, we have this myth about the family,” she month pocket money, what do you expect?” she asked, referring added. “People say, ‘We live in a family unit that no one can to some of the overindulgent behavior she has come across break.’ But often this is just a front. People behave one way within when taking calls on “Good Morning Syria.” the family and then have secret lives outside.” The issue is a tricky one because children often come to Compared with their counterparts in the West, Arab families occupy an overly elevated position in the household as a result are often praised for their cohesion. Karaki, however, thinks that of parental love. “We all want what’s best for our children,” Al this can lead to unhealthy relationships. Sayed said, “but sometimes it is necessary to cut back on the Rima Karaki ‘90 indulgence for their own well-being.” “In the Arab world, we Adolescents, many of whom still have things to learn about have this myth about the dealing with others, can become tyrannical if they are given too family. People say, ‘We live much power in the family unit. But there are other reasons why in a family unit that no adolescents might battle against their parents. one can break.’ But often “Sometimes, children disobey their parents in order to unite this is just a front.” them,” Mohsen noted. “If their parents are divided, disobedience —Rima Karaki might be the only way the child knows of bringing them together. It is cases like these where I might request that the parent speak “When we wear our masks to keep up the illusion of a to me off air, so that I can get more information about the harmonious family, we are prevented from getting to know each situation.” other,” she said. “Can we say that a daughter really knows her Mohsen’s co-presenter and producer on “Personal Matters” father if he is secretly having relationships with other women? is Rima Karaki, herself an LAU graduate. She was also recently At least with all these broken families in the West, they really seen on “And We Grew Up,” a Future TV series about families of know each other.” celebrities, which explored the fallout of fame on the family. Karaki does add, however, that there are values of kinship and “We found a huge variety of responses,” Karaki said. “Some community which Western societies have in far lower supply people, for example, found their famous sibling or parent a than Arab cultures. “In the West, human spirit is often lacking,” source of strength and pride. Others weren’t so lucky. Their she said. famous relative was a source of jealousy and bitterness.” “Families tell me that they all sit down together to watch my show,” said Malek Maktabi, an LAU alumnus whose weekly LBC “If their parents are divided, disobedience might talk show, “A Bold Red Line,” airs throughout the Arab world and be the only way the child knows of bringing features guests from Iraq to Oman. them together.” —Raed Mohsen “We tackle subjects that families would often avoid discussing amongst themselves,” Maktabi said. “We had a lesbian from Saudi Arabia speaking about her experiences. A couple of weeks ago, we featured a kleptomaniac who shared with us what it was like to deal with his illness.” One danger with a show such as Maktabi’s is that it could be exploitative of vulnerable people who already experience Professor and chairperson of the arts and communications division discrimination and persecution. According to Maktabi, however, (Beirut) Raed Mohsen there is a culture of trust between himself and his guests that gives the show journalistic integrity.

page 16 wanted topursue. he career a not was business family the in job a that deciding before LAU at finance and business studied Maktabi rugs. and carpets selling business successful highly a operates family His for family relations ifexcess pressure isused.” accountancy.naturalis This extent,certain a to good not it’s but into child their push to try might accountant successful a be to wants who fatherchildren,”“A said. their Mohsen through live to want often “Parents themselves. for have children the that ambitions that parents have for their children and the ambitions that parents are outoftouch.” say often children interests,while best child’s the in acting are they that understand don’t children that Parentssay directions: occurs across all social classes,” Al Sayed said. “It happens in which both something is “This misunderstanding. intergenerational stops Questioning frompeople having masks.” questions. any me ask also to I them everything. encourage me tell to children my teach “I said. discussable,” Karaki be should “Everything another. one with honest and open more become to families help might shows their that hope speech.They of freedom and openness greater of culture Maktabi, and Al Sayed are all motivated by this desire to create a own families.” their within even raise to able feel not might they which discuss issues to forum serious a provides show the because appear them.They humiliate to not me trust show the on appear who prosconsforthemselves.the and up weighing of capable Those atb hs xeine tee ifrn abtos himself. ambitions differing these experienced has Maktabi different the in itself manifests conflict this Frequently is across come often presenters the that issue Another Karaki, Kouyoumjian, as such producers and Presenters children,”are guests my of “None all said.are Maktabi “They Zaven Kouyoumjian ‘92 airwaves for sometimetocome. the on role important an family,play likely will presenters these arena where freely.” theycan speak raises thelevelofdebate.” close,”less “Rather,said.are she it we that mean doesn’t “This arerepresented.thought of religiousgroupsschools various and cohesion. “Weneedtolearnagree todisagree,” shesaid. feelingwithout opinion of arethey that of sense their damaging loving and respecting, of accepting,yourself.” part with “Being begins asked. community she are?”a you who with comfortable intergenerational the within families. misunderstandings thatcause difficulties to solution a as show her on advocates forwanted whatisbest me.” always “They said. now,” he me for happy extremely is family Maktabi hit upon the winning formula for “A Bold Red Line.” “My why IloveLondon somuch!” discovering me, discovering about what I wanted all to do,” was self-discovery. “London he of said. journey “That’s a into turned Ididn’twanttodo.”anything My parents were not happy, but they never tried to force me into me.for not was life this decided family,”I the for“But said. he Malek Maktabi ‘02 With the many joys and pressures an that them plague the give contemporary I heard. be to need “People added, Maktabi Karakiexpressedsentiment. same the family,extended her In She also noted that families must be able to accept differences being first without people other with on get you can repeatedly “How Sayed Al that something is Self-discovery years,severalfor journalism news television in working After studies. further of Londontraveledyear This to Maktabi fora “I am the oldest son, so my decision was especially important Honey Al Sayed ‘97 page 17 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 FEATURES

Family, Law, and Nationality for Women By Anna Louie Sussman

Demonstrators in Beirut in April 2009: (sign reads: “A woman represents half of society. Nationality is the right of our children.”)

page 18 By AnnaLouie Sussman Family, Law, andNationalityfor Women to thenationalityoftheirchildren.” —1979 ConventiontoEndAllForms equal rightswithmenrespect “States’ Parties shallgrantwomen of DiscriminationAgainstWomen LAU Professor BrianPrescott-Decie withhisfamily genuine marriageornot.” resettlePalestinians Lebanon,”in said,she marriage.the scrutinize “then You a is it if examine to right the have America,to in marriage convenience.of of preventuse marriages prohibitorderto the to in is intention the “If and Virginia, suggested using a procedure such as that employed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service anormalfamilyto be intheircountry.” women. We are penalizing our female citizens,” Mansour said. “It is really a form of cruelty to deny people the right society,’always hangtheirhatson‘thisisaveryspecial an‘exceptional situation.’” obligations underinternationallaw. in thelawgeneral, andthisisjustanotherexampleofdiscrimination.” this.likediscrimination inherent women treatingis There justify forwardto put be can that justification any is not buythisexplanation. to return toPalestine.” protectingis Palestinianthe refugees from Lebanonformin right any jeopardizesettlement their would of that rights with men with respect to the nationality of their children.” Its justification, wrote Beydoun, “is (CEDAW),that Lebanon but entered a reservation 9(2),to Article which stipulates that “States’ Parties shall grant women equal violation ofLebanon’s obligationsunderinternationallaw. was law The stateless. otherwise are who Lebanon in born those and parents, unknown to soil Lebanese on of internationalhumanrightslaw. language love,the of and language international the both in family,fluency and basic lack to appears Lebanon greeting a quick tumble through English, Arabic, and French: “Hi, keefek, ça va?” But when it comes to nationality Mansour, who formerly practiced immigration law in the United States, as an attorney in Washington,D.C.,in attorney an States,as United the in Mansour,law immigrationpracticed formerly who of treatment cruel this continue to used being issue political “a is furthermore, condition, Palestinian The “They don’t even make an effort to reconcile national law and their international obligations,” she said. “They their fromfulfilling “exceptionalism”prohibitsthem the claim at bridled politicians LebaneseMansour that “I don’t care about their justifications,” she said. “It’s denying women a basic human right. I don’t think there LAU, of does president the to assistant special Mansour,and Cedarcounsel general and J.D.,president vice Women Against Discrimination of Forms All End to Convention 1979 the ratified 1993,Lebanon March In born fathers,those Lebanese of born those to citizenship Lebanese grants law nationality 1925 Lebanon’s signature its sophisticate, multilingual effortlessly the of home the as depicted been always has Lebanon the International Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, is in flagrant in is Rights,Cultural and Economic,Social, on Convention International the PoliticalConventionand International Civil 1966 on treatiesRights,the such as of and women andmen. law—preceded developments in international law that stipulate total equality between much of Lebanese discriminatory legislation against women—including the nationality World,Arab the in Studies Women’s for Institute LAU’s of publicationAl-Raida, the of citizenship ontotheirchildren andspouses. partially reformed in 1960 and 1994, but falls short of allowing Lebanese women to pass Nonetheless, the persistence of the nationality law despite Lebanon’s ratification Lebanon’s despite law nationality the of persistence the Nonetheless, issue 2009 Fall/Winter the in Beydoun,writing Osseiran Lina activist to According Women’s Rights and Nationality Law project, and sponsored by the United Women’s Rights and Nationality Law project, and sponsored by the United n Erp. hn pue ad hlrn r icue i te estimate, the in included are children and spouses When Europe. and states Arabforeignnationals, other fromto mostly married were women Lebanese 17,860 that showed (UNDP), Program Development Nations n Erp. hn pue ad hlrn r icue i te estimate, the in included are children and spouses When Europe. and states Arabforeignnationals, other fromto mostly married were women Lebanese 17,860 that showed (UNDP), Program Development Nations affected bythislaw. arepopulation, Lebanon’s of percent 2 approximately or people, 80,000 affected bythislaw. arepopulation, Lebanon’s of percent 2 approximately or people, 80,000 as the new Lebanese cabinet was being formed. She hopes that despite that hopes formed.She being was cabinet Lebanese new the as debate a begin to and summer the over study the of findings the launch as the new Lebanese cabinet was being formed. She hopes that despite that hopes formed.She being was cabinet Lebanese new the as debate a begin to and summer the over study the of findings the launch continue tosuffer. be parliament,will new MPs the in participation women’s in decrease a continue tosuffer. receptive to women’s demand for equal rights. In the meantime, families be parliament,will new MPs the in participation women’s in decrease a eerh odce b D. aia hrfdie o te Lebanese the for Sharifeddine Fahima Dr. by conducted Research Nayla Madi Masri, the project manager of the campaign, planned to campaign,planned the of manager project Masri,the Madi Nayla page 19 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Family, Law, and Nationality for Women

“None of the children [of women married to foreign nationals] “If it weren’t for the children, it wouldn’t be a significant can benefit from any social programs,” said Mansour. “It’s really issue,” he said. “We can afford the occasional lawyer; we know a disgrace. There are no alternatives for these people. They don’t how to make the government system work. For a person like me, want to go to their father’s homeland.” there’s always a way to live here.” “Families legitimately living here should have support like all And, he continued, “my children are from here. They were born other families here,” she added. “But just because the father is in a Lebanese hospital; they know the Lebanese flag and think not of Lebanese origin, there is total disregard for the fact that of it as their own. But there’s a certain amount of understanding the woman is of Lebanese origin.” about [the law] already. They ask, ‘Why can’t I have the same Professor Dima Dabbous-Sensenig, assistant professor and the passport as my mom?’” director of LAU’s Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World Although Prescott-Decie said his wife worries about the issue (IWSAW) and a member of the UNDP Gender and Citizenship more than he does, he is not looking forward to the day his project steering committee, knows this from experience. When children reach majority: “When they’re 18, their residence is no she and her Austrian-American husband married, he had a longer automatic. They’ll need work permits, or they’ll have the job in Austria. But one year after their marriage, the Lebanese option of going ‘back’ to England.” authorities decided they didn’t want him staying here. To keep This, he pointed out, is a false choice. “We have no home in the family together, Dabbous-Sensenig and her husband had to England. My home is here. I own my house here,” he said. come up with LL100 million, or more than $65,000, in order for Still, he acknowledged his relative good fortune. him to qualify for a business visa. While they eventually borrowed sufficient funds, the prospects “Because of these restrictions, the kids can miss are worse for their children, she said, once they have graduated years of school.” —Brian Prescott-Decie college and are seeking employment. “No one wants to employ them because they are ‘foreign,’” she “Many people don’t have the same advantages,” Prescott-Decie said. “They’re rejected by the only country they’ve ever known.” said. “If you look at the people with whom CRTD-A is working, you’ll realize many of them are women of limited education, who LAU VP and General Counsel married a Syrian laborer, for example, and have been left with Dr. Cedar Mansour “There is inherent one or two foreign children. In order to get a residence permit, discrimination in the so that their children can go to school, they need to travel to law in general, and this Damascus to get passports for them, something that might be is just another example beyond their financial means.” of this discrimination.” “Because of these restrictions, the kids can miss years of school,” Prescott-Decie added. “Even on the level of emergency —Cedar Mansour, on the medicine, they get sent to Karantina Hospital, where they’re reservation to Article 9 (2) treated for a day or two, and then they’re on their own.” barring nationality rights Three years ago Prescott-Decie, along with Dabbous- for Palestinian women Sensenig’s husband Eugene, founded an unofficial group, which works in conjunction with CRTD-A, called “Fathers and Sons for Beyond its practical effects, the discriminatory law sends Citizenship,” although he acknowledges that daughters have a a powerful, and ugly, message about the place of women in stake in this too. The pair want to remind people that it’s not Lebanon, Dabbous-Sensenig said: “This law says, ‘Women don’t just a women’s issue. count.’ It says, ‘If they don’t marry one of us, they are outside of “We want to ask, ‘What are our rights?’ Because they’re being our society.’” infringed on too,” he said. She added, “If you fall in love with a man, you’re not going to “Above all else,” Prescott-Decie said, “it’s a matter of principle. not marry him because he’s French, Syrian, Qatari, or American. Article Seven of the Lebanese Constitution states unequivocally You are going to marry the man you love. Then, you realize that that ‘All Lebanese are equal before the law. They equally enjoy civil every year you have to go to the General Security and get a and political rights and equally are bound by public obligations permit to stay in the country.” and duties without any distinction.’ So the nationality law is at Mansour agreed: “A person does not make marriage decisions the very least unconstitutional.” based on whether or not their spouse can get an ID card.” However, Mansour cautioned that, unlike in the United States, The nationality law is based on the notion of patrilineality, changing the law via a court challenge is hard to do in Lebanon, or passing lineage through the father’s line. But as Dabbous- which relies on a Napoleonic system in which judges are asked Sensenig pointed out, “Of course biologically, you can always be to apply the law to the letter. sure of the mother, but you can never be sure of the father.” Instead, she believes “it is patriarchy behind this, and politics, in the case of Palestinians, who in any case are an absolute minority.” Older statistics by the CRTD-A indicated that less than 2 percent of foreign marriages involved Palestinian men. Like Dabbous-Sensenig, Brian Prescott-Decie, an instructor of LAU Professor and head of English and cultural studies at LAU and a native of the U.K., also the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World worries for his children. Married to a Lebanese-Armenian woman (IWSAW) Dima Dabbous- for the past 10 years, he has two children ages 5 and 7. Sensenig with her daughter

page 20 man youlove.” —DimaDabbous-Sensenig Qatari, orAmerican.You aregoingtomarrythe to notmarryhimbecause he’sFrench,Syrian, “If youfallinlovewith a man,you’renotgoing programs.” —CedarMansour foreign nationals]canbenefitfromanysocial “None ofthechildren[ofwomenmarriedto docket in the near future, and [it] would either be conferred by conferred be either would [it] future,and near the in docket Ministry of the Interior “would likely be moved into the legislative the and campaigners by prepared law draft a that said soon.He news website Menassat that he was “hopeful” the the law told will change recently rights, nationality women’s Lebanese behind include to want not Palestinian men,” will they shesaid. although here, change can’t it Tunisian consent. soilandhadthefather’s on born were they if children her to nationality her on pass to of terms in men nationality, with Tunisia,in and equality mother law the whereallowed law 1993 a allow to the 2005 where in Algeria, changed was in as such elsewhere, set precedents that’s code a change to room little enforceable,” very shesaid. has judge the but the bring most brilliant argument can that [the law is] clear-cut far.discrimination, I get not do arguments These law. codified clear very a is there when limited is judge the of discretion the Interior minister Ziad Baroud, who has thrown his support support his thrown has who Baroud, Ziad minister Interior reason no there’s countries,so Arab several in changed “It’s been have there out, pointed Dabbous-Sensenig as But law, because this to challenge legal a bring to difficult “It’s rights ingeneral,” shesaid. their of people robbing and unfairness,discrimination, against it shouldbe, Mansouradded. how is this perhaps overnight,and happened never has change Social campaigns. and sit-ins of years of result the be would it issue.” said, trailing off. “It’s politics,” she said. “This is a highly politicized Suleiman gaveCRTD-A theirrhetorical support. Michel President and Siniora Fuad Minister Prime her,even to parliament.Accordingthe of front in put were it if law this pass would they said have that parties and the named appearances Masri interviews, media in statements on-the-record their as CRTD-A’sparty,representativesfromeach with meetings well as priority over women’srights. took again once maneuvering political that conclude to campaign, “Nationality” or “Jensiyya” CRTD-A’s Masri, of Roula director leading parliament, to presented being ever law Lebanese the wouldapproveparliament thelawinend.” “optimistic was he that added parliament.” He the by law emergency an as presented or cabinet Lebanese the Cagn te a sol cm a pr o a movement a of part as come should law the “Changing If the movement eventually does succeed, Mansour suggested action…,”into that Masri translating to comes it when “But “Publicly, every party agrees to pass this law,” Masri said. Citing the without passed elections parliamentary 7 June the But Palestinian men.” although theywillnotwanttoinclude so there’snoreasonitcan’tchangehere, “It’s changedinseveralArabcountries, page 21 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Family Charities and LAU

Students try out the “seat belt convincer,” brought to LAU by KunHadi on Traffic Awareness Day Family Charities and LAU By Dalila Mahdawi

In the early hours of April 16, 2006, LAU undergraduate Hadi Gebran and a friend were driving home after a night of clubbing. The roads were deserted, so Hadi drove “He lost his life, but faster than usual. Suddenly, a scooter crossed the road in front of them, and in an effort he’s saved others.” to avoid collision Hadi swerved out of the way, losing control of the car. The two friends —Fadi Gebran, on his were wearing seat belts, but the impact of the crash was so severe, Hadi was killed son Hadi Gebran immediately. He was 18 years old. In the wake of Hadi’s death, “one of his friends had the idea to start an association in his memory,” Hadi’s father Fadi told LAU Magazine. The Gebrans jumped at the plan, and together with friends, Fadi and his wife Lena founded KunHadi to raise awareness about road safety. For Hadi’s parents, the association transformed their son’s death into something that could help keep other young people from dying in preventable circumstances. “He lost his life, but he’s saved others,” said Fadi of his son. “I’m very happy if at least one person a month survives” thanks to KunHadi’s efforts. By relying on family teamwork, the association has also helped the Gebrans cope with their loss. “We feel that Hadi is still with us” through KunHadi, Fadi explained. The late Hadi Gebran (right) in a photo now Like the Gebrans, others in the LAU community have started family charities after used on many foundation posters experiencing the death of a family member or witnessing the suffering around them.

Diala Rayess (left) and Tala Sinno (right) received Alumni Achievement awards in 2008

page 22 for Tammana more than$40,000 students raised Last year,10LAU and volunteered theirtime. identity Toufoula’scorporate for designs create to who helped faculty,have and students LAU from involvement active has seen project The said. Kabbour treatment, medical of fear and pain the from distraction a dimension”as another to child the build to Murad “dream rooms” Zuhair for children with cancer. designer “The idea is fashionto transport and Khoury Bernard architect as talent high-profile such Abbas),enlists Hussein and El-Kabbour, Amal Sinno, Tala and Yasmine (sisters alumni LAU Tammanaopen ineveryArab offices country. more than $40,000 for the charity. Rayess is currently planning to day.the raisedyear,for Laststudents princess LAU or 10 pilot a receiving a laptop or meeting a celebrity to traveling or becoming wishes,fourrangeTammanafrom can week about which fulfills Every illnesses. critical with Lebanon in children of wishes the family members. The association, founded in Karim’s honor,Rayess explained, she launched Tammana with the help of threegrants it would much have easier been for her to spiral into depression, her son five-year-old Karim in a jet-ski accident in 2005. Although Another organization,Another Toufoula, four include founders whose losing after shortly Tammana created Rayess Diala Alumna A child’s wishof comes truewith flying aplane Tammana A Toufoula dream room their aunt founded with Beytuna andLama (right) (left) Masri sisters Yasmeena efforts continue.efforts to future,near hope the in formally register Beytuna ensuretheir to that founders The Lebanon. across women of dignity the restore to helping is work Today2008.their November in aunt and sister her with Beytuna launch to her communities—led that experiences impoverished visited and World” Arab the in by them developjobskills. women helping and these sanitation and care of health about conditions them educating living the improve to group The helps circumstances. precarious in of live heads who women households empowers aunt, their and Lama, sister her hl a LU Ysen hd ae te ore “Women course the taken had Yasmeena LAU, at While and Masri Yasmeena alumnae by co-founded Beytuna, Before shots ofakitchenrenovated by andafter Beytuna page 23 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 LAU’s Extended Family

Opinion: The Disenfranchised Families Among Us By Shereen Nabhani and Zeina Abdallah

Zeina Abdallah

Nabhani (a former faculty member in LAU’s School of Pharmacy) and Abdallah (currently an account manager at MARCOM) donate their time at the Volunteer Outreach Clinic (VOC), a registered non-governmental organization located in the Shatila camp and launched by the American University of Beirut and LAU. The VOC provides free medical care to patients, including access to physicians, pharmacists, and nutritionists, as well as free lab tests and medications. Dr. Shereen Nabhani

Though the Palestinians of our parents’ and grandparents’ children who are hopeful in the face of a seemingly hopeless generations expected that their exodus would only be temporary, situation. We have seen mothers take on unfathomable burdens more than 400,000 registered Palestinian refugees now live in while maintaining their dignity and strength. Lebanese camps. It is difficult to escape the feeling of despair In one example, a mother of six, whose husband was diagnosed that pervades a camp like Shatila, where we have spent many with hepatitis C and had no access to treatment, frequented days. Shatila, like most Palestinian refugee camps, offers very our clinic. Despite her circumstances, this mother retains a little in terms of comfort for its residents. But that does not commendable outlook—one of dedication to her children and always tell the whole story. bed-ridden husband—while trying to provide the best care Family life in Shatila is often fractured and complicated within her means. Her concern for her family manifests itself to a degree not experienced in other parts of Lebanon, yet in in her effort to learn about all pediatric health issues, including some ways it is the very bonds of family that hold everything nutrition, vaccines, and care. together there. While many of Shatila’s children do not have the opportunity to go to school—unless they happen to be among Though many are concerned about how to solve the the fortunate few who attend one of the handful of United problems that come with Lebanon’s confessional Nations-run schools in the camp—not every child gives up on the dream of an education. It is true that most parents in the system, the rights and needs of 400,000 people camp simply cannot afford a tuition fee at a non-U.N. school, must not be ignored. particularly since most Palestinians in the camp are grappling with chronic unemployment or underemployment. But in spite We have also seen families endure remarkable hardships of the hardships, most Palestinians in Shatila try to maintain a in order to stay together, and we have seen them provide for semblance of normalcy and hope. And that hope often manifests one another at all costs—even adopting new members when itself in the family bond. necessary. This often results in a close-knit society, which is With more than 8,000 residents of Shatila packed into a particularly beneficial for patients like “Fattoum.” She is a mere one-square-kilometer of space, it goes without saying that delightful 80-year-old woman who visits our clinic every Saturday. conditions are cramped beyond belief. Buildings are haphazardly The war left her without any next of kin, yet she finds herself part built and, in many cases, crumbling. Electricity and plumbing of a large extended family. are improvised. Narrow, unpaved passageways weave between While many are concerned about how to solve the problems these dilapidated structures, creating a maze of squalor that that come with Lebanon’s confessional system, the rights and seems almost otherworldly. For the Palestinians who live in these needs of 400,000 people must not be ignored. The benefits of conditions, life is beyond difficult. Even when somebody in the solving this problem are clear to many Lebanese and Palestinians camp does gain a good education, he or she cannot count on alike. No one, regardless of origin or creed, should come to accept becoming gainfully employed. There is no real economy to speak or expect the fate that lies within the faded walls of Shatila. But of, so there is rarely work inside the camp. And Palestinians who until a permanent solution is found, Palestinian refugees in search for an escape will usually be disappointed, since Lebanese Lebanon will continue to sustain themselves as they have for law still bars Palestinian refugees from taking part in many decades: by maintaining the close family ties that shine light in professions. Residents of the camp have been barred from as perpetual darkness. many as 70 jobs, ensuring that they remain on the bottom rung of the economic ladder. The Volunteer Outreach Clinic is always seeking volunteers Yet despite these grim circumstances, we have seen numerous and financial assistance. To get involved, please contact Zeina examples of happiness and contentment in Shatila. We have seen Abdallah at 03 668259, or visit www.voclebanon.org.

page 24 LAU JointVentures chapter. As the economic crisis washed over the region, example employees what recently placetook among of members the Dubai deals,business or produceoffers to job known an as been citing have events alumni that family,”added second said.He Khal Al of alumni networksintheirprofessional lives. aswellsocial importance the graduates its show to working is university encompasses almost30organized chapters worldwide. reach. The network stretches global from Abu what Dhabi to university’s Los Angeles and the But is university. unique network the alumni LAU’s makes for ambassadors as role important likecan be family.” can bring people together,” he said. “In many ways these chapters friends.old chapter alumni reallyan “I much first-handhow saw like interacting alumni Ottawa same those of many saw Shiner much.” they would have met before,”somehow Shiner said.city, “Clearly I that assumed too same the in lived and heritage Lebanese a that night. meeting to prior other each knew attendees the of none almost within living and frommiles Lebanon,of thousands proximityother close each of origin Lebanese of being everyone Despite formed newly the of noticed.he something chapter, by alumni struck Ottawa was he gathering dinner a attended America, ways thesechapterscan be like family.” chapter canbringpeople together. Inmany “I reallysawfirst-hand how muchanalumni By LAU Staff LAU’s ExtendedFamily W ecuae u aun t tik f hi catr ie a like chapter their of think to alumni our encourage “We relations,the alumni said of Khal,director LAU’sAl Abdallah an play alumni LAU’s growing, and strong 30,000 Nearly Orlando, in gathering alumni national a at later, Months shared folks these that, because assumed just had I guess “I North in manager programs alumni Shiner,LAU’s Ed When —Ed Shiner have in people’s lives.”have inpeople’s can network a such that power tremendous the underestimate network,”alumni never our strengthenshould said. “We Khal Al Alumni Association Board, are working very hard to continuously connected theuniversityandeachother. toboth stay connect,reconnect,and to alumni dispersed widely LAU’s that will make portal a social-networking global it even easier for andtravelthem withlodging plans. available to assist LAU alumni passing through the area, providing themselves made Torontoreadily the have of chapter Members alumni.LAU of network global a is there know to comfort him Lebanesethe community,”of Andray said. gives it that added He members.strongother foundationrelationshipswith the is This formto able been childrenhave our we’rethat extremelyhappy than 100alumni. more encompass to grown now has it and said,Andray Samer people,for15 America,picnic a co-founder North with in began family would,” members AlKhalsaid. like another one for out looked jobs.“They new find members chapter to spring into action and successfully help many of their off,that laid of committeeinevitably executivewere the leading members would.”—AbdallahAlKhal “They looked outforoneanotherlike family Te lmi eain Ofc ad A, ln wt the with along LAU, and Office Relations Alumni “The The alumni relations office recently kicked off Net Community, “We have been fortunate to have people aroundgood us, and groups alumni strongest LAU’s of Torontochapter,one The LAU’s ExtendedFamily LAU alumnichapters worldwide page 25 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 LAU in Motion

LAU in Motion

The High-Flying Professor and His Unconventional Aircraft By LAU Staff

When you walk into Michel Khoury’s office on the LAU Byblos The unconventional aircraft that started as the 2007 class campus, you immediately notice the airplane-inspired decor on project was later modified by three students for their final year the walls. In one corner there is a two-meter-wide wing from project. That model was flown last summer but still needed some an airplane model built by his students a few years back. The work. Khoury continued to amend the model further because he assistant professor at the School of Engineering and Architecture wanted it to be “a full success.” has loved airplanes ever since he took his first plane ride at the Now, he can say that it is. In May, the University Research age of 13. It so sparked his interest that he started making paper Council at LAU approved a grant on the unmanned solar aircraft, airplanes and building models immediately. which led to the production of the third aircraft, spearheaded by He still builds models today, but they are highly evolved Khoury in coordination with Dr. Barbar Akle, another assistant unconventional aircraft that he has designed and built with professor at the School of Engineering and Architecture. The his students. On July 9, Khoury flew the latest version of their aircraft aimed to demonstrate the theory of a solar-powered unconventional aircraft at the Hamat Airport in the north of aircraft, Khoury said. The entire aircraft design and manufacturing Lebanon, along with Senior IT Support Administrator Alexei process took the professors and students about two months. Karam and two of the three students that have been working The aircraft was tested without solar panels on July 9 and was on the aircraft. Karam, whose hobby of flying planes began at expected to fly in full armor by the end of July. the age of 10, said his practical know-how has contributed to the Khoury said the students learn more than just how to design successful flights of this and previous aircraft. an aircraft, a skill that unfortunately will not likely lead to a career It all started when Khoury joined LAU right after receiving his in Lebanon. What they do learn is methodology, and seeing how Ph.D. from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where he did U.S. engineering equations work and how they materialize in a lab. Air Force–funded research on unmanned combat air vehicles. They also see their work take off, literally. “The 2005 [aircraft] But Khoury had bigger plans in store. “It was at the back of my flew like a dream. And students were yelling like crazy!” he said. brain,” he said, “that we should try to design an airplane, build it, fly it—see how it goes.” And so they did. “It gave us a more practical aspect of engineering. In his second semester of teaching, Khoury taught an elective It was the first class where we went to the lab and on aircraft design that culminated in the successful flying of we built [the aircraft] with our hands.” the airplane developed in class. In 2007, he taught a similar elective, Unconventional Aircraft Design. According to Khoury, —Richard Mouawad, senior, LAU conventional airplanes are easy to build because the design is readily available and easy to copy. With unconventional aircraft, however, there is nothing to copy, which gives its designers much more room for creativity and challenge. “You can’t find unconventional aircraft designs,” Khoury said. “You can find aircraft design books [about] just regular aircrafts, but once you talk about unconventional aircraft, it becomes very challenging.”

Students working on the conventional plane in 2005

page 26 Wael Nahas, JosephNajem, Dr. Khoury, Michel Alexei Karam, andFida Majzoub asuccessful after landing,> Shortly thegroup withtheiraircraft. pose to right): (from left competition withotheruniversities. end-of-semester an involving time this Design—perhapsAircraft Unconventional of installment another yet teaching and LAU, at in field Europe, but he wants to continue living in Lebanon, working UniversityDelftat Technology,of theonetopofuniversities thein the master.” Khoury recently received an offer to teach aircraft design response,Khourymodestlyreplied, enough,good“I’m notI’m but sense ofthevalueteamwork. these on background no machines,” a gained said.However,they hadhe challenges the through “We workshop. the in machines the with dealing was difficulty other one that noted agreed, and course,the took who senior Najem,explained.another Joseph she materials,” cheaper using are you when especially manufacturing, from different very is “Theory phase. manufacturing the during thing solutionsstudentsfindthe forproblems another tolearned how was faced year, said this Majzoub, graduates and Fida course the 2007. took who in course Design Aircraft Unconventional aircraft] [the built we Khoury’s and took hands,”Mouawad,who our Richard with senior lab said the to went we where class first challenging.” —MichelKhoury unconventional aircraftitbecomesvery just regularaircrafts,butonceyoutalkabout “You canfindaircraftdesignbooks[about] H’ te atr f icat ee” ad azu o Khoury. In of Majzoub here,” said aircraft of master the “He’s the was engineering. It of aspect practical more a us gave “It Students hard at work buildingthesolar-powered vehicle solar car project wasaround $4,000, Wexsaid. Office at LAU Byblos matched the funds. The Affairs budget for the Student the and (SPIE), Engineers PhotographicInstrumentation of Society the from project the for grant a Sciences.receivedandWex Arts of School the professorat LAU students in the future,” added Dr. Brigitte Wex, assistant already decidedtocome toLAU andbecome anengineer.” “I’ve car, said, the build helped and School International of School Architecture LAU and Engineering. the at professor assistant an Akle, Barbar Dr. sunlight,” explained of amount maximum the receive sits onthree bicyclewheels. framework,metal a by sustained and cells solar containing the 10 result of their three-week project was exhibited and tested at LAU.at The built car solar first project:the bigger even an from involved including in five Lebanese high schools—got race cars. two years ago to construct remote-controlled, launcher, and balloon solar-powered a create to year rocket, last a build to was it ago years few A building? campus a of basement the in working morningsSaturday their spend to students By LAU Staff Byblos Campus Solar Car onthe LAU Team Builds ”These are very talented students whom I see becoming becoming see I whom students talented very are ”These Montana attends who 14-year-old a Khatsherian, Sako can they that so horizontal be to have boards “The boards three of made vehicle, unusual-looking The n 09 to A poesr ad ee students— seven and professors LAU two 2009, In and professors LAU of group a inspire would What th AnnualScienceFair andArts onMay7. page 27 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 LAU Commencement 2009

LAU Commencement 2009

LAU Awards Honorary Ph.D. to Distinguished Scientist Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri

Renowned chemistry professor Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri was granted an honorary Ph.D. at the LAU Byblos commencement ceremony on July 16. A faculty member at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, Shakhashiri is known internationally for his efforts in promoting science education at all levels and developing demonstrations for teaching chemistry in classrooms and other settings. He has given more than 1,300 invited lectures and presentations around the world, written numerous books, and been featured in national and local media of every type. Shakhashiri has also received numerous awards, and is described in the Encyclopedia Britannica as the “dean of lecture demonstrators in America.” From 1984 to 1990, Shakhashiri served as assistant director for science and engineering education at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States, where he led efforts to rebuild and develop educational programs in these fields after their decline in the early 1980s, and established a strategic plan that influenced the last two decades of the NSF’s activities. Shakhashiri promotes policies for the advancement of science and technology to serve society, and works to establish links between science and the arts and humanities. Shakhashiri was born in Anfe, in the north of Lebanon, to an alumna of LAU, Adma Shakhashiri, and Dr. Zekin Shakhashiri, who was a pioneer in public health at the American University of Beirut. After moving to the U.S. in 1957, he graduated from Boston University in 1960 with an A.B. degree in chemistry, then earned master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Maryland. In 1970 he joined the University of Wisconsin, where he went on to become the founding chair of the University of Wisconsin System Undergraduate Teaching Improvement Council in 1977 and founder and first director of the Institute for Chemical Education (ICE) in 1983.

page 28 LAU Commencement 2009

LAU Awards Honorary Ph.D. to Central Bank Governor Riad Salamé

Riad Salamé, Lebanon’s Central Bank governor, received an honorary degree at the LAU Beirut commencement ceremony, held on July 18. Salamé was honored for his outstanding achievements in the banking sector in Lebanon. Having served in his current position since 1994, Salamé has won numerous local and international awards over the years for his exceptional leadership, especially during troubled times that gripped Lebanon. In 2006, he received the prize for the world’s best central bank governor at an annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. He has also received awards like Best Arab Banker in 1996, Best Central Bank Governor in 2003, and Best Central Bank Governor for the Middle East in 2005. Most recently, in light of his work during the global financial crisis, he was named Best Middle East Central Bank Governor by the internationally renowned magazine The Banker in early 2009. “Lebanon has been exposed to many tumultuous events, from assassinations to wars,” Salamé said in a March 2009 interview with The Banker magazine. “The banking sector kept it together throughout, and this adds to the conviction that our system can operate in stressful situations.” Born in Beirut on July 17, 1950, Salamé studied at the College Notre-Dame de Jamhour before graduating from the American University of Beirut with a degree in economics. He worked at Merrill Lynch for 20 years, from 1973 until he was appointed to his current position.

page 29 LAU’s Summer Camp Thrills Children and Parents Alike

Children from the summer camp visit a local water park LAU’s Summer Camp Thrills

Children and Parents Alike By Marc Abizeid

It has been two decades since Maha Makki last attended LAU’s Every Wednesday the children are either taken on a field annual summer camp, but she can still describe in vivid detail trip—past destinations have included the Animal City zoo and the experiences that defined two of her childhood summers. the Splash Mountain water park—or remain on campus for a “We used to do gymnastics, tennis, swimming, two types of special activity. art, basketball ... and we used to go to the LAU library once a New activities are added every year. Last summer, the camp week,” she recalled. “And I remember that the trainers were nice, introduced the Universal Concept in Mental Arithmetic System but strict.” (UCMAS) program into both age-based groups. UCMAS is designed Now 32 years old and a mother of three, Makki is enrolling to stimulate both parts of the brain using the ancient Chinese her seven-year-old twins in the same summer camp that she abacus calculator, and to help develop memory, concentration, remembers so fondly. imagination, and logic. For Makki and the parents of about 150 youngsters who enrolled in LAU’s summer camp for the 2009 season, the purpose “It’s not that I want them to go to summer camp of signing up their children is not simply to get them out of the because there is nothing else to do. I want them house and away from video games. to go to this summer camp specifically, because “It’s not that I want them to go to summer camp because there is nothing else to do,” Makki said. “I want them to go to this they’re going to have a good time and practice summer camp specifically, because they’re going to have a good their skills.” —Maha Makki time and practice their skills.” The camp, which has been a staple of LAU’s Continuing Layan Mhanna, a summer camp group leader, said most of Education Program (CEP) since 1982, is split into two age-based the children react to their camp activities with tremendous joy programs. and excitement. Children ages 6 to 8 enroll in the regular day camp, where “At the beginning, the children would be very shy, and some activities include sports and art-related projects, along with of them wouldn’t want to come at all,” Mhanna said. “But after cooking, chess, storytelling, and Wushu. one week, I noticed that they had become very attached to us For children ages nine to 12, CEP offers the “Little Business and would never miss a day.” Leaders” program, which trains kids to manage budgets, sell products, and make calculated, business-minded decisions. “I was shocked by the capacity of the kids to perform and act just like adults,” said Nathalie Moukarzel, an instructor for the program. Both day camps take place on the LAU campus Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Families are given the choice of enrolling in a two-, four-, or six-week program.

page 30 that kindofstuff.” game,up,the them into pump them get to try psychologically “I playing,”we’re who on week—depends said.a he once speeches players,”added,he proudteam. his of openly motivational give “I “showed themcourage andguidedthem,” said. Safi game.teammates real experienced more first Their their playing percentoftheplayers wereonfield rookies, some ofwhom were onthefield. back each other’s Theycan rely ononeanother.” have they that trustplayers, they theand among bonding good family.a are “Youthey together.likefeel always are They is There approach tothegame.knit andsupportive Lebanese rugby league, attributed the team’s strength to its close- nationalchampionshipvictoriesunderitsbelt.five with team, rugby Lebanese single a by won tournaments most record-breaking accomplishment. It has already set the bar for the championship. the in games other the all won havingsport, national recordin a set Immortals 16,the May on game final tournament’s the in Jounieh to loss contested tightly a performance.Despite setting record- another with proud stood team LAU Championship,the Sets NationalRecord LAU RugbyTeam as ateam.You feellike theyareafamily.” “When youlookattheteam,don’tseeit Pol sil a’ blee e o, s e ee isn key missing were we as won, we believe can’t still “People 80 which in Jounieh against game a is example favorite His “When you look at the team, you don’t see it as a team,” he said. the for coaching of director now Safi, Remond coach LAU The team’s streak of 12 uninterrupted victories was not its first LeagueRugby Beirut of Bank the fromsettled dust the After breaking prominence, the Immortals live up to their name in in name Lebanese athletics. their to up live Immortals the prominence, breaking better.” and better and better getting started team win.The could they calledbelievedstillthemselvestheytheybecauseImmortals the weakest,butthe was created,team “LAU’swas tournament the in2002. began 2007 as an amalgamation of spring and winter tournaments that Joseph, andUniversityofBalamand. 2008, the LAU team took on AUB, Jounieh RLFC, Université Saint playing. the best players,” said Hachache, who has four years of experience always like that, alwaystogether.” We’re family. … a like “We’re relationship, saying, good very a role camaraderie plays intheirsuccess. the on Safi with agree players the week, a game one play week,and a discipline, timestheirpractice three on themselves pride they Although Cedars. and Espoir Liban teams, national rm hi udro bgnig t ter urn record- current their to beginnings underdog their From According to LAU Director of Athletics Sami Garabedian, when in started Championship League Rugby Beirut of Bank The In the Bank of Beirut championship, which started in November have game,we the of aspects all “Skill-wise,fitness-wise—in has team his that stressed Hachache Robin player Immortals Lebanese on are nine Immortals, the on players 25 the Of

By JayHeisler “People stillcan’tbelievewewon, as weweremissingkey players.” Sets NationalRecord LAU RugbyTeam —Coach RemondSafi page 31 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Faculty Talent Highlights

Faculty Talent Highlights In Love with Ceramics Dr. May Abboud, retired professor of computer science

Dr. May Abboud, a retired professor in the LAU Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, has been involved in a 24-year love affair with ceramics—a passion that has brought her the Musée Sursock Award for her installation, “The July War.” As she sat in her Beirut studio, sipping coffee from a ceramic cup she worked on herself, Abboud remembered how she first discovered what would become a lifelong pursuit.

“I always loved art, but I didn’t have any real education in Dr. May Abboud with one of her works art when I was young,” Abboud said. When she found herself in the United States in 1984, she decided it was time to sign up for some classes. “When I don’t know what to do, I go back to She registered for a ceramics course at George Washington the wheel. It’s almost like meditation.” University, and the first thing she wanted to make, Abboud recalled, was a dinner set. But she soon discovered that working by boat, but I chose to make boats because they are more with clay opened up her imagination. symbolic.” The installation that brought her the Sursock award consists Abboud said she has also started exploring other artistic of a number of small boats, symbols of the refugees who left interests, among them painting and photography. “With South Lebanon in the 2006 war. “The boats are filled with little painting you can control color more,” she said. things, which can be people and their belongings,” Abboud Still, she added, “When I don’t know what to do, I go back to explained. “The refugees in the south did not leave their house the wheel. It’s almost like meditation.”

A Passion for Cinema Khalil Zaarour, part-time faculty member in the Department of Arts and Communications

He used to skip school when he was a boy, taking refuge in a cinema hall and watching two or three movies a day—sometimes the same movie over and over. Deep down, he always knew: Someday he would be a director. Khalil Zaarour at the Dubai Media City Mini Film Festival in 2007 Khalil Zaarour followed his dream, graduating in 2001 with a bachelor’s in communication arts from LAU, then a master’s in film “The movie theater was my hideaway, directing from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. my retreat.” “But the movie theater was my hideaway, my retreat,” he said. So, in addition to teaching film at LAU this year, Zaarour is busy The Strangers, a docudrama that Zaarour shot in Tripoli and that making movies. focuses on poverty, has also had a successful run at international The Window, a 13-minute drama he made in 2006 about a film festivals, as well as at universities and cultural centers in lonely old man who anxiously awaits a visit from someone who Lebanon. sent him a Christmas card, won first prize at the 13th European Film Zaarour now has a feature film in the works. “I am taking my Festival, third prize at the MINI Film Festival in Dubai in 2007, and time in writing it, because I want it to be mature enough and a nomination in Sapporo, Japan. ‘Lebanese’ enough,” he said. “That’s what I also tell my students, “This film was my passport to filmmaking,” Zaarour said. “I always [to] write something genuine … something from their land, their tell my students to make their short films in university with a great people. Because we cannot compete with Hollywood in action deal of passion, because it is their first ticket to the industry.” movies, but we can compete with our Lebanese stories.”

page 32 units ineachcountry.” how toestablishresearch an officialmeetingof “We havesetaplanin on the Middle East on theMiddle Korfali at the World Economic Forum out ofLebanon duringthe2006war carrying refugees boats symbolizing award-winningAbboud’s piece good scientistshere atLAU,good andtheyneedto receive suchrecognition,” Korfali added. very have project.“We the for aspirations high has she experts.”resources,said the She the need,countries the what data, the have to have we country,” first “But said.Korfali the MiddleEast, andwouldlike toseethatproject implementedasquicklypossible. panel.the in participate to selected leaders young the among student pharmacy LAU an find to East.happy Middle was the she Korfaliin said rolemodel good a scientist a make that of Science,” and“Rethinking Education.” system.educational She Eastern also Middle participated in the other in panels,scientist including the “Architectof importance of the Science,”to dedicated panels, “Privatization and Health. Geochemistry Environmental of Society the Middle of branch European only the in the scientist Eastern also is Korfali Council, Research scientist. National Lebanese Lebanese the well-known of a Korfali, member A of work the with impressed was scholars 20 Korfali said. economical growth of any country,the foryou term have to long go the into science,at look to technology,want you if science,and because education,”and technology include to Sciences DivisioninBeirut. a strategy to tackle the crisis. Among them was Dr. Samira Korfali, chair of the LAU Natural develop to Jordan,selected wereregionin from around the Sea scientists Dead 20 the at for hope growthinnovation offerthebest andprosperity. “We have set a plan in an official meeting of how to establish research units in each in units research establish to how of meeting official an in plan a set have “We Korfali added that she was impressed with the idea of creating a network of scientists in In the session she led, the participants, all youth leaders, talked about the characteristics Series Model Role forum’s the of one for discussion the lead to chosen was Korfali of group the selecting of charge in was that Technologyteam of Institute Swiss The decided they time first the for politics,but and economics on mainly is forum “The EconomicWorld East,Forum Middle the on year’s this place15-17 At May took which and crisis,science economic global a and markets energy volatile highly of era an In a scientistfor theMiddleEast Dr. Samira Korfali, Among theBest page 33 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Faculty and Staff

Faculty and Staff on the Move

ALESSANDRO ARTIZZU EVELYN DABAGHI CHATILA Professor Alessandro Artizzu, who hails from LAU alumna Evelyn Dabaghi Chatila has Italy, is now teaching interior design and interior recently joined her graduate alma mater as a architecture courses at LAU. He said he is interested full-time English instructor. In her capacity as a in working in the Middle East because he sees its teacher, Chatila—who also holds a B.A. in English culture as “an important crossroads between literature and a Teaching Diploma from Notre West and East” and as the origin of many contemporary ideas. Dame University in Lebanon—said she wishes to positively Artizzu looks forward to helping students develop the knowledge impact the overall attitude of students toward reading and and skills they will need to pursue careers as interior designers. writing. She is also a member of the Writing Center Ad Hoc After studying in Italy—earning a degree in architecture from the Committee at LAU. University of Florence and a master’s in industrial design from Domos Academy—Artizzu taught in several universities in South Korea before joining LAU.

GEORGE SADAKA ZOYA GHOSN AL ZAHABI A newly appointed full-time professor in the Eleven years after graduating with a B.S. in English department, Dr. George Sadaka said he business administration, Zoya Ghosn Al Zahabi admires LAU for its ability to harness the energy is back at LAU—this time as an executive assistant of the young generation. Sadaka, who has been in the office of the vice president for student working at LAU part-time since the age of 23, development and enrollment management. She has taught various subjects in the humanities department, from holds an M.A. in money and banking from the American University rhetoric and creative writing to the cultural studies courses in of Beirut and has gained extensive administrative experience from the liberal arts curriculum. He graduated with an M.A. in English her previous jobs, including a position with Beam International, literature from the American University of Beirut and is currently an offshore company in the oil and gas field. “I am proud to be a working on a Ph.D. in English literature from Lancaster University member of the LAU family and looking forward to a bright future in the U.K. on all levels,” she said.

RALPH ABI-HABIB HANI DIMASSI Dr. Ralph Abi-Habib is a newly appointed Dr. Hani Dimassi has been with LAU’s School assistant professor in the natural sciences of Pharmacy since 1998 and recently joined department. He has conducted research in cancer the school full-time. He plans to support therapeutics and cancer drug development at the interdisciplinary research and teach statistics with discovery, pre-clinical, and clinical levels. Abi-Habib an applied approach, so that “students walk out previously worked as manager of research and development and of the course with an understanding that will remain with them later as manager of clinical research at Protox Therapeutics, Inc. in after graduation,” he said. Dimassi has also helped to establish Vancouver, Canada. He holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular an assessment committee at the school. Dimassi holds a Ph.D. biology from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, as well as in biostatistics from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences an M.S. in biochemistry from the American University of Beirut Center, as well as a B.S. in environmental health and MPH from the and a B.S. in biology from the Lebanese University. American University of Beirut.

ABDO GHIE LAU welcomes Abdo Ghie as its new assistant vice president for enrollment management. Born and raised in Lebanon, Ghie has been studying and working in Canada for the past 20 years. After obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce degree in management and public policy from the University of Ottawa in 1996 and a master’s in international management from the École Nationale d’Administration Publique (ENAP) in 2001, he held various positions at the University of Ottawa, which enrolls more than 36,000 students. He first worked in international advising and student development, and then, more recently, in enrollment management. For the past five years, Ghie has been the chief administrative officer (CAO) and executive assistant to the associate vice-president and registrar in the Strategic Enrollment Management office. “I am very proud of my achievements, and I strongly feel the need to help in the advancement and expansion of my country. I want to help the young Lebanese generation see things clearer, simpler, and differently. I have a great desire to help make the university more accessible to students and to help transform Lebanese students into world citizens,” Ghie said. Ghie, who considers enrollment management to be the heart of a university, joined LAU in mid-June and will be working to complete and implement the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and to oversee the offices of the registrar, admissions, and financial aid on both campuses. “Together, we will do our utmost to answer the needs of our prospective and registered students and to meet the institution’s objectives,” Ghie said. “I am very excited to join the E.M. team at LAU and look forward to many years of collaboration, progression, and opportunities.”

page 34 n salse isiuin I pt eea nw rgas and programs facilities in place. new wasabsolutelyright.” Wethoughteverything several put It institution. established an said. together,”work to willing Dr.are Eckhert and want, they what education.in representatives]experienced, arevery [The know to accomplish. It decided it wanted high quality and excellence at Le MeridianCommodore HotelinBeirut. Joint annual an workshop development faculty a and at meeting Board Advisory administrators and faculty with May in days four spent consultant, senior Bowe, Dr. Constance and programs; global president, vice Aretz, Dr. Thomas programs; development, faculty standards, andadmissionsprocesses. which representatives are in effort consultedcollaborative 10-year on a of issues part such as 2007 as in curriculum established advanced, technologically innovative curriculum. a is school’s the house to complexdesigned structure 12,500-square-meter million $18 The Nursing.of School Chagoury Ramez Alice the the forof construction million $3.5 and $10 school medical of the fund donation to a million provided Rose-Marie, wife, his and See, Holy the to ambassador UNESCO,and to delegate permanent dayinand dayout.”would governtheirbehavior doctors who “are energized by a fundamental ethical that fiber ofMedicine. ChagourySchool andRose-Marie Gilbert LAU JointVentures By CindySaleh inSeptember ItsDoors Medicine toOpen of ChagourySchool andRose-Marie Gilbert Dr.trackrecord. a has [LAU]really think It’s “I agreed: Aretz “LAU is institution a that special really knew what it wanted academic of director Eckhert, Lynn Dr. delegates HMI was (HMI) International Medical Harvard with affiliation An LAU board member Gilbert Chagoury, St. Lucia’s ambassador, produce to aims school Jabbra,the President to According the of class inaugural the in usher will 2009 September Dean KamalDean to faculty at thefirst founding Badrspeaks members faculty meeting in April hsca, n wo s ueby rie i te kls f 21 of skills the in trained superbly is who one physician, outpatient and cases from theoutsetoftheirmedical education.” inpatient in treatment experience and observe directly a variety of medical and gain surgical allow will to It fellows.students and residents, students, its of training the for facility excellent an with LAU “provide will Badr, this 2008.June in AccordingHospital to University Hariri Rafik the with agreement second a by International,followed Medicine Clemenceauwith Medical Center, Hopkins Johns of affiliate an obstetrics, gynecology, dermatology, radiology, andgastroenterology. oncology, specializations—general genetics, neurology, cardiology, diverse surgery, bring and countries, Arab U.K.,States,other Canada,Lebanon,the United and the from researchand merit accomplishment, hail facultythe members 300 applicants for faculty positions. Chosen on the basis of high said. school,”the building processof the start us help to event Badr foundational a represents meeting “The campus. Beirut the HMI indevelopingourclinical programs,”with working headded. to forward look we and opens, school the after here time of periods extended spending and coming be will impressed.very They were they progress.think school’s “I the the representatives were extremely positive in the evaluation of above all,above amerciful healer,” Badrsaid. is,physician a that deeply believes who but medicine century [h SM ws ocie ad eind o rae new a create to designed and conceived was SOM] “[The 2007 July in agreement clinical first its signed SOM The The school has recruited 108 researchers and doctors out of on meeting facultyfounding first its held April,SOM In the Dr.(SOM),Medicine Badr,Kamalsaid of School the of dean LAU JointVentures page 35 page st -

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Student Achievement

Student Achievement

Lena Hamady Lena Hamady, Hekmat Abou Omar, Elias Moubarak

Things have been busy lately for LAU communication arts graduate Lena Hamady. On May 12, she attended a conference in Italy, where she presented a documentary filmed with fellow LAU alumni Hekmat Abou Omar and Elias Moubarak. Commissioned by the European Training Foundation (ETF), a nonprofit NGO, the 10-minute documentary looked at how several countries were tackling unemployment. Hamady and Abou Omar Hekmat Abou Omar spent a week in November filming in Morocco, where they focused on the issues of women’s entry into the workforce and the development of the tourism sector. A few weeks later, Hamady teamed up with Moubarak to film at a conference in Lebanon that gathered some 200 professionals from around the Arab world to discuss entrepreneurship strategies. Although it was the first time she had worked on such a large-scale project, Hamady said, “the documentary was very successful; the ETF really loved it.” Of course, it wasn’t smooth sailing all the way. All three graduates said they found it difficult to balance their work on the documentary with their scholastic commitments, and they Elias Moubarak were grateful for having received support from the department. Getting visas to travel to other countries was also problematic. The group was not allowed to enter either Jordan or Belgium, and consequently had to use secondary footage of conferences there that they subsequently edited into the whole. Notwithstanding, the overall experience was positive: All are keen to continue making documentaries in the future, despite the obstacles posed by full-time employment and funding. The inspiration and dedication of these three budding filmmakers, coupled with the international success of their documentary, seem to indicate that the world is their cinematographic oyster.

Farah Abou Hassan

Farah Abou Hassan, a senior in LAU’s Department of Education, has been admitted into the 2009-10 Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program. The only Lebanese student accepting a place in the program, Abou Hassan, who received the award this past spring, was gearing up for a busy summer. “After I graduate in June, I’m attending a series of workshops, first in Cairo in July and then at Jackson State University in August. Afterwards, I’ll enroll at Florida State University (FSU) to teach Arabic for a semester,” Abou Hassan said. In return, FSU will provide her with four graduate courses, which amount to half of a master’s degree. After finishing the FLTA program, she intends to complete her postgraduate studies with a focus on special education, an area in which she already has some work experience. “Special education is more advanced in the U.S.,” Abou Hassan said, adding that she hopes her time there will enable her to contribute to developing the field in Lebanon.

page 36 Competition inLondon other studentsat thePublic Speaking ElHayek andRaniaJoelle Al Ayash with Student Achievement from thesame university,” Haraty said. “Ican’t tellyouhowproud Iamofthemboth.”come Lebanon from winners both that time first the delivery. them is in “This earnestness gave Haraty Lebanon. in establishment its guidance in brainstorming the content of their and speeches focused on sincecharisma and ESU of member a Haraty, how tough, difficult, orundesirable circumstances mayseem,” shesaid. attitude towardinlife, tomaintainapositive everything people to persuade no matter meant was speech optimism.“My resolute its with judges Light,”Lebanese over won responsible,”and more independent be to Hayek,El said speech,whose the out “Bring competition was“Regenerationyear’s andRenewal.” an with them provides and clubs to opportunity read an original debate speech to an international audience. and The theme workshops for this of series a in participants Union (ESU) and funded by HSBC’s EducationGlobal Trust, the four-day event engages from countries.43 participants other 70 with along Organized Speaking English the by represent Lebanon at the annual International Public Speaking Competition in London, science,computer in Hayek,to senior El a Joelle student LAUfellow alongside chosen end, when we are broken down, we are regenerated more beautifully than ever.” She Ayash,was who majors in psychology with minors in education and philosophy. “But in the bullets,” dodging I’m Al next said the dawn,while till partying I’m day Lebanon.“One lover”: “schizophrenic her with relationship Ayash’s Al into delved Ayash.speech The key factors in the success of the speech, entitled “Lover’s Swift,” by LAU senior Rania Al from a competitor in a public speaking event, their boldness and honesty were probably life. ... Yes, my love life.” these are Though perhaps not words to hear one would expect Joelle ElHayekandRaniaAlAyashJoelle anothercriminalworldinthefuture. portraying film short me.”forexperience learning important another very on working start to plans Bayoud a films.was fromcreating It living a making are and limitations the all tackled already have who people with issues discuss and sit to opportunity the have cinema.You of Bayoud dream,”said. a “It was a experience good was to November.know where“Cannes you last stand. Beirut You in see the realFestival world Film European the at prize Film Cannes the at Corner first Film won (around$280), LL425,000 for film days the 2009. five May in Festivalin Shot Short the in compete and appear to selected was Domo,”“Mitsu Bayoud,Montasser major communicationarts by directed and written Montasser Bayoud In preparation for the competition, El Hayek and Al Arash were mentored by Nabilah “It was a experience.life-changing It boosted my self-confidence and taught me how love my about talk to here gathered aregentlemen. We and evening, ladies “Good page 37 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Campus Notes CampusNoTes Campus Fun

LAU held its first Spring Fiesta—a two-day outdoor fair of music, games, and fun. During the event on May 16–17, the Beirut campus was sectioned into zones for games, shows, and a food court. The event attracted adults and children of all ages, who participated in bungee jumping, wall climbing, bungee trampoline, and space ball.

For six consecutive years, the LAU Byblos Athletics Department has organized the Strongest Man Competition. At the two-day event in May, students and graduates from both the Beirut and Byblos campuses competed in such games as pulling a truck with a rope and repeatedly lifting a tree trunk above their heads. The winners, in separate categories, were LAU varsity football player Wael Azar, under 80 kg; Hrag Artanian, under 90 kg; Joe Nassar, under 100 kg; and Johan Maksoud, open-weight category.

Inspiring Change

This semester, numerous traffic awareness activities took place on the Beirut and Byblos campuses. On April 29 the Beirut Guidance Office, in collaboration with the Lebanese Red Cross and the KunHadi foundation, organized “LAU Rallies for Road Safety,” an event in which students answered road-safety questions and participated in a rally paper.

Seventeen teams from LAU and other universities journeyed through Lebanon— within a speed limit—as part of the LAU Rally Paper, organized by the Discovery Club with the help of the Byblos Guidance Office. Participants had to correctly answer all questions to win. Of the 11 who completed the contest, one of LAU’s teams ranked first and won a $1,000 prize.

The LAU Byblos community has benefited from newly created shuttles to transport students from the lower parking to the lower gate, posters explaining the hazards of double parking, and a live demonstration by the Lebanese Red Cross to inform students about what to do in a car accident.

Around 70 students from LAU’s Scouts, Pulse, and Music clubs participated in the HSBC EarthRace 09, organized by the Beirut Marathon Association, on April 26. The clubs set up a 25-meter stand on Hamra Street—along the runners’ route—with the motto “The Earth Is Turning On Us.” Environmental issues such as air pollution, deforestation, and contamination of Lebanon’s water were highlighted.

page 38 sustainable assessmentprocesses inthefield. the tackled and Architecture and Engineering of School LAU’s in members faculty for with assessment processes through institutions hands-onhigher-education exercises.regional and The Byblos workshop local was heldfrom members faculty familiarize to workshops on both Beirut and Byblos campuses at the end of April. The workshops aimed LAU’s Center for Program and Learning Assessment organized Experts Explain Experts program prevention andattendthepoison campaign. pharmacy the about learn to campus the visit to invited were students school high protect skin, to and ways used posters and effective videos to of warn about the They risks them of smoking. 22–24. informed On and the April third students day, to on sunscreen (NAPHASS),distributed Society Student Health and Pharmacy Apathy annual United States. Australia,the Canada,in and interest public and activity political migrant and politics three-year a Lebaneseon Lebaneseimpact diaspora’sthe on studies out carry to institute $342,000 grantof the awarded Center Research Development International the topics the of region.Arab2008, the One In and Lebanonfrom and April.to migrationLebanese was discussed of end the at Development” Democratic and Building, of of themonitoringprocess. system, the legal Lebanon’s law,electoral on light specifics shed the (LADE) and Election from Trainers elections. 7 June the in the hypothetical scenarioin thehypothetical ofaninvasionbyIsrael ofLebanon. resolution. Using their diplomatic skills, students had to react and defend their position LebaneseNational Dialogue inanexercise designed toteach key elements ofconflict Berghof Foundation. Students assumed the roles of internal and external actors in the DevelopmentNationsProgramUnitedand the of support the with andByblos LAU Transformation, two-day The in collaboration 8–9.with the Political Science/International May Affairs Unit at campus Strategic Defense” Byblos the on held simulation hray tdns drse tre ao pbi hat ise drn te sixth the during issues health public major three addressed students Pharmacy LAU’sforInstitute Migrationlectures of theme series the its under launched Studies monitor to preparethem to workshops two in participated LAUstudents Around20 “Home Politics Abroad: The Role of the Lebanese Diaspora in Conflict, Peace hrytre nentoa Afis tdns ok at n cnlc resolution conflict a in part took students Affairs International Thirty-three n yls ognzd y h Sho o Pamc ad No and Pharmacy of School the by organized Byblos, in Week Pharmacy learning assessment event was organized by LAU’s Institute of Diplomacy and Conflict eaee soito fr Democratic for Association Lebanese “Diplomacy as as “Diplomacy page 39 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Campus Notes

Cultural Exchange

Twenty LAU students from both campuses played leading roles in the Harvard World Model United Nations 2009 conference held on March 22–27 in The Hague, Netherlands. The students represented Turkey and the Samoan Islands, and negotiated and debated their position in U.N. committees and international organizations such as the U.N. General Assembly and NATO. They also brainstormed resolutions for major world issues such as human rights in Tibet and immigration to Europe.

On April 1, LAU students celebrated diversity on the Beirut campus during the annual International Heritage Day. Nine cultural clubs set up stands to display customs from Armenia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United States. Students dressed in national costumes and presented traditional dances, songs, and food. The day concluded with performances by folk, Latin, and hip-hop dance clubs at the Irwin Hall Auditorium.

After seven weeks of hard work, 80 LAU students and more than 1,000 high school students from across Lebanon said goodbye at the final conference of this year’s AL WALID GC–LAUMUN program in early April. For almost two months, students acted as delegates of countries, defending their position on various global issues such as refugee rights and land-mine clearance. The program was a learning experience that taught high schoolers skills in negotiation, diplomacy, and writing position papers. At the Global Village celebration during the final conference, students dressed in the national costumes of their represented countries and sampled traditional foods.

Beirut’s Humanities Department hosted its Inaugural Poetry Competition for students from both LAU campuses. Poems from four categories were submitted: English metric, English free verse, Arabic metric, and Arabic free verse. The winners gathered during the award ceremony held at the faculty lounge in Irwin Hall on April 24 to receive their cash prizes.

The conference “Venues of Transition: Architecture in the Middle East Between Identity and Modernity” brought together six history and architecture experts from across the region to offer insights on modernism, globalism, and orientalism, which have all influenced architectural transitions in the Middle East. The event was organized by LAU’s Institute of Islamic Art and Architecture on the Beirut campus on April 30. Some of the projects showcased were on modern architecture in Iran, Iraq, and Turkey.

LAU’s Armenian students commemorated the Armenian Genocide on both Beirut and Byblos campuses in late April. Byblos students organized a musical performance and a lecture on the genocide’s history. Photos documenting violence committed against the Armenians were exhibited on both campuses.

page 40 Stage Center May through ofJuly. thebeginning held of end divisionsthe from work their of exhibitions Arts Fine and Byblos, & Design Beirut & Byblos, Architecture Beirut On Display additional showingsonMay21-24. Lebaneselocal actorZiyadGhawi, whoplayedtherole ofBernarda Alba. and dialoguewere redesigned toadapttheplay’suniqueaudience. and French texts. While keeping the heart of Lorca’s vision intact, the play’s scenes Dr.instructor part-time LAU and Al-Daif,Rashid English frompiece the translated assistant professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, along with Lebanesesociety. novelist LebaneseDr. Abyad,to Lina parallels sharp exhibit themes its but Spain, byuninhibited,humanity andembodied agelessdesire. daughter, anadditionalscene wasaddedtodemonstrate lurkinginallof thehope first youngest Bernarda’s father, Bernarda’s of suicide the her with culminates story from the husband.Although fortune a inheriting upon a proposal receives daughter marriage eldest the as tensions mounting face members family the her of death the upon second husband. period Isolated from the rest mourning of the world by their virtual imprisonment, eight-year an into daughters five her repressed asaresult ofduplicitouscultural mores. desires of manifestations psychological and physical the illustrating by emotion major springtheaterproduction. dramatistFederico Lorca’s GarciaSpanish tdns n h Photography, Graphic the in Students The play opened at the Irwin Theater on Thursday, May 14, and ran for three for ran and 14,Thursday, May on Theater Irwin the at opened play The Abyad directed a cast of students from the School of Arts and Sciences, including The play was originally written against the chaotic backdrop of early 20th-century forces vehemently she as oppression this represents Alba Bernarda Matriarch human of melee the exemplifies drama Arabic,the colloquial Translatedinto selected Department Communications and Arts campus’s Beirut LAU The as its as Alba” Bernarda of House “The The Graphic exhibition Design (Byblos Campus) Americans. Latin and Lebanese between exchange cultural wider a foster to America Latin to trips student organize to hopes added.She Nader English,” after language andSciencesof Arts inByblos, said. School days,”the of Hashwa,dean Fouad Nader,two Gulnar to it extended have we Dr. to thanks now, day, and one for year curriculum. We had an event ourlike this in languageevery Spanish the introduced LAU, puttheeventtogether. at instructor Spanish-language Nader, a in Lebanon Ambassador Jorge Alvarez Fuentes. Mexican Dr. Gulnar cultures, to Americanaccording Latin and Eastern strengthening the bridge between Middle Oscar-winning Pan’s Labyrinth. The students were also invited to see the ceremony. launching the at Lebanon in time first Festivalthe for screened was 2006, Film in Cannes the for selected Auditorium. Korban Selina in shown Mexican, one and Cuban one films, two by screen big the to brought dancing, andmovies. to music, through culture students American MexicoLatin introduced and Lebanon, Cuba in of with embassies cooperation the in Sciences, Social and Humanities of Department the and Sciences,and Byblos,Arts of School LAU with asalsaworkshop. first the opened VenezuelanMexicanand The instructors the students through Latin dancing steps. took dancers professional two fountain, Wednesday, the near on played music salsa As 20. floor May dance Latino a Latino Festival “Spanish “Spanish is the second most important we when bridge this started “We to step first a was festival The also was spirit American Latin The the by festival,organized two-day The into turned campus Byblos LAU The A Ltn Festival Latino LAU ia Cuba, Viva page 41 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Campus Notes

Live Science

LAU celebrated its fifth anniversary as a regional Cisco Academy Training Center by hosting more than 150 participants from around the world at a conference on “Education and the Internet: Leaping Into the Future.” The event was organized by LAU’s School of Engineering and Architecture on April 25–26. Topics ranging from women in IT and tools for blogging were discussed. LAU was given Cisco Certified Network Professional Regional Academy status, which will qualify it to offer programs that build on the foundational Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) courses, with more complex network configurations, diagnosis, and troubleshooting.

This year, 25 molecular biology graduate students from the American University of Beirut, University of Balamand, University of Saint Esprit, University of Saint Joseph, and LAU shared their scientific research with the public at the Second Annual Molecular Biology Poster Conference, organized by the LAU Byblos Natural Sciences Department on May 14. The students explained and defended their projects in front of a jury, and prizes were distributed to the first three winners.

The Byblos campus was packed with around 868 students—representing 40 Lebanese high schools—who participated in the two-day Annual Science and Arts Fair, May 7–8. For the first time, a solar-powered vehicle was demonstrated on campus (more on page 27). High school students displayed creative science projects and artwork and took part in competitions and a solar-car race.

On June 5, mechanical engineering students displayed projects they worked on for various classes as part of the LAU Design and Manufacturing Day ‘09. Organized by the Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering and held on the Byblos campus, the event featured all kinds of mechanisms and gadgets, from Rube Goldberg–style machines to robots.

Business as Usual

On May 12–13, the Career Fair welcomed around 83 companies on the Beirut campus and 59 on the Byblos campus—from industries such as auditing, banking, education, and information technology— with the hope of employing qualified LAU students. The day-long event held on the Beirut campus on May 13 was followed by a networking reception at the Gefinor Rotana Hotel.

The Career Fair (Beirut campus)

page 42 > > > > gadgets asprizes. electronic several with drawings free also were There freebies. home took quizzes and raffles, enjoyed refreshments, in and participated poetry, music and to listened students May, in and event services two-day libraries’ the During resources. two the of awareness student increase to House first the organized discussion willincludeatleastoneLAU faculty member 2PeacebuildingSeptember Forum, NewYork: panel Institute for Peace andJustice Education Conflict Prevention and Transformation, organized by the forAugust 16–25SummerSchool Emerging Leaders on Byblos AthleticsDepartment inparticipate this four-day tournament organized by the students from Lebanon andtheU.S. invited to havebeen August 16–19 LAU Summer Basketball League: college Institute for DiplomacyandConflict Transformation conflict resolution and negotiation skills, organized by the women’s nationalandinternationalrights, campaigning, August 10–11Young WomenLeaders Workshopon UPCOMING EVENTS—MarkYour Calendar! The LAU Beirut and Byblos libraries LAU Libraries Library Open Open Library efracs y A suet. vr ya ahee ad oce ae ooe for honored their achievementsinsports. are coaches and athletes year Every students. LAU by vocal performances and piano featuredcenter, and student campus’s Byblos the at held 30 was June ceremony on Byblos the while 1, July on campus Beirut the on outdoors summer.thisCeremonies Awards ceremonyBeirut’sheld was championships inMay. TheByblosteamreached thefinals. (FSUL) Sports University for Federation Lebanese team came infourth. volleyball place,women’s rankedthe first team and Euro Cup Paris 2009, May 7–10. The men’s handball handball,in volleyball, the basketball,in tennis and countries European 11 against competed athletes Beirut the semifinals. the reached team futsal during men’s Lebanon Tournament 9–12.2009,Sport BelgradeThe April and Croatia, Belgrade, basketball, in Switzerland,from teams with volleyball, futsal and competed teams athletic Byblos international competitions in France from and Serbia. returned campuses Byblos and Beirut the A’ aheis eatet hl their held departments athletics LAU’s the in participated teams basketball men’s LAU Both both from athletes student LAU 100 Around Sidelines > > > > 8–11 November and Colleges (CIHE-NEASC) ofSchools Higher Education oftheNewEnglandAssociation evaluation visitfrom theCommission onInstitutionsof ceremony LAUFirst twoweeksofOctober branding initiativelaunch Last Newstudentorientation twoweeksofSeptember 3–4LAUSeptember Board ofTrustees meeting, NewYork

LAU will undergo a comprehensive nul Athletics Annual basketball page 43 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Alumni Family Snapshots: Where You Are Now

Alumni Family Snapshots: Where You Are Now Ruth Maalouf

LAU professor Ruth Maalouf studied at the Royal College of Art in London before meeting her Lebanese husband in the 1980s. “I just came for a visit and fell in love with it,” the British-born Maalouf said. “I think Lebanon has that effect on people.” Maalouf and her husband, Maurice, were instrumental in starting up LAU’s Byblos campus in 1983, during the civil war. They worried that students would sacrifice their studies if commuting to Beirut became too difficult. Maalouf’s son, Adoni, studied communication arts at LAU and went on to study in London before LAU Byblos lured him back to teach part-time. Maalouf disagreed with Adoni’s decision to study theater, primarily because of the difficulty of building a career LAU Professors Ruth and Maurice Maalouf in the profession. But “as I tell all of my students,” Maalouf said, “you have to choose with their son Adoni (center) what you love, and that is what he did.” For Maalouf, teaching is a passion: “There must be a one-on-one relationship with your students if you want it to work.” Maalouf has noticed the phenomenal rate of growth at the campus, all because of her original dream 20 years ago. The third generation of the family, Maalouf’s grandson, John Zienoun, will continue the Maalouf legacy when he starts his studies in biology in the fall. Usama Acra Usama Acra has taught speech communication on the Beirut campus for more than two decades since finishing his own studies in speech at LAU. His mother, who attended Beirut College for Women, influenced his decision to choose LAU. His mother’s studies were interrupted for marriage, which was common at the time. “There was peer pressure not to continue. People asked her, ‘Why study if you don’t need to?’ She never graduated,” Acra said. “But she always said she would have liked to go back.” Acra’s sister graduated with an accounting degree in the late 1980s, and his brother taught at LAU for a year. “It really is a family thing,” he said. Acra’s mother, now retired, spends more time in the United States and sees her friends LAU Professor Usama Acra from LAU less, but he knows she enjoyed her time here. “And why wouldn’t you? The relationship between students and staff has always been like a family,” he explained. “I still see students I had years ago, and they are so keen to tell me when they get a new job or get married. You never lose those bonds.” Acra started teaching at LAU in 1982. “In the ’80s it was wartime, and the difference between then and now is remarkable. Because of the war, students were aching to get an education. Now they take more for granted because education is more readily available.” “I love teaching at LAU, and I love my students. It is the best part of my life,” said Acra, who added that he foresees this happy relationship continuing well into future generations.

LAU Professor Usama Acra with his sister

page 44 Alumni FamilySnapshots:WhereYou AreNow mother Khulud and grandmother SuhadKadri Suha Karaky withhersister Dima, (right) Shereen Nabhani with theirdaughter, former LAU faculty member LAU Professor MonaNabhaniandherhusband Suha Karaky withhermother, Khulud back toBeirutwhenmychildrenback are college agesotheycan gototheuniversitytoo.” still atLAU. are lecturers her of many newspapers,and for writing to stations TV for working from even more inlovewiththeuniversitycommunity!” fell and faculty and staff with closely assistant,workedgraduate I a person. As sociable when shehadalotoffunwiththegirlsmetthere.” time a as it describes mother case.My my in as parents her with dorm,not university forwere women,” “fit suchascooking andsewing. remembers when it was an all-female college and she had to fromchoose electives that programhigh-quality andfor itsemphasisonmymajor.” its for known was LAU journalism,and in things,”major two to wanted Karakysaid.“I acting as editor of the Dubai edition of Marie Claire. “LAU definitely helped me do these and Dubai in University Zayed at full-time teaching juggling careersuccessful a begun Suha Karaky Mona Nabhani you shine. like Ithasalwaysbeen this.” States, theirshared talkabout experience attheBeirutcampus. andtheyoften have thefreedom todowhateveryouwanthere, andpupilsare andstaff allfriends.” Youuniversities. other like isn’t back,”“LAUsaid. came Nabhani he surprised not “I’m much.so it missed he because LAU at teach to doctorate. back comea has later He and LAU.” she of that benefits the AUB.her chose to explain to tried familyand the keep in to it wanted house We our in debates huge creates “It AUB. at degree nutrition a to switched university.the tryingpre-medcoursetheLAU,After at decidedwasn’tsheforandither had agreat reputation.” Recallingprofessortoptaughtbeinga by from UnitedtheStates, said,she “eventhenit children my about playing there.”think still I memories. many so has “It her: worries threat under is nursery the that news nursery,the university’s and the attended children institute.Her “We are proud LAU a three-generation of being family,” Karaky said, to “and go I hope Karaky has kept in touch with many of her LAU classmates, who all have jobs in media, more a becoming and friends meeting about all was experience “My added, She the in lived she Iraqi, an different,” “As said. Karaky was experience mother’s “My literature,English studied graduates,who A.A first Karaky’sgrandmother,the of one KarakySuha fromjournalism has LAUand educationdegreegraduatedand in a with “LAU encourages ideas,” Nabhani added. “It nurtures them, and if you want to shine,to want you if ideas,”encouragesthem,and “LAU nurtures added.“It Nabhani United the and Arabia Saudi in friendsuniversity her with touch in keeps Nabhani LAUson’s Her computer science degree prepared Americain forwell him master’s his Nabhani’s eldest daughter is the only one of three children who did not graduate from theater.and English studied 1970s,Nabhani early the in LAU at undergraduate an As Mona Nabhani joined the LAU faculty in 1981 and is the director of the teacher training page 45 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 The Legacy & the Promise Campaign

The Legacy & the Promise Campaign LAU Campaign for Excellence Continues Global Launch

LAU’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, “The Legacy and the Promise: LAU Campaign for Excellence,” continues its worldwide initiative. “The Campaign serves as a way to bring LAU’s global community into closer touch and to highlight the remarkable opportunities that exist for the university to play a leadership role in Lebanon and the region,” said Robert Hollback, Director of Development for North America. After a successful North America launch in Los Angeles on February 26, LAU continued to celebrate the public phase of its campaign with a series of mini-launches in the Gulf over the past few months. LAU President Joseph Jabbra, accompanied by senior management at LAU, embarked on a series of trips to Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 14; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on May 14; and Muscat, Oman on May 18. A gala dinner in Beirut kicked off the public component of the campaign in October 2008. Hundreds attended from all over the region, including Prime Minister Fouad North American Campaign Launch, Los Angeles, Siniora. However, additional launches outside of Lebanon have served to share the February 2009 university’s progress toward the campaign goal—as well as its current developments and future projects—with an even broader audience of loyal LAU supporters, dignitaries, and alumni. About 60 guests, including LAU Board of Trustees member Sheikh Abdul Aziz Turki and alumni chapter president Omar Honeini, attended the first launch gala in Eastern Province, under the auspices of Prince Mohammad Bin Fahed Bin Abdul Aziz, governor of Eastern Province. On May 14, about 120 guests gathered in Abu Dhabi. Led by president Faysal Saab, the Abu Dhabi alumni chapter presented a $110,000 check to LAU, their yearly contribution to their alma mater, in celebration of the launch. The event was held under the auspices of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the minister of higher education and scientific research in the UAE. Nahyan and Jabbra delivered speeches, after which Jabbra presented a commemorative plaque of appreciation to Nahyan for his ongoing support for education in the UAE and for sponsoring the mini-launch. At the Oman launch dinner, attended by 160 people including chapter president Campaign Launch, Eastern Province, April 2009 Carla Zein, Jabbra presented a commemorative plaque to Dr. Rawia Albousaydia, Oman’s minister of higher education, as a token of appreciation for her support to education in the country. During the dinner Salim Sfeir (BIA member) presented a scholarship in the amount of $50,000 to support the study of an Omani student at LAU. Earlier that day, Jabbra and the LAU delegation discussed a memorandum of understanding and gave a presentation to the minister and her staff.

Campaign Launch, Abu Dhabi, May 2009 Campaign Launch, Oman, May 2009 page 46 RAISED GOAL Kabban duringhertenure (right) at LAU $65 Million $39,345,075 Yvonne AajineKabban someone paid forsomeone paid hereducation. is now paying forward: paying for the education of a new generation of students, just as late her commemorateshusband, Jad Kabban, fund who was also a philanthropist. Through the scholarship fund, Yvonne Kabban The Fund. Scholarship Endowed Kabban experience madeherfully appreciate thevalueofeducation. (UNRWA), she teach underprivileged children in the Palestinian camps for one year.Agency Works That and Relief Nations United the throughthat,proviso working the it with resulted fondness inaspecial for theschool. BCW),(formerlyLAU which undergraduateat career her of part scholarship.spent She But through the and goodwill generosity of others, Kabban was able to attend school on Their savingslost, thefamily hadtorebuild from scratch. Haifa. in been had businesses family the Lebanon.But in refuge seeking fled, family has madeheragenerous donortoLAU’s ofNursing. School ht abn eevd se o gvs shlrhp truh h Jd n Yvonne and Jad the through scholarships gives: now she received, Kabban What Kabban finished her teaching degree with the help of a full scholarship, which carried This meant that money to educate the large family—six children—was hard to find. Haifa,in childhood her Kabban spent Israel.in now IsraelWhen Haifa,over took her These adages sum up the philosophy of Yvonne Aajine Kabban, whose life experience nursesare hardGood tofind. Education isvital. Pay itforward. Profile ofExcellence that attracted Kabban herself but that her parents opposed. Kabban’s unfulfilled opposed.unfulfilled parentsKabban’s her that but herself Kabbanattracted that that attracted Kabban herself but that her parents opposed. Kabban’s unfulfilled opposed.unfulfilled parentsKabban’s her that but herself Kabbanattracted that dream is not the only reason why the fund she established supports students of students supports established she fund the why reason only the not is dream dream is not the only reason why the fund she established supports students of students supports established she fund the why reason only the not is dream nursing. “When Jad was sick, it was really difficult to find him a good nurse,” good a him nursing. find sick,to was Jad “When really difficult was it she nursing. “When Jad was sick, it was really difficult to find him a good nurse,” good a him nursing. find sick,to was Jad “When really difficult was it she geared thefundtorectifyproblem. said. the experiencing of shortage trainedAfter nurses in Lebanon firsthand, she geared thefundtorectifyproblem. said. the experiencing of shortage trainedAfter nurses in Lebanon firsthand, she Kabban getsit, andshehasresponded. Kabban getsit, andshehasresponded. The scholarship fund supports the education of aspiring nurses, a professionnurses,a aspiring of education the supports fund scholarship The Endowed Scholarship Fund. scholarships throughtheJad andYvonneKabban What Kabbanreceived,she nowgives: The need (nurses), the solution (education), and the means (funding): Yvonne Profile ofExcellence Yvonne withherlate husband, Jad Kabban page 47 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 The Legacy & the Promise Campaign

The Legacy & the Promise Campaign

Seat and Bench Initiative

LAU is offering a special opportunity to alumni, faculty, and staff to be a part of “The Legacy and the Promise: LAU Campaign for Excellence.” With a pledge of $500, a donor’s name will be permanently associated with one of 640 seats in Irwin Hall Auditorium on the Beirut campus or in Selina Korban Auditorium on the Byblos campus. For a $5,000 donation, benefactors will be able to name one of 230 benches on LAU’s historic Beirut campus and contemporary Byblos campus. Contributors can choose to name the seat or bench in their own name or in another person’s honor or memory. The contributions to The Legacy and the Promise Campaign will be used in areas of greatest need “to help LAU continue and progress in its current projects and future ones, focusing on academic excellence, student centeredness, and the promotion of scholarship to needy and deserving students,” according to Samir Kadi, assistant vice president for development. In September, alumni and friends in North America will receive a mailed invitation to participate in the project as well. Around 50 donations have already been received, and hundreds of prospective donors have inquired about the initiative. Don’t miss your chance to be a permanent part of the LAU campuses.

Please visit the new interactive website to find more information and to begin the simple three-step pledging process online instantly: http://seat-bench.lau.edu.lb

Beirut campus

The contributions to the Legacy and the Promise Campaign will be used in areas of greatest need.

Byblos campus

page 48 engineering fieldveryshortly. children, two the in AUB fromgraduating be with both TouficSara,will and who married is (B.S.’84) Saad Nazih Salam website: www.lailadebs.com. workforceenhanceproductivity.to and performance a has She motivational in their and departments of specialize heads senior corporatefor coaching Nigeria—to and Beirut, Riyadh, global consultancy company in London—with offices in Dubai,a up setting on working is she present London.At in Studies African and comparativeOriental theater of literature School from on the in Ph.D. networks a and M.Phil. TV an holds major Debs shows. on various appeared has and She with 1987. worked since Londonalso in based agent theatrical and creative director, theater director and producer, casting director,consultant,media broadcast a been (B.A.’82)has Debs Laila of fundraising for BoyScouts Troop 206. the Lebanese American Association. She is also the chairperson CaliforniaNorthern Alumni Chapter and is a of board member LAU the of president the as serves field.She her to returning Ramy, andJad. Maya, children, three have They Elawar. Ghaleb husband, her with Texas, (B.A.’80) Houston, in lives currently Awar Matta Renne organizationscivil society inJeddah. social work at the university, and and is an active sociology member of on various lectures currently University. She Abdulaziz (B.A.’73)Afifi Bin Ph.D.Suad recentlyher King completed at has and three children, married Najla, Younes, is Younes andLama. LAU. at in specialized field, she which arts fine the in works (B.A.’70) Younes Salman Leila Alumni News She stopped working to take care of her sons but is currently is but sons her of care take to working stopped She and hassixgrandchildren. married is Chapter.She Association-Beirut Alumni LAU Republic.the of member a is Lebanese Ghantous the of president the by merit of order the awarded was efforts, her of recognitionand, in twice league the of president elected was She 1993. since AUB at League Women’s the a of member been has (A.A.S.’86) Ghantous Leila manager Nestleprofessional. assignment, based in Kenya, another as on the countrywork to order in Dubai leave to plans but Dubai in Nestle for working Ahmad Rabie Issa (A.A.S.’85) is currently software industry for about 16 years.16 about for industry software the in worked and architect design and the George. Bernard Hana Archbold was a sons,product and two has Archbold couple She the John Francisco. married San from degree of science University master’s computer in her obtained (B.S.’82) Archbold Rustom Hana s ed f h poet cnrl ad prto departments, which includesmanaging megaconstruction projects. operation and controls projects the of head is Aya andYousef. children,two with married relations.is She external and examinations of coordinator as University Open Arab the for works and Kuwait in lives (B.S.’97) Hashem Samar He ismarriedandhasthree children. customs agent and CEO of Trans Mediterranean Services (TMS). FouadMarwan (B.S.’91)Chedid Abou authorized the now is at La LunetterieSARL. manager generalof Media Signs the Supply, as Lebanonas well in as the financial works manager he daughter. Presently one TaljehAhmad has and (B.S.’90)Hajj MassaraEl to married is development business and manager ofareal estatecompany. marketing the is she Presently, Cambridge.in University Ruskin Anglia the and Economics of School Berlin the from 2001 in M.B.A. her obtained Haddad training Hana, havetwosons, ZeidandGhaith. and development wife,his as and years.He six for held East,has manager,he position a Middle the in concern with Kuwait Finance working House, the second largest Islamic currentlybanking is M.B.A.’92) (B.S.’88, Mirza Riad Imad sal. de SyrieetduLiban administrative manager Resourcefor the Nouvelle Société de La Banque Human and resource for human a Society as serves the presently She Management. of member a also is and resourcehuman University in fromJoseph management Saint competency of diploma a (B.S.’88)has Assaly Abou Ghada working as the IT manager for Dubai Dubai for He ismarriedwithonechild, Karim. manager 2005.since IT held has he position a Holding, the currently as is working (B.S.’96) Mayassi Marwan and financial reporter forand financialreporter TRWAutomotive. in Detroit. She currently works as a manager Andersen Arthur with CPA a as experience of years July several gained on Yazbeck 2004. Wehbe 10, Chady married She U.K. the in School her Business Warwick at completed M.B.A. (B.S.’97) Yazbeck Hiba nentoa Poet aaeet (IPM) at Management position Project current International His (PMI). Institute in been elected Ph.D.director of has Project He a 2006.Management in management engineering and University Washington degree in project management from George Firas Abouzaki (B.E.’99) earned a master’s ie tee o te at 5 years. 15 Ralph. and Carl sons, past two have They the for there lived has and Haddad, Emile married she graduation. following Afterward she moved to Berlin, where as auditor years three an for Italy in worked (B.S.’89) Haddad Dagher Malena Alumni News page 49 page

{& & ALUMNIALUMNI BULLETINBULLETIN062 } - 049 VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Alumni News

Mohamad Berjwai (R.C.D.’99) married Amal Hussein Abou Merhi (B.S.’03) is the deputy chief al Harati on October 27, 2007, and has one son, operations officer at Integra, a printing and publishing Karim. He currently works at Kharafi National company that owns Al Balad newspaper (Arabic and in Lebanon. French), Star, Layalina, and TopGear magazines.

Raef Hachache (R.C.D.’99, A.A.S.’01) is the owner Sabine Farhat (B.S.’03) is currently pursuing her of the Hamra-area store Raef Hachache Est, which he E.M.B.A. from a French university in collaboration started in September 2005. The shop provides office with Sorbonne and Université Paris Dauphine. In and school goods, including laptops, computers, and addition, she is a project manager for Murex Systems, supplies; it also has a professional copy center. He has a company that delivers financial applications to top a website with a complete and updated list of prices worldwide banks. and items available (www.hachache.com). Hachache has been engaged to Nadine Marashli (B.A.’04) since March 2007, and the couple plan to marry this summer. Dominique Hourani (B.S.’03, M.B.A.’07) was married in November 2007 and had her first child, Delara Sue, on August 8, 2008. She started her successful singing Faysal Amar (B.S.’00) married Olya Bardukova and currently works for career in 2006 and is currently working on a video clip the Jaguar Land Rover regional office in Dubai, where he has been living called “Chaltako.” for the past eight years.

Ibrahim Itani (M.B.A.’03) is now working for BBAC Bank as a senior Ali Basma (B.S.’00) has been living in Dubai for more trader and portfolio administrator in the private banking sector, and than six years and currently works for Zenith Media specializes in European and American stock markets. He has attended Dubai as a media manager for Bel Groupe, Atlantis: many seminars on stock markets, locally and internationally. The Palm Dubai Hotel & Resort, Jazeera Children’s Channel, and SAMBA (Saudi American Bank). Tania Kassis (B.S.’03) was granted the Lebanese accomplishment medal in 2001 for Gabriel Fernainé Jr. (B.S.’00) completed his military service upon his her participation at the fourth Francophony graduation from LAU. In 2002, he joined Byblos Bank and was promoted Games, with the role of cultural Lebanese to branch manager after two years. He obtained his M.B.A. from Université ambassador. Her singing repertoire ranges Paris Dauphine in coordination with Saint Joseph University in 2003. He from classical to musicals to jazz and includes is currently in charge of Byblos Bank’s Badaro branch. Fernainé married French, Lebanese, and Spanish songs. Kassis Youmna Warde (B.Pharm.’04) in June of 2008. has a website with more information about herself: www.taniakassis.com.

Nisreen Wehbe Jaber (B.S.’00, M.B.A.’03) married Mohamad Jaber in 2007, and the couple has one Ahmad Ghandour (B.S.’04) will be getting married in June to Rima child. The family currently resides in Muscat, Oman, Rahhal (B.S. Business Management ’01). Ahmad was recently promoted to where Jaber is a volunteer for LAU’s alumni chapter. development manager for investment and advisory at Thomson Reuters, where he is covering the Middle East and North Africa.

Rabee Shams (B.S.’00, M.B.A.’03) has been working in Kuwait since 2004 in various sectors such as banking, insurance, and retail. Mahmoud Ghalayini (M.B.A. ‘05) is a computer and communications engineer, as well as the holder of an information systems auditor certificate. He is currently Jalal Abdelahad (B.S.’01) currently lives and works in Syria as chief the head of the IT audit at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the financial officer at Abdel Ahad Bros., a manufacturer and distributor of audit and consultancy firm. He is married and has one fine menswear with a four-continent distribution network. He recently son, Salah. His wife, a Saint Joseph University graduate, became engaged to Line Marina. is an assistant dean at her alma mater.

Rabih Kansou (B.S.’01) is a corporate category Amani Khudr El Hage (B.A.’05) presently works manager for the Sultan Center. He is the proud father as an economist for National Investment Funds of Leva and Lamita. Company in Muscat, Oman, and serves as a member of the LAU alumni chapter in Oman. She married Fouad El Shahall on June 26, 2008. Mohamad Marouf (B.S.’01) started as accountant and team leader for an IT company in June; he previously served there as a senior accountant. He is Hani Al Jamal (B.S.’05) left Lebanon for Dubai, where he worked in married and has two daughters, Maya and Tia. many positions in advertising. After three years of experience in UAE, Hani returned to Lebanon to work at 3D Stickers Technoprint, his family’s business printing company. Tamara Gazzaz (B.A.’02) started her own day care in Saudi Arabia after graduating from LAU. She worked for Effat College for two years, and in 2006 she Abdel Rahman Sabban (B.S.’05, M.B.A.’07) is moved to the U.K. and completed her M.A. in school working as a credit officer for Lebanese Credit effectiveness and improvement from the Institute of Insurer, which was established in 2001 and is the first Education in London. In October 2009, Gazzaz will independent specialized credit insurance company in begin studying for her Ph.D. in education consultancy Lebanon and the Middle East. and youth work. She married Mohammad Bundakji last October, and they reside in London.

page 50 Mohammad Saie (B.S.’05) is now working Mahmoud Barakat (B.S.’07) traveled to in Abu Dhabi as a service department China upon graduation and established his manager for a food and beverage company. own import and export trading company there. Called Phoenician Trading Company, it deals mainly in hardware, building materials, and electronics, and exports goods to Africa, Christine Audi (M.B.A.’06) got married on August 8, 2008, and Brazil, and Lebanon. currently lives in Abu Dhabi, where she works at Abu Dhabi University as a careers, internship, and alumni coordinator. Sarah Ahmed Buhijji (B.S.’07) returned to Bahrain after graduating from LAU and started working as an associate for Dana Hachach (B.S.’06) worked in Lebanon for two and a half the Global Banking Corporation. As of today, she is a senior years after graduating. She married another LAU graduate and associate in the corporate communications department. She now resides in Riyadh, where she and her husband work for recently got engaged to Subah al Zayani. different companies.

Ali Chehade (B.A.’07) received a scholarship from the Nassib Hassan Mohsen (B.S.’06) U.S. Department of State to participate in the Fusion Arts has been working as an intelligent Exchange-Screenwriting and Film Production at the University network engineer for Nokia of Southern California in Los Angeles. He worked in different Siemens Networks Company in TV positions before becoming a segment producer and Beirut for the past two years. director at Future News on a youth program called “Mazaj.” He is also a web manager for www.zavenonline.com. Chehade was granted a Fulbright scholarship to study for his master’s George Rehayem (B.E.’06) degree in media management at the University of Southern opened a restaurant called Hanine Illinois in fall 2009. in September 2008 in Beirut’s downtown district. The restaurant serves both traditional Lebanese Elias Khonaysser (B.S.’07) is working on the expansion of his fare and fusion dishes. family’s company, Khonaysser Motors. Most of his work is done in Iraq, Pakistan, UAE, and KSA.

Charles Rouhana (B.E.’06) worked in the gas plant construction field in Qatar from 2006 to 2008. In summer 2008 Rabih Ashkar (B.E.’08) presently works as an electrical he returned to Lebanon to work in the same field and travels engineer in Abu Dhabi. from time to time.

Mohammad Darwish (B.S.’08) is currently working as a Mohamed Abboud (B.S.’07) is presently corporate sales coordinator for Qatar Airways at its headquarters working for IBM Middle East as a regional in Doha. He and two other LAU alumni were the only three system service representative, as well chosen for the job. as a procurement professional buying solutions, products, and resources for IBM. He is planning to return to Lebanon in July, Tala Fakhoury (B.Pharm.’08) has been working as a medical depending on the political situation, to representative for Pfizer as of May 2009. open a small business.

Nadeen Mohamad Saad Khabbaz (B.S.’08) is currently a Omar Abi Farraj (M.B.A.’07) got engaged marketing executive in Rosewood Hotels and Resorts in Jeddah. directly after graduation and plans to marry Next year she plans to pursue her M.B.A. in the United States on October 10, his birthday. He worked or Sweden. She is also helping her mother open a clothing as a customs technician for the General business. Transportation Services in Lebanon and upon receiving his M.B.A. was promoted to assistant air-freight manager. When Ibtihaj Matraji (B.S.’08) is currently working at the Lebanese the company opened its branch in Qatar with a German Canadian Bank SAL. She is married to Rami Demachkie partnership, Omar was chosen as country manager. (A.A.’08), who has his own company called SANICRO SARL, specializing in sanitary wear and building materials.

Jad Elias Abou Rjeily (M.B.A.’07) is presently working at BLOM Bank Qatar LLC as head of internal audit. Aya Takieddene (B.Pharm.’07, Pharm.D.’08) is currently working at Tawm Hospital in Al Ain, UAE, in Marellie Akoury (B.E.’07) is pursuing affiliation with Johns Hopkins. an M.S. in sustainable electrical power at Brunel University in the U.K. She married Julius Shima on December 26, 2008, and the couple resides in London.

page 51 Alumni Events

Alumni Events Chapter Events

Kuwait Chapter Picnic The LAU Kuwait Alumni Chapter organized an all-day picnic, called “Open Day,” on March 6 in the desert in the south of Kuwait. More than 500 alumni, friends, and families attended the second such event the chapter has organized, following last year’s great success.

The Pursuit of Harmony: LAU Alumna Sheds Light on “Feng Shui” LAU graduate Lara Klait introduced “feng shui”—the ancient Chinese science that teaches people to live in harmony with their surroundings and enhance their careers, wealth, health, and relationships—to about 130 alumni and friends at a lecture organized by the Alumni Relations Office at the Beirut campus on March 20. She has been studying the ancient practice for more than seven years and is the first Lebanese consultant with advanced certification.

Abu Dhabi Chapter Gala Dinner More than 700 people attended the Abu Dhabi Alumni Chapter’s 16th Annual Gala, themed “Butterflies” to celebrate the beginning of spring. Held on March 26 in the Thuraya Ball Room at the Beach Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi, the event was hosted by media figure and alumna Lama Lawand and featured entertainment by the band from Beirut’s Shah restaurant, flown in especially for the event.

North Lebanon Alumni Chapter In an effort to revive the North Lebanon Alumni Chapter, the Alumni Relations Office organized a reception in Tripoli at Silver Shore restaurant on April 30. LAU President Joseph Jabbra attended the event and informed the attendees of LAU’s latest accomplishments and plans. The official reactivation of the North Lebanon Chapter followed at a meeting at the same location on May 22, when a 14-member committee was elected.

Byblos Chapter Picnic Around 300 alumni, along with their families and friends, gathered for a picnic organized by the LAU Byblos Alumni Chapter on May 3 at the Nahr El Asrar restaurant at Nahr El Kalb. The group enjoyed horseback riding, took a walk to a historic bridge and the site of Nahr El Kalb’s “History Carved in Stone,” and visited a nearby zoo.

Riyadh Chapter Gala Dinner On May 7, the Riyadh Alumni Chapter organized a gala dinner at the Lebanese Embassy, attended by H.E. Marwan Zein, the Lebanese ambassador in Riyadh. The event featured Fadi Sayegh and his band from Mandaloun restaurant and attracted more than 300 alumni and friends.

Bahrain Chapter Outing The Bahrain Alumni Chapter organized an outing to the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park on May 8. More than 100 alumni from both the Bahrain and Eastern Province chapters attended with their families and friends.

Ottawa Dinner The Ottawa Alumni Chapter held the first of its annual dinners on May 10 at El Mazaj restaurant in Ottawa. Famous Lebanese singer Assi Hellani performed at the dinner. page 52 Alumni Events Third Annual BusinessNetworking Alumni Reception were also givencopies ofLAU magazinesandthealumnichaptersdirectory. Office.Relations2009” Alumni of They fromthe Class souvenir a Association as Alumni “LAU with printed mug steel stainless a offered were attendees cookies,and and refreshments served campuses both on up set graduation. Booths after touch in keep to university the allow to information contact provide to asked were Alumni benefits. member its and Association Alumni the to introduced were seniors 500 than More An orientation activity was held on May 14-15 at the Byblos campus and on May 21-22 at the Beirut campus. Senior Students Alumni Orientation Activity eventsandgames.of sporting ParkScarborough.in program a and dishes of menu full a enjoyed friends and Alumni TorontoThe ParkBreakfastSunday,the a on in held Chapter Alumni 7,June Adams at Toronto Chapter BreakfastinthePark gymnasium towatchLAU varsitysnatchthegameat85to72. Ineithercase, congratulations toLAU! and LAU’s Beirut and Byblos varsity team on May 29 at the Beirut campus. Alumni and students crowded the The Alumni Relations Office organized a basketball game between LAU’s Alumni Association basketball team LAU Alumni Basketball Game with alumniandfriends. full completely were theater the of levels campus.Both Beirut the on Theater Hall Irwin show,comedy new LesJara,”presented26,Diseur’s El Chapter May “Bab Beirut On the in Beirut ChapterPresents “Bab ElJara” the Lebanese American Association, andincreasing participation. alumnimember discussed officers several plans for The the comingmeeting. year, the with including an annual dinner in conjunctionOctober, in their brunch upcoming picnic,a outreach to hosted who Archbold, Hana president chapter of home the at 18 May met Chapter Alumni California Northern formed newly the of officers The Northern California Alumni Chapter onatourofoldDamascussouks.officials helps needy Syrian students at LAU. Earlier that day, Damascus committee members took Jabbra and alumni Fund,Endowment Scholarship alreadyestablished chapter’s which the contribute to to friends and alumni engaged successfully members committee evening,the the of course the news.During latest university’s attracted more than400alumniandfriends, aswellPresident Jabbra, theattendeeson whoupdated and restaurant Belluci’s Beirut’s from band her and Baroud Cynthia singer featured event Damascus.The in Hotel Sheraton the at dinner gala annual third its organized Chapter Alumni 16,Damascus May the On Damascus Annual GalaDinner better onesforbetter thosewhoare already employed,” AlKhalsaid. quest for employmentamidthecurrent economic crisis. their on graduates help to how on suggestions offered also Gamble.He and Procter for manager initiative Alumni Relations Director AlKhal. Abdallah the jobperformance ofgraduates withinthemarket. companies, LAU officials, and alumni to converse about the state of the job market, employment issues, and Networking AlumniReception Rotana HotelinBeirutonMay13. attheGefinor “Students were very pleased of with LAUthe efforts to providejobs, to find them with the opportunity or LAU alumnus Alain Yazbeck was invited to share his experiences on the road to becoming the supply and opportunities,own said createtheir makecontacts and chanceto receptionthe The offeredLAUalumni key 45 over from H.R.representatives gathered reception campuses,the both on fairs career Following Business Annual Third the held offices Placement) and (Career Guidance and Relations Alumni The page 53 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Alumni Events

LAU’s Inaugural Alumni Conference in Orlando, Florida LAU held its first Annual Alumni Conference on March 13–15 in Orlando, Florida. More than 50 alumni from Chicago, Florida, Michigan, New England, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, and Washington, D.C., attended the event, which was an opportunity for former students to reconnect with old classmates, their alma mater, and some of LAU’s leadership. It also provided attendees with information on building and growing alumni chapters. The three-day event, hosted by Alumni Relations Director Abdallah Al Khal and Alumni Programs Manager Edward Shiner, also included appearances by LAU President Joseph Jabbra and Vice President for University Advancement Richard Rumsey. “This alumni gathering was an idea that we’d been contemplating for some time. I’m excited that we moved ahead with it and that it was so well received,” Shiner said. A dinner held in a Lebanese restaurant gave Jabbra the opportunity to update alumni on many of LAU’s recent developments. May Sarout, president of the Toronto chapter, LAU’s oldest alumni chapter in North America, gave a workshop about how to successfully establish and nurture alumni chapters. Hiba Yazbeck, an alumna from the Detroit chapter, spoke about how volunteerism can be applied to alumni chapters. A farewell brunch was held on the last day, before which Jabbra led a discussion about globalization. “LAU alumni have such a strong affinity with the university, and this is something that needs to be nurtured very seriously,” Al Khal said. The alumni conference “was an energy booster for many of the leaders of LAU’s North American alumni chapters.” “My hope,” Shiner said, “is that its success and the enjoyment of the participants will encourage others to join us for future gatherings.”

Reunions and Homecoming Weekend July 9–11, 2009 Alumni Reunions More than 200 alumni returned to campus in July for milestone reunions, marking the 5th, 10 th, 15 th, 20 th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, and even 50th anniversaries of their graduation. They celebrated at a reception with President Jabbra, friends, staff, and former professors, and received graduation jubilee pins.

Alumni Brunch The annual President’s Forum Brunch at the Beirut campus gave alumni the opportunity to spend time with the president of the university in an informal setting. The graduates asked questions about the university’s current undertakings and future plans at the July event, which was organized by the Alumni Relations Office. Former presidents of alumni chapters were honored and presented with awards of appreciation by the Steering Committee of the Alumni Association board.

Annual LAU Alumni Dinner A gala dinner was held at the Metropolitan Hotel in Beirut, with more than 400 alumni, board members, and friends in attendance. Entertainment was provided by comedian Nemr Abou Nassar and by Cynthia Baroud and her band. At the dinner, the Alumni Recognition Award and the Alumni Achievement Award were presented to two honorees. The Alumni Recognition Award was given to Hala Jabr (’57), president of nine blood banks of the Lebanese Red Cross, member of the Tuberculosis Association, and committee member of Festival Baalbek. The Alumni Achievement Award was given to Honey Al Sayed (’97), described as the “Oprah of Syria.” Al Sayed is the radio host for Al Madina FM’s morning show “Good Morning Syria.”

Alumni Trip to Qadisha Homecoming Weekend came to an end with a trip to Hadath el Jibbeh village, where about 50 alumni breakfasted together and hiked on a trail in Qadisha Valley before stopping for lunch at an outdoor restaurant overlooking the valley. The trip was organized by the Alumni Relations Office.

page 54 make you feel important.” and friend a be to time had “always and just, andrespectful, Nadine Taleb, afriend. Dr. perspectives,” said different from things on light shed and others motivate could Najib efficient. and trustworthy is who by implementingprojects rooted incivicandethical values. a non-profit organization that aims to develop Lebanese society staff, and students, Nimah the helped start Phoenix Foundation, Lebanese Red Cross. With a group of Lebanese university faculty, the (UNFPA), and Fund Population Nations United (UNICEF), our hearts. He wasarole for model allofus.” to joy brought LAU to dedication contagious.His was students an email to the LAU community.others,” serve He added,in and “Hishelp devotion toto our ready always life,and for passion Lebanese the at Ministry ofPublic Health. worked and Balamand of University the at School of Pharmacy in 2004. He was simultaneously a professor from the American University of Beirut, began teaching at LAU’s said Dr. MahaDamaj, afriendandcolleague atUNICEF. for individual egos when you were working for the greater good,” room no constructively,was thereon that built and be should his molded character. that strength inner an him gave giving…it more loving, stronger, more became “He Nimah. Layla Dr. mother, 2009, ofleukemia. 10, June on away professor, passed LAU who the of hallmarks Nimah.contagiouslyA positive attitude andstronga spirit were By LAU Staff (1975–2009) Najib Nimah Remembered WithLove Edith Karam,Edith UNICEF,at co-worker a honest,was Nimah said diplomatic,acharacteristics leaderinspiring theof had “He NationsUnitedChildren’sthe toFunddevoted timeNimah of “full was Nimah said Dr.Jabbra LAU Joseph of President M.P.H.an and M.D., an B.S., a with graduated who Nimah, “Najib felt that all time should used be well, all opportunities his character,” said his on impact an had sickness] “[His everyonewhatsmileisHisrememberwill Najib about most brother-in-law and mother withhisfather,Nimah (left) sister, touched somanylives:hewillforever hearts.” liveinpeople’s ofPharmacy. “No one truly dies unless they are forgotten. Najib School LAU’s at Dr. member faculty formerNabhani, a Sherine Beirut Medical Center. of University American the at pediatrician Majdalani,a Nimah sister,hisMarianne and Beirut; of University American the at sciences food and agriculture of professor a Nimah,Dr. Musa student father, for his 2007; president in management enrollment viceand development as position her from retired and decades three for LAU mother,at served Dr.Nimah,who Layla his by sick.survived was is he He when strength gather to went often he Monastery, where Family Trinity Holy near Lebanon, for youngpeople.” model role a was way,”he fantastic think agreed.“I mother his was mychiefinscouts—we usedtocall himSuperman.” pharmacy. also of He school our in professor caring most “the a hard worker andhumanitarian. and aleaderwhowasmodest Phoenix Foundation as well as in the scouts, described Nimah as saluteathisfuneral.special groupleader,B2 the as Association a out scoutscarried the and “He was quite selfless. Very few people are in his league,” said of north the Douma,in in rest to laid was Dr.Nimah Najib a in people young with communicate to able was “Najib was Nimah said Na’was George friend and student Former the and UNICEF at co-worker and friend a Abdallah, Ali ScoutLebanese the to effort and time devoted also Nimah Remembered WithLove Najib Nimah Nimah inscout’s uniform page 55 page

& ALUMNI BULLETIN VOLUME 11 | issue nº 3 | Summer 2009 Why I Give Back Hala Masri, ’87

Why I Give Back Hala Masri, ’87

DEGREE B.A. Communication Arts

CAMPUS Beirut

WHERE SHE LIVES NOW Beirut

OCCUPATION Theater Coordinator, Department of Arts and Communication, LAU

WHAT HAS SHE GIVEN TO LAU? A lifetime commitment—and many, many hours of hard work— to the theater and to students of theater at LAU, where she has worked full-time since 1994. In addition, Hala has made financial contributions to the university.

“Being a member of this decent HOW SHE’D LIKE HER DONATION USED Helping students join the LAU family, just as she was helped and well-educated community when she attended LAU (formerly BUC). Through the hours of work she gives—and continues to give—she wants students to keeps me secure. Interaction with experience the best of theater and music, as she has. students keeps me young and WHY GIVE BACK TO LAU? updated…I really mean it when LAU (then BUC) offered Hala financial aid and an opportunity not available elsewhere: a major in communication arts, which has I talk about [the LAU] family.” become her life’s work. The university is also her home. “LAU … has been—for 25 years—another home to me,” Hala said, “with lots of family members. I do feel I am surrounded by sisters and brothers on whom I can call for a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen … or to share my good and bad times.”

Hala in a performance of Blood Wedding

page 56 Allan and Reda Radwan Riley recently established a Scholarship Endowment Fund that will permanently provide financial assistance to deserving LAU students from Reda Radwan’s hometown, Enfeh, and El-Koura district.

Allan and Reda Radwan Riley  are the Legacy and the PRomise.

“Allan and I could think of no better way to honor my parents, Aref and Helena Jabbour, who were adamant that I should further my education at BCW, than by making it possible for deserving students primarily from my hometown, Enfeh, to have access to the outstanding education that Lebanese American University offers. Since my days at BCW, much has changed to suit the times. Yet, LAU still carries on the same traditions and excellence in teaching and caring for students. We are happy that we can help future applicants benefit through our scholarship from an LAU education.”

Allan, who is a great supporter of Reda, is a real estate investor in commercial property, with headquarters in New York City.

For more information, please contact: Beirut Development Office New York Office Tel (961) 1 786456 Ext: 1323 Tel (212) 870 2592 Fax (961) 1 803658 Fax (212) 870 2762 P.O.Box 13-5053 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1846 Chouran Beirut 1102 2801, Lebanon New York, NY 10115-0065 - USA E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Beirut Campus P.O.Box 13-5053 Chouran Beirut, 1102 2801 Lebanon Tel. +961 1 786456 / 64 Fax. +961 1 867098

Byblos Campus P.O.Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon Tel. +961 9 547254 / 63 Fax. +961 9 944851

New York Office 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1846 New York, N.Y. 10115 0065 USA Tel. +1 212 870 2592 Fax. +1 212 870 2762 www.lau.edu.lb