American University of Beirut - Office of the President

Marquand House - under construction

Marquand House (the bell in foreground is no longer there as it was reinstalled in the Clock Tower of College Hall after renovations)

History of the Office

Marquand House, completed and occupied in 1879, has been the residence of all presidents of the University. The second and fourth presidents, Dr. Howard Bliss and Dr. Stephen Penrose, died while in office. Dr. Malcolm Kerr, the ninth president, was assassinated on January 18,1984. To read the profiles of previous presidents, click on the name.

President	Dr. Daniel Bliss	1866-1902
President	Dr. Howard S. Bliss	1902-1920
Acting President	Dean Edward F. Nickoley	1920-1923
President	Dr. Bayard Dodge	1923-1948
President	Dr. Stephen B.L. Penrose, Jr.	1948-1954
Acting President	Dr. Constantin K. Zurayk	1954-1957
President	Dr. J. Paul Leonard	1957-1961
President	Mr. Norman Burns	1961-1965
President	Dr. Samuel B. Kirkwood	1965-1976
Interim President	Dr. James Cowan	1976-1977
President	Dr. Harold E. Hoelscher	1977-1981
Acting President	Mr. David S. Dodge	1981-1982
President	Dr. Malcolm H. Kerr	1981-1984
Acting President	Dr. Samir K. Thabet	1984
President	Dr. Calvin Plimpton	1984-1987
President	Dr. Frederic P. Herter	1987-1993
President	Dr. Robert M. Haddad	1993-1996
President	Mr. David S. Dodge	1996-1997
President	Dr. John Waterbury	1997-2008

President

Peter F. Dorman

2008- present