22 44 52 1 Contextualizing Corm Relief in Site Excavating the Future AUB celebrates the art of Lebanese Relief efforts bring shelter, education, Akram Zaatari (BAR ’89) reimagines painter Georges Daoud Corm and medical aid to Syrian refugees images and reinvents cultural artifacts

American University of Beirut Magazine. Fall/Winter 2014, Vol XII, No. 1

Promise. It’s the MainGate, only better!

Find out about the magazine redesign on page 5.

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The pages of the MainGate are printed on 100 percent postconsumer fiber paper and the cover is 30 percent. It is printed using web offset process with attention to clean-air operations. Lane Press gets 98 percent of its electricity from sources other than greenhouse gas-producing carbon fuel. Inks are bio-derived and low in volatile organic compounds. Please recycle this magazine. If you prefer to subscribe to the online version of the MainGate, please email maingate(at)aub.edu.lb The MainGate Fall/Winter 2014 Contents Volume XII, No. 1

Inspiration 7 Student life, the liberal arts, AUB personalities past and present

East West Interlocutor 8 Speaking with Peter Heath.

Discoveries 21 Research, the arts, and current events

Contextualizing Corm 22 Celebrating the art of Lebanese painter Georges Daoud Corm.

Wellness 33 AUBMC 2020, health, and medicine

The Art of Giving Back 34 A pioneering gift to AUBMC with transformative technology.

Impact 43 Regional impact, advocacy, and policy initiatives

Relief in Site 44 Bringing warmth, education, and medical aid to Syrian refugees.

AUB Everywhere 51 Alumni profile, class notes, WAAAUB, and chapter news

Excavating the Future Akram Zaatari (BAR ’89), a filmmaker, photographer, 52 and archival artist, reimagines images and reinvents cultural artifacts.

In Memoriam 68 Presidenting

Like Nowhere Else

situation escalated so suddenly and with faculty mentors. Having a then dissipated very quickly. I think campus like ours, where this kind of it’s kind of a model case for how things interactioncan happen, is at the very can happen here in the Middle East. heart of a liberal arts education, which is one of AUB’s great distinguishing CompARInG characteristics among universities & ConTRASTInG in the Middle East. There are some obvious differences between being president of a US REAdInG university in Lebanon versus being The most important book I’ve read president of a university in the United recently is Robert Fisk’s Pity the Nation. States, one of which is that AUB must I’d been putting it off, because of lack comply with two completely different of time, but as soon as I started reading legal systems, Lebanese and American. it I found it very hard to put down. It’s For example, we are compelled by a compelling book; it sets the stage American federal regulations to have very nicely for the cultural and policies on sexual harassment. On the political context of today’s Lebanon. other hand, sexual harassment is not recognized as a criminal offence in Lebanon. So in the past we have dismissed employees for violating AUB has a national our policies on sexual harassment significance that is in accordance with US law, but such employees can take us to court in really not matched The Dormans inside the plAnnInG Lebanon. Another difference is the College Hall bell tower. by any university in The start of this academic year was prominence with which AUB is viewed certainly a surprise in terms of planning. here in Lebanon. AUB has a national the United States. The Syrian crisis happened at a time significance that is really not matched when faculty and students were by any university in the United States. already on campus for orientation I find I’m representing a university that week, so we had to make very quick reaches every part of the population, and UnWIndInG decisions in case any kind of US military that almost everything that AUB does is There is a small, shaded gully down President Dorman on a strike against the Syrian regime took very closely followed and often below Van Dyck and the Diana Tamari surprising start to the school year, being a place. Because, in the worst case, it imitated. This places quite a burden Sabbagh Building that is still quite university president, probably would have affected AUB and on the presidency, the University, and wild, contrasting with the rest of the advice to new students, its ability to maintain its international on its faculty to set standards for the campus which is beautifully maintained. and where to get away from it all on campus. staff, faculty, and students. In thinking country, and in many ways for the I just learned recently that part of that about options for international students region as well. wadi is shored up with stones from the and faculty, we had to consider logistical College Hall building that was destroyed supplies, things like fuel and water, AdVISInG in 1991. I’ve often heard students remark and also supplies of medicines that New students need to understand that about the different feeling they get would be needed to treat chemical they are not here just to fulfill course when they walk out of the urban fabric attacks. We even had to consider what and degree requirements. A major part of Beirut onto campus. I get the same might happen if we had to evacuate of their education has to do with taking feeling when I walk down the wild glen some people from campus. In 2006 advantage of all the opportunities by the women’s dorms. It’s like a step there was a land route out through that AUB has to offer. It’s not only back into a different world, and it’s Syria. If the airport were closed, a beautiful campus, but it’s also a even quieter than the main campus. evacuation would be very challenging. campus rich with cultural events, -K.D. Those were the big questions, but thus academic conferences, club activities, far we’ve had a very normal academic and sports that are here for the taking. year. What surprised me was the way It’s very important for students to in which the threatening political engage with their peers, and interact 54

Inbox

Dear AUB friends, faculty, staff, and alumni worldwide, We’re proud to welcome 2014 with a new look—and a new approach to the MainGate. Since the  magazine was founded 11 years ago, the way we communicate has changed dramatically. Social media keeps us up to the minute with events that are happening half a world away. New stories Cover are posted on the AUB website every day. For one group of Syrian refugee children it was a So, do we still need a beautiful 70-page magazine in a world in which we’re bombarded with summer filled with promise data all day long? We say “yes!”— and our readers have too. thanks to AUB students working with the CCECS to Many alumni refer to the “transformative” and “life changing” AUB experience. At the MainGate, create fun activities for the we share stories and explore how we inspire. How we lead. We focus on the students, faculty, and youngsters. staff who change lives. Bring you transformative research. Spotlight community impact. Show how AUB is addressing the health needs of the region, at AUBMC and beyond. Three times a year, we bring you the big picture view of AUB, tell you why AUB still matters—and how. We believe this redesigned format does this better than before. Here are the new sections:

InSpIRATIon Student life, the liberal arts, and the personalities that make AUB tick. The MainGate is published three dISCoVERIES times a year in Beirut by the American University of Beirut for Research stories from students and faculty. Discover labs on campus. A chance to push distribution to alumni, former boundaries and learn something new. faculty, friends, and supporters worldwide. WEllnESS Editor Ada H. Porter Stories related to health and wellness featuring interdisciplinary work from across the faculties. Director of Communications Look for Q&As with doctors on major health issues facing the region—like the one in this issue Responsible Director on cardiovascular health. Nabil Dajani Art Direction and Design ImpACT Communication Design SAL www.cd-sal.com AUB making a difference in the region like the HSON students giving polio vaccines to refugees Production and research to make safe working conditions for children the law. Office of Communications AUB EVERYWHERE Photography AUB Jafet Library Archives Class notes, alumni interviews, WAAAUB chapter activities, and news. Be sure to check out the Jean Pierre Tarabey great photo pages on the WAAAUB website. Staff Writers Susanne Lane One more thing—this is now printed on 100 percent recycled fiber, a much more environmentally Barbara Rosica friendly product. We’re working on our website too, so you’ll have even more reasons to enjoy Contributing Writers the online. Maureen Ali MainGate Nicholas Boke Looking forward to your feedback, and to receiving more of your stories. Jean-Marie Cook Erica Moukarzel Ada H. Porter, Editor Nisa Qazi

American University of Beirut ACS CASAR FEA IFI OSB Office of Communications American Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Faculty of Issam Fares Institute Suliman S. Olayan PO Box 11–0236 Community School Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Engineering for Public Policy and School of Business Riad El Solh 1107 2020 Center for American and Architecture International Affairs Abbr. AUB PSPA Beirut, Lebanon Studies and Research American University FHS KSA Department of Political Tel: 961-1-353228 of Beirut CCECS Faculty of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Studies and Public Center for Civic Health Sciences Administration AUBMC LAU New York Office Common Engagement and American University of FM Lebanese American REP 3 Dag Hammarskjold Abbreviations Community Service Beirut Medical Center Faculty of Medicine University Regional Plaza 8th Floor found in the FAFS External Programs New York, NY 10017–2303 CAMES HSON LDEM MainGate (MG): Faculty of Agricultural Tel: 212-583-7600 Center for Arab and Rafic Hariri School Landscape Design and SPC and Food Sciences Middle Eastern Studies of Nursing Ecosystem Management Syrian Protestant College maingate(at)aub.edu.lb FAS www.aub.edu.lb/maingate CAMS IC NCC WAAAUB Faculty of Arts Center for Advanced International College Nature Conservation Center Worldwide Alumni Printing and Sciences Mathematical Sciences for Sustainable Futures Association of AUB Lane Press Aiducation. One of dozens of Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP) Rola Atwani (BS ’15) is also grateful to ULYP for giving her scholarship students at AUB, business-major Rama Mosleh the chance to attend AUB where she is learning not just the (BBA ’15) says that she is taking advantage of every moment skills that will “increase my chances of promotion,” but also on campus to make it an unforgettable experience. the confidence that “I’m going to need in bucket loads as I “I’m working hard to make myself and all the people who go through life.” She is also enjoying the opportunity to helped me reach AUB proud.” In addition to keeping up make new friends and meet people from different with a full course load, Rama is also participating in various backgrounds and cultures. After she completes her volunteer activities on campus with the Palestinian Cultural undergraduate degree, Rola is looking forward to a Club and raising money for Syrian refugees. career in pediatric medicine – and to supporting scholarship students in the future as ULYP does: “they support us at every single step along the way.”

To speak to someone about supporting financial aid, contact us at giving(at)aub.edu.lb or make an online gift at https://give.aub.edu.lb. 7 Inspiration

Student life, the liberal arts, AUB personalities past and present

AUB's former provost Peter Heath reflects on a career of bringing the East West Interlocutor 8 American model of education to the Middle East.

Published & Produced 10 Exhibits: Conceptual artist Akram Zaatari (BAR ’89) the MoMA, New York and Sfeir Semler Gallery, Beirut. Designers Maria Hibri and Huda Baroudi (BBA ’80) Bokja Design’s Migration Stories, Beijing. Photographer Rania Matar (BEN ’98) Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Painters Lena Kelekian (BS ’81) and Hagop Sulahian (BAR ’84) Shenzhen International Watercolor Biennial Exhibition, China. Fashion designer Reem Acra’s (BBA ’82) trunk show tours the United States.

Websites: Founding editor Mona Harb (BAR ’93) makes Jadaliyya’s “Cities Page” a must read

On Stage: Alternative musical group Mashrou' Leila and jazz musician Tarek Yamani (BA ’01) transcend boundaries.

Written Word: Academic Books: Scholarly works by Octavian Esanu, Syrine Hout (BA ’86), Sonja Mejcher-Atassi and John Pedro Schwartz, Lara Deeb & Mona Harb (BAR ’93). Fiction/Non-fiction: Kim Ghattas (BA ’99) chronicles a high-powered life.

Face to Face 12 Nabil Tu’mih has been keeping AUB athletics in shape for nearly 50 years.

Globetrotters Where students go to dip a toe into the waters of the real world 13 and what they discover.

From Rusted Radishes 15 “Why I Am Who I Am” by Rewa El-Jarrah.

Legends & Legacies Southern Charm: Nami Jafet, a successful entrepreneur committed to 20 bringing it back to Beirut. Inspiration

Language and Civilization from Harvard, he took a position teaching cultural studies at Bir Zeit University (BZU) in the West Bank where he remained for five years. At Washington

A lifelong educator, University in St. Louis, Missouri, where Dr. Peter Heath, he spent the next 12 years, Dr. Heath chancellor of helped found the Center for the Study American University of Sharjah and of Islamic Societies and Civilization. former provost of In 1998, he came to Beirut. AUB has excelled at bringing American- style education to Dr. Heath’s experience at Bir Zeit the Middle East. Part University had primed him for working of a regular series of as provost at AUB. interviews with former AUB faculty and staff. Universities must understand their relationship to the society they are a part of and consider ways to benefit that society.

“It was through teaching cultural studies at BZU,” he explains, “that I became aware of the educational model the American University of Beirut provided, because Bir Zeit University modeled its program on the AUB curriculum.”

“Peter was delighted to go to AUB,” East West says his wife of 41 years, Marianne. “It was an unexpected career move at a time when he was focused on academics more than administration. Interlocutor However, it was a transformational time for AUB, and Peter recognized that he Had it not been for a long queue at of students enrolling in Chinese. But had an opportunity to help the Princeton back in 1967, Peter Heath that line was too long. Remembering University get back on its feet after might never have served as provost at that his advisor had told him that if he the civil war.” AUB or as chancellor at the American was really interested in the Crusades, University of Sharjah (AUS). he should study Arabic, he saw a One thing he brought to his position professor sitting alone at the Turkish, as provost at AUB, Dr. Heath explains, As a freshman, Heath was unaware that Persian, and Arabic languages table, was “an interest in the structures of he was about to make a life-altering and went no further. universities in general.” A university’s decision. What should he study to responsibilities, he had come to meet the university’s foreign language At a time when few people studied understand, reach far beyond the requirement? He had already studied Arabic, Heath spent two summers as classroom. Universities must Spanish and Latin in high school. an undergraduate doing just that at the understand their relationship to the American University in Cairo, followed society they are a part of and consider Maybe something non-western, he by a year there on a Fulbright grant. ways to benefit that society. He saw thought, as he stepped toward the line After earning a PhD in Near Eastern this reflected in AUB’s mission. 98

Heath’s broad vision of the university, His awareness of theinterconnectedness It was this model that he had however, preceded his arrival in the of every component of the University encountered and nurtured at AUB and Middle East. It had begun with a remark insured that he paid close attention that he had found at AUS which is, he Marianne had made to him early in both to the internal workings of each says, “successful in incorporating their relationship. and to the connections among them those traditions in the education that so “sectors … developed not only as it offers… [But AUS] doesn’t try to “She said,” he recalls, “‘It's really independent units, but also in such a imitate—we take the curriculum and strange; you are reading a book that was way that they supported and interacted the American model and adapt it to written more than a hundred years ago with each other.” This focus built the the needs of the region. [AUS] wants to by Alexander Pushkin.’ I said, ‘That’s foundation for much of AUB’s current integrate more with the business sector, because it’s still a great book.’ That led interdisciplinary teaching and research. find out what they need from [the] me to think how it would feel to be students, and also how [the] faculty involved in something that somebody Additionally he saw the can help them.” is going to benefit from a hundred years interconnectedness of student services later. I wanted to be a part of that process revolving around the library, information of building knowledge because I care technology, student affairs, admissions, about adding to the sum of human and financial aid and made sure these knowledge and maybe providing a new services were integrated to enhance perspective. I want to communicate students’ educational experience. that knowledge and some of the understanding involved in that to He brought these experiences and students. That was, and still remains, insights with him to AUS in 2008. my dream.” As chancellor, he explains, he hoped to implement the best of what he Fulfilling this dream has taken him had learned from his AUB experience. down many paths. In this new role Dr. Heath found himself Dr. Heath brought both academic and faced with greater responsibilities administrative experience to AUB, outside the university, charged as he having worked with both professors was with representing the institution All his efforts, and students. Beginning at BZU, he in the wider community. In the United had held positions such as department Arab Emirates, the community is made however, were based chairman or center director in addition up of powerful political leaders and on his belief in the to always continuing to focus on teaching influential businessmen. It was Dr. American model and research. He actively maintained Heath’s job to nurture these relationships, his interest in scholarship during his and also to meet regularly with leaders of education. time as provost, teaching graduate of nearby universities. Speaking to students in AUB’s Department of Shiva Kumar Thekkepat of Gulf News Arabic Languages and Literature and in 2011, Chancellor Heath described his He explains that this successful blend continued to do research and publish efforts to emphasize to other university is thanks in large part to the support— in his field. This helped him, he says, leaders in the UAE the importance of both financial and philosophical—of to implement “the expectation that promoting the establishment of a Sharjah’s ruler, His Highness Sheikh Dr. students improve not only academically “research funding agency like the Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi. Dr. but also as human beings during their National Science Foundation in the US Heath took the AUS position primarily time at AUB. Another important [where] faculties would compete with because of the vision of university contribution I made to AUB was to focus each other and cooperate on projects.” education that the two shared: “to on faculty research. Before I arrived, provide a modern and scientific and there was not a great emphasis on All his efforts, however, were based knowledge-based education for the this, but I consider faculty research on his belief in the American model youth of the region.” an extremely important way to keep of education: “I think of the ‘American professors engaged in their subjects model of education’ as the process in Whether his work involved teaching and to continue to develop themselves which the educational institution fosters or administration, many terms come in their chosen field.” not only students’ academic learning to mind when you think of Peter Heath, but also their individual growth and not the least of which are mentor, Dr. Heath’s position as provost required development and at the same time trains innovator, collaborator, and visionary. him to reflect on the broader university them to think critically, to become good system as he worked with “all the team players, and to become good and In 2013, Peter Heath left AUS for health departments, programs, and internal productive citizens for the society in reasons. He is currently spending time support units in the University.” which they live.” with family in the United States. -N.B. Inspiration

Published & Produced Exhibits

1 23

1 BoKJA dESIGn GEoRGES CoRm GARdEn SHoW

See Maria Hibri and Huda Baroudi There is a terrific exhibit at the AUB Maggie Baroud (BBA ’80) is taking (BBA ’80) and their Bokja Design’s Art Gallery on Sidani Street through part in the Garden Show and Spring Migration Stories at the Tales Pavilion March 2014 featuring the works of Festival at the Beirut Hippodrome, in Beijing. Georges Daoud Corm (1896-1971). May 27-31, 2014.

2 WAlKTHRoUGH THIS dAY REEm ACRA

Reem Akl (BA ’03), Walkthrough in EL- Don’t miss Akram Zaatari (BAR ’89), Even if you don’t live in New York or DE House, Cologne, November 22, 2013, This Day (at) Ten at the Sfeir Semler Beirut, you may still be able to see Art and Archive Residency program, Gallery in Beirut through March 22, some of Reem Acra’s (BBA ’82) stunning The Hangar, Beirut. 2014. Akram was recently part of an wedding dresses at one of the many exhibit at MoMA in New York. bridal trunk shows taking place around the country.

3 WATERColoR BIEnnIAl CRITICAl mACHInES SHE WHo TEllS A SToRY

Lena Kelekian (BS ’81) and Hagop Coming to the Byblos Bank Art Gallery She Who Tells A Story: Women Sulahian (BAR ’84) are among the in February 2014, Critical Machines Photographers from Iran and the Arab select group of artists featured in the is a series of events and an exhibition World, curated by Kristen Gresh, Shenzhen International Watercolor featuring objects that monitor and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, Biennial Exhibition, China through report on the flow of cultural August 27, 2013 - January 12, 2014. January 2014. production, such as books, blogs, Henry and Lois Foster Gallery (Gallery print and e-journals, and software. 158) features the work of 12 leading women photographers from Iran and the Arab world including Rania Matar Websites (BEN ’98).

Check out the new Cities Page on Jadaliyya E-Zine, Cofounded and edited by AUB Associate Professor Mona a website that attracts almost a million viewers each week. Harb (BAR ’93), the Cities Page is full of lots of interesting cities.jadaliyya.com information and great pieces about urban issues, politics, and infrastructure.

More online 1110

On Stage

Remember Mashrou' Leila (MainGate, winter 2011) The always-popular AUB Choir Christmas Concert They’ve been busy with appearances in Toronto, took place on December 2 and 3, 2013. Enjoy the Paris, and London this past fall. Check the video online! MainGate online for the dates and times of There has been a lot of buzz on campus about future shows. AUB Professor Robert Myers and LAU Assistant Tarek Yamani (MainGate, summer 2012) has Professor Nada Saab’s (BA ’83) production of also been on the road – and is gearing up for Tuqus al-isharat wa al-tahawwulat (Rituals of a busy schedule in 2014 too. Signs and Transformations), a play by the late The year-long Zaki Nassif Program Music Festival Syrian playwright Saadallah Wannous. The play kicked off on September 29 with a concert by Rima was performed at the Babel Theater in early Khcheich in Assembly Hall. It’s not too late to get December. in on the fun. Send submissions for published & published to maingate(at)aub.edu.lb

Written poST-WAR AnGlopHonE Lebanese civil war (1975-90) the diverse community that Professor, Department of lEBAnESE FICTIon and later living in exile. lives and works there. English (eds.), Archives, Word This study demonstrates Hailed as “an important Museums and Collecting Syrine Hout (BA ’86), how “homeness” is defined and fascinating study that Practices in the Modern Professor, Department differently by these authors will be read and discussed Arab World (Fernham: of English, Post-War in their explorations of for years to come,” this Ashgate, 2012). This is Anglophone Lebanese Lebanese identity in the volume provides the first book to explore Fiction: Home Matters in twenty-first century. “marvelous detail” and collecting practices in the Diaspora (Edinburgh: “will greatly interest all archives and museums in Edinburgh University Press, those working on the the modern Arab world. It 2012). Published as part of subject of the contemporary includes many case studies TRAnSITIon In the “Edinburgh Studies in Middle East, in particular and will be of great interest poST-SoVIET ART Modern Arabic Literature,” Beirut and Lebanon.” to scholars and students Octavian Esanu, Curator, this volume presents a not only of the modern AUB Art Galleries, Arab world, but also to Transition in Post-Soviet professionals in museums Art: The Collective Actions and collections everywhere. Group before and after lEISURElY ISlAm 1989 (Budapest: Central European University Press, Lara Deeb & Mona Harb 2012). This volume offers (BAR ’93), Associate a detailed look at Collective Professor, Department of Actions, a Moscow-based Architecture and Design, conceptual artist group. comparative generation- Leisurely Islam: ARCHIVES, mUSEUmS And CollECTInG Esanu examines the group’s specific critique of 11 Negotiating Geography and pRACTICES In THE 10-volume publication novels— by Rabih Morality in Shi`ite South modERn ARAB WoRld THE SECRETARY Journeys Outside the City Alameddine, Tony Hanania, Beirut (Princeton and compares the volumes Rawi Hage, Nada Awar University Press, 2013). Sonja Mejcher-Atassi, Kim Ghattas (BA ’99), The produced in the Soviet Jarrar, Patricia Sarrafian This book explores how Assistant Professor, Secretary: A Journey with period with those Ward, and Nathalie the recent establishment of Civilization Sequence Hillary Clinton from Beirut assembled after the Abi-Ezzi—that focuses on new cafés and restaurants Program, and John Pedro to the Heart of American dissolution of the USSR. growing up during the in South Beirut has affected Schwartz, Assistant Power (Times Books, 2013). Inspiration Face to Face

Nabil Tu’mih has been with the AUB Athletics Department for 45 years. His first job was as a clerk when physical education was mandatory for freshmen and students received a grade. Later he became the athletic assistant, organizing all indoor and outdoor activities from overseas athletic delegations to intramural competitions (football, basketball, etc.) along with supervising the AUB Beach and lifeguards. In February 2008 Nabil became building supervisor at the Charles W. Hostler Student Center where he still oversees the intramurals and tournaments, making sure the center is always shipshape.

He feels nostalgic for the old days, the multi-national student body, and their athletic spirit

While Nabil regrets that there are fewer athletic events these days, his eyes light up when he describes the new track and how easy it is to maintain the Green Field. He feels nostalgic for the old days, the multi-national student body, and their athletic spirit, but he counts his blessings including the indoor courts and, of course, his long career at AUB. -M.A. 1312 Globetrotters

many AUB students enjoy exceptional name: Kourken Kadehjian internship opportunities around the major: Environmental Health, FHS world and right next door. Here’s a Graduation Year: 2014 look at where some of them went Where I went: Food processing recently, what they learned, and their companies, waste management post-graduation plans. facilities, water treatment plants, etc. in Lebanon. Interested in providing an internship What I learned: I was surprised to an AUB student? name: Elie Antoun to see how primitive and poorly Email: maingate(at)aub.edu.lb, and major: Electrical and Computer managed many essential facilities we'll put you in touch with the right Engineering, FEA are in Lebanon; there is need for person. Graduation Year: 2014 a lot of improvement. Where I went: Telus Technology Where I'm going: I am interested in Strategy, Edmonton, Canada doing research and consulting in the What I learned: Working with the field of environmental science and software team, I helped to develop sustainable development. several applications on Optik TV. I also got a chance to see what name: Seung Kharma the working world looks like. major: Nursing, HSON Where I'm going: Definitely to Graduation Year: 2013 graduate school, probably in the Where I went: Neonatal Intensive United States. Care Unit, AUBMC What I learned: I learned that the spirit of an individual simply “is”. It is not something developed or accumulated. The spirits within these tiny individuals are evident even when name: Tarek Amro many of their physiological systems are major: Agribusiness, FAFS underdeveloped. It makes me Graduation Year: 2014 appreciate God. Where I went: Purpan University, Where I'm going: Back to the Toulouse, France United States. What I learned: I learned about the name: Farah Jurdi different types of wine produced in major: Elementary Education name: Melissa Menassa France, met a lot of people from around (Language Arts/Social Studies), major: Business, OSB the world, and put in long hours doing Diploma in Special Education, FAS Graduation Year: 2014 manual labor in the fields and also Graduation Year: 2013 Where I went: H&C Leo Burnett, Beirut indoors where I helped to label, Where I went: Wellspring Learning What I learned: I gained a lot of package, bottle, and filter wine. Community, Beirut experience on how to research, observe, Where I'm going: After doing a What I learned: I learned about the and analyze target audiences; also graduate degree in food and beverage PYP and MYP (two International how to write creative briefs, develop management in the United States, I’d Baccalaureate programs), student- marketing plans with improved ideas like to work in the business side of the centered classrooms, and teaching using social media, plan and organize agro-food industry. thematic lessons/units using the events, and to work with people. inquiry approach. Where I'm going: After I graduate Where I'm going: I am working I’m planning on working for at least at etcetera (Educational Teaching six months before doing a master’s Consultancy) where I was recently degree abroad – most likely in PR promoted to be a special needs and and advertising. language arts consultant and am pursuing a master’s degree in TEFL at AUB Inspiration

The essentials for Richard Kline, 01 Homelands and Diasporas- 07 Flash cards for the advanced graduate student in political science. background reading for his Lebanese Arabic course he’s Here he tucks into the only private thesis proposal. taking (he’s half Lebanese, and space on campus (though he keeps his 02 Just for fun: The Hunger “getting in touch with his roots”). phone handy for “breaks”), and Games and a fitness book. 08 Patchouli oil: “hippie souvenir” brushes up on political philosophy 03 Political philosophy book. from a California friend. before heading out to Nadia Abu Ali’s 04 Protein powder gets the brain 09 Idea board: to pin ideas for class on nationhood and nationalism. going before heading out to his thesis. a class on political trends in 10 The shaker (for the protein powder). contemporary Middle East politics. 11 His high top Tom’s shoes: 05 Best eaten with labneh: corn cakes. a gift from a friend. 06 Who said political scientists 12 More shoes here. don’t want to smell good? 13 The Noisy Jacket: stays put in Jafet. Burberry London. The material makes so much noise he can’t wear it in the library.

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04 09 10 Graduate Carrel #17, Jafet library

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From Rusted Radishes

oATES SERIES “Why I Am Who I Am” Saba Sadr 1

Dirty feet on cold floors. Muddy shoes. the corniche. My family always said my Frosted lips. Short bitten nails. Red back brace didn’t show. It did. It was so rosary. Purple Powerpuff Girls raincoat. bulky everyone would always stare.But Round blue glasses. Blonde Barbies. that corniche was the one place where Brown pants. Short frizzy hair. Bitter I felt like I fit in. Everyone was so in thyroid medicine. Mickey Mouse ring. over their head with problems, that Rainbow slinky. Winnie the Pooh no one even cared about the pillow. Hopscotch on the terrace. Catch weirdly-structured girl, no one even in the parking lot. Bulky back brace. looked my way. I loved that corniche. Twister champion. Beaded bracelets. I hated the girl who walked it. The Little Mermaid calendar. Scraped As I walked down the street thinking knees. Chocolate-chip cookie dough. of my perfect blue getaway, I felt sick Ice cold lemonade. Homemade to my stomach. strawberry ice cream. Lisa Frank 4 copybook. Cherry lip gloss. 101 Dalmatians sunglasses. Sunflower earrings. Ice-cold x-ray tables. His cheeks felt like a lawn of grass, Orange feathery purse. smooth and inviting at first, until you hit the dry and dead parts. As I stroked 2 them, my hands turned warm. Those cheeks were all I cared for. They “We don’t have such a thing. Not now. smelled like the new “One Million” It’s too early for you.” perfume. Whenever I pulled a cheek, “But I’m almost eighteen. I’m actually my fingers would tickle and I would coming to you for once, letting you in.” laugh endlessly. And if I ever kissed “Yeah well, it’s just not something we it,my lips would feel as if I had just do and you know that. Focus on your eaten cotton candy; but sometimes, studies... you shouldn’t be thinking they’d burn after. about this for the next two or three years.” Rewa El-Jarrah “It’s dating for God’s sake.” “Forget it, you’re from two completely * This essay was produced from Dinty different worlds. How do you expect W. Moore’s exercise called, “Just Add

Oil on Canvas | These paintings this to work?” Water: An Experimental Mini-Essay are part of a series that stands as “Worlds. You mean religions.” in a Can.” Reprinted from Rusted an Epilogue to one of Joyce Carol Radishes, Vol. 2. Oates’s short stories, entitled 3 Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been As I walked down the streets of Beirut, my path was blocked by the huge green garbage truck. Two men grabbed the dumpsters and disposed the garbage Rusted Radishes: Beirut Literary and Art Journal into the truck; I could smell day old features Beirut’s most daring and talented writers and artists, both established and emerging, and is tuna and fresh diapers react with old housed at AUB's English Department. moldy bread. It was the exact same smell that was buried into my nostrils Read more: volume 1 is available at www.rustedradishes.com, and the recently seven years ago when I dropped my published volume 2 is available on campus schoolbook near a public bathroom on and in bookstores and cafés around Beirut. Inspiration

By the Books

Course: Engl 306K Introduction to Digital Humanities

SYllABUS Wrisley says ENGL 306K, perhaps the first such course offered in the Arab Data mining, Geographic Information world, is virtually paper-free. Open- Systems (GIS), Twitter, visualization, access readings include Debates in what has any of this to do with studying Digital Humanities and Literary literature and language? According to Studies in the Digital Age. Professor David Wrisley, a lot. In his seminar, “Introduction to Digital Humanities,” students are “learning to use computers to do much more than just word processing; they are modeling phenomena of interest to the humanist.” Interdisciplinary collaboration is a key feature of this emergent field; professors of computer science are guest speakers, and IT specialists are even learning alongside the English majors.

BIo

David Joseph Wrisley, associate professor and chairman of AUB’s Department of English, earned his BA in medieval studies at the University of Chicago (1991). His MA (1993) and PhD (1997) are in Romance languages and literatures from Princeton University. ClASS TImE His teaching interests range from medieval and comparative literatures This MA-level course introduces students to translation and digital humanities. to some of the major debates in digital Since 2012, Wrisley has been immersed humanities by addressing four modes in research and teaching in digital of digital analysis: topic modeling, humanities, an interest spurred by the TEI-XML, social network analysis, and fellowship he received in 2012-13 from mapping. The seminar takes place in the Andrew Mellon funded Arts and a computer lab and alternates between Humanities Initiative at AUB. He can theory and hands-on learning. Students be found on Twitter (at)DJWrisley. write personal “digital narratives” and reflective essays and build “digital objects” such as an encoded text, a statistical model of texts, a spatial data set, or a literary or linguistic map. Last semester, students worked on encoding poems by Robert Frost, social networks in Chekhov, memory maps of post-war Beirut, and even a statistical model of the topics in MainGate over the past 10 years. 1716

By the Numbers

Jafet Library

1,071,300 Jafet Library visitors last year 51,710 Photographs 2,039 Items lent to other institutions

1,948 Maps

Items borrowed/purchased 1,131 from other institutions

Cartographic images 270 and aerial photos 160 Linear feet of archival papers of famous intellectuals 12 Miles of occupied bookshelves 1 Digitization lab

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT.

milestones in AUB History

150 years ago – the Board of Trustees of the 100 years ago – West Hall was built, in 1914. Syrian Protestant College formally elected Daniel Bliss as president, in 1864. 90 years ago – AUB became completely coeducational, in 1924. 130 years ago – AUB founder George Post wrote The Flora of Syria and Palestine, in 1884. Inspiration

AUB is guided by a private, autonomous Board of Trustees. A complete list of trustees and their bios may be found at Welcome to AUB “About Us/AUB Leadership” at www.aub.edu.lb AUB recently welcomed three new members to the Board of Trustees.

GHAlEB HASAn dAoUK JoHn E. SUnUnU An AUB graduate (MD ’84), Ghaleb John E. Sununu is a former US Hasan Daouk is assistant professor of senator (2003-09) and congressman pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, (1997-2003) from New Hampshire. director of Extramural Renal Clinical He is currently executive vice Services, and attending pediatric president at PWC Management nephrologist at Boston Children’s Consultants, senior policy advisor at Hospital. A 1974 graduate of IC, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and Dr. Daouk also earned degrees from a member of the board of directors of Syracuse University (BS ’79) and the both Time Warner Cable Corporation MIT Sloan School of Management and Boston Scientific Corporation. (SM ’91). He is a founding member of Sununu has received numerous MGH Telemedicine, an international awards including the Gibran Award medical center, and has cofounded for Distinguished Public Service two biotechnology companies. from the Arab-American Institute. A former copresident of the New In 2008-09, he was appointed to the England Chapter (1998-2000), Daouk Congressional Oversight Panel that was a board member and chair of the evaluated the performance of the AUB Alumni of North America (AANA) Troubled Asset Relief Program Fundraising Committee (1999-2001). (TARP). He is a graduate of MIT (BS ’86, MS ’87) and Harvard School of Business (MBA ’91).

AYmAn KICHlY An AUB graduate (BEN ’03) and Penrose Award winner, Ayman Kichly is commercial advisor at Shell UK Limited in the United Kingdom. He previously worked as a project engineer, lead electrical engineer, and business development manager at ILF Consulting Engineers. Kichly earned a master of power engineering degree from RWTH Aachen University in 2005 and an MBA from INSEAD in 2012. He has been particularly active in WAAAUB, AUB’s worldwide alumni association. He was elected as a member-at-large of the WAAAUB Council in 2007 and again in 2010 and was a member (2007-11) and chair (2011) of its Outreach Committee. 1918

Provost Dallal Recognized for Work in Arabic and Islamic Scientific Heritage

Provost Ahmad Dallal (BEN ’80) was awarded the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) prize for lifetime contributions to the field of Arabic and Islamic scientific heritage. Established in 1976, the KFAS supports science, innovation, and technology in the Arab world.

Professor Dallal received the KFAS prize during a formal ceremony held in Kuwait, under the patronage of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Ahmed Al-Jaber al-Sabah. Professor Dallal shares the prize with Tunisian researcher Faeza Al-Aridi Bensal. “This is a great honor for me, as this prize is the foremost, internationally refereed, Arab prize recognizing scholarly achievement,” said Dallal.

The Farouk K. Jabre Provost Ahmad Dallal Center will promote research on Arabic and After earning his doctorate in Islamic studies at Columbia University in 1990, Dallal taught at a number of US Islamic science universities, including Smith College, Yale University, through outreach and Stanford University, and Georgetown University, before education. joining AUB as provost in 2009. He has published two books: An Islamic Response to Greek Astronomy (Brill, 1995), and Islam, Science, and the Challenge of History (Yale University Press, 2010), as well as many articles Provost Dallal praised the KFAS for being on Arabic science and Islamic history. a pioneer in supporting scientific advancement -B.R. in the Arab world. He noted that it is very important to create different hubs for scientific research so that each can contribute in a unique way to the larger mission of advancing science in the region. Provost Dallal said that it was his hope and expectation that AUB’s recently-established Farouk K. Jabre Center for Arabic and Islamic Science and Philosophy will serve as one of these hubs by promoting research on Arabic and Islamic sciences and raising awareness about these fields through outreach and education. Inspiration

Legends & Legacies One of six children, Nami Jafet attended the Free Church of Scotland missionary school in Dhour Choueir. While still a Southern student, he taught at the St. Elias Orthodox School where his father was also a teacher. He excelled academically Charm and won a scholarship to attend the Syrian Protestant College, which he entered in 1878.

In addition to taking courses, he also taught mathematics and biology at SPC. Nami Jafet graduated in 1882– the same year his father died at the age of 46. Although he was offered a teaching position at the College when he graduated, Nami chose instead to Born in Dhour teach at the Thalathat Akmar School Choueir on October 28, 1860, where his father had taught for many Nami Jafet immigrated years. During this period he authored to Brazil in 1893 several mathematics textbooks and where he and his brothers launched articles for literary and scientific a family enterprise journals. In 1891, he married Afife that would grow Nassif al-Tabsharani with whom to become one of the largest business he had 13 children: seven sons and groups in Latin six daughters. America. In 1893, Nami decided to join his brothers – Benjamin, Basílio (Basil), and João (John) – in Brazil. Although they had started out with only very Nami Jafet returned to Lebanon for a meager resources, they had been brief visit in 1921 with his wife and son successful enough to open a small – Nagib. During a small gathering in his and then a larger – shop on March 25 honor at AUB, he spoke eloquently Street in Sao Paulo. After Nami arrived, about his alma mater, describing it the Jafet brothers founded Nami Jafet & Brothers. Originally focused on textiles, the business expanded into mining, banking, and transportation, The Jafet Memorial Library, and by the mid-1930s employed more which was dedicated on May 5, 1952, was made possible than 3,000 people. by a generous $200,000 gift from Nami’s sons. Other members of the In addition to his economic success, family donated an additional Nami Jafet also attained social and $50,000 to furnish the building. political prominence in Brazil. He held The Jafet Library remains to this many important positions including day AUB’s main library. head of the Brazilian Red Cross Society in Sao Paulo during WW I. In 1917, Nami was elected to be the representative of the Brazilian branch of the Comité as “the school where (I) drank of the central syrien that was headquartered fountain of learning and was nourished in Paris. The French government by the moral principles of life…” 1 awarded him the Legion of Honor in recognition of his services to the Nami died in Brazil in 1923. Allied cause. He was also a dedicated alumnus. He launched a fundraising campaign to raise scholarship funds,

organized an alumni association in 1 “Prominent Choueiriyyeh from Dhour Choueir,” Brazil, and served as its first president. http://www.choueir.com/Nami-Jafet.htm 21 Discoveries Research, the arts, and current events

Collective Contextualizing Corm 22 AUB celebrates the art of Lebanese painter Georges Daoud Corm.

Seen/Scene Two professors explore/explode pomegranate: 24 The fruitful collaboration of Afaf Zurayk (BA ’70) and Cornelia Krafft.

AUB Spaces 26 Experimental Fluid Dynamics Lab: The Burj Khalifa and the cactus.

Pursuits 28 Current research; Professors and their patents.

PhD candidate Hani Al-Naghi (MEN ’05) tackles one of AUB’s biggest problems, R+D 31 parking and congestion.

Under Discussion 32 If man cannot tame nature, can nature tame man? Discoveries

Collective Contextualizing Corm

Building on its burgeoning reputation as Beirut’s preeminent venue for modern Lebanese art, the AUB Art Gallery kicked off an exhibition of the works of renowned painter and poet Georges Corm on November 21, 2013. The show, Preserving and promoting the entitled Lebanese Painterly Humanism: arts and Lebanon’s Georges Daoud Corm (1896-1971), cultural heritage. features 60 of the artist’s oil paintings, 15 drawings, and the entire text of the controversial manifesto he published in 1966, Essai sur l’art et la civilisation de ce temps.“We have always wanted to exhibit Corm because he has played a very important role in the history of art in this country,” says Octavian Esanu, curator of AUB’s galleries. “And since AUB is an academic institution, we don’t only exhibit an artist’s works but also aim to contextualize them.

Corm believed that art should elevate the human soul.

We try to understand who the person was and what he contributed to Lebanese art.” To this end, the gallery is making the Francophone Corm’s essay available in Arabic and English, along with additional critical and Corm exhibit, AUB Art Gallery. historical material written by the organizers. The painter’s son, Dr. Georges Corm, a prominent economist and former minister of finance, has contributed a short biography of his father, offering a glimpse into the motivations and experiences that galvanized the artist’s style and his hopes for his country. On display in the gallery space on Sidani Street are the portraits for which Corm is best known: ladies and gentlemen of means with luminous eyes and, often, a haunted air. Lebanese Painterly A number of the still lifes and landscapes Humanism: Georges Daoud Corm were inspired by his years in Alexandria, (1896-1971) is on view Egypt, where his wife’s family originated. through April 2014. Corm's influences shine through his 2322

works, calling to mind his father, the renowned painter Daoud Corm, and Khalil Saleeby. Both men are among Lebanon's greatest artistic luminaries. Present as well are self- portraits of the artist, his diffident expression, round glasses, and, in one case, his smock and palette, the uniform of a working painter.

Describing the vagaries of life as a professional artist, Corm’s son writes of “…the bitter experience of the artist’s condition in a society that, in rapid movement, could not preoccupy itself with art, and still less with its artists’ social status and conditions of existence.” As a result, he adds, “[Corm] had to sacrifice many of his spontaneous pictorial impulses to the confection of certain overpolished portraits of personalities in polite society.”

But the artist’s willingness to cater to patrons had its limits. Like his European artistic forbears dating back would not only preserve the nation’s to the Renaissance, Corm believed that artistic heritage but nurture local art should elevate the human soul. He talent and foster public art appreciation. was vehemently opposed to the avant Following unsuccessful appeals to garde, reserving a special contempt the Lebanese government to create for abstract art, and denouncing works an institution devoted to fine arts, that he describes in his essay as “some Corm began lobbying for the creation spots of color assembled at the whim of an art department at AUB in the of sensorial reflexes or indulged by 1950s. Although it would be some slick intelligence.” Among the works years before his vision was realized, in the collection are some attempts at AUB does now have a Department Corm was devoted abstraction and surrealism, featuring of Fine Arts and Art History. It seems to creating an art in a few cases brushstrokes that could especially fitting that an exhibition establishment in almost be called Impressionistic or commemorating his legacy and his Expressionistic. But in the end Corm enduring influence on art in the Lebanon which would clearly felt the aesthetic and spiritual region should be featured at one not only preserve pull of Classicism. of the University’s galleries. the nation’s artistic -N.Q. Corm’s “Essai”, written in lively and heritage but nurture unsparing prose, highlights the artist’s local talent and wit and erudition, as well as his abiding foster public art belief in a European Christian ethic. Hoping to impart these values to appreciation. citizens of the struggling nascent republic, Corm was devoted to creating an art establishment in Lebanon which Discoveries

Seen/Scene Fruitful Collaborations

Cornelia Krafft They were destined to meet - they were, drawings, animating them with and Afaf Zurayk after all, professors in the same AUB vibrancy and passion. In the drawings, department, but neither Afaf Zurayk the potent symbol of the pomegranate (BA ’70) nor Cornelia Krafft could have becomes an expression of love, life, predicted that their initial encounter fecundity, fertility, and a woman’s most would lead to a close friendship and intimate thoughts, her “inner eye.” an inspirational working relationship.

“Of course our paths would have crossed,” says Afaf, “but when I “I was fascinated by saw the performance “777” (staged the progression of the by Cornelia in the Dome Downtown pomegranates, their Beirut-see MainGate winter 2011) I said to myself, I must meet this evolution within the person properly.” drawings.”

A performance piece created in the space of 10 continuous hours without “I was fascinated by the progression retakes, a symphony of images in of the pomegranates, their evolution red and white, the 11-minute film within the drawings,” says Cornelia. transforms the silent power of Afaf’s “I started researching the mythology 2524

Far right, right: A Day in the Life of a Pomegranate, drawings and Stills from the film, A Day in the Life of film, was exhibited at the Galerie Janine Rubeiz a Pomegranate in May 2013. This is the second time the duo has joined forces in an exhibition at the gallery. Their Scripted on Water, an installation by Cornelia and painted driftwood sculptures by Afaf, was shown in January 2012.

and history of the pomegranate, its iconography within different cultures and religions through millennia, including the story of Persephone being condemned to Hades for eating its seeds.”

The film explores a young woman’s journey to maturity, capturing the playful, the sensual, the benign, and potentially the malign. It was filmed by AUB student Lea Najjar and features, When not actively collaborating, the two alongside Cornelia, visiting Spanish exchange artists meet frequently to discuss their work student Alana Mejia Gonzalez, whose instinctive and exchange ideas. Apparent opposites, they responses, Cornelia believes, echo her own share a unique understanding of their mutual region’s deep rooted connection with the creative talents and cherish the notion of working symbolism of the fruit. together again. Currently “A Day in the Life of a Pomegranate” is on the international short film festival circuit. A copy will be available at the AUB Jafet Library in 2014. Apparent opposites, -M.A. the two share a unique understanding of their mutual creative talents and cherish the notion of working together again.

Shot in natural light against the stark white background of her Ain Mreisse studio, the film is propelled by a series of startling images igniting the screen in vivid shades of pomegranate red. These stand out in sharp contrast to the whiteness of the background, the bodies of the performers, and other evocative imagery such Ink drawings by Afaf Zurayk. Her latest solo exhibition,“… and morning drew as a copious torrent of white sugar momentarily softly,” took place at Galerie Janine obliterating redness. Rubeiz in November 2013. Discoveries

AUB Spaces 2726

The experimental fluid dynamics lab on lower campus is in high demand by researchers working on projects with a wide range of applications The Burj Khalifa related to aero-and hydro-dynamics, non-invasive surgery, and energy studies. Mechanical engineering in Dubai, for instance, Assistant Professor Ghanem Oweis is one of those implements some of researchers. He is using laser assisted flow the longitudinal visualization and imaging in a wind tunnel to study the flow behavior around a cactus-shaped rib/groove features cylinder to explore how large cactus trees such found in cacti. as the saguaro are able to resist wind so well. Researchers have long suspected that it is their longitudinal surface grooves that run parallel to the plant axis that are the key, but there is still One of Ghanem Oweis’ challenges is to create much to learn about how exactly this works. an environment in the lab that replicates what is found in nature. This isn’t easy. For example, Structural engineers who are being challenged in the original experiment he mounted the to build ever taller buildings show a great deal of cactus model cylinder securely from both ends, interest in this type of research. The Burj Khalifa rendering the flow mostly two-dimensional. in Dubai, for instance, implements some of the In reality cactus plants are “mounted” – i.e. longitudinal rib/groove features found in cacti. rooted – only at one end, which makes the flow Tall buildings must not only be able to withstand inherently three-dimensional. In future experiments relatively rare natural disasters such as earthquakes he will be using a modified wind tunnel that will and hurricanes, but also more routine weather enable him to conduct unsteady aerodynamics events such as high winds. Even on a “normal” investigations that more accurately mimic what day, wind currents can exceed 100 miles per occurs in nature. hour at the top of tall buildings. Discoveries Pursuits

Health Costs of the Over the past 20 years, American interventions in countries like Lebanon, Jordan, India, Iraq War in Iraq have contributed to the death of hundreds and Iran often having to sell belongings and of thousands of Iraqis and caused suffering for property or relying on the charity of others. millions of people. After American military My ongoing research on the mobility of Iraqi occupation and sanctions, Iraq’s health-care patients to seek essential medical and surgical system is in complete shambles. With the procedures in the region contributes to the Costs targeting and distribution of medical services of War Project (www.costsofwar.org) based at by insurgents, militias, and coalition forces, the Brown University’s Watson Institute for infestation of government corruption hindering International Studies that considers the human, any serious reconstruction, and the exodus from economic, and social and political costs of war. Omar Dewachi Iraq of more than half of its medical doctors, You can also find information online at Assistant professor, medical many Iraqi patients and their families are www.irinnews.org/report/97964/iraq-10-years-on- anthropology and public health. unable to find adequate care inside Iraq. Tens war-leaves-lasting-impact-on-healthcare of thousands of Iraqis have sought health care

modeling oil and Gas Reservoirs This project draws on our shared background in assistants. Marwan Harajli (BEN ’12) helped us mathematical modeling and builds on George’s develop our own oil reservoir simulator by solving previous experience in modeling flow in porous the governing equations and coupling them with an media. We’re seeking to identify new ways to optimization routine. Ahmad Harb (BEN ’11, MS ’12) recover more oil from reservoirs at lower costs is assisting with the $1.7 million reservoir thereby achieving more efficient resource simulation software that Schlumberger recently management and lengthening the life span of donated to AUB. With this software, we are able oil reservoirs. Although our research is relevant to model oil and gas fields and reservoirs and

George Saad Fouad Azizi to oil exploration anywhere in the world, it will their flow through layers of porous rocks. be especially relevant for Lebanon’s reserves. For more information about what Professors Assistant professor, Assistant professor, We have worked closely with two research Saad and Azizi are doing, email fa48(at)aub.edu.lb. civil engineering chemical engineering

One of my primary interests at the moment is the I am also investigating the prevalence of colon role of colonoscopies in the screening and diagnosis cancer and advanced pre-cancerous polyps in of colorectal cancer (CRC), which is the second Lebanon. In a study of 1,000 asymptomatic leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Lebanese above the age of 50, we identified daily CRC is also a concern in Lebanon where it is the consumption of red meat, heavy tobacco use, and Colon Cancer second most common cancer in females and the obesity as leading risk factors for pre-cancerous fourth in males. At AUBMC, we have pioneered the lesions of the colon with obesity being the most Ala Sharara use of split-dose purge in colonoscopy preparation. significant risk. These research findings are We have found that when patients take half of the informing our ongoing discussions with the Professor of medicine, gastroenterology prescribed laxative the night before colonoscopy Ministry of Health about launching a national and the other half on the day of the procedure, campaign for colorectal cancer screening. it results in enhanced patient tolerance, greater You can find more information about colorectal adherence, and improved overall quality of cancer on the American Cancer Society website the examination. www.cancer.org/index 2928

Quiz

What’s that patent for? match the professors with the research area targeted by their patent.

Ramsey Hamade A Treatment for malignant melanoma. Rose-Mary Boustany B Therapy for JNCL, a fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disease. Rouwaida Kanj C Invention to make Quinoxaline dioxides with antibacterial properties; known as the “Beirut Reaction.” Matthias Liermann D Provides a fast track to developing functional prototype Costas H. Issidorides PCBs ( printed circuit boards). and Makhluf Haddadin E An electro-hydraulic brake that controls itself.

Ali Bazarbachi F Improves sub-nm designs in cell phone and computers.

Costas H. Issidorides and makhluf Haddadin C; Ali Bazarbachi A Bazarbachi Ali C; Haddadin makhluf and Issidorides H. Costas Key: Ramsey Hamade d; Rose-mary Boustany B; Rouwaida Kanj F; matthias liermann E; liermann matthias F; Kanj Rouwaida B; Boustany Rose-mary d; Hamade Ramsey Key:

Coinventor: Ali Bazarbachi, MD, PhD, Professor of Coinventor: Ramsey Hamade, Professor, A Medicine; Associate Dean for Basic Research; Director, D Mechanical Engineering Bone Marrow Transplantation Program; AUBMC name of patent: Circuit Writer name of patent: Development of imidazo[1,2-a] What does it solve? The circuit writer is an quinoxalines and derivatives. A new class of anticancer electromechanical table that has a pressurized head drugs against melanoma and T lymphomas with two cylinders that “writes” traces of conductive ink What does it solve? This discovery is being tested as that are covered immediately by insulating resin forming a novel treatment for malignant melanoma and/or Adult what is known as polymer thick film (PTF) traces. This T Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. patent makes it possible for circuit board designers to get functional prototype PCBs (printed circuit boards) in Inventor: Rose-Mary Boustany, MD, Professor, Pediatrics a fraction of the time that conventional methods require. B and Adolescent Medicine; Director, Neurogenetics Program and AUBMC Special Kids Clinic; Professor of Coinventor: Matthias Liermann, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics E Mechanical Engineering name of patent: Methods and Compositions for name of patent: Method and device for deceleration Treating Disorders Caused by a Deficiency in a of a moving mass Gene Product of a CLN Gene What does it solve? The self-energizing What does it solve? Juvenile neuronal ceroid electro-hydraulic brake uses the force of the brake to lipofuscinosis (JNCL or CLN3) disease is a fatal pediatric control itself. This provides huge advantages in many neurodegenerative disease. One of the functions of the areas such as enhanced braking performance and less defective CLN3 protein in this disease is to act as a energy consumption. The brake is electronically transporter for an important fat or lipid called controlled and meets strict railway safety standards. galactosylceramide (GalCer). The basis of the invention is to exogenously supply GalCer thereby promoting the Inventor: Rouwaida Kanj, Assistant Professor, survival and health of the cell, hence halting continued F Electrical and Computer Engineering deterioration and neurodegeneration. It is hoped this will name of patent: Method and computer program for be developed as a therapy for JNCL patients. efficient cell failure rate estimation in cell arrays What does it solve? The patent is being used by Coinventors: Costas H. Issidorides (1920-2010), designers working in the semiconductor chip industry C Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, and Makhluf on small transistor device dimensions that are known as Haddadin, Professor of Chemistry sub-nm designs. These types of designs are found in name of patent: Qunioxline Derivatives cellphones and computers. The methodology I have What does it solve? The “Beirut Reaction,” as this patented makes it possible to design more accurate and patented invention is commonly known, was used to efficient systems. make Quinoxaline dioxides that exhibited antibacterial properties. Manufactured and marketed by Pfizer as additives to animal feed, this patent has generated significant royalties for AUB. Discoveries

Discovery/ Rediscovery

Opened in 1902, Although the date of this charming trio the Archaeological Museum is the is only estimated to be Roman, and its third oldest provenance is unknown, this molded museum in statue still reveals a lot, and raises the Near East. Tel: 961-1-340549, some questions too. We look at this museum(at)aub.edu.lb elegant lady, with her sophisticated Hours: 9 am to 5 pm. jewelry and gown, who stands joined to two small musicians, and wonder. Is she the mother of the two? Their music teacher? Are they performing as we watch? One small figure plays a drum, the other a flute. They lean together happily, the lady’s hand on the shoulder of the drummer. The statue is hollowed out, showing a hole in the back that allowed the terra cotta to be baked successfully. The three share a case with other figures of musicians and instruments, together making up a small collection focused on music in the ancient world. Represented in the case is a flute, made from bone, still white after many centuries. Both male and female musicians are displayed playing a variety of instruments. You can see a mandolin, a lute, a tambourine, and a cithara, which is a kind of harp. The pieces hail from several periods, Roman, Hellenistic, and Persian, attesting to the timelessness of our need for music. -K.D.

A year-long festival marking the 10th On November 16, 25 people planted nearly IN anniversary of the Zaki Nassif Program 2,000 seeds in Mresti as part of an effort to for Music is in full swing. There were four restore eroded areas in the Barouk Nature CASE YOU concerts last fall, but it’s not too late to get Reserve. The AUB Nature Conservation in on the fun. There are five more scheduled Center and the firm Eco-Consulting Lebanon MISSED IT. between January and June. More info: joined with local volunteers to plant the events(at)aub.edu.lb. seeds of Quercus infectoria and Quercus calliprinus. Find out more about this and An archaeological team, led by AUB Museum other great projects: email Director Leila Badre, has found the first nature(at)aub.edu.lb. complete Phoenician temple to be discovered in Lebanon. 3130 R+D Biggest discovery to date: that there might actually be a solution to AUB’s parking and congestion problems!

Hani Al-Naghi On a typical weekday, AUB students and staff occupy nearly 4,000 parking spaces (75 percent PhD Transportation private and on-street parking in the Hamra Engineering, 2014 neighborhood and 25 percent on campus). I am developing a tool that encompasses all the factors and criteria for evaluating the feasibility of alternative organization-based ridesharing initiatives that could be used by any institution or university to select the most feasible ridesharing scheme.

Where is this going? Demand responsive transit (DRT) such as carpooling could be a good fit for AUB whereby users would gain an exclusive dynamic taxi-sharing service that combines the benefits of a private taxi (professionalism, reliability, vehicle comfort, etc.) with the reduced cost and occupancy of a shared taxi. I am currently working on the mathematical formulation of the current problem and proposing new ride matching methods that are context-related in terms of the existing road network characteristics and the distribution of potential users. My goal is to provide a comprehensive framework that includes every alternative service option, the associated parameters and factors of each, and the necessary database of information that is needed to compare the feasibility of various service design alternatives. I am also reviewing various existing ride matching methods and algorithms and investigating whether they could be viable for a university or other large institution.

How I got here: During my graduate studies, I have been involved in various Neighborhood Initiative studies at AUB involving issues related to student commutes, traffic congestion, and parking demand.

What I’ll remember most about AUB: The community and the campus.

Best moment of the day: Enjoying an early morning walk on campus. Discoveries

We are living in a changing world. We see this wherever we stand or look: with time, continents drift, mountains shift, hills erode, streams change course, vegetation is modified, and life evolves. Change is the natural way of things and climate change is no exception.

As an earth-scientist I have seen evidence that significant amounts of snow once capped Mount Lebanon all year, rivers of ice flowed from the high plateaus; that until “recently” marshes and lakes covered large inland areas, and along the coast; that years ago different fauna and flora existed on land and in water; that severe weather events are becoming more frequent; that climate change in Lebanon is a certainty.

Interpreting these climatic Under observations is no easy job, for this we try to build a (complete) record of past climate conditions. Natural processes Discussion in the planetary system are responsible for steady changes over relatively long timescales. The fast-rate changes we are now witnessing seem to be the result of that unique invention of nature—mankind—whose impact on the earth system has precipitated Ata Elias major modifications on an unprecedented scale. Since the Geophysicist, Assistant Professor, Geology Department. industrial revolution, increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have accelerated, rising to over 400 ppm in May 2013 for the first time in the last million years while the average land temperature increased by ~1.5°C during the same period. We still don’t know exactly how this will impact our environment. Certainly civilization, as we know it, will be under duress, its survival threatened.

Mankind cannot tame nature, and ultimately must endure its laws. Change is one of these laws. -M.A. 33 Wellness AUBmC 2020, health, and medicine

Mutaz and Sadek Sawwaf pay tribute to parents Wassef and Souad The Art of Giving Back 34 Sawwaf with a building that will house state-of-the-art medical equipment and much more.

Check Up: Heart Health Dr. Hussain Ismaeel (MD ’01) is following your heart. 36 What and why you should know about cardiovascular disease.

Stubbing Out the Habit 38 Why Dr. Christine Abbyad thinks it’s so important to help smokers quit.

A groundbreaking national mental health awareness campaign strives Help in Mind 39 to end the stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness.

AUBMC News: NSQIP acclaim for surgical care; nurses score for 40 top service.

Sahtein 42 Vegetarian lentil kebbe: tastes good, good for you? Wellness

The Art of Giving Back

Cover page of Tosh Fish, A compact, energetic man with a leonine but While architectural design was his chosen field, a series published by Mut’az dedicated to caricature friendly demeanor, Mu’taz Sawwaf (BAR ’74) Mu’taz’s first love was—and is—cartooning. artists in the Arab world. has demonstrated an impressive and enduring A longtime fan of the legendary Lebanese His other works include allegiance to AUB. He is a successful cartoonist Mahmoud Kahil (1936-2003), he Maymouna, A Memoir and Chellet Ezzo businessman with a passion for philanthropy, hoped to follow in his footsteps, but his father who attributes his success to God, his parents, intervened with some fateful advice. Not keen and his alma mater. Mu’taz has been giving back to see his son living as a “starving artist,” he to AUB almost since the day he graduated from cautioned Mu’taz to secure a fallback position. the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture in After earning a degree in architecture from AUB, 1974 (with the support of a merit scholarship Mu’taz headed to London where he was certified based on exceptional academic performance, in animation at the Bob Godfrey studio. He stayed no less). Asked what keeps him so connected on to work as an animator, but soon realized that to campus, he explains that AUB did a good job his relentless work ethic needed more than the of educating and training him, and even more industry’s sporadic work opportunities. He importantly, it inculcated values of civic decided to accept the overtures of his friend responsibility that have served him well Bassem Nicolas Ziadeh (BAR ’74) to come to throughout his life. But in addition to working Sharjah and take advantage of the many design hard, Mu’taz emphasizes that he also made and construction opportunities in the Emirates. lifelong friends at AUB, some of whom have However, after a year of full-time employment, become his colleagues. he made another momentous decision—not to be 3534

Left: Rendering of someone else’s employee ever again. benefits of a PET-CT scanner, he diagnose and provide the best possible the Wassef and Souad Sawwaf Building, to He returned to Beirut in 1977 and immediately offered to purchase it. course of treatment to patients be inaugurated in founded his own design consultancy, He wanted not just to provide the suffering from three of the most January 2014 AREEN, with Ziadeh and another unit, but with his extensive experience devastating diseases impacting the Right: Mu’taz, Rada, friend from AUB, the late Omar Salhab building hospitals in Saudi Arabia, he people of the Arab world–cancer, and Maymouna Sawwaf (BAR ’74). also signed on to build the new cardiovascular disease, and structure to house it. Ever mindful of neurological disorders. The building In 1978, Mu’taz left Beirut to test the ultimate recipients, he has also itself will house the PET/CT scan, the market in Saudi Arabia for a year. created an endowment to cover the University Health Services, and That year has now stretched into 35 costs of needy patients who would a cyclotron.” with no end in sight. Introduced to benefit from PET scans. "The Wassef Bakr Mohammed Binladin, he began The demands of a high-powered a partnership with the Saudi Binladin career, a long list of charitable Group (SBG) in 1986 that has produced giving, and a young family have some of the world’s most remarkable not put a damper on Mu’taz’s buildings and public projects. Mu’taz passion for cartoon art. He believes is based in Jeddah, but he heads that recognition for Arab cartoonists enterprises in trading, construction, and animators is long overdue, and he and investment around the world, is working to establish an annual prize including companies in Europe, named for his hero, Mahmoud Kahil. Africa, and Asia and of course all He hopes that someday this award over the Middle East. Ever the will be on a par with the prestigious philanthropist, he helped secure American National Cartoonist both SBG’s endowment to name Society’s Reuben Award. He is also FEA’s Al Mu’allim Mohamed Awad helping to create a center for Arabic Binladin Chair in Architecture in the comics studies to promote production, Islamic World, and the Saudi Binladin scholarship and teaching of comics Group Scholarship for engineering in the Arab world. He also plans to students at AUB. Most recently, he continue publishing a series of lent a humanitarian hand by helping My father was books by talented Arab cartoonists. to establish medical care centers for always helping those Syrian refugees in the Beqa’a and in need - family On the subject of his philanthropy, Tripoli in cooperation with AUBMC. Mu’taz recites a Muslim saying, members and “Your money is not your money. It Asked about his commitment to friends. He taught me was given to you by God and it goes AUBMC, Mu’taz explained that in to do the right thing, to others.” He modestly refuses to take 2010 he and his wife Rada were credit for his achievements, attributing blessed with a baby girl, Maymouna, to be straight, and to his success to his parents. “They who was born prematurely. Weighing be direct. He gave me raised me well. They instilled in me only 870 grams, her chances of a strong work ethic. the values of kindness, generosity, survival were slim. Thanks to the and self-respect. My father was outstanding care she received at What I am today is always helping those in need - family AUBMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care because of my members and friends. He taught me Unit (NICU), the couple now has a parents. to do the right thing, to be straight, rambunctious toddler. To show their and to be direct. He gave me a strong appreciation, Mu’taz and Rada helped work ethic. What I am today is found and support a volunteer effort because of my parents.” at AUBMC called The Neonate Fund, and Souad Sawwaf Building is another which offers financial support to the example of not only the generosity of As a tribute to their parents, Mu’taz, parents of babies being treated at the Mu'taz Sawwaf and his wife Rada but his brother Sadek, and sisters Zahira NICU. In addition, they established of his support and commitment to the and Rima established the Wassef a neonatology research fund in their AUBMC 2020 Vision and our goal of Souad Foundation, and today Mu’taz daughter’s name. transforming health care in the Middle is honoring them through the Wassef East,” said Mohamad Sayegh. “The and Souad Sawwaf building, a flagship But, these acts of generosity were only donation of the PET/CT scan ensures structure with its medical equipment the beginning. When Vice President that AUBMC remains at the forefront of and facilities that will help elevate the for Medical Affairs Mohamed H. Sayegh medical technology in the region. quality of health care in Lebanon and told Mu’taz about the far reaching It will allow us to more accurately the region. -B.R. Wellness

Check Up: Heart Health Faced with startling facts about cardiovascular disease (CVd), what do the experts say? MainGate talked to AUBmC’s dr. Hussain Ismaeel, (md ’01), an expert in cardiac imaging and preventive cardiology.

Q. This is a long-term project. What can be done in the short term? Facts: A. Given the gravity of the situation, we cannot wait 15-20 years for a tool Cardiovascular disease (CVD) to properly assess risk so the major is the No.1 killer in the world task now is to promote awareness. in low- and middle-income Instead of assessing CVD through countries. risk factors, we need to look directly at the organs. One of the tests we are CVD is the No. 1 killer of women. promoting is the coronary calcium test. It applies to everyone, but we CVD is the cause of 45 percent are currently trying to raise awareness of total deaths in Lebanon, 56 among women at the Women’s Health percent among women. Center. The test takes a minute on a CT scanner. It reveals the white spots Deaths from CVD are predicted Dr. Hussain Ismaeel that show evidence of calcification to rise in Lebanon because of or clogging in the heart vessels. We changes in diet and lifestyle can measure and quantify the leading to increased obesity, Q. What is your role at AUBmC? calcium, estimate the risk of and smoking. A. I am codirector of the Vascular myocardial infarction, and Medicine Program (VMP) with prescribe treatment. Lebanon is among the leading Dr. Kamal Badr and a practicing countries in the world for physician in the Division of Q. Why are you focusing on women prevalence of smoking. Cardiology. Our emphasis in the in particular? VMP is on research that addresses A. There is a misconception that Risk assessment tools based on public health concerns, educational women aren’t subject to CVD risk, western models cannot be training within AUBMC and at the but it’s not true. The second accurately applied to the region, national level, and hopefully misconception is that since we are so the incidence of CVD may be policy change. in the Mediterranean area we are even higher than indicated. ‘healthier,’ which is also not true; Q. What kind of research? urbanization has been a major A. One of our first research projects was cause of diet change. The third the salt reduction program, part of factor is that we have not succeeded the VMP preventive cardiology effort. in dropping the incidence of heart "Preventative care, We have a multi-disciplinary group disease or sudden death. There is starting with low salt with members from five AUB faculties: huge urgency to attend to preventive intake, is crucial." FAFS, FAS, FEA, FHS, and FM. care. Women are at risk, and because We first researched which foods it is primarily women who care for contribute to salt consumption and the other members of the household, what steps are needed to reduce it. they are the ones best placed to After identifying that bread and its implement preventive care in the derivatives account for the majority home and cause a health ripple effect. of our salt intake, we agreed, with other regional players at the WHO Q. So what preventive measures Advisory Board meeting for Salt should we be taking? Reduction in the Eastern Med in A. Traditional risk factors account for 2012, to try and achieve a 10 percent 80 to 90 percent of heart disease and reduction in the salt content of bread we need to combat these traditional and its derivatives. risk factors. It is a lifelong commitment and it takes work from 3736

each one of us. Prevention starts at birth, on day one. It all goes back to Tips and Information on Salt Consumption birth weight. Low birth weight Salt (sodium chloride) is one of the major Research conducted in Lebanon has shown makes us more susceptible to contributors to sodium intake. Excess sodium that salt intake among adults is higher than the hypertension. There is a trajectory intake is associated with increased blood recommended maximum intake level. Data from in utero, and thereafter genetic pressure, which in turn, increases the risk of from these studies have also indicated that the and environmental factors kick in. chronic diseases such as stroke, heart disease major sources of salt in the Lebanese diet are and kidney disease. processed foods that include the following: A. Preventive measures include bread and ‘ka’ak’, cold cuts and luncheon • Exercise Therefore, the World Health Organization meats, dairy products, snacks and fast foods • Not smoking (WHO) recommends that adults reduce sodium (potato chips, ‘falafel’, pizza, “manaeesh” ...). • Healthy diet–the Mediterranean intake to less than 2000 mg of sodium/day These food items constitute 65 percent of daily diet with high fruit and vegetable (5 g of salt/day) (refer to Box 1). salt intake (refer to Table 2). content and less processed food • Reduced salt, sugar, and Box 1 saturated fat intake maximum limit for daily Salt Intake 5 g of salt/day ≈ ¾ teaspoon of salt (Equivalent to a maximum of 2000 mg of sodium/day) • Adhering to your doctor’s advice For all individuals, with or without hypertension (including pregnant or lactating women) The bottom line is to go back to basics. We are lucky in Lebanon To decrease salt consumption, read food labels mg/100g). Therefore, it is important that you because the components of a healthy carefully in order to be able to choose the food familiarize yourself with these labels and what diet are still available. People in the item with the lowest salt content (less than 140 they mean (refer to Table 1). west cannot afford the Mediterranean diet, whereas here we still have an Table 1: Understanding Food-Label Claims abundance of fruit and vegetables. Food-lABEl ClAImS WHAT THEY mEAn Q. What should we look out for in terms of heart disease? Sodium Free/No Sodium Less than 5 mg of sodium /serving and no sodium chloride in ingredients A. • New onset of shortness of breath or chest discomfort with exercise Very Low Sodium 35 mg or less sodium/serving Low Sodium 140 mg or less sodium/serving • Decreased tolerance of exercise Reduced Sodium/Less Sodium At least 25 percent less sodium/serving than • Waking at night with shortness the regular food product of breath Unsalted, No Salt Added No artificial salt added, but product may contain • Need to increase number of natural sodium as part of the product pillows to avoid shortness of breath while sleeping Table 2: Sodium Content of Selected Food Items If you have chest pain, head to the ER. Don't wait. Food ITEm SERVInG SIZE SodIUm (mG) equivalent to 100 g Early detection is vital. We have Breads, all types ¾ loaf 316-700 devised a heart disease awareness ‘Markouk’ 1 loaf 811 workshop that we will be offering ‘Ka’ak’ 7 sticks 452 through the University for Seniors at Pretzels, saltine or dry 16 pieces 1357 AUB and elsewhere. We’re doing an ‘Manaeesh’ 100 g 735 AUB neighborhood salt map, assessing Pizza, plain, cheese 1 large slice 450-1200 the salt content in bread; and in so Croissant 1 large 744 doing we are looking at how we can ‘Mafroukeh b’kashta’ 1 medium slice 183 devise an AUB neighborhood sudden ‘Znood el sitt’ 2 pieces 223 death prevention initiative, but the ‘Baklawah’ 3 pieces 227 levels of pre-hospital care are so poor ‘Kol-wa-shkor’ 3 pieces 244 that whatever we can do on our ER ‘Ish-el-bulbul’ 20 pieces 248 doorstep might not be sufficient to Potato chips 1 large bag 800-1200 reverse the damage or cause any Ketchup 7 tablespoons 1113 beneficial outcome. The gravity of the Lupine (‘turmus’) ½ cup 1121 situation is enormous. Preventive care, White cheese 100 g 320 starting with low salt intake, is crucial. ‘Ashawan’ cheese 100 g 249 -M.A. ‘Labneh’ 3.5 tablespoons 356 Frozen vegetables, all types ½ cup 2-160 Wellness

Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Christine cessation. We have had people from other Abbyad established AUB’s group smoking campuses come and observe how we Stubbing cessation program in fall 2011. The MainGate conduct the program. Unfortunately, AUB asked Chris about the program and why she recently suspended the program because thinks it is so important that it be continued. of a lack of funding. This is too bad as Out the smoking cessation is the single most cost effective intervention in all of medicine.

Habit Can you say a little bit more about that? Let me give you an example. I have been following one of our former smokers who relapsed. She is now pregnant and smoking a pack a day during pregnancy. Because she is smoking during pregnancy, there is a much greater chance that her baby will need to spend some time in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). A single day in the NICU costs about $2,000. Compare that with the cost of the smoking cessation program, How did you first get involved with which is about $600 in total. That’s the cost the topic of smoking cessation? for three months, which is the recommended As soon as I knew I was coming to Lebanon, period. Wouldn't it be better to spend money I decided to change my research focus from helping this mother to quit (she quit for six pregnant black women and racism. Having months last time) than to pay for grown up and lived in Lebanon and visited hospitalizing her baby? many times, I knew there were many smokers. Before leaving the University There are of course all sorts of health reasons of Texas at Austin, where I taught for 16 to quit smoking quite apart from the cost years, I enrolled in their smoking cessation savings. Smoking cessation is the most program to see how it was run. When I got to effective preventive intervention for Beirut, Dr. Huda Huijer (director of the Hariri tobacco-using patients against all sorts School of Nursing) suggested I contact of diseases – heart disease, cancer, Dr. Nakkash of the AUB Tobacco Control cerebrovascular disease, chronic Research Group. She welcomed me. Others obstructive pulmonary disease, etc. on campus, however, were less enthusiastic about stopping smoking saying, “We’ve tried it before and it didn’t last.” Dina AUB was the first Mahmassani from the Wellness Program, however, nagged me incessantly to start university in Lebanon, the program. maybe in the Middle East, to offer a Can you tell us something about the program? campus-based group It is based on a group approach. We follow approach to smoking the US clinical guidelines that recommend cessation. counseling plus pharmacotherapy. AUB paid for the cost of the medications, about $200 per month, which was critical. This would How successful has AUB’s policy been to have been a prohibitive expense for many restrict smoking to a very few designated who participated in the program. We areas on campus? conducted eight 45-minute sessions over I would say it is partly successful. I know eight weeks and also provided individual that there are many hidden smokers who support and follow-up. Twenty-six people smoke on balconies, in stairwells, and even completed the program; 12 were still in their offices. They try to hide their smoking. nonsmokers as of October 2013. So, that’s We need to eliminate or at the very least about a 40 percent success rate. greatly reduce the number of smoking areas on campus. Smoking should not be allowed By the way, AUB was the first university in anywhere. I’m sure that Dr. Nakkash and Lebanon, maybe in the Middle East, to offer others would agree that policy is the most a campus-based group approach to smoking effective approach to getting people to quit. 3938 Help in Mind

AUB’s Department of Psychiatry and Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) launched the first comprehensive national mental health awareness campaign last October. The goals of the Embrace Fund initiative Fikko el 3ideh (Untie the Knot) are twofold: to end the stigma For more on and misconceptions surrounding Embrace, including information on mental illness through community current activities and dialogue, media outreach, and public future events, visit: education; and to provide assistance www.embracefund.org /home.html for financially needy individuals www.facebook.com/ suffering from mental illnesses in embracefund Lebanon and neighboring countries. AUB has adopted a multidisciplinary approach to address the complexity of these issues calling on the expertise of the Department of Psychology at FAS and public health education and outreach at FHS.

According to Dr. Ziad Nahas, chairman of AUB’s Department of Psychiatry, one in four Lebanese will suffer from a mental illness at some point in his or her life. Roughly two out of three of them will not seek treatment because of the stigma of mental illness and/or the prohibitive cost of treatment. Many sufferers believe that the stigma is The campaign aims of their illness. Our best hope of worse than the illness itself. This is reducing mortality from serious especially true in the Middle East to end the stigma mental disorders through suicide, where discrimination against the surrounding mental substance abuse, and other mentally ill is far greater than in health illness and complications of medical illness, will Europe and the United States. And, come from realizing that just like other while some financial support for the provide financial medical illnesses, we need to diagnose needy is available through the assistance for those and preempt the illness before the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in need. symptoms become chronic and and the MOPH, middle income people disabling. Early detection and often have to pay for psychiatric care intervention is just as important for out of their own pockets since it is not mental illnesses as it is for cancer and covered by private health insurance the nuances of how patients in heart disease. Through advanced in Lebanon. Lebanon and the region respond to medical and psychological research, various treatments. Ziad Nahas says we know that just as things can go AUBMC has introduced several that new mobile technologies have wrong with the lungs, heart, liver, and medical procedures and mental health made a difference in treating mental kidneys, so too, they can go wrong treatments to the region including health by helping health-care workers with the brain. Today, we have magnetic stimulation of the brain for contact, and stay connected to, effective treatments for mental the treatment of severe depression hard-to-reach adolescents. “For a illnesses. The Embrace Fund and Fikko (TMS) and Focal Electrically 19-year-old in the grip of a psychotic el 3ideh are designed to write a new Administered Seizure Therapy episode or a 16-year-old on the path to chapter in the chronicle on mental (FEAST). The Department of Psychiatry serious mental illness, we urgently health in Lebanon.” is conducting research to understand need an action plan to alter the course -B.R. Wellness

Singular Achievements

AmERICAn CollEGE oF SURGEonS NSQIP, AUBMC tracks the outcomes designated hospitals worldwide. SInGlES oUT AUBmC FoR Top of inpatient and outpatient surgical AUBMC nurses scored higher on SURGICAl CARE procedures and collects data in nine all parameters related to nursing areas: mortality, unplanned participation in hospital affairs, The American College of Surgeons intubation, ventilator for more than foundations for quality of care, National Surgical Quality 48 hours, renal failure, DVT (deep nurse manager ability, leadership Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and support of nurses, staffing and recently singled out the AUB Medical and pulmonary embolism), cardiac resource adequacy, and collegial Center as one of only 37 participating incidents (cardiac arrest and nurse-physician relations. hospitals – and the only one outside myocardial infarction), respiratory North America – to earn meritorious (pneumonia), SSI (surgical site The National Database of Nursing outcomes for surgical patient care. infections-superficial and deep Quality Indicators (NDNQI) was “Receiving this international incisional and organ-space SSIs), established by the American Nurses recognition affirms the meticulous and urinary tract infection. The goal Association (ANA) in 1998 because attention we have devoted to patient of the ACS NSQIP program is to reduce of the growing recognition of the safety, which is top priority at infection, illness, or death related to strong link between positive patient AUBMC,” said Dr. Jamal Hoballah, surgical procedures. Hospitals earn outcomes and nurse satisfaction. professor and chairman of AUBMC’s meritorious distinction based on NDNQI tracks up to 18 Department of Surgery. actual clinical results. nursing-sensitive quality measures supplying hospital administrators With more than 74,000 members, the InTERnATIonAl ACClAIm with critical data that they can use American College of Surgeons is the FoR AUBmC nURSES to evaluate key components of largest organization of surgeons in nursing satisfaction. the world and is widely recognized In 2009, AUBMC became the first as an important advocate for surgical health-care institution in the Middle Director of Nursing Iman Al Kouatly patients. Its NSQIP is the only East and only the third in the world credits AUBMC leadership for creating validated quality improvement outside the United States to receive “an environment that fosters a culture program in the United States that Magnet designation for excellence in of shared decision making in hospital measures and enhances the care of nursing services. AUBMC nurses are affairs.” She notes that collaborative surgical patients. It evaluates actual continuing to distinguish themselves– inter-professional teams “play an surgical results 30 days and to bring credit to the Medical essential role in providing excellent postoperatively as well as risk adjusts Center as well. Their most recent and safe quality care for our patients.” patient characteristics to compensate triumph was to score higher than the for differences among patient mean in an April 2013 Registered populations. As a participant in ACS Nurse Satisfaction Survey of Magnet

IN AUBMC opened Lebanon’s first neurology at the Department AUB now offers certificate holistic headache clinic in the of Neurology at AUBMC. courses in fitness education. CASE YOU fall. “The process of caring for “Having a specialized clinic patients suffering from will impact all patients with MISSED IT. headaches requires proper headaches as it gives them The first Neuroscience Open documentation, planning, comprehensive care in one House took place on October 18. and counseling about lifestyle location with the highest modification,” said Dr. Nuhad standards of evidence-based Abou Zeid, neurologist and management.” More info: assistant professor of www.aubmc.org 4140

A Grateful Patient Honors Dr. Jaber Sawaya

For more than 40 years, Dr. Sawaya standard” for his colleagues. VP has provided meticulous and and Medical Dean Mohamed Sayegh compassionate care at AUBMC, shared his memories of the first time touching the lives of countless he met Dr. Sawaya when he was a men, women, and children. One medical student at AUB. He thanked particularly grateful patient has him and his family, and the chosen to express his appreciation anonymous donor, for their support by making an anonymous gift to for the AUB Medical Center. Sawaya name the Professor Jaber I. Sawaya too thanked the donor. He also called Lecture Hall in the Saab Medical on “all of us who have made a career Library. Family, friends, and at AUB” to do what they can to colleagues gathered on October 31 support the University to ensure for the celebration. the success of the “revolution in administration, revolution in In his remarks, Dr. Fuad Ziyadeh, teaching and research, and very professor and chair of the Department visible revolution in construction” of Internal Medicine, lauded Dr. taking place with the implementation Sawaya for having set a “very high of the AUBMC 2020 Vision.

In Focus

Advertised as “truly one of the most indispensable business machines in today’s modern office setting,” wire recorders were also cranky and limited systems. They were, however, widely used in the 1930s to 1950s primarily for office dictation and home recordings. We found this particular Webcor 228 Business Dictation Machine in the Electrical Engineering Department. We’re not sure how it got there – or how it was used. Can you help? Email us at maingate(at)aub.edu Wellness

A delicious choice for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. It’s a nutritious dish, loaded with non-animal proteins and iron. Straight from the kitchen of Sossie Sahtein Puzantian in Glendale, California, with nutritional insight from Vegetarian lentil kebbe recipe. AUB’s Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.

InGREdIEnTS: To SERVE:

• 1 ¼ cup dried red/orange lentils • Arrange on a serving platter with the • 2 ½ cups water finely chopped green onions and • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped chopped parsley at the center of the • ¾ cup olive oil or vegetable oil plate. • ½ cup fine cracked wheat (#1 bulgur) • Serve at room temperature. • 1 bunch of parsley, finely chopped • Sprinkle with red pepper or paprika. • 1 bunch of green onions, finely chopped • Salt, black pepper, cumin (to taste) This dish goes epecially well with a fresh • Red pepper paste (optional) tomato salad. • Red pepper or paprika Good FoR YoU?

Makes 18-20 large kebbe marie Claire Chamieh (BS ’86, mS ’93), Instructor, department of nutrition and pREpARATIon: Food Sciences, says: “This recipe is a good source of essential • Rinse the lentils in a colander under cold proteins, carbohydrates, and fibers. “It is particularly water. Place them in a heavy 6-quart Carbohydrates are an important source of pot, add 2 ½ cups of cold water, and energy providing the fuel the body needs recommended for cover. Bring it to a boil, and then leave it to function adequately. The presence of weight watchers as to cook on low heat for 20 minutes fibers in food is important for better loosely covered with the lid. (Check on it digestion, reduces cholesterol, and well as for vegetarians every few minutes. If it boils over and satisfies your hunger for a longer period of who are looking for foams, remove the lid. If the water boils time. Fibers are also a great source of iron a good source of off completely, add 1/8 of a cup of water containing around 68 percent, along with at a time and stir.) other essential vitamins and minerals, proteins and iron in • After 20 minutes turn off the heat and such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and something other than stir in the ½ cup of bulgur and cover. At calcium. Not only is this menu nutritious, this point the mixture should become it is also low in calories (400 kcal /whole animal products.” soft and mushy (similar consistency recipe; 20 calories/piece). It is also low in as oatmeal). saturated fats, and contains some • Sauté the chopped onion in ¾ cup of essential unsaturated fats (MUFA- olive oil until golden brown then add it monounsaturated fatty acids and PUFA- to the lentil mixture. polyunsaturated fatty acids). This dish is • Add the spices and red pepper paste a great way to add some nutritious variety as desired. to your meal. It is particularly

Send your recipe submissions to • Keep mixture covered and leave to cool. recommended for weight watchers as well maingate(at)aub.edu.lb • Once it becomes cool enough to handle, as for vegetarians who are looking for a use your hands to make ball shapes out good source of proteins and iron in of the mixture. something other than animal products.” -M.A. 43 Impact

Regional impact, advocacy, and policy initiatives

Relief in Site 44 Bringing warmth, education, and medical aid to Syrian refugees.

MasterCard Foundation scholars discover the hidden rewards of helping The Power of a Toothbrush 47 those with less.

Toxic Regulations 48 FHS brings national attention to the toxic work conditions of child laborers. Case by Case HSON students join with UNICEF and the Lebanese Ministry of Health in a nationwide polio vaccination campaign to help the youngest and most vulnerable refugees. Impact

Relief in Site AUB relief efforts bring shelter, education, and medical aid to Syrian refugees, and hope for more to come.

Working with Syrian refugees during their summer camp was a life changing experience for a group of AUB students who brought smiles to the faces of children and hope to their parents. Some 1,200 people in three refugee Shelter settlements now enjoy the benefits Designed by CDPu Director Rabih of proper toilets and washing facilities Shibli, the AUB ghata (cover) will thanks to AUB’s Community provide shelter and protection for Development and Projects unit (CDPu) up to 10 people in conditions vastly at the Center for Civic Engagement and superior to that of a tent. The first Community Service (CCECS). Funded by ghata prototype was test-built in the private donations and the Al Madad Sarafand settlement by AUB civil Foundation, the three “WASH” projects engineering (CE) and architecture (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) students during their summer camp. introduced sewage disposal and water This simple, removable structure made tank distribution, toilets, and from locally sourced steel beams, washbasins where none had previously wooden supports, marine plywood, existed in a dilapidated, unfinished and corrugated iron, initially cost building in Sidon, a basement structure $1,500. With economies of scale, the in nearby Aakbiye, and an informal, per unit cost could be reduced by as open-air tented settlement in Sarafand, much as half. Durable and solid, it can near Sour. withstand the onslaught of the Lebanese winter and will outlast a tent by years. The WASH projects are the prelude to a potential four-part refugee relief The students who erected the first program being rolled out by the CDPu ghata were thrilled with their hands-on in conjunction with AUB faculty experience and by the opportunity to members and students to include initiate something that could have a shelter, education, and medical aid. major impact on the plight of thousands 4544

Right: construction team assembling ghata on site

of displaced people in Lebanon. The deprivation and anxiety. Many of the ghata’s double walls provide insulation students plan to remain involved in against heat and cold, while its the CDPu’s refugee relief effort. corrugated roof allows for rainwater run off (and collection). CDPu has also attracted support from faculty members from various departments in FHS, FEA, and FAFS. Engineering Professor Majdi Abou “This was a real Najim is studying ways to improve the opportunity to actually ghata by introducing innovations like build something of solar energy and fiber optics; Professor value while improving Fouad Fouad from FHS is undertaking a study of the public health needs of the living conditions of refugees focussing on the WASH at least one family.” projects in Aakbiye and Sarafand. Maria Gabriella Trovato from FAFS Landscape Design is keen to reduce the adverse environmental impact of One CE student described the summer informal settlements as well as orienting camp experience as unforgettable from the settlements to mitigate the negative every point of view: “Working with real effects of wind, sun, snow, and rain. materials, preparing the components for the ghata, laying the foundations, Education erecting the walls, putting the roof in Statistics indicate that 50 percent of place – this was a real opportunity to Syrian refugees are children who have actually build something of value while already lost two full years of education. improving the living conditions of at Thanks to private donations, Rabih has least one family.” Other camp activities set up a prototype school in Aakbiye included organizing games and activities to serve as a model for other refugee to take children’s minds off their daily communities. For this school, staffed Impact

Left: Members of the artistic and activist collective the Naked Wagon joined with AUB students to create musical and theater events involving the children. Below: Building the ghata took team work, practical training, and a spirit of altruism.

With economies of scale, the per unit cost of the ghata could be reduced by almost half.

The basic structure of the ghata lends itself to either a multiperson dwelling or a small scale classroom. Already donors have expressed interest in investing in the ghata to provide an educational space for youngsters who have nowhere to go and nothing to do in the informal shelters and camps by a Syrian teacher, Rabih is Generous student donations and where they now live. anticipating the participation of AUB a successful fundraising event with faculty members and students willing the screening of Not Who We Are, As the onset of harsh winter conditions to volunteer to help this “lost generation” a film exploring the lives of Syrian served to further highlight the plight of enjoy the benefits of an education. refugee women, meant that the the hundreds of thousands of displaced amended ghata prototype could people in Lebanon, AUB students Medical Aid be erected on campus in December. launched a used clothing drive which Discussions are underway to explore Drawing on experience gained with elicited a positive response. Student the feasibility of introducing primary the first structure, the new ghata volunteers are sorting and categorizing health care and first aid to the refugee includes a modified breeze block the items preparing them for distribution populations and locals. AUBMC's Dr. floor that can be easily disassembled; to refugee settlements. CCECS is Kamal Badr, in tandem with the CPDu insulating panels slotted between expecting to receive further generous and overseas NGO International the double walls, a solar panel donations of clothes thanks to a Medical Corps (IMC) is exploring a for heating water, and an external used clothing drive by universities range of options including outpatient oven also powered by sunlight, in Switzerland. care and a mobile clinic. Neil Singh, devised by Majdi Abou Najim, MD, a consultant with the CPDu on that is being tested for the first Meanwhile discussions are under sabbatical from the UK, hopes to time on campus. The new ghata way as to how to further involve AUB coordinate an AUBMC volunteer will be showcased to donors and students and professionals on the program steered by Dr. Badr. agencies involved in refugee relief. medical and educational fronts. -M.A. 4746

The Power of a Toothbrush

“I could not believe a After receiving training at the Faculty "The summer project made us realize of Health Sciences in life skills and that our mission should be to look for simple toothbrush community intervention methods, and the causes behind our misery and could make a child so identifying personal goals, they took eradicate them. It is our commitment up assignments in children’s summer to our societies that will distinguish happy. It was not camps run by the Lebanese NGO us not the position or job we occupy." about cleaning his Mouvement Social. teeth, it was the sense Confronting issues including conflict “We thought at the beginning we will and hygiene, while holding the of ownership.” teach children general health attention of 70 unruly children, is principles but actually at the end a big challenge even for the most AUB’s first cohort of 15 MasterCard they taught us lessons for life.” experienced teachers, yet it is one Foundation (MCF) scholars (see most of the MCF scholars would be MainGate, winter 2012) underwent a Working in some of Beirut’s poorest happy to do again. transformative experience during their neighborhoods, St. Simon (Ouzai), recent four-week summer volunteer Bourj Hammo ud, and Nabaa, they “I not only gave to them, but I also program. Their quotes tell it all. encountered poverty and deprivation took a lot… Every time I looked in on a major scale. Tackling a gamut of those kids’ eyes, the first question I “At the beginning, they were just problems from violence to illiteracy, had was, "what would I ask to learn kids, but they soon became my kids this was a formative experience and or to have if I was in their place?” from whom I learned to face life a milestone in the MCF scholars’ -M.A. with a smile.” personal evolution. Impact

Toxic Regulations

FHS brings national attention to the toxic work conditions of child laborers.

In 1997, Dr. Iman Nuwayhid, now dean of AUB’s Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), began the rigorous work of uncovering and documenting the impact of toxic working conditions on the mental and physical health of Lebanon’s child laborers. This was no small task. It was “difficult to identify or recruit [the children],” says Iman, “because of their mistrust in the benefit of research to their wellbeing, their fear of legal repercussions, and their frequent moves and

Young people need to know what their rights are, as do the people hiring them.

mobility between jobs.” What’s more, he says, since the legal age of employment in the country is 15, some funding agencies were reluctant to support research that 4948

included children under the age of 15, Iman’s research led to Decree 8987 To make the decree a more useful preferring instead to “fund intervention signed by President Michel Suleiman, document, FHS’s Outreach and programs to remove [these children] Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Labor Practice Unit has developed a guide from work.” Despite these obstacles, Minister Salim Jreissati in September for employers of child laborers and the Iman and his colleagues managed to 2012 banning anyone under the age children themselves. According to Dr. conduct a number of research studies of 18 from working in environments Rana Barazi, a public health consultant and collect data on children, mostly “that may harm their health, safety and lecturer at AUB’s Health Promotion boys, between the ages of ten and 17, or morals.” The decree was the first and Community Health Department, setting in motion an ongoing chain young people need to know what their reaction of policymaking. rights are, as do the people hiring them. “This law is in a language that is In 1999, the International Labor probably difficult to understand for Organization Convention on the Worst employers in sectors such as carpentry, Forms of Child Labor (No. 182) required car repair, glass-blowing, shoe repair, that nations append their own lists of the leather industry, and so on,” she hazardous occupations for working says. “So my job was to take each of children. Over time, and building on these eight articles and explain them the various research and training in language that someone with a fifth activities funded by AUB, ILO, the grade education might understand,” National Institutes of Health (NIH), since this is the minimum level of and UNICEF, Iman’s team has education mandated by Lebanese law. collaborated with the Ministry of The guide, says Rana, will be useful for Labor (Child Labor Unit) to come up all the stakeholders in this issue: labor with a Lebanon-specific list of hazards inspectors, social workers, and to which no working child should be members of the General Confederation exposed. Iman decided that coming of Lebanese Workers trade union. up with this list was a more appropriate With the recent response than working to ban child With the recent increase in the number labor in Lebanon completely, since increase in the number of at-risk Syrian refugee children who this was not practical or possible. of at-risk Syrian have no choice but to work, child labor “The approach [that we adopted],” refugee children who in Lebanon today is even more says Iman, “was recommended by widespread than it was. In addition, ILO-Geneva to other countries have no choice but to an ever-evolving spectrum of dangerous developing their national lists” work, child labor working conditions makes identifying since it had a better chance of in Lebanon today and monitoring hazardous work actually impacting children’s lives. environments a complicated enterprise. is even more But, thanks to Iman's research, his Since his original foray into child widespread subsequent work with the National labor conditions, Iman has expanded than it was. Committee for Child Labor, and the his initial findings to include work continuing efforts of numerous sites in the agricultural and industrial contributors, the tools are finally sectors. He has examined in particular in place for the Ministry of Labor to the pernicious effects of neurotoxins begin to enforce laws affecting the found in many industrial workshops. of its kind in Lebanon. “Until that most vulnerable members of The data was alarming. Children point, before the decree, the list we Lebanon’s workforce. employed in automotive spray-painting had was very outdated, more than -N.Q. and other industrial activities were 40 years old, and just something that found to have higher incidence of was copied and pasted from other substance abuse, depression, and countries,” says Dr. Hayat Osseiran, cognitive and motor skills damage national consultant for the ILO on than both schoolchildren and child labor issues. “All our work now is laborers in less toxic environments. based on this list.” Impact

Case by Case

Six HSON students spent a recent vaccine and a vaccination card. Word Saturday volunteering their time and spread quickly and soon parents were expertise to support a nationwide polio coming to them with their children. vaccination campaign by UNICEF and the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The HSON team vaccinated 150 Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Chris children, the youngest of whom Abbyad joined students Jad Bou Diab, was just 7 days old. Although they Tiffany Halabi, Miray Harakeh, Amani performed an invaluable service for Hashem, Dima Kamar, and Hanady these children and their family, the Merhi at the Hariri Clinic in Aramoun, nursing students unanimously agree Mount Lebanon for an eye-opening and that they received even more than very rewarding day. “The students they gave. “I know now that nurses really got a feel for how many of the can make a lot of difference,” says refugees are living,” remembers Chris. Amani. Miray agrees. “It is not until They are in crowded conditions with you experience it yourself–on the few amenities… no electricity, no ground–that you really understand that heating, no running water, and no even the smallest action can make a hygiene facilities. I am very proud of huge difference.” our students. It was an amazing day.” It was an especially “amazing day” Chris points out that the students also for Dima who celebrated her birthday learned many skills–“knowledge about by participating in the polio the vaccine, also how to store it in the vaccination campaign. ice chests, how it works, possible side effects, who could not be given the 150 After receiving instructions from clinic vaccine (some kids had a fever or a staff, the nursing students were recent infection, one child already assigned specific streets. They set out had an immune disorder), also young children in teams of two, stopping at every communication skills. They also vaccinated for polio building and knocking on the door of learned the importance of working each apartment where there were with parents to solicit their help to children under the age of five. “We persuade their reluctant children. were often guided by children we met They learned–they experienced– playing on the streets,” says Tiffany. To what we mean when we talk about each child, they gave two drops of the community health.”

Summer Program for SPAAC AUB Alumni Children A chance to make your alma mater theirs! June 30-July 30, 2014 Learn more at: www.aub.edu.lb/rep/cec/spaac 5151 AUB Everywhere

Alumni lives in action, WAAAUB and chapter news, every day and extraordinary class notes, and unexpected revelations

Akram Zaatari (BAR ’89), a filmmaker, photographer, archival artist, Alumni Profile curator, and cofounder of the Arab Image Foundation, Zaatari 52 reimagines the image and reinvents cultural artifacts.

WAAAUB Around On the Map: Chapter galas, holiday parties, art exhibits, nature hikes, and the Globe 56 real-time social networking from the Gulf to Ottawa, and everywhere in between.

StandingOUTstanding Nadim Matta (MS ’83), a recognized “global thinker,” his Rapid Results 58 initiatives tackle some of society’s most intractable problems.

Meet class correspondents Lina Shihabuddin (BS ’85, MD ’89) Class Notes 60 and Takhouli Mahdessian (BBA ’64).

Class Acts Rihab Uri (BBA ’80), a volunteer who gives back by getting it done. Marwa Abou Dayya (BA ’05, MA ’08) and Carmen Geha (BA ’06, MA ’08), a friendship that fosters social justice.

Alumni Weddings Wael Saasouh (BS ’04, MD ’08) and Solandia Saab (BSN ’06, MSN ’11) Nader Dalibalta (BA ’07, MA ’10) and Ola Osta (BBA ’10).

The Reveal 67 Camille Zakharia (BEN ’85), a photographer who captures the ephemeral. AUB Everywhere

Akram Zaatari Time Capsule - Kassel, 2013 Installation view Kurimanzutto, Mexico

Alumni Profile Excavating the Future Akram Zaatari is an excavator. Be it always had an interest in filming and through his films, his photographs, documenting found objects. Growing or his documents, he is unearthing up in Saida during the Lebanese civil objects, stories, and moments in war had a profound influence on him. time and bringing them to light. He He was particularly affected by the is an archaeologist at work in the art Israeli invasion of 1982 when he was world, digging up the stories that have just 16 years old and hungry for news. been buried and would not be believed Because there were no film schools in were it not for the evidence. In his Lebanon, he enrolled in the bachelor's Zaatari cofounded latest work, Letter to a Refusing Pilot, degree in architecture program at AUB the Arab Image he tells both sides of the oft-repeated in 1983. He does not regret it, saying Foundation in 1997. story about an Israeli pilot who that it has had "a huge impact on [my] refused to blast a school in Saida in work as an artist today, because being 1982, choosing instead to release his formed as an architect means you follow bombs over the sea. The film has been a certain logic and a certain order in shown at both the Venice Biennale and thinking and methodology." After the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in graduating in 1989, Akram studied for New York recently making this a his master’s degree in media studies at particularly busy year for Akram. the New School in New York. Born in Saida in 1966, Akram has 5352

In 2011, Akram Zaatari won the Grand Prize of the completing his MA, he cofounded the Arab Image International Contemporary Art Festival, Videobrasil, Foundation (AIF), a non-profit organization based in Beirut, for his film "Tomorrow Everything Will Be Alright." dedicated to finding and archiving photos and videos from The film breathes life into a typewriter that engages in a the Middle East. Although he resigned from the board a few dialogue with its owner’s former lover. It is a commentary years ago, he continues to work on projects with the AIF. His on the chat culture that has dominated life since the late passion for archiving, or, as he likes to call it, archaeology, is 1990s. Akram is interested in evoking emotions "in something not one that will fade anytime soon. He calls his findings that supposedly doesn't have any, like a typewriter. It's nice "fossils" because "a fossil can be, at the same time, a fish if you're able to animate an object that is otherwise inert. Once you create a narrative, you can make the object speak with emotions." This search for emotions continues to motivate his cinematographic projects.

The search for emotions continues to motivate his cinematographic projects.

Despite his experience and success as a filmmaker, Akram says that he sees himself primarily as a historian. He aims to speak to a timeless audience, to the present and the future, and a stone," and it is the "fish" that Akram looks for. He and this is why he does not address any particular group of seeks the former life of the found object; he says: "I don’t people while making his films. After all, historians never like archiving because archiving is more like putting stuff inscribe history with addressees in mind; they simply want on shelves and organizing an existing set of data. This is not to document their times. Akram wants to do the same for my work. My work is more like [that of] an archaeologist."

Credit: In 2005 Akram released a film called "In This House." Akram Zaatari Letter to a It tells the story of what happens when the owners of the Refusing Pilot, 2013. house dig up a letter that a veteran wrote to his resistance Installation view at group that once occupied the house. Akram has since Venice Biennale explored this theme in another more recent documentary, Photo credit: Marco Milan "Time Capsule," filmed in dOCUMENTA(13) in Kassel. He explains that it is similar to what happens when you cut and plant trees. “You cut trees [down] because you need them and you need the wood, but at the same time you plant trees because someone in the future will need them." Akram says that "Time Capsule" was inspired in part by the Lebanese National Museum's project to bury certain objects during the war in order to preserve them for the future.

film history, for he believes that "we belong to the history of Considering how prolific he is, it is not surprising that the our media. Once you say 'I'm a video artist' or 'I'm a motto the artist lives by is "work leads to work." He is not filmmaker' you belong to a history of making films, and you a workaholic though. For Akram, work is a source of know that today you are speaking a language that was inspiration. "When you start working,” he says, “you start different 50 years ago and will be different 50 years discovering things about yourself or about your interests and from now." Akram says he is inspired by cinema history, then you start rebuilding on top of them different layers of especially the films of Jean-Luc Godard, Pier Paolo Pasolini, work and fine tuning your interest." It is a process of and Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He says he cannot do what constant self-discovery. they did 50 years ago because "they are a part of [the] system, and now we do things differently, but you can What's next for Akram Zaatari? He is working on three back- definitely see their influences in my work." to-back exhibitions. He’ll be in in Kingston, Canada, then in London, and finally in Beirut for an exhibition at the Sfeir- Akram is contributing to history not only as a historian, Semler Gallery, which represents him. but as an archivist as well. In 1997, just two years after -E.M. AUB Everywhere

WAAAUB Events and Announcments WAAAUB Recently Elected Leadership

RIYAdH ABU dHABI

Mazen Kachmar (BBA ’09) Samer Salim Gharzeddine (BA ’90) President President

Farid Saleh (BS ’92, MS ’94) Suha Eid Takieddine (BA ’86) Vice President Vice President Omar Ardati (BBA ’08) Robert Emile Choucair (BEN ’88) Treasurer Treasurer Donna ElSayyed (BS ’08, MPH ’10) Imad Fouad Richani (BEN ’83) Secretary Secretary

Member at Large: Member at Large: Faisal Al Hariri (BBA ’01) Rebecca Raymond Abi Hanna (BA ’98) Hiba Dandachli Al-Hariri (BS ’04) Ghada Najjar Assaf (BSN ’89) Tarek Atallah (BEN ’09) Joseph Shukrallah Atallah (BBA ’88) Muhammad El-Mir (BBA ’09) Ayman Elbaitam (BBA ’01) Ahmad Hamieh (BEN ’10) John Nicola Elhelou (BEN ’95) Riebal Hmaydan (BBA ’02) Farah Afif Kassab (BAR ’09) Loulwa Kalache (BS ’09, MS ’12) Imad William Khalil (BS ’93) Hassan Kojok (BBA ’02) Johnny Ishac Khouri (BAR ’86) Najib Badri Makarem (BBA ’00) Zuhair Makarem (BEN ’82) Mazen Sweidan (BAR ’96) Antoinette Salim Yazbeck (BS ’86) SoUTH lEBAnon

Amer Abou Taam (BS ’91) President

Hiba Bitar (BEN ’99, MEM ’05) Vice President Hassan Soueidan (BBA ’90) Treasurer Mariam Dokmak (BBA ’12) Secretary

Member at Large: Mohamad Karnib (BS ’92) 5554

Career Speed Networking Event

DON’T MISS OUT!

Be a part of the AUB International Alumni Directory. Please look for email The inaugural WAAAUB Career Speed Networking Event and/or mail asking (CSNE) for marketing and digital media professionals took for your input. place on November 29 at West Hall. Successful graduates Questions: shared their personal career-related stories and job tips alumni(at)aub.edu.lb with young alumni and current AUB students in a fun and interactive environment.

Quiz Night Annual Christmas Party

The WAAAUB Annual Christmas Party took Every third Thursday of the month, teams of AUBites place on December 22 get a chance to flaunt their worldly knowledge as they at the Malhas Common compete for prizes on topics ranging from physics to Room in West Hall. celebrity gossip, history to tabloid headlines, and the There was an classics to pop culture. The first Quiz Night of the abundance of fun, academic year took place on October 24 at its new home, games, and holiday the Blue Note Café. To register, and for more information, cheer! visit: www.presella.com/event/waaaubquiznight AUB Everywhere

WAAAUB Around the Globe On the map: Find recent alumni activities from around the globe. Visit the WAAAUB website at www.aub.edu.lb/alumni to find a chapter near you and to learn about upcoming events.

11 5 6 4 12 2 3 1 7 10 8 15 9 14 16 13

New York New England Philadelphia Ottawa

1 2 3 5 HolIdAY pARTY GAlA honoring dInnER BAnQUET CHRISTmAS pARTY Ice skating dr. Ernie Barsamian Carlucci's waterfront St. Elias Centre Bryant Park Boston University restaurant Ottawa, 12/6/13 New York, 12/7/13 Trustee Ballroom Mount Laurel Boston, 9/21/13 New Jersey, 10/5/13 nETWoRKInG EVEnT Montreal 230 Fifth 2. New England Toronto rooftop venue RECEpTIon for FHS New York, 10/9/13 Galadean honoring Iman nuwayhid Dr. Ernie BarsamianHosted by Trustee pAnEl dISCUSSIon: BostonGhaleb UniversityDaouk Beirut now: 6 TrusteeBoston, Ballroom11/5/13 Urban landscape's Boston, 9/21/13 4 ApplE pICKInG Conflicting desires AnnUAl HolIdAY Reception for Les Vergers Spenard City University of New pARTY mIx And mInGlE Spin orchards, St.Eustache York's Middle East and FHSMinbar Dean Iman Toronto, 11/15/13 Montreal, 9/29/13 Middle Eastern NuwayhidBoston, 12/8/13 American Center Hosted by New York, 11/7/13 Trustee Ghaleb Daouk HolIdAY lUnCH 6 à9 Blu Ristorante Rosalie Restaurant Toronto, 12/8/13 & Bar Montreal, 11/7/13 56 57

North Carolina United Kingdom Kuwait Beirut HAlloWEEn pARTY THEATER oUTInG 15 SoCIAl EnGInEERInG And Ganyard Hill Farms Gibran, The play nETWoRKInG ARCHITECTURE EVEnT Durham, 10/30/13 “Rest Upon the Wind” pRESEnTATIon by Theatre Royal Haymarket Sheraton, Kuwait Hotel Bassem Barhoumi, London, 11/17/13 Kuwait, 9/29/13 director of Facilities Charles W. Hostler Auditorium, AUB Abu Dhabi Beirut, 11/27/13

7 CHRISTmAS pARTY Paparazzi Ristorante 11 Italiano CHRISTmAS dInnER 18 Raleigh, 12/15/13 Holiday Inn, Mayfair London, 12/5/13 AGRICUlTURAl 16 And Food Atlanta AdnIC YAS RUn SCIEnCES AnnUAl GAlA Switzerland Yas Marina Circuit Abu Dhabi, 11/22/13 dInnER and honoring ceremony Hotel Phoenicia Berytus Ballroom Beirut, 11/21/13 8 Lebanon dInnER with FHS HEAlTH SCIEnCES dean Iman nuwayhid 12 lECTURE on vitamin Brio Tuscan Grille QUIZ nIGHT d deficiency Atlanta, 11/7/13 Brasserie des Halles College Hall, AUB de l’ile Beirut, 11/26/13 Geneva, 11/19/13 Houston 19 18 Mount Lebanon 17 Riyadh 13 AnnUAl GAlA dInnER Arizona Compound 9 Riyadh, 12/5/13 GREEn, WHITE 19 And REd Qatar Night Cafe Byblos Beqa’a SUmmER GAlA Houston, 11/22/13 Mir Amin Palace Beiteddine Southern California Chouf, 9/9/13

14 mUSIC nIGHT Ipanema restaurant 17 10 Renaissance Hotel Doha, 10/29/13 RECEpTIon with HEAlTH SCREEnInG president dorman for alumni Roy’s restaurant QUIZ nIGHT Masabki Hotel Los Angeles, 8/15/13 Diplomatic Club Chtaura, 9/4/13 Doha, 11/29/13 AUB Everywhere

StandingOUTstanding Global Thinker

∙ Born & raised in Bhamdoun, Lebanon ∙ Joined Schaffer Consulting ∙ Works in Stamford, Connecticut (www.SchafferResults.com) in 1990, ∙ BS electrical engineering MIT (’81) became managing partner in 2009 ∙ MS public health AUB (’83 ) ∙ Founded Rapid Results Institute ∙ MBA Yale School of Management (’89) (www.RapidResults.org), ∙ Directed USAID’s relief and non-profit organization, in 2007 rehabilitation programs and Save the ∙ Selected as a Yale School of Nadim Matta (MS ’83) was named by Foreign Children Federation’s food assistance Management Donaldson Fellow Policy magazine as one program during Lebanon’s civil war for 2012 and 2013 of the 100 top global thinkers in 2012. His 100-day “Rapid Results” program helps leaders Q. Rapid Results has pioneered a deliver results, people at the local around the world solve model that leads to large-scale level need to get engaged, feel some of society’s most intractable problems. change after just 100 days. motivated, and innovate their way You’ve worked in Central America around countless implementation and Sub-Saharan Africa, and also hurdles. Without this, programs do in the United States. Tell us about not travel the “last mile” to connect your work with homeless veterans. with communities, schools, and A. In November 2011, the director of a health centers. Rapid Results work wonderful organization called the inspires local actors to get in the 100,000 Homes Campaign saw an game—it helps connect the last mile. article on our work in Africa in the New York Times, and she contacted Q. What inspires your work? me to ask if we could apply our A. The first time we introduced this Rapid Results approach to the issue work in a developing country was in of veteran homelessness in the USA. Nicaragua. Rapid Results teams were Since then, our two organizations working on farmer productivity. At have collaborated with federal the end of the first cycle of 100-day agencies, city governments, and projects, I asked a member of one of local non-profits to launch Rapid the teams—an old farmer—to Results teams in more than 40 cities. comment on his experience over the Each team aims to increase the pace past 100 days. He said “this was the at which it is moving homeless first time in my 40 years as a farmer veterans and other chronically that someone in government asked homeless individuals into me what I wanted to do, rather than permanent housing. Many cities telling me what I should do.” have doubled or even tripled their monthly housing rates since then. I am inspired by what people can And the work continues. accomplish, in the most difficult circumstances, when they find their Q. What is the “last mile” problem? voice and are given a chance to A. Most social and economic make their own choices. Once they development programs are designed experience what they can with the best intentions in mind. accomplish, there is no turning And governments and development back. This is how this work can lead agencies generally base them on to personal transformation and sound analytic work. However, these sustained impact. programs rarely yield the intended outcomes. For these programs to Interview edited and condensed by B.R. SAVE Reunion 2014 THE June 27-29, 2014 DATE! alumni(at)aub.edu.lb

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Submit class notes to maingate(at)aub.edu.lb Reunion Year

mihran Agbabian (BA ’44, BS ’47) continued his studies at Caltech (MS ’48) and the University of 1940s California (UC), Berkeley (PhD ’51). He then started Agbabian Associates, an engineering consultancy, and Farid Sami Haddad (BA ’41, MD ’48) transitioned into education as Farid has published a rich history of chairman of civil and environmental one of AUB’s iconic professors, George engineering at the University of Fawaz, MD, PhD (BA ’33, MS ’35). Southern California. Inspired by the Professor Fawaz was at AUB for over story of the founding of AUB, Mihran Zuhair Annab seven decades starting in 1934. The cofounded the American University of (PHCH ’48) book is a memorial tribute on the Armenia (AUA) and became its first th received an occasion of George’s 100 birthday on president in 1991, the year Armenia award from November 22, 2013. For copies, email: gained its independence from the Soviet Union. As a graduate school, Princess Basma haddadmd(at)cox.net AUA became an affiliate of the UC Bint Al Hussein system, and received funding from for his the Armenian General Benevolent Union and sponsorship from the In March 2013, Zuhair Annab (PHCH Armenian government. ’48) received an award from Princess Basma Bint Al Hussein for his pioneering In 2013, AUA added an undergraduate work establishing medical laboratories school with an entering class of 280 in Jordan. He writes “I graduated from students. Currently a president AUB during the war in Palestine. I was emeritus of AUA, Mihran was offered a job at Altounyan Hospital succeeded in 1997 by Haroutune pioneering where I established the first medical Armenian (BS ’64, MD ’68), who after work lab in Aleppo. In 1952 I moved to serving as president for 14 years, also establishing Amman, Jordan where I joined the retired as president emeritus. On the medical medical services unit of the Jordanian occasion of AUA’s 10th anniversary in laboratories in Army and established the first lab in 2001, former AUB President John Jordan. army medical services. The army Waterbury wrote Mihran that “Whether sponsored my education, and I earned with the experience of AUB’s 136 years a post-graduate diploma in bacteriology, or AUA’s 10, we know the vital role we virology, and mycology from the play. We must provide an education University of London’s School of Hygiene based on high ethical standards, and Tropical Medicine. I also received academic freedom, analytical thinking, training in the forensic lab of London’s and social responsibility. We must Scotland Yard police force. In 1956, I never back away from our principles.” went to Jordan and resumed my work at Mihran credits AUB with providing the army hospital. In 1962, I resigned as the foundation for his commitment to a major in the army. I then started my these principles. own private medical laboratory, which was one of only three labs in the country” zuhairannab.com 6160

resumed her nursing career as a valuable member of an excellent hospice team at the San Luis Obispo County Home Health and Hospice Agency, from which she fully and finally retired in September s 2012. In 2003, Florence Touryan was 1950 awarded the Local Health Treasure Award from the San Luis Obispo Medical Society.

Dean Nichols gives the cup to Mahdessian who won 1960s the women’s 200 meter.

(BA ’53, muhammad Tawfik Salaymeh th MD ’58) was born in Hebron, Palestine. 50 Reunion Year CC He completed his thoracic and cardiovascular surgery training in the Georges Y. El-Khoury (BS ’65, MD ’69) United States. Starting in the late 1960s received the Medal of the International Muhammad became a diplomat of the Skeletal Society at a ceremony at the American Board of Surgery and of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on American Board of Thoracic Surgery, a October 1st. He has been a member of fellow of the American College of the faculty of the College of Medicine at Surgeons, the International College of the University of Iowa since October Surgeons, and the American Society of 1975. He is currently director of the Contemporary Medicine and Surgery. Musculoskeletal Imaging Department He was the recipient of the AMA at the university’s hospitals and Physicians’ Recognition Award for his Taki mahdessian (aka Takouhi Devian) clinics. Georges has worked practice from 1973 to 2004. Muhammad (BBA ’64) is the class correspondent for extensively with the American is married to Maha A. Minkarah, who the Class of 1964. She will be contacting Board of Radiology where he has a BA from the Beirut College for classmates throughout the year and served as an oral board Women (now LAU). The couple has writing a short column on their news examiner for more than 20 years. two sons and one daughter. One son is and views for Class Notes. Her own He is chairman of the Core Board a surgeon; the other son and daughter class note follows: “I was involved in Examination for Musculoskeletal are lawyers. The Salaymehs have seven track and field, ran the 100- and 200- Radiology and former chairman of the grandchildren. meter dash, and won them a few times. Musculoskeletal Radiology I worked as a controller at Banque du Subcommittee for the Annual Scientific Liban with HE Salim El-Hoss (BBA ’52, Program of the Radiological Society of MBA ’57) until 1969 when I moved to North America from 2003 to 2005. In Florence Touryan (DIPLM ’56) After Los Angeles. I then worked in medical addition to the medal from the earning her nursing diploma, Florence malpractice for several years before International Skeletal Society, Georges moved to San Luis Obispo, California starting my own business, a has a gold medal from the Iowa where she earned BSN and PHN degrees computerized billing service for Radiological Society where he formerly at California State University in anesthesiologists. Now retired, I have served as president representing the Bakersfield, California. As director of been living in Malibu for the past 27 society at the annual convention of the nursing at San Luis Obispo General years. I have a great relationship with American College of Radiology. A sought Hospital, Florence reorganized the my 42-year-old son Levon. I miss my after visiting professor and speaker Nursing Department, implemented friends and classmates. I have lost both nationally and internationally, Total Patient Care, initiated the touch with almost all of them. If you Georges has authored and coauthored Nursing Quality Assurance Program, remember me at AUB, please feel free three books and 218 scientific articles. and developed an active in-service to contact me. I enjoy living by the He lives with his wife Salam in Iowa education program. Her attempt at ocean and make the best of it by City, Iowa. They have two sons, Joseph retirement in 1990 fizzled when she walking on the beach daily and doing (Yusef), an orthopedic surgeon; and realized that she was really just looking yoga in that wonderful environment.” Hany (born at AUBMC), a family law for a change of venue. In 1992, she takie1(at)verizon.net and criminal defense lawyer. AUB Everywhere 60s to 80s

Huda n. Abbud (BA ’75) writes: “7:45 in the morning, grey clouds Huda Hibri Zoghbi (BS ’76) outside, inside smoking clouds ... AUB Trustee Huda Zoghbi was recently smells of coffee ... Oum Koulsoum awarded two prestigious prizes: The from the juke box. Yalla, we'll have Pearl Meister Greengard Prize from a croissant and a coffee and then The Rockefeller University and The head to CS 202. The course was Dickson Prize in Medicine from the examining the Qur'an and the University of Pittsburgh School of Bible…. This is back in 1972. Medicine. Huda is professor of molecular and human genetics, That's the way it was, a real neuroscience, pediatrics, and cosmopolitan campus, with neurology at Baylor College of students and professors from all Medicine, director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological around the world. We were part Research Institute at Texas Children’s of a universal cultural village … Hospital, and a Howard Hughes and that is completely obsolete!” Medical Institute investigator. She hnabboud(at)gmail.com is best known for her research on Last August, Shamira derakhshani neurological diseases. With Dr. Harry nicolas (BA ’66, MA ’72) received the Orr of the University of Minnesota, “Award for Excellence” from the Arts & she discovered the gene for a disorder Cultural Council for Greater Rochester called spinocerebellar ataxia 1 in 1993. for her work that was included in their annual exhibition. (More about Shamira “That's the way it was, can be found in MainGate, Connections, a real cosmopolitan fall 2008, vol. VII, no. 1; and Class Notes, campus, with students spring 2011, vol. IX, no. 3.) and professors from shamiranicolas(at)hotmail.com all around the world. We were part of a universal cultural village” Huda N. Abbud, BA ’75

In 1999, she identified the gene for Rett Syndrome, another neurological 1970s disorder that affects primarily young girls. She also identified the gene for Elias maroun Absi (BS ’75) Math1, a gene that plays a role in the moved to Canada in 1976, formation of many different cell types. where he studied chemical Huda has won numerous awards, engineering at the University including the Arab American of Ottawa. For the past three Medical Association (AAMA) Houston years, he has served as president Chapter’s Ben Qurrah Award, the of the Ottawa Chapter, which E. Mead Johnson Award in Pediatric won WAAAUB’s Outstanding Research, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Chapter Award in 2012. Elias Award for Distinguished Achievement generally visits Lebanon every in Neuroscience Research, the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science, and the other summer. He is currently Gruber Neuroscience Prize. a senior program manager at Sanmina, Inc. Garbis Jaloyan (BS ’70) lives in Paris, She is a member of the Institute of France. After graduation, he worked as Medicine, the National Academy of a biology teacher in Syria, then in Algeria. He and his wife Carol Sfeir Absi Sciences, the Texas Women’s Hall of Since 1984 he has been a planning have two children: Marissa (17); Fame, and a fellow of the American manager at the Maison des Étudiants and Michael Antonio (15). Association for the Advancement Arméniens in the Cité Internationale emabsi(at)gmail.com of Science. Universitaire de Paris (CIUP). Garbis has three sons and one daughter. 6362

Neda have two children Ryan Ghusayni (BS ’13) who graduated with high distinction in biology and is now a student at AUB’s Faculty of Medicine, and Aleni a senior at the International School of Choueifat. badih(at) futureintech.net

mahmud Hamzah dalibalta (BS ’75) writes, “Being at AUB was one of the happiest times in my life. I started my academic studies in the Chemistry Department where I became a teaching assistant in 1975-76. Unfortunately war erupted and it was not possible for me to stay in Beirut. I travelled to the United Kingdom where I earned a master’s degree in mechanical-chemical Fadia Saad (BS ’83, MS ’86) taught “No doubt engineering in 1978 from Loughborough science at IC before leaving Lebanon AUB played a University. I worked at Metito Saudi to do a doctorate at McGill University significant Arabia in water and waste water in Montreal, Canada. After completing role in my treatment for two years. her PhD in 1993, she worked as a scientist in industry for a few years, character In 1982 I moved to my current place of and completed an MBA in 2000. Since development employment, Medreco Refinery in then, she has been working in the and how I Lebanon. I am now the refinery and pharma/biotech field, leading business deal with technical affairs manager at Zahrani Oil s developments teams. Most recently problems in Installations (formerly part of 1980 she cofounded and is CEO of my daily life.” Medreco). No doubt AUB played a ArthroSolutions, an organization significant role in my character which seeks to maximize sustainability Mahmud Hamzah Dalibalta development and how I through the effective use of insects. BS ’75 deal with problems in my daily life.” She met her husband Real Roy at mahmoud-hamzeh1(at)hotmail.com mohamed H. Sayegh (BS ’80, MD ’84) McGill. They have two children, AUB vice president for medical affairs Chadi (19) and Liam Saad-Roy (16). and the Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Mohamed Sayegh was selected by the Arab American Medical Association (AAMA) Houston Badih Ghusayni (BS ’78, MS ’80) Chapter to receive the 2014 Ben Qurrah earned his PhD in mathematics from Award for scientists and physicians of Auburn University, Alabama in 1986. Arab origin who have made significant He remained in the United States for contributions in their field. He was 12 years before returning to Lebanon in recognized for his work in nephrology 1998. Badih is currently a tenured full and transplantation. Throughout his professor at the Lebanese University. career, he has held leadership positions He is the founder and managing editor in a number of prestigious Top left to right: Shafic, Fouad, Ahmad of the International Journal of organizations, including the American Mid left to right: Saad Eldine, Naheel, Namaat, Fatmeh Mathematics and Computer Science, a Society of Transplantation, the Bottom: Nadia semiannual, peer-reviewed research American Society of Nephrology, the journal covering mathematics and World Transplant Congress, the World We are grateful to Fadia for helping us fill out her computer science, published in Lebanon. Congress of Nephrology; and several mother’s side of the Shbaklo family tree, which includes many AUBites, who were also occupants Since its inception in 2006, this journal NIH consortiums. In 2011 and 2012, of the Shbaklo home featured in MainGate’s piece, has achieved international recognition Arabian Business included Mohamed “Our Olive Tree, Your Olive Tree, A Heritage,” through its distinguished editorial board in its list of the 500 most powerful (MainGate, winter 2013, vol. XI, no. 2, Views from 15 countries. Badih and his wife Arabs in the world. from Campus, page 13). AUB Everywhere 80s to 00s

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Nursing Association of Central New Jersey Hospice, and president-elect of the local chapter of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association. Since much of my work is concerned with end-of- life issues, I also work with state legislators to help create laws for this nascent field. My husband Abbas Shehadeh is very busy with his interventional cardiology practice. Rihab Uri (BBA ’80) lives in Beirut the auspices of MEMA chairman Sarah, the oldest of our three children, with her husband Nasser. For 25 Dr. (BS ’83, MD ’87). just started college where she plans With the Green Ala’ Sharara years Rihab worked at Al-Rawdah With the Green Oval serving as her to study for a career in health care. Oval serving as High School as a chief accountant. children’s playground while she I enjoy traveling and keeping in her children’s Always civic-minded and active in attended classes, Rihab developed touch with all my AUB friends. playground many clubs and committees, she a strong bond of loyalty and I am very excited to be a class while she is involved in AUB’s Volunteer attachment to AUB. She has two correspondent for the MainGate and attended Outreach Clinic, the American sons and two daughters, all AUBites: foster these connections.” classes, Rihab Women’s Club of Lebanon, the Ghada (BA ’85), Suhaila (MA ’95), Welcome Club International, USA, Ahmad (former student), and Bilal developed a where she published an international (BS ’95) who served as treasurer of Arwa El Amine Halawi (BA ’87, TD ’87) strong bond of cookbook in 2012; the AUB Women’s WAAAUB’s Southern California is arguably the Middle East’s most loyalty and League, where she served as an Chapter from 2006-08. For more effective advocate for people with attachment to editor of the bulletin and program information on MEMA autism. She is president and a AUB. chairperson for five years; and and the AUB Women’s League, visit: founding member of the Lebanese AUBMC–MEMA, where she served mema.aub.edu.lb/users/indexvery Autism Society and of the Arab Network as chairperson of the Social and www.aub.edu.lb/women_league for Autism (ANA) and director of the Committee for the gala dinner under Technical School for Adolescents with Autism, Early Intervention and Diagnostic Center (CDIP), and Classes Left to right: VP for Medical Affairs Mohamed Sayegh (BS ’80, MD ’84), Rihab Uri, MEMA Chairman Ala’ Sharara, Michel H. Farah (BEN ’73), Mohson Agha, for Children with Autism (CCA). Yusuf Kan’an (former student), and Talal El Zeinis Arwa also serves as project director for special government programs promoting the acceptance and Iman Chafik Chahine (BS ’85, MA ’97) She enjoys traveling and yoga. rights of autistic, special needs, An assistant professor of mathematics ichahine(at)gsu.edu and vulnerable children and education at Georgia State University youth in Lebanon. In addition to in Atlanta, Georgia, Iman is also the organizing major conferences on director of three study abroad lina Shihabuddin (BS ’85, MD ’89) is autism for UNESCO, Arwa is programs in Brazil, Morocco, and the class correspondent for the Class of responsible for an impressive South Africa. Her research is centered 1989. She will be contacting classmates number of exhibitions, lectures, on ethnomathematics with an throughout the year and writing a short and performances, and has emphasis on mathematical column on their news and views for received many prestigious awards knowledge systems acrossindigenous Class Notes. She writes: “I am the for her achievements in helping and techno-literate societies. Iman medical director for behavioral health to promote awareness of this earned her doctorate at the University at Barnabas Health in New Jersey, marginalized population. of Minnesota. medical director for the Visiting ahalawi(at)autismlebanon.org 6564

magazine and book, and packaging and security printing. Mariejoe is also a partner in Creative Lounges, an award-winning new media agency specialized in branding, social media s s development, website design, 1990 2000 e-commerce, neuromarketing, and on-line advertising optimization. She was the subject of a MainGate alumni Reunion Year Azza Yehia (BA ’00, MBA ’05) is a profile in fall 2011. quantitative researcher who recently info(at)mariejoeraidy.com He has never moved back to Lebanon after living in left or wanted Dubai for six years. In Dubai, she to leave worked with a multinational media Akl Fahed (BS ’06, MD ’10) is a resident conglomerate serving the Arab region. physician in internal medicine at Lebanon She also became involved in comedic Massachusetts General Hospital, because his acting, where she took part in the first Harvard Medical School. He serves on AUB education all-female stand-up comedy show in the committee of the WAAAUB New provided him the region entitled “Funny Girls.” England Chapter, and is excited to be with such good Now back in her home country, tools to serve Lebanon, Azza is setting up her own his country. specialized research consultancy that “His best AUB memories are from monitors digital platforms and social the “terrific clinicians and patients media to provide comprehensive at AUBMC, who taught me how assessments for individuals and to be a doctor.” organizations undertaking socio- Akl Fahed, (BS ’06, MD ’10) Rabih Kamel Hassan (BS ’94, BEN developmental projects in the MENA ’98) earned his BS in physics and his region. Read more about her venture BEN in mechanical engineering. He was on www.zoomaal.com/dalala. able to keep strong ties with AUB on the varsity tennis team during his through the vibrant network of alumni student years and still goes to campus in Boston. His best AUB memories are for sports and other activities. After from the “terrific clinicians and patients starting his career as a physics lab at AUBMC who taught me how to be a instructor, he began working with doctor.” contracting companies on such large- scale projects as Solidere’s Bank Audi Plaza, ABC Achrafieh, and Fakra Catering. Rabih is currently an operations and maintenance manager for consulting firms in downtown Beirut and works part-time as a cost estimator, consultant, and technical manager for power plants. He writes that he has Hala Hanna (BA ’05) graduated last never left or wanted to leave Lebanon year from the Harvard Kennedy School because his AUB education provided of Government with a master’s degree Wael Saasouh (BS ’04, MD ’08) him with such good tools to serve his in public policy. She accepted a position was a third-year medical student in 2006, and Solandia Saab (BSN ’06, country. rabihhas(at)hotmail.com in Geneva, Switzerland with the World MSN ’11) was a third-year nursing Economic Forum as senior manager student when they met outside the and global leadership fellow where computer lab of the Diana Tamari her portfolio includes Middle East Sabbagh building. There was instant and North Africa programs. chemistry on that first day, and they Janah nabil Boukhzam (BEN ’97) is soon realized they were meant for now a major in the police force which each other. As the nurse and the he joined in 2000. He is married with mariejoe Raidy (BGD ’05) majored in anesthesiologist journeyed forth in two daughters. The family lives in graphic design and minored in business their chosen professions, they decided Kfarhim el Chouf, Mount Lebanon. administration at AUB before to permanently join forces. Seven Janah looks forward to visiting the specializing in print. She is a partner years after that fateful first meeting, AUB campus and connecting with in the Raidy Printing Group, a leading they tied the knot on June 7, 2013. former classmates. printing company offering commercial, AUB Everywhere 00s to 10s

submit class notes to maingate(at)aub.edu.lb paul Salameh (BEN ’11) has joined the ranks of very successful app creators with his game, Pou (Paul’s nickname). The app made it to the global Top 5 iPhone and Android downloads and was #1 in the iPhone kids’ games category in 90 countries. marwa Abou dayya (BA ’05, MA ’08) and Carmen Geha (BA ’06, MA ’08) Public administration grads Marwa and Carmen founded Beyond Reform & Development, a Hamed Ziade (BEN ’11) While social reform consulting firm that The couple live happily in Jeddah, pursuing his master’s degree in energy operates in 10 countries across the Saudi Arabia where Ola works as a management and sustainability at Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa. sales executive at Foodonclick and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Having bonded as activist students Nader is a financial controller and Lausanne, Hamed has been making at AUB, the two have advocated business analyst at JCDecaux. They news with his work on renewable and together on a number of issues are grateful to AUB for a lifetime smart energy sources for refugee camps. including electoral reform, free of memories. Replacing diesel and firewood with speech, civil society development, photovoltaic solar panels in parts of and government transparency. the world where sunlight is abundant They now advise public officials, helps to provide refugees with energy parliaments, international Hind Hobeika (BEN ’10) Wanting to that is clean and reliable. While organizations, UN agencies, and build not a better mousetrap, but a creating “smart refugee camps” Hamed civic and political groups on public better heart rate monitor for swimmers, is mastering the science of balancing policy, management reform, and the brilliant and competitive Hind renewable energy production, capacity building. Both Marwa and Hobeika invented smart swimming consumption monitoring, and energy Carmen teach part-time at AUB’s goggles long before Google invented storage to cast light on the darkness. Political Studies and Public smart glasses. A young entrepreneur Administration Department. and inventor, Hind founded the hot They continue to be deeply new company ButterflEYE, was the committed to social progress, only female competitor among the top and are the closest of friends. five contestants on Qatar’s reality TV Christine Basha (BBA ’12) writes,"I show Stars of Science, and was a was one of those people who was not winner of the 2012 MIT Middle East happy to be graduating. Weird, no? business plan competition. Well, I always told people that two of my unforgettable memories at AUB are being a proud member of the AUB Choir and the AUB Lebanese Red Cross Club. So if there was anything that

“I always told people that two of my unforgettable memories at AUB are being a proud member of the AUB Choir and the AUB Lebanese Red Cross Club.” Christine Basha, BBA ’12 2010s John Justin Hayden (MA ’11) worked with a team of advisers on the recent launch of Zoomaal, the first general nader dalibalta (BA ’07, MA ’10) and crowd funding platform in the Arab made me want to stay at AUB and not ola osta (BBA ’10) write that although world (based on the Kickstarter model). graduate, it was those two activities. I they are both from Saida, Lebanon, it Zoomaal is backed by four venture am the first member of my family to was at AUB that their beautiful story capital firms led by the multifaceted study at AUB and will definitely make began. They were married on entrepreneur and FEA student this a tradition for the upcoming December 13, 2012, and had their Abdallah Absi. generations of my future family!" wedding photos taken on campus. www.zoomaal.com christinebasha(at)gmail.com 6766

The Reveal

“Gufool 3, Masjid Al Camille Zakharia (BEN ’85) lived in Sadiq Bahrain” is part the United States, Greece, Turkey, and of a series titled Canada after leaving Lebanon during Distorted Memories. It was first exhibited in the civil war. He moved to Bahrain in a large-scale, lens- 1999. Camille earned a BFA from based project, “My NSCAD University in Halifax, Canada Father’s House” organized by the in 1997. His “Coastal Promenade” was British Council which the photographic essay for the Reclaim toured the Middle project that earned Bahrain the Golden East from February 2009 to March 2010. Lion Award for best national pavilion The Distorted at the Venice Biennale of Architecture Memories: The changing character of in 2010. In 2009, he was a finalist for Bahrain series is a the prestigious Victoria and Albert metaphysical journey Museum's Jameel Prize for Islamic around the island Camille has made his Art. Camille’s works can be seen in home. Though the many public collections, including individual pictures the Canadian Museum of Civilization, appear to be realistic, they are in fact the Victoria and Albert Museum, composite collages, Musée suisse de l'appareil through which photographique, the Wichita Center Camille tries to capture his personal for the Arts, National Museum of impressions and Bahrain, Qatar Museum Authority, recollections of and Saint Mary’s University Art places – landscapes and cityscapes, Gallery. His work will be showcased deserts and villages – at the Fotofest 2014 Biennale in that are already lost. Camel markets and Houston, Texas. traditional shop windows have been Camille is represented by Taymour replaced by commercial Grahne Gallery, New York. complexes; festivals and elections have come and gone; surreal situations and odd juxtapositions may or may not have occurred. Through his images Camille also raises questions about “the reliability of memory, the very basis of history and identity.” In Memoriam

In Memoriam

HE Ahmad Abdul-Jabbar passed away on He was among the 50 delegates from around Alumni September 29 in Geneva, Switzerland at the the world who gathered in San Francisco to

Above: Water color age of 92. After earning his BA in political sign a charter to form the United Nations in painting by Naziha studies at AUB, he earned a master’s degree in 1945. Ahmad was also a recognized writer Hamzah Knio political science at Georgetown University. and poet who published in Saudi, Lebanese, Ahmad was Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the Italian, and German journals. He is survived Notices for United Nations for more than 30 years starting by three daughters: maha (BA ’70), Rima In Memoriam in 1960. He also served as the Saudi (BA ’71), and Lina. His daughters established may be sent to maingate(at)aub.edu.lb HE Ahmad Abdul-Jabbar ambassador to Japan, Germany, and Italy, an endowed scholarship at AUB in their (BA ’43) and held various posts in the Royal cabinet father’s name in 2004. in Riyadh.

Samir Hajj, a respected gynecological of his career as a professor and section chief surgeon and a beloved teacher, Samir was of gynecologic surgery, retiring in 2007. Samir born in Aley, Lebanon in 1932, and passed maintained a deep commitment to AUB and away on August 28 at his home in San Diego, Lebanon throughout his life, and remained California. He completed an internship and active in civic affairs as a sought-after residency in surgery at the American consultant to government ministers. Samir is University Hospital in 1958, followed by a survived by his wife Dorothy Farnworth Hajj; residency at the Lying-In Hospital of Harvard sister Afaf Najib Hajj; daughters Dana Medical School. Dr. Hajj joined AUB’s Faculty Farnworth Hajj-Weaver, Karin Maya Hajj, and Samir najib Hajj of Medicine in 1963 and became the first Randa Suzanne Hajj; son Ramzi Samir Hajj (BA ’52, MD ’56) non-American chairman of the Department of and his wife, Jennifer Marie; and one OB/GYN in 1973. In 1981, he moved to the granddaughter. University of Chicago where he spent the rest

naziha Knio passed away on May 13 in Beirut. the only female teacher in the boys’ section She was a painter and an educator who spent of the Suq el-Gharb High School. She married her early childhood in Nablus and Tulkarm, Dr. Mohammed Knio and raised their two Palestine. Naziha went to Beirut College for children in Beirut: Professor omar Knio (BEN Women, (now LAU), and then on to AUB, ’84), and AUB Professor Khouzama Knio (BS where her father, daher Hamzah (BA ’25), ’84, MS ’87). Naziha served as president of studied,and where she developed a deep the LAU Alumni Club and participated in appreciation for the arts and democratic various art exhibits. naziha Hamzah Knio values. After graduation, Naziha became (BA ’55, mA ’60) 6968

John I. domian was born in Haifa, Palestine In 1984, Domian immigrated to the United Alumni on October 17, 1937. He passed away on States and settled in the Los Angeles area August 26, at the age of 75 in Los Angeles, with his family. After earning California California. With a degree in pharmacy, John State Board Certification, he worked with went to work for the multinational the pharmaceutical provider, Merck-Medco, corporation 3M, but soon joined his father at as a consultant in strategic planning. John Domian Pharmacy on Abdul Aziz Street in retired in 1999 after a successful and fulfilling Ras Beirut. Under his stewardship, the career. He is survived by his wife Viviane pharmacy became an integral part of the Ras Farah domian (BBA ’63), three children, John I. domian Beirut community. Dina, Ibrahim, and Dahlia, and five (BS ’61) grandchildren.

Amin Fekrat passed away on June 23 University in Mashad. He subsequently served in northern Virginia. Amin received his as Iran’s cultural attaché in New Delhi, India, doctorate in educational psychology from before returning to the United States. He is Amin Fekrat Indiana University and taught in the United survived by his wife of 50 years, Homa, two (BA ’62) States before going back to Iran to lead the sons, Bruce and Brian, a daughter, Soraya, newly-built school of education at Ferdowsi and two grandsons.

Hassan Smadi was born in Damascus, Syria founder of SV Properties and Construction in 1941, and passed away in Beirut on March SAL, a real estate development company 16. A successful businessman and real estate focused on high-end residential projects developer, Hassan was the coowner of Orient such as 3Beirut. He is survived by his wife Hassan Smadi Company Weavers Ltd (OCC Weavers), a Randa Fouad Al Farra (BA ʼ62, MA ʼ65); (BEN ’63) general contracting company established three children, Wael, Nadine, and Faris; in Saudi Arabia over 30 years ago; and the two brothers, and a sister.

Khalil Abdel-Rahman Sinno was born on boards and dedicated his life to serving those April 18, 1948 in Beirut and passed away on less fortunate. He was president of the jazz July 8. Upon receiving his medical degree, he committee at the Baalbeck festival for many boarded the last plane out of war-torn Beirut years and served on its executive committee and headed to North Carolina where he for more than a decade. In 2012, Khalil was completed his residency in urology. He later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Even in went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric the terminal stages of the disease, he still urology at the Mayo Clinic. Khalil’s love for found the energy to be humorous and cheerful. Lebanon compelled him to return in 1980 Despite being on chemotherapy, he continued despite being offered a position at the Mayo to attend concerts, and to enjoy the beach Clinic. He married the love of his life, Zane and his beautiful mountain house and garden Siraj (BA ’74, MA ’77), with whom he had in Sofar. A truly free spirit who would jump Khalil Abdel-Rahman Sinno three children: ola (BGD ’04), Abdul Rahman into a joyful dance whenever he heard a tune, (BS ’70, md ’75) (BS ’04, MD ’08), and Hamed (BFA ’11). he was also a physician, a husband, a father, Dr. Sinno was an associate physician at AUBMC a friend, a cultural figure in Lebanon, and maintained his private practice in the and a philanthropist. He lived a happy life Blue Building. He served on multiple NGO devoted to service.

Saad Abdul-latif died suddenly on August 19 board member of World Links, the founder while on vacation with his family in Italy. He of PepsiCo’s Tomooh education program, and earned his BA in public administration and an International Council Member of Harvard an MBA from the Thunderbird School of University’s Belfer Center for Science and Global Management in Arizona. Saad was International Affairs, Saad was also chief executive officer of PepsiCo for the Asia, a long-time supporter of AUB's financial aid Middle East, and Africa sector. He was a programs, and the WAAAUB Dubai and committed philanthropist who supported Northern Emirates chapter. He is survived by many educational causes. A board member of his wife Alya, and their three children Saad Abdul-latif Planet Finance, former chairman and current Steve (BA ’03), Kareem, and Ramzi. (BA ’75) In Memoriam

Friends Jassim Abdulaziz Al-Qatami was born in He participated in the drafting of Kuwait’s Kuwait in 1927, and passed away on June 29, first constitution, and fought tirelessly for 2012. He was a well-known figure in the Arab reforms that would lay the foundation for world, a strong and effective human rights democracy in his country, including issues of Jassim Abdulaziz advocate; a founding member and president women's rights, youth rights, and equality for Al-Qatami of the Arab and the Kuwaiti Associations for all. AUB’s impressive Jassim Al-Qatami Human Rights; a generous supporter of the Engineering Lecture Hall is the result of his arts, education, and scientific training in the generosity to the University and his strong Arab world; and an Arab nationalist. belief in higher education.

Edward nicol was born in Minneapolis, workers. Upon retirement, he began a 32-year Minnesota, and passed away in Baltimore, career volunteering for Meals on Wheels, an Maryland on January 13, at the age of 96. The organization that delivers meals to people in son of missionaries, he was raised in Beirut, need. Throughout his long life of service to and graduated from the American others, Edward maintained a lively interest in Community School in 1934, and from Oberlin the arts. He enjoyed acting in regional Edward Van Cleve nicol College in Ohio in 1938. In 1942 he was theater and writing poetry. He also published stationed in Africa with the Army Air Force. a memoir of his childhood in Beirut, entitled He worked for the Social Security One Brief Moment. He is predeceased by his Administration (SSA), first as a field wife of 65 years, Mary Chuey, and survived by representative in Youngstown, Ohio, and then his sister Margaret Nicol Gutelius, his devoted in public affairs at the SSA headquarters in daughter Susan Saunders, her husband Larry, Baltimore where his duties included and by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, explaining the SSA system to migrant as well as many loving friends and neighbors.

My children and I established the George K. He worked hard and diligently for many Our Farah Endowed Scholarship to honor the years. With this scholarship, we pay tribute legacy of my late husband, George Farah. to his legacy of hard work, hope, kindness, Legacy Although he was forced to abandon his own and respect. We are also helping Palestinian dreams of attending university and studying students at AUB to pursue their own dreams. law when he and his family were uprooted from their homes in Palestine in 1948, he mary Farah, daughters mona and may never abandoned his dream to succeed in life. (mA ’97), and son John

We Remember

Joseph Sackler MD ’40 Tony B. Ramlawi BBA ’59 Bassem A. Abyad BS ’82, MD ’87 nehayat n. Zein Nursing DIPLM ’43 nawal S. Halaby BA ’60 Khaled A. Sudki BEN ’87 Edmond m. Jbara BA ’50 nemi maroun Jabbur BBA ’60 Raja Wadih mufarrij BS ’93 BBA ’61 Elias B. debbas BA ’51, BEN ’52 George Spiridon Haddad Ali Hachem Kheireddine BEN ’11 Samir A. Ishak BA ’61 Richard K. mishalani BA ’51, BEN ’52 dana mustapha Karmouta Student nabil F. Serhan BA ’64 Samir n. Hajj BA ’52, MD ’56 Ibrahim S. El Hajj Parent liliane diab Gholmieh BA ’68 Henry F. Batruni BBA ’54 muna Iskandar Karmouta Parent Constantine (Costi) Baramki BS ’69, Aida Kutran Shamma Public Health MS ’71 Richard G. Wood Former Faculty DIPLM ’57 Member Jecton o. menya BA ’69 maaz S. Khayri BEN ’58 nabil Amin Hilal BS ’70, Basile Antoine meguerdiche Former Student Sami S. Hawi, phd BA ’59, MA ’66 MS ’73 Bishara m. lorenzo Friend Wadi' n. Saoud BS ’70 7170 Iron Grill The man who created, designed, made, and installed the distinctive iron grill above the main gate of AUB on Bliss Street was Abed Al Fattah Sidani. He was a local blacksmith and also the father of twin sons, Adel and Seif El Deen, both AUB alumni. It is a defining symbol of AUB.

The grill also

inspired the new logo of our magazine.

Return Address

American University of Beirut 3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 8th Floor New York, NY 10017-2303

Students clambered through the windows of Assembly Hall for a glimpse of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1960.

Were you there? Tell us more at maingate(at)aub.edu.lb