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Class Reunion 2008 |
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More than 700 alumni converged on the AUB campus this summer to attend an activities- packed reunion organized by the Worldwide Alumni Association of the American University of Beirut (WAAAUB).
From June 30 to July 2, 11 classes from 1953-2003 celebrating their 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th , 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, and 55th reunions got a chance to rediscover the campus and meet old friends. On June 30, more than 160 alumni were honored on the occasion of their 25th and 50th reunions at a ceremony in Assembly Hall attended by President John Waterbury and a large crowd of AUB alumni and friends. 1958 graduate and keynote speaker Adnan Bseisu, chairman and CEO of the Bahrain-based Middle East Consultancy Center, spoke about the impact on his life of the four principles that he learned at AUB: the value of a liberal arts education, freedom of thought and expression, tolerance for others, and respect for diversity and dialogue. Alumnus and TV talk show host Ricardo Karam (BS 1991) inspired the crowd in Assembly Hall with words of hope: “You, dear alumni, are the creators of success,” he said. “We are here tonight to say that Beirut will shine for ever... as long as AUB and its alumni hold onto their drive to succeed. Beirut is proud of you. AUB is proud of you.” This remarkable evening ended with a rooftop reception at the recently opened Charles W. Hostler Student Center.
Keynote speaker Saudi ARAMCO President and Chief Executive Officer Abdallah S. Jum’ah (BA 1968) launched the second day of Reunion 2008 by urging fellow alumni to uphold AUB’s educational mission: “The University stands proudly as a bastion of civilized discourse, intellectual inquiry, and of the primacy of peace over war and mind over might...And I can’t help but think that this would be a much better and brighter world for all, if the spirit of AUB was encountered more often and in more places...”. The next item on the agenda for AUB alumni was the opportunity to attend a briefing from the dean on the most recent developments in each of AUB’s six faculties.
Everyone gathered later that evening for a night to remember: an open-air concert on the Green Oval by Hanine y Son Cubano. Reunion activities on the third and final day featured a brunch at Mir Amin Hotel and a gala dinner at the Saint Georges Yacht Club. | | | |
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