Society of the Friends of the AUB Museum

The Executive Committee

Me. Antoine Abboud
Mrs. Tania Arab
Mrs. Jacqueline Ayyoub
Mrs. Helen Badaro
Dr. Leila Badre, Museum Director
Mrs. Lina Beydoun
Dr. Arda Ekmekji
Mrs. Nour Hakim
Mrs. Claude Issa
Mrs. Nora Jumblat
Mr. Henry Kettaneh
Mrs. Amal Saab
Mrs. Randa Smadi
Mrs. Dolly Talhame
Dr. Samir Thabet, President
Ms. Laila Tushan
Mr. Ziad Yamut

The AUB Museum is an illustrious center of Lebanese culture and heritage, of which AUB is especially proud. To support and promote the activities and programs of our Archaeological Museum, the Society of the Friends of the AUB Museum was formed in 1979. Members have been highly active ever since, and the 2001-2002 academic year was no exception. In addition to the gift shop, run by the society, regular lecture, trips, school activities and excursions are organized.

In 2001-2002, several lectures were held by prominent authorities on archaeology from AUB and abroad, covering a wide diversity of topics from ancient Egyptian jewelry, archaeology and the Bible to medieval architecture and Buddhist art and its influence on Islam. Notable lecturers included Dr. Lamia Al-Gailani, Mrs. Shahira Mehrez, Countess Monique Riccardi-Cubitt, Dr. Jeanine Abdul Massih, Professor Geza Fehervari, Dr. John Michell, and Dr. Helen Sader.

In addition to the specialized lectures and presentations, the Society of the Friends of the AUB Museum also gives special care to educating children in schools using fun and interest-sparking topics and methods. Children’s Programs in 2001-2002 were: “Cite des Emirs,” “Pre-Colombian Civilizations ‘Motifs and Masks,’” “History of Numbers, ” and “Garden Walk on Silk Road.”

Various trips were also organized throughout the year. Hauran and Resafe (Syria), Sicily, Ras Baalbeck, and the AUB Museum excavations at Tell Kazel, Syria, were among the destinations.