The American University of Beirut lost a treasured friend recently when Trustee Kamal A. Shair passed away on August 21, 2008. Although he was a generous friend and supported many initiatives on campus, we will miss him most because of his wise counsel and tireless dedication. If he were still with us, he would be one of the loudest and most persistent voices reminding us that despite our fundraising successes in recent years, there is still work to be done: to increase the money available for financial aid; to complete the unfnished construction projects on campus, to support the PhD programs that we re-introduced only a year ago, and to invest in the many worthy initiatives at the AUB Medical Center.
   Despite the significant increase in AUB’s financial aid program in recent years, we will need to continue raising funds for scholarships – for both current use and endowment support. Our ability to do so is critical to maintaining one of the most important aspects of the AUB experience – the diversity of its student body. In 2007-08, AUB awarded $10.4 million in

need-based financial aid grants, merit scholarships, student work-study, and interest on loans for 2,668 students majoring in business, engineering, and medicine and granted another $3.4 million in the form of 817 graduate assistantships.
   Another of the University’s highest priorities going forward is to strengthen the AUB Medical Center. Thanks to the generosity of some of our donors, AUB now boasts the Rafic Hariri School of Nursing, the multidisciplinary Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute, the Abu-Haidar Neuroscience Institute, which provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for children and adults suffering from a wide range of neurological and psychiatric conditions, and the Pierre Y. Aboukhater (Fahed) Medical Arts Facility, which includes the Graham and Meredith Rooke Wound Care Center and private clinics. There have been other changes at the Medical Center as well: accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCIA) on January 2, 2008 and dramatic increases in both research productivity and external funding at the Faculty of Medicine. Te research that is taking place at AUBMC is reflected in a richer educational experience for our students, a greater understanding of some of the most important health care issues in the region, and enhanced medical care for our patients.
   We greatly appreciate the enthusiastic and loyal support that AUB receives from men and women around the world. I would like to especially acknowledge – and thank – my fellow trustees who continue to lead the way with their very generous gifts to the University as they have for so many years.