Check Archive

• Al-Mustqbal of June 1 published an article on a lecture given by AUB's president John Waterbury entitled "My Journey in Political Economy and Public Policy: Reflections from the Arab World and other Developing Countries." The papers said that the lecture was organized by AUB's Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs.

• The Central New Agency, The Daily Star, Al-Anwar, Al-Liwa,  Al-Bayraq, Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, An-Nahar and As-Safir of June 3 reported that AUB will award honorary doctorates to Hanan M. Ashrawi, official spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation during the Middle East Peace Negotiations, Artist Mona Hatoum, Amnesty International secretary general (since August 2001) Irene Khan, president of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research since 1993, Georges Tohme, and Orhan Pamuk, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature. The papers said the ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 28, shortly before the 139th Commencement Exercises.

• The Daily Star of June 3 published an article by Esther Krenz Muller about the crucial problem faced by Lebanese beekeepers, who are loosing their bees. The paper included the opinion of several experts including AUB Professor Rami Ollaik, who said that AUB organized the first national bee-keeping conference in 2001 to launch a seven-year strategic plan in the hope of developing the sector.

• The Daily Star, Al-Liwa, L'Orient Le Jour, Al-Akhbar, An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Balad, As-Safir, Al-Anwar and Al-Bayraq of June 3 reported at length on the ceremony in Inter-Continental Phoenicia Hotel, for distributing the 2008 Samir Kassir Award for the Freedom of Press.  Papers said that the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Lebanon Patrick Laurent and Gisele Khoury, Kassir's widow presented the awards. The first winner was Lebanese Saint-Jospeh Student Marwan Harb, who received "Young Researchers" portion of the award and $ 10 000 for his thesis. The second award for journalism (15,000 Euros) was received by 30-year old Palestinian Journalist Naela Khalil.

• L'Orient Le Jour of June 3 reported on Gregory Buchakjian's exhibition in Guerilla store in Achrafieh. The paper included a brief biography of Buchakjian saying he participated in many activities in different places like AUB.

• Al-Akhbar of June 3 reported on the " Honey day" launched at AUB campus. The paper included the opinion of several AUB students, who talked about the importance of bee-keeping. The paper added that AUB Professor Rami Ollaik participated in this activity, trying to answer all the questions raised by the students interested in bee and honey.

• An-Nahar of June 3 reported that the Egyptian Ambassador Ahmad al-Bidawi in Lebanon had been admitted to AUBMC. The paper said that the physicians confirmed that his health is getting better.

• The Central News Agency, An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Ash-Sharq, Al-Akhbar, Al-Liwa, Al-Bayraq, As-Safir, Al-Anwar and the Daily Star of June 4 reported that AUB President John Waterbury has been named the first Distinguished Senior Public Policy Fellow at the Issam Fares Institute (IFI) for Public Policy and International Affairs at AUB. Waterbury will take up his appointment as of August 1, after he steps down from the AUB presidency that he held for the past ten years. Papers carried the statements by IFI Director Rami G. Khouri, and President Waterbury.

• L'Orient Le Jour, Al-Anwar, As-Safir, Al-Balad, Al-Liwa, Ad-Diyar, Al-Bayraq, An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Ash-Sharq and Al-AKhbar of June 4 announced that AUB's rugby team lost to Junieh team in the half-final rounds of the Beirut Bank Rugby League championship (12/14).

• An-Nahar of June 4 published an interview with Dr. Fadi Bitar, pediatric cardiologist at the Children's Heart Center at AUBMC and Brave Heart Fund Co-Founder Jumana Ghandour Atallah  about the role played by the fund and the difference it made in the lives of many children and their families.

• An-Nahar of June 4 reported on the results of the BAU Football University Championship, saying that AUB lost to NDU (4-5).

• The Daily Star of June 5 published an article by Mahmoud Zaatari about Sidon Public Hospital which is expected to grow in importance. The paper included an interview with the Head of the Hospital's Administrative Board Ali Abdel-Jawad who said that the facility had signed an agreement with AUB which adopted the Sidon Hospital as a training center for its medicine students.

• Al-Akhbar of June 5 reported on the concerts held by Rima Khsheish in different places in Beirut. The concerts included "Ya Lilly" which she performed at AUB.

• Al-Anwar of June 5 reviewed the content of the book about Basheer Ad-Daouk published by Dar At-Taliaa Press in May 2008. The paper said that Ghada As-Samman, Ad-Daouk's widow, who wrote the forward in the book, outlining her memories with her husband in 10 pages. The paper said that Basheer Ad-Daouk, Founder of At-Taliaa Press, used to teach at AUB.

• Al-Liwa of June 5 and Al-Mustaqbal of June 6 reported on the spring 2008 volume of Maingate quarterly magazine which carried the title "How Green is AUB?"

• An-Nahar, Al-Balad, Ad-Diyar, As-Safir, Al-Anwar, Al-Liwa, Al-Mustaqbal, The Daily Star and L'Orient Le Jour of June 6 reported that AUB President John Waterbury received an honorary doctorate from Princeton University along with four other distinguished individuals recognized for their contributions to humanitarian efforts, music and entertainment, political theory, science and medicine, literature and higher learning. The papers sid that Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman made the wards during the university's Commencement exercises. Papers said that Waterbury, who graduated from Princeton in 1961, had also been awarded an honorary doctorate from American University in Cairo in 2003 and was for nearly 20 years, on the faculty at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

• Al-Akhbar, As-Safir, the National News Agency and the Daily Star of June 6 reported on the ceremony to grant speciality diplomas to 55 new resident doctors after completing their training in 25 areas of specialty in medicine. The papers said the ceremony will be held on the same day at 6 pm.

• Al-Anwar, Al-Liwa, Al-Mustaqbal, Ash-Sharq, Al-Balad, Ad-Diyar and L'Orient Le Jour of June 6 reported that USEK had won the University Basketball Championship and that AUB had participated in the tournament.

• Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa and As-Safir of June 7 reported on the ceremony in Issam Fares Hall on June 6 to grant specialty diplomas to 55 new resident doctors after completing their training in 25 areas of specialty in medicine. Papers said that Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education Thurayya Arayssi welcomed graduates and guests and introduced speakers and excerpted the addresses by Provost Peter Heath, representing AUB President John Waterbury; Dr. Nadim Cortas, VP for Medical Affairs and the Medical Center, Dr. George Aftimos, president of the Lebanese Order of Physiscians,  Dr. Mohammed Khalifeh, outgoing health minister and a member of the AUBMC faculty and Dr. Charbel Rameh, who delivered an address on behalf of the graduating class.

• An-Nahar, Ash-Sharq, Al-Bayraq and Al-Balad of June 9 reported on the participation of the President of al-Walid Bin Talal Foundation Leila Solh in the celebrations and activities held at AUB marking the International Day for Biological Diversity with the participation of AUB Provost Dr. Peter Heath and IBSAR Director Dr. Salma Talhouq.

• The Daily Star of June 9 published an article by Elias Sakr about the negative influence of Lebanese media on the political crisis.The Paper included the opinion of several experts including AUB Professor Nabil Dajani, who said that the Lebanese media is only reinforcing existing attitudes and accentuating them, but not forcing them.

• An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, As-Safir, Al-Liwa, Al-Anwar and the Daily Star of June 10 carried the statement by the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, the faculty of Medicine and AUB Medical Center, mourning their young clinical pediatrician Nancy Malek, who died on June 8 at the age 38. Papers included a brief biography of Dr. Malek, praising her personality, professionalism and devotion. A picture of Dr. Malek was included in most papers.

• Al-Mustaqbal of June 10 reported on the ceremony held in Gefinor-Rotana Hotel, launching the "Ten grades campaign for Healthy Nutrition", by the Lebanese Society for Nutrition and Food Sciences." Papers excerpted the addresses by the participants including the President of the Society and Dean of AUB FAFS Nahla Hwallah and AUB Nutrition Coordinator Dr. Omar Obeid.

• An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, As-Safir, Al-Liwa, Al-Anwar and the Daily Star of June 10 carried the statement by the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, the faculty of Medicine and AUB Medical Center, mourning their Clinical Pediatrician Nancy Malek, who died on June 8, aged 38. Papers included a photo and a brief biography of Dr. Malek, praising her personality, professionalism and devotion in work.

• Al-Mustaqbal of June 10, As-Safir and Al-Liwa of June 12 reported on the ceremony in Gefinor-Rotana Hotel, launching the "Ten Grades Campaign for Healthy Nutrition", by the Lebanese Society for Nutrition and Food Sciences." Papers excerpted the addresses by the participants including the President of the Society and Dean of AUB FAFS Nahla Hwallah and AUB Nutrition Coordinator Dr. Omar Obeid.

• Al-Anwar, An-Nahar, Al-Bayraq, Al-Mustaqbal and the Central News Agency of June 11 reported on the ceremony in Issam Fares Hall on Friday June 6 to grant specialty diplomas to 55 new resident doctors after completing their training in 25 areas of specialty in medicine. Papers said that Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education Thurayya Arayssi welcomed graduates and guests and introduced speakers. The papers excerpted the addresses by participants. Provost Peter Heath, representing AUB President John Waterbury, said: "The path was long, and the work was difficult, but now you have reached the point to which you aspired so many years ago. I congratulate you on this signal achievement." Dr. Nadim Cortas, VP for Medical Affairs and the Medical Center, said: "Beware of stagnating in your profession." Dr. George Aftimos, president of the Lebanese Order of Physicians reminded graduates of the values they have pledged to uphold through their medical oath. Dr. Mohammed Khalifeh, outgoing health minister and a member of the AUBMC faculty said: "Embrace the new phase you are embarking on ... and remember that you are graduates of one of the best and most noble universities." Dr. Charbel Rameh delivered an address on behalf of the graduating class. He said that the medical profession is not merely a career or the application of accumulated knowledge, but a way of life that is characterized by caring for others.

• The Daily Star of June 11, Al-Mustaqbal of June 12 and L'Orient-Le jour of June 17 reported on the Graduation Ceremony held by ACS at Assembly Hall. The paper said that the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy William Grant represented Charge d'Affaires Michele Sison in presenting the US Presidential Awards for outstanding students.

• As-Safir of June 11 announced that the Graduation Ceremony of the International College (IC) will be held at Assembly Hall on June 12. The paper said that keynote speaker of the ceremony will be Raymond Audi, General Manager of Bank Audi.

• An-Nahar of June 11 reported that AUB ranked 13th in the Lebanese Champions' League indoor football competition.

• An-Nahar of June 11 carried the announcement by CityBank Group, that they were donating $50,000 to AUB, as grants for distinguished students of Olayan School of Business. The paper said that the Group donations to AUB reached $250,000 between the years 2000 and 2006. It also carried the statements by the President of the Group Walter Sioufi and AUB Assistant VP of Development Imad Baalbaki.

• The Daily Star of June 12 and < http://www.cyberia.net .lb >cyberia.net (Lebanon) of June 13 published an article by Michael Bluhm about the political crisis in Lebanon and developments after the Doha Summit held on May 21. The paper included the opinion of several experts including AUB Political Science Professor Ahmad Moussalli who believed that politicians might use violence again to feed their electoral bases in May next year.

• The Daily Star of June 13 reported on the Graduation Ceremony of International College (IC) held at Assembly Hall on June 12. The paper said that awards for outstanding students were distributed in the ceremony.

• An-Nahar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Liwa, Al-Anwar, Ash-Sharq and Al-Bayraq of June 13 and Al-Akhbar of June 14 reported on the ceremony held in the US Embassy in Lebanon where some 40 Lebanese students were chosen to go to the US as part of three cultural exchange programs launched by the embassy for the academic years 2008-09. Papers carried the statement by the Embassy and said that the Charge d'Affaires Michele Sison was among the participants and welcomed the students.

• Al-Mustaqbal, An-Nahar, As-Safir and Al-Liwa of June 13 and Ad-Diyar of June 14 reported that two surgeons from the AUBMC, head and neck surgeon Usama Hadi and neurosurgeon Marwan Najjar, have successfully performed, over the past three months, six endoscopic endonasal surgeries for the removal of pituitary tumors. Papers carried the statements by both physicians and included a brief biography of both saying that Dr. Hadi, an AUB Medical School graduate, joined AUBMC in 1992 and is currently a clinical professor of otolaryngology and head and neck surgeon at AUBMC, and that Dr. Najjar, an AUB Medical School graduate, joined AUBMC as faculty member in 2006, and is currently an assistant professor of clinical surgery at AUBMC's neurosurgery department.

• An-Nahar of June 13 published an article by Dr. Iliyya Qastoun, a professor in Germany, about the status of universities in Lebanon and their reputation and importance worldwide. The paper ranked AUB as the first in Lebanon, third in Middle East, 1382th in the world.

• An-Nahar of June 14 reported on the Graduation Ceremony of International College (IC) held at Assembly Hall on June 12. The paper said that LAU President Joseph Jabra, and the keynote speaker of the ceremony General Manager of Bank Audi Raymond Audi were among the participants.

• An-Nahar, Ash-Sharq, Ad-Diyar and Al-Bayraq of June 14 reported on the results of the University Tournament in Athletics held by the Lebanese Federation for University Sports in cooperation with the National committee organizing Francophone games. Papers said that AUB was among the participants and that Jad Hashem of AUB ranked second in the 3000 m contest for men and Gloria Mousallim also from AUB in the 3000 m contest for women.

• Al-Mustaqbal of June 14 published an article by Afif Othman , reviewing the content of Wahib Maalouf's new book "The Hardworking Parliament Member: The memoirs of Abdullah Al-Hajj (1899-1975). The paper said that Al-Hajj, born in Shiyyah, was at the Syrian Protestant College (currently AUB) from 1918 to 1922, where he joined the "The Elite of Literature Society." The paper talked about AUB's influence on Al-Hajj to become more liberal and secular.

• Al-Bayraq and As-Safir of June 16 and Al-Mustaqbal of July 17 reported that AUB had ranked 13th in Footstall 14th tournament as part of the Lebanese Champions' League.

• The Daily Star of June 17 published interviews with AUB students about smoking and the campaigns launched by AUB since May 15 to make the campus smoke-free. The interviews were conducted by Colin Chazen.

• An-Nahar of June 17 reported on the ceremony to grant speciality diplomas to 55 new resident doctors after completing their training in 25 areas of specialty in medicine. The paper said the ceremony will be held on the same day at 6 pm.

• The National News Agency (Lebanon) of June 17  reported that AUB will award honorary doctorates to Hanan M. Ashrawi, official spokesperson for the Palestinian Delegation during the Middle East Peace, Artist Mona Hatoum, Irene Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International (AI) since August 2001, Georges Tohme, president of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research since 1993, Orhan Pamuk, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature. The source said the ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 28, shortly before the 139th Commencement Exercises.

• Al-Akhbar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Anwar, L'Orient-Le Jour and the Daily Star of June 19 reported at length on the ceremony at AUBMC inaugurating the Hassan and Leila Idriss Pediatric Library. Al-Mustaqbal and Al-Anwar carried the statements by Dr. Mohammad Mikati chair of pediatrics department at AUBMC and Dr. Nadim Cortas, vp for medical affairs and the dean of the faculty of medicine and medical center. The library, which is located on the sixth floor, houses a sizable collection of pediatrics-related references, books, periodicals, softwares, and CD-ROMS.

• An-Nahar of June 19 reported that AUB had ranked the 11th in the 15th round of Footsalle as part of the Lebanese Champions' League in indoor football.

• Al-Akhbar of June 19 published an article about AUB's smoke-free campus campaign. The paper included the opinion of several officials including Dean of Student Affairs Maroun Kisirwani and Dr. Judy Makhoul of AUB public Health Faculty. Dean Kisirwani said that AUB knew before hand that students will not abide by the new policy. Dr. Makhoul talked about the gaps found in the decision. The paper said that 12.7 percent of AUB students are smokers and that AUB was the first educational institute in Lebanon which prohibited smoking inside its buildings, in the year 2000.

• The Daily Star of June 19 published an article by Mona Alami about the Lebanese media and how it reflects "a profoundly divided society." The Paper included the opinion of several experts including AUB Professor Nabil Dajani, who said that 82% of the Lebanese watch Television daily, making the power of the media all greater.

• Al-Balad, Al-Mustaqbal and Al-Anwar of June 20 reported on the inauguration of the Charles W. Hostler Student Center (CHSC) on May 23. Papers said that while the Center's facilities extend beyond the complex to include the AUB Beach, they comprise health and fitness rooms, an indoor 25-meter long swimming pool to be available for use in the near future, a multi-use gymnasium, three basketball courts, indoor soccer and handball courts, two squash courts, student activity rooms, a refurbished track and Green Field, a 280-seat auditorium, a cafe, an internet room, and an underground parking area for around 200 cars. The center was named after former ambassador and AUB alumnus Charles W. Hostler following his $11.7 million gift.

• Al-Mustaqbal and the Daily Star of June 21 reported on the conference held in Issam Fares Hall in AUB on the challenges faced by the nurses in Lebanon. Papers said that Lebanese hospitals are suffering from a shortage of nurses. Papers excerpted the addresses by most of the participants and said that Dr. Mohammed Khalifeh, outgoing health minister and a member of the AUBMC faculty; Dr. George Aftimos, president of the Lebanese Order of Physicians; Mr. Suleiman Haroun, president of the hospitals' syndicate; Dr. Noureddine Al-Kouch, director of the social health directorate in the Hariri hospital;Dr. Amal Manosur, program director of the sustainable health program at the ministry of health; Dr. Huda Huijer, director of AUB's School of Nursing; and  Gladys Mouro, the assistant hospital director for nursing at AUBMC were among the participants.

• The National News Agency of June 22 reported on the meeting in Lebanon by representatives of 56 private hospitals, launching a study related to their performance, funded by the world Health Organization (Lebanon Branch). The source said that Fadi Jirdli from the Health Administration and Policy Department at AUBMC was among the participants.

• An-Nahar of June 24 reported that AUB will award honorary doctorates during the ceremony which will take place on Saturday, June 28, shortly before the 139th Commencement Exercises. The paper added that AUB President John Waterbury will be the main speaker.

• Al-Balad of June 24 announced that a debate meeting will be held at AUB on Saturday June 28 on the effects of war on families in the Arab world.

• An-Nahar, As-Safir and Al-Liwa of June 26 reported on the AUB Alumni Association (Beirut) ceremony, honoring silver, gold and diamond jubilee alumni (1933, 1958 and 1983) at Bristol Hotel. Papers said that many politicians and dignitaries attended the ceremony. Most papers excerpted the addresses of the participants including the Association President Nehmeh Tohmeh, VP Fawaz Merehbi, the Advisor to the President Mona Kanaan, Fadela As-Sabbah , representing the Public Relations and the Students Affairs Committee, Anisa Najjar representing the graduates of 1933, Dr. Raeef Qassem representing the graduates of 1958, Dr. Marwan Iskandar, the vice-president of the Higher Council of the AUB Alumni Association and finally Dr. Michel Khoury, representing graduates of 1983.

• An-Nahar of June 26 published an article by Nayef Maalouf lauding the achievements of Dr. Georges Tohmeh, outlining his memories with him and his wife Henriette. In his article, the author lauded AUB for honoring people who deserve to be honored, awarding Dr. Tohmeh an honorary degree.

• Free Patriotic Movement (< http://tayyar.org>tayyar.org), The Central News Agency, An-Nahar, Al-Akhbar, As-Safir, Ad-Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Anwar, L'Orient Le Jour and The Daily Star of June 26 reported at length on the team of fourth-year engineering students who have successfully built the first solar-powered vehicle in the Arab World. Papers said that the team was lead by Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Daniel Asmar and included AUB students Elie Maalouf, Amin Kanafani, Ahmad Hamoud and Rawad el-Jurdi. The papers said that the car took almost nine months to be completed.

• The Daily Star of June 26 published an article by Daniel Phillips about the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), new plans of privatization in Lebanon. The paper included the opinion of several experts including AUB PCNS's Nabil Abu Khaled who said that Internet usage in Lebanon grew by 11,176.8 % from 2000 to 2008.

• L'Orient-Le Jour, The Central News Agency, An-Nahar, Ad-Diyar, Ash-Sharq, Al-Balad, Al-Liwa, As-Safir, Al-Anwar and Al-Mustaqbal of June 27 reported on the visit of a delegation representing different universities in Lebanon to Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, to discuss issues related to higher education in Lebanon. The paper said that Dr. Waddah Nasr of AUB was in the delegation.

• Ash-Sharq, An-Nahar, Al-Bayraq, Al-Liwa, As-Safir, Al-Anwar and Al-Mustaqbal of June 27 reported on the graduation ceremony of 13 physicians from the Makassid Association Hospital. The papers excerpted the addresses of the guest speakers, which included AUB's VP for Medical Affairs, Dean of Medicine and the Medical Center Dr. Nadim Cortas.

• An-Nahar of June 28 reported on the meeting headed by the President of the Public Work, Transportation, Energy and Water Parliamentary Committee, MP Mohammad Qabbani, setting up national plans to face the dangers of earthquakes. The paper said that AUB's expert in earthquakes Dr. Omar Harajli was among the participants.

• The Central News Agency, An-Nahar, Ash-Sharq, Al-Liwa and Al-Mustaqbal of June 28 reported on the meeting held by the Minister of Education Khaled Qabbani, with members of the Higher Education Council, discussing pending issues related to the universities of Lebanon, including the launching of PhD programs at AUB.

• Al-Akhbar and The Daily Star of June 28 reported on the same-day  ceremony at AUB, during which honorary doctorates will be awarded to Hanan M. Ashrawi, official spokesperson for the Palestinian Delegation during the Middle East Peace Negotiations, Artist Mona Hatoum, Irene Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International (AI) since August 2001, Georges Tohme, president of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research since 1993, and Orhan Pamuk, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature. The papers said the ceremony will take place shortly before the 139th Commencement Exercises.

• An-Nahar, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal and Al-Balad of June 29 and The Daily Star, L'Orient-Le Jour, As-Safir, Al-Liwa and Ash-Sharq of June 30 reported on the AUB ceremony which award honorary doctorates to Palestinian peace activist Hanan Ashrawi, Lebanese-Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum, Bangladeshi human rights activist Irene Khan, Turkish writer and Nobel Prize laureate Orhan Pamuk, and Lebanese environmentalist and scientist Georges Tohme, along with a surprise doctorate to President John Waterbury.
  "Over these last six years the arrival in Lebanon and on AUB's campus of outstanding citizens of the world, like those we honor today, has kept hope alive and affirmed the faith so many hold in Lebanon's and this university's future," said Waterbury, in his welcome remarks.
  Palestinian peace activist Hanan Ashrawi, who was introduced by Waterbury as a "scholar, writer, teacher, activist, elected representative, spokesperson, peace-maker...all these things and more" urged people not to allow themselves to succumb to complacency and to challenge not only the confines of prison cells and checkpoints, but also the blockade of ignorance and abuse.
  Waterbury then introduced London-based Lebanese-Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum as a provocative artist that "shocks and disturbs."
  Hatoum thanked AUB and her family, while noting the irony of having been rejected by AUB when she applied for undergraduate studies.
  While introducing Irene Khan, who was born in East Pakistan [now Bangladesh], and was secretary-general of Amnesty International, Waterbury quoted a 2006 speech she made in the West Bank, on International Human Rights Day. "History shows that it is not through fear but through hope and optimism that progress is achieved."
  Khan thanked AUB saying that in a region torn by violence and injustice, AUB has persisted in its mission to spread liberal thought and learning.
  About Turkish Nobel-laureate Orhan Pamuk, Waterbury said he is "Istanbul's current interpreter and prose painter." He said "One could no more take Orhan Pamuk out of Istanbul than Woody Allen out of New York, Naguib Mahfouz out of Cairo, or Fairouz out of Beirut." Pamuk, delivered a brief thank-you speech, in which he explained his motivation for writing: to address problems of the heart and those of the home.
  Finally, Waterbury introduced Lebanese environmentalist and scientific researcher, Georges Tohme, who is the president of the Board of Directors of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research and is the former president of the Lebanese University. He called him
  " a towering figure among Lebanon's naturalists and in many ways its first environmentalist".
  Tohme thanked AUB and acknowledged the high standards of its professors.
  Dr. Thomas Morris, chairman of the AUB Board of Trustees, then went up to the podium, congratulated recipients and expressed the Board of Trustees appreciation for the President's hard work. He then awarded him an Honorary Doctorate too.
  President Waterbury responded: "There is no institution in the world from which I would like to receive an honorary degree, as I would from AUB."

• An-Nahar, Al-Anwar, Al-Mustaqbal of June 29, and As-Safir, Al-Liwa, and the Daily Star of June 30 reported on the 2008 Commencement exercises at AUB which marked the end of President John Waterbury's 10-year term as president.
  In his keynote speech, Waterbury reminisced about his childhood and his 10 years as president of AUB, thanking all those who made them "wonderful." He also gave students the same advice his father had given him as a child: To try to leave a place better than you find it.
  Graduating business student Tarek Kawas gave the valedictorian speech, in which he urged his classmates to embrace their differences yet recognize what's common among them. The main commencement ceremony was held on the newly-renovated Green Field.
  Six students were awarded the Penrose Award of excellence, which recognizes, among students, a combination of scholarship, character, leadership and contribution to the University. The students were:
  Khairat Shafeek Habbal  (FAS)
  Melissa Maroun Moubarak (OSB)
  Claudia Georges Matta (FAFS)
  Hani Elias Joseph Tomeh (FEA)
  Farah Ali Atqi (FHS)
  Dina Mawaheb Mahmasani (SN)
  Melhem Hafez Bou Alwan (FM)

• Al-Mustaqbal of June 29 published an article reviewing the novel "The Two Heroes" written by an anonymous "Thak" (that one) who may have been the famous author Jirji Zaidan. Published in 1889. The novel summaries the story  of the main character in the novel whose name was Karim Maalouf and who became an AUB Medical School student after working in the shoes industry and in a restaurant. The paper said that his life story is very much similar to Zeidan's.

• An-Nahar of June 30 published an article by Suleiman Bakhti about AUB President John Waterbury, lauding his achievements in AUB and in the Arab region. The writer praised AUB for awarding Waterbury the honorary doctorate.

• An-Nahar of June 30 reported on the concert by the Adventist Evangelical School in support of Saint-Jude's CCCL.