Contents Ahmad El-Nemr Mahmoud El Esseily ’06 reflects on his time as a student while balancing a singing career Page 10 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 8 FIRST CLASS 4 AUSCENES AUC graduates its first group of Jameel MBA fellows and LLM students. Core Curriculum restructured, business program receives 10 BALANCING THE BEAT accreditation, Prince Talal calls for From singing stardom to student life, Mahmoud El Esseily ’06 shares his story. political reform, downtown campuses not sold to Israelis 14 INSIGHT FROM ALUMS ON SITE Alumni who graduated from the downtown campus offer an insider’s perspective on ALUMNI PROFILES the new campus. 37 Shahinaz El Naggar ’91 reflects on her recent election to parliament 18 A TALE OF TWO CULTURES AUC faculty and alumni books tackle Arab-American issues. 39 Bishoy Morcos ’98 and his wife 20 THE NEW SUPERHERO IN TOWN adjust to a new life that is three times as busy after recently becoming Two alumni join forces to bring to life the Middle East’s first superheroes, parents to triplets fusing business sense with a cultural mission. 26 A ROOM WITH TWO VIEWS 37 CLASS NOTES Two roommates from opposite sides of the Atlantic share space and perspectives. Class updates, weddings and deaths 28 A WAY WITH WASTE 40 AKHER KALAM AUC students and faculty are working to develop innovative technology to turn Lama El Hatow ’05, an environmental trash into usable products. engineering graduate student, shares her experience in Dahab during the 32 ARCHIVE TRIVIA recent bombings From inside the archives, we uncover bits of AUC history you might not know. On the cover:Ayman Kandeel (MA ’94), founder of AK Comics, photographed by Ahmad El-Nemr Editor’s Notes AUC TODAY Lifelong Graduations Summer 2006 Volume 14, No. 3 Benjamin Franklin is known to have famously said that nothing in life is certain The American University in Cairo is a except death and taxes. In the nonprofit private institution devoted to same vein, every AUC alumni providing English-language liberal arts education to serve Egypt and the shares several definitive Middle East. moments that together form the certainties of an AUC Editor in Chief education. One of those Dina Abulfotuh moments is commencement. Designer While over the years, the Rehab Farouk event must have evolved and Me along with our department’s two recent graduates Dana Dinnawi Writers the graduates are always (left) and Dalia Al Nimr Dalia Al Nimr, Cole Gibas, Lily Hindy different, there is still an and Lamya Tawfik amazing uniformity to this rite of passage. This June, I attended the graduate commencement in Ewart Hall because two Advisory Board members of our department were earning their master’s degrees, along with the Louis Greiss ’55, Laila Rustom, Nahed Dajani ’83, Mirette Mabrouk ’89, ’90, first class of graduates in two new programs at AUC (First Class, page 8). An odd Tarek Atia (YAB ’91), Lamya Tawfik ’97, mix of happiness, enthusiasm and achievement permeated the room. Hundreds of ’04, Mohamed Selim ’04, ’06, Nada people all share in a singular moment with a contagious sense of excitement. Sabet ’05 and Sarah El Sirgany ’04 Sitting in the audience watching and listening, I could not help but think of my Photography own master’s graduation from Ewart Hall not long ago. I could distinctly recall the Ahmad El-Nemr feelings — also mixed — of relief to have been finally finished, uncertainty of what I will do next, thrilled to see pride in my parents’ eyes and a tiny bit of sadness. I had figured that short of the arduous journey for a doctorate, I had essentially AUCToday is published three times completed the last educational milestone one could achieve.That was it, no more a year by the American University graduations, no nicely carved out phase of my life that I could officially complete in Cairo. and get a certificate. Learning of course never stops, but it is no longer in the same nicely packed bite-sized class offerings in a university setting, where you always We welcome all letters. Submissions may be edited for space and clarity. knew how far you had gotten and what was left to reach the end. Please send all correspondence to: And for the most part, I was right about graduations.The only caveat, AUCToday however, is that now after four years of being editor of AUCToday — about the The American University in Cairo time it takes to finish a bachelor’s — I am graduating from that role.As it turns 113 Kasr El Aini Street P.O. Box 2511 out, life is full of graduations. Dalia Al Nimr ’98, senior editor whose master’s Cairo 11511 commencement I just attended, will serve as the new editor of AUCToday. Dalia Egypt has been an instrumental member of the AUCToday team since she joined as a or reporter in 2002.An alum, former Caravan editor and talented writer, I am AUCToday The American University in Cairo confident she will be a masterful editor. 420 Fifth Avenue,Third floor It has been a privilege to serve as editor of the magazine, and I am grateful for New York, NY 10018-2729 the opportunity to be a part of such a vibrant alumni community. I look forward USA to continuing to work with you in my new role, and I wish Dalia success and tel 20.2.797.5446 (Egypt) many graduations. e-mail [email protected] www.aucegypt.edu Dina Abulfotuh 2 AUC TODAY Summer 2006 InBox Keep on Giving proverb:“Not only with bread does a human I really enjoyed reading the article being live.” on philanthropy,“A New Take Actually, this statement is a verse from the Bible on Giving,” which was as shown below: published in the Spring 2006 issue of AUCToday. I was 1. “Man doth not live by bread only, proud to see my friend but by every word that proceedeth out Marwa El Daly ’96, ’01, of the mouth of the Lord doth man who works at the Center live” Deuteronomy 8:3 (The Holy Bible, for Development Services, King James Version) featured in the article. I really believe in the 2. “Man cannot live on bread alone, but importance of the needs every word that God speaks” Mathew philanthropy project she is 4:4 (Good News, New Testament Today’s working on, and the article was a good way English Version) of letting people know about it. It was also interesting to see how alumni AUC Instructor Magd Kahil working in non-governmental organizations Cairo, Egypt (NGOs) are exerting big efforts to make philanthropy take on a meaning beyond National Treasures charity. Some of these NGOs operate Congratulations on your under difficult conditions, and the work great profile of Kent these alumni are doing is something to be Weeks,AUC’s famous appreciated. Egyptologist. Kent is an One of the things I liked most, however, inspiration to aspiring was the calligraphy. It’s a new idea, and it gave Egyptologists the the article a nice look and feel.The headline world over. He is was also very catchy. also a wonderful Keep up the good work. ambassador to the world for AUC, and Hana Abdel Meguid ’97 together with Egypt’s redoubtable Cairo, Egypt Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass, a great proponent of the wonders of that incomparable Correction Please land, Egypt. In the Spring 2006 issue of AUCToday on page Steve Hindy 25, there is a dictum identified as an Arabic New York, United States We Would Like to Hear From You AUCToday welcomes letters from readers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Please send to [email protected] or Editor, AUCToday, Office of Communications and Marketing, 113 Kasr El Aini Street, P.O. Box 2511, Cairo 11511. 3 AuScenes AUC Campuses Not Yet for Sale Revamping the s the new campus move inches A nearer, President David Arnold Core Curriculum publicly announced that the Board of new Core Curriculum program Trustees has voted to sell the Greek A will go into effect for incoming Campus, the rare books library and the freshmen in Fall 2007. Zamalek Dormitory. However, the In the revised structure, courses will university will keep the buildings on the be divided into three levels: an Main Campus, including Ewart Hall and elementary level, which includes new the New Falaki building.The real estate 100-level courses specifically designed that will be sold is not yet on the market. for AUC’s freshmen; a secondary level, In addition, at the latest University which includes 200-and 300-level Forum,Arnold declared that no Israeli has courses; and a final capstone level.The indicated interest in the property, as was capstone level is intended to foster stated in some Egyptian newspapers. students’ research and practical skills through involvement in a senior thesis or project, senior seminar or supervised internship. Students will also choose from a variety of service-learning Business Programs Gain Specialized Accreditation courses, international dialogue courses UC is the first university in United States to be awarded this or seminars in international issues. A Egypt and North Africa to be accreditation,” Mortagy said.“It is a “The primary goal is to create a awarded accreditation for its business distinct honor for the university, and it structure that we hope will allow the programs from the Association to also provides graduates of our university to achieve its basic general Advance Collegiate Schools of programs in business the additional education objectives more effectively Business (AACSB International). recognition conferred internationally and efficiently,” said John Swanson, While all AUC programs are by AACSB.” director of the Core Curriculum.