IC NEWSLETTER SPRING 2024

Restorative discipline:

A new approach to discipline at IC

The Prep School: The Beginning

Board of Trustees

Donald J. Selinger, Chairman

Imad Taher ‘58, Vice Chairman

John Khabbaz, Treasurer

William H. Turner, Assistant Treasurer

Bayard Dodge, Secretary

Gerrit Keator, Assistant Secretary

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Adelman

Selim Bassoul

Wael O. Bayazid ‘70

Jonathan (Jon) A. Conner

Frederik O. Crawford

Walid Daouk ‘76

T.M. (Mac) Deford

Amal A. Ghandour

Keith Gillespie

Yusuf A. Kan’an ‘71

Theodore May

Marwan A. Marshi ‘79

Safwan Masri

John G. McCarthy, Jr.

Christopher McGrath

Maher Mikati ‘98

Karim Noueihed ‘98

Mirna B. Noujaim

Ian Reed

Matthew A. Reynolds

Mu’taz Sawaf ‘69

Talal K. Shair ‘83

Issam Shammas ‘63

Rabih Shibli

Ahmed Tayeb

Maya Tohme (Nassar)

Richard S. Ward

Trustees Emeriti

Makram N. Alamuddin ‘61

Mona Bawarshi ‘67

Said S. Darwazah ‘76

Peter H. Gerard

Anthony Jones

Anwar Al Mulla ‘63

Aida Reed (Luce)

Mohammed S. H. Al-Soleiman ‘59

Khalid Al-Turki ‘61 Administration

Joel Peinado – President

Moufid Beydoun – Vice President for Alumni & Major Gifts

Nawal Haddad - Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Mahmoud Shihab – Vice President for Educational Development and Technology

Talal Jundi - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Tania Hayek – Director, Human Resources

Dr. Ghada Mahdoun – Director, Preschool

Kathy Khayatt – Director, Elementary School

Maya Chebaro - Director, Middle School

Dr. Meghan Khairallah – Director, Secondary School

Zeina Abou Khalil – Director, Lower School, Ain-Aar

Lara Kmeid - Director, Upper School, Ain-Aar

Letter from the Vice President LETTER

To us alumni, IC has been more than just an excellent school that shaped our future. It’s where we had life-changing experiences, created lasting relationships, and formed memories that will never fade.

Just thinking about IC makes us feel proud and nostalgic, taking us back to the happy days we had together. At reunions, we come together to catch up with old friends and relive those cherished moments.

During our 50th reunions, alumni fly in from the US, Europe, and beyond just for that one evening at IC, back on their beloved Ras Beirut campus. It’s heartwarming to hear everyone say how much they miss IC.

The affinity that we all have, what we call the IC spirit, is really amazing. When I was addressing the graduating classes of 2024, I told them that once they leave here, they will miss IC and their teachers, staff, and friends. But I promised them they would be joining one of the best alumni networks worldwide, so they would always be part of the IC family. And IC will always be their home.

As for our alumni and IC friends, you have repeatedly shown your unwavering support and generosity.

On behalf of the IC community, I thank you.

Best regards,

Moufid Beydoun ‘64

Vice President for Major Gifts and Interim Director of Alumni & Advancement

ERC THE BEGINNING

OnMonday, May 31, 1971, at 4:15 p.m., the IC heads of departments and the academic committee members met at the elementary school library.

The meeting was called to order by IC’s Executive Vice President, Dr. George Rochfort Jr. He was eager to introduce a project that promised to put IC on the educational map. And so, he began his presentation titled: Proposal for the Development of an Educational Resources Center.

Visit of teachers from local schools to observe IC classrooms

His presentation lasted one hour and a half. IC faculty members, he stated, can and should play an important role in Lebanon and the Middle East.

That was effectively the beginning of the ERC – created to teach other schools, locally and abroad, the IC approach to education.

“ ERC will soon be the major thrust of the College. ”

As early as 1966, then-President Thomas C. Schuller predicted the end of IC’s glory days of the 1940s and 1950s, recognizing that the school’s unique standing in the region, drawing students from the Gulf areas, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Ethiopia, was fading.

In 1966, he stated to the Board that “The role of IC has outgrown the initial purpose of providing an outstanding education to young men of uncommon ability in the Middle East.”

Hence, his idea of an Educational Resources Center to spread IC’s educational approach, including research and teacher-training programs to educators in Asia and Africa, while generating extra income for IC.

Schuller was probably inspired by IC alumnus Anwar al Khalil ‘53, who, a year earlier, had requested IC to assist the Lebanese community in Nigeria in establishing a school.

Schuller had agreed, and several of IC’s teachers and directors flew to Lagos.

The Lagos school was a great success and made a great impression on Schuller. Why not replicate this success in other countries?

In 1967, Schuller tried to convince the Board once again.

“A new need for IC’s services is taking form and is being felt at many levels,” he wrote in his report to the Trustees. “This is an hour of opportunity.”

Suddenly, the subject of ERC was dropped. It may have been the region’s tension after the 1967 war and that Schuller was preoccupied with the Meshref campus planning and construction. In 1971, Schuller resumed his lobbying.

Preschoolers in the school in Nigeria

Tom Schuller with student 1970s

The Board finally gave its full endorsement, and ERC was officially created. The department found instant success and, by 1973, had grown sufficiently to operate independently with its own director, educational researcher, secretary, and advisory board. Its focus was to educate teachers and prepare them for future leadership. IC’s faculty and consultants made up the core of the department.

Requests, both regionally and locally, came pouring in.

As Schuller predicted, the center was generating a good income for the school. Rochfort enthusiastically reported that “ERC will soon be the major thrust of the College.”

In April 1975, civil war erupted. Many IC families fled. The loss of tuition severely impacted IC. In addition, classes had to be held in costly rented facilities after the Meshref campus was abandoned. The school became financially unstable and at risk of closing.

Then, a small miracle occurred. A contract negotiated a year earlier between ERC and Oman came through. The work of the ERC had reached the ears of the Sultan Qaboos of Oman. He wanted to open a top Oman coeducational boarding school. Was IC willing to help? The Sultan will pay dearly for this service.

It was enough to keep IC going. The Sultan’s school opened in 1977 (and is still going strong today).

Other requests poured in, regionally and locally. At its height, the ERC was working with ten schools throughout Lebanon and twelve international schools and organizations in various countries, including Bahrain, London, Greece, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and North Yemen.

“The ERC,” reported Alton Reynolds in his 1977 Report to the Board – who took over the presidency after Schuller“has been extremely busy and very productive.”

Indeed, ERC had effectively become the school’s main earner and provided much-needed operational funds.

By 1985, it was evident that the ERC needed to be a separate entity. On February 21, it was registered as a non-profit independent corporation in New York.

But, just as the final stages of legally separating the ERC from IC were completed, a sizable number of ERC consultants abruptly quit. They had accepted jobs abroad. With the loss of key teachers, trained consultants, and curriculum development programs, the ERC was now seriously impaired. The daily pressures within the school amid a war left little time to train others.

“Our immediate future does not look particularly good,” stated Reynolds rather glumly in a 1985 presidential report.

Demands from a few local schools and international

ones, however, continued. Although not lucrative, they justified the existence of ERC.

By 1991, the question of ERC became: to be or not to be?

The decision was that it was to be. But in a different role.

“The mission of the ERC should be to upgrade the IC teachers and thus to strengthen our educational system in the school itself,” stated the Board of Trustees in 1991.

In 1995, the department began a comprehensive professional development program for IC faculty, administrators, and staff, as well as Lebanon’s public and private school educators. In 1997, it achieved international accreditation for IC, one of its most important objectives.

Today, under Dr. Mahmud Shihab, ERC promotes educational leadership, professional development, and teaching excellence. It aims to improve teaching, quality assurance, and education institution excellence and oversees teacher appraisal, school climate, induction, assessment, data analysis, educational technology, curriculum mapping, professional development, and teacher exchange.

It’s often referred to as IC’s unknown soldier, yet without ERC’s historical contributions and its current omnipresent role, IC just wouldn’t be IC.

Dr. George Rochfort and Samia Sullivan

RESTORATIVE DISCIPLINE

A new approach to discipline at IC, a Q&A with President Joel Peinado

What is restorative discipline?

In the past, when a student misbehaved in school, the conventional response was to administer discipline or punishment, mirroring the traditional methods of a criminal justice system. However, research has demonstrated that this approach is ineffective and can even be counterproductive. Restorative discipline departs from the conventional focus on consequences, granting students the agency to repair the harm they have caused and affording a voice to the victims. Additionally, restorative discipline underscores the importance of educating students and other school community members to cultivate a culture of mutual respect within educational institutions. It encourages reflection among students and adults, prompting them to identify the root causes of negative behavior and work toward repairing relationships.

Why did you decide to introduce restorative discipline here at IC?

IC boasts four academic programs, each originating from distinct educational traditions with varying approaches to behavior management, ranging from traditional to progressive. This diversity in management strategies led to confusion among both students and adults within the school community. Recognizing the need for a cohesive disciplinary philosophy and practice, we have adopted restorative discipline. This system aligns with IC’s values by providing students with a platform to be heard and treated with respect. It also expects them to reciprocate this respect toward their peers, teachers, and the broader community.

When will it start?

First, preparing the community and establishing a culture of restorative discipline is essential. Last year, staff underwent training, handbooks were aligned, and strategies for various scenarios were planned. The Deans of Students implemented effective practices based on their experiences, shaping the new approach. The current focus revolves around training teachers and students, guiding them to engage in open dialogue and empathetic communication, and fostering proactive issue resolution rather than reactive responses to conflicts. Introducing “Restorative Circles” within advisory groups and homerooms provides a structured and secure space where students are actively encouraged to express their fears and aspirations, nurturing communication and empathy. Through this process, they acquaint themselves with the school’s values, expectations, rules, and approach to handling conflicts. The full integration of this restorative discipline framework is anticipated to unfold over a threeyear period.

Will there still be consequences?

Yes, of course. We still have a code of conduct for the types of infractions and appropriate and proportional levels of consequences. This has not changed. They’re still applied. It’s just the manner and the context in which they are applied that is changing.

Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, let’s take bullying as an example. Say a student reports that another student is bullying them and that the allegations are true after being investigated. Usually, the bully’s reaction will be negative. First, they’re going to try and deny it. Then, they will be angry at the student they bullied for reporting it and getting them into trouble. They become defensive and resentful instead of focusing on what they did and how they can repair it.

In the restorative model, the bully is required to be part of a restorative circle, which includes their victim, an advocate for the victim perhaps, their own advocate, a teacher, an administrator, and possibly others. In this safe space,

the bully is expected to describe what they did, and their victim can also voice what happened to them. The work and education done while establishing the restorative culture described earlier allows the victim to remove their feelings of inferiority and intimidation and think, ‘ok, I’m going to say how I feel. You hurt me because…’ Similarly, for the bully, having to face their victim and hear the impact of their actions is powerful. They are much more likely to recognize what they did and accept responsibility than if they only faced consequences. Finding a solution and making amends engages the perpetrator in the process and gives them agency, increasing the likelihood that the behavior won’t be

How will you know if it is successful?

At the beginning of last year, we initiated the process by establishing a baseline of incidents and infractions within a comprehensive database, documenting both the number of infractions and the instances of repeat occurrences. After the academic year, a comparative analysis was conducted, providing an objective measure to evaluate the new system’s efficacy. We witnessed a significant reduction in the number of infractions and in repeat infractions compared with the start of the year.

To supplement this quantitative assessment, we sought qualitative feedback from teachers. Several teachers said they perceived a noticeable difference, observing increased student responsibility. The next step will be to survey teachers and students. While acknowledging that this restorative discipline approach is not a panacea, we are confident in its overall success and consider it the optimal path forward for discipline at IC.

Interview conducted by Mel Cartlidge

Nour Bitar the Woman with the Ideas

“ I wanted an NGO that supports producers. They needed proper training, platform, and connections.”

Tothe IC world, Nour Bitar’04 is the quintessential mother of three. She attends all parent-teacher meetings, supports her children’s activities, helps with homework, and serves on the parents’ committee.

In reality, Bitar is a savvy businesswoman and NGO founder. She owns OSud, is a partner at Engineering and Building Co. (EBCO - BITAR), and Alef Arabic Excellence. Additionally, she founded and currently serves as a council and board member for UNGlobal Compact Network Lebanon, president of ARDNA. Bitar is also a WAAAUB advisory board member and board member of the AUB Alumni Association.

Additionally, she is a “professional volunteer” if such a term exists. Special note: She was the youngest AUB trustee (2014).

Bitar possesses this remarkable ability to convert ideas into successful ventures. Her hyperactive mind keeps generating new, spontaneous ideas.

The initial idea was in 2014 when she started, along with her brother Wael Bitar’96, an organic produce farm on a 100,000-square-meter family-owned land in the south. The produce was initially to be used only for the family’s use.

But she soon followed up with another idea. This larger project included specialized consultants, hydroponic systems, composting, organic farming, solar panels, and a 600 m2 packing house.

And thus, the farm, “Green and Colors”, was born and attained great success both locally and in exports.

By now, the concept of sustainability had intrigued Bitar, and she was a founder of the UNGlobal Compact Network Lebanon. In 2017, however, the farm suffered setbacks when Dubai and Saudi Arabia banned Lebanese produce imports. A year later, fuel shortages caused delays, jeopardizing the produce’s freshness during shipment to markets.

Bitar’s proactive mind came to the rescue quickly. Why not make high-quality ‘mooneh’ (pantry products) with their organically certified homegrown produce?

It was the start of the country’s economic crisis. People kept asking, “Are you crazy to start a business now?”

“Now,” she replied repeatedly, “is the best time ever.”

Rural areas were devastated by the economic crisis. They needed her. She needed them.

Thus, the birth of ALIA in 2021, a high-quality refined assortment of detectable Lebanese pantry products empowering local women through training and employment. Farming expanded into the Bekaa, increasing local employment.

ALIA became immediately successful with its distinctive packaging, influenced by a contemporary twist of the BlattChaya tiles. So much so that at a food exhibition in Paris SIAL, Bitar found herself in direct competition with fifteen major Lebanese food companies, and yet it was ALIA that became the focal point of attention.

“A Michelin-star chef bought from me,” she said. “ I was thrilled.”

As the country’s economic crisis worsened, Bitar felt helpless watching small farmers and artisans struggle. She had another idea: why not do a weekly market for these people to sell their goods?

This led to the founding of the Association for Rural Development and National Aid (ARDNA).

“I wanted an NGO that supports producers,” said Bitar. “They needed proper training, platform, and connections.”

On August 4, 2020, the Beirut Port explosion devasted a large part of the city, including the downtown area.

A few days later, Bitar firmly walked into Solidere’s offices. “How long will it take you to clear a section of the area?” she asked the astonished personnel.

A few months, they said.

“Very well,” replied Bitar. “I will be holding a market here in a few months.”

True to her word, in May 2021, ARDNA’s Souk al Balad debuted in Solidere, reviving the devasted area. Over 60 producers participated in the open market that featured various agricultural and crafts products.

ARDNA has planned events and activities in the years since. Souk al Balad often hosts ‘pop-up’ markets nationwide and invites local producers to join. Numerous success stories emerged, with some producers exporting their products.

Meanwhile, Bitar’s active mind kept generating ideas.

In 2022, Wael approached Nour about opening an educational center. Bitar noticed that her three young children (Noura, Safi, Lilia) disliked Arabic.

The result was ALEF, an afterschool center that teaches Arabic to kids and (foreign) adults in a fun way.

Furthermore, an online teaching program has drawn students from the US, Canada, Dubai, the UK, Paris, Australia, and Africa.

And yet, with all these endeavors, Bitar is promptly home at 3:30 p.m., ready to sweep up her little ones in a warm bear hug.

There is a method behind the madness, she confides.

“It’s all about finding the right people,” she explained. “CVs are not enough. I seek people who understand my imagination and vision and share my character. Otherwise, I drop my idea.”

Today, Bitar is contemplating her next idea. As usual, a flood of ideas rush through her head.

But now it seems that she has some stiff competition. Her challenger is none other than her nine-year-old daughter, Noura. “Mom,” declared the child, “I am thinking of producing a line of facial creams. What do you think?”

SoukelBaladisheldintheGefinorareaeveryWednesday and often travels the country. Another day is scheduled every Friday at AUB.

www.instagram.com/soukelbalad/?hl=en: (Souk al Balad)

www.instagram.com/thealiaconcept/ Alia

www.instagram.com/alefarabicexcellence/ (ALEF)

Salim el Turk: A Cinematic Journey

Who exactly is Salim el Turk? To some, he’s a celebrated filmmaker; to others, a music video maestro. Some see him as an avant-garde thinker, while others know him as a versatile storyteller or a comedic actor.

To IC, he is the humble 1992 graduate who has taken a path in filmmaking.

He was absolutely passionate about the film industry. It was a world he wanted to spend the rest of his life in – money generator or not.

Call it serendipity, or being in the right place at the right time. In his early twenties, Salim el Turk was introduced to two aspiring singers. Like el Turk, they were uncertain about how to embark on their journey in the music video industry. It was the 1990s, an era dominated by music videos featuring prominent singers with background dancers — a cliché, a path well-trodden. However, el Turk persuaded them to explore a different approach. “Let’s weave narratives into your videos. Let’s utilize visuals to tell compelling stories,” he proposed. Perhaps they hesitated. But

“ We succeeded because we were young, full of novel ideas, and very passionate about our work. ”

then again, maybe they did not. Either way, they placed their trust in this young, aspiring filmmaker.

And so it was that Haifa Wehbe and Elissa burst on the screen with groundbreaking music videos. The fresh perspective in the industry made waves in the Arab world.

With his foot now well entrenched in the music film industry, he drew a flock of Arab celebrities such as Najwa Karam, Nawal Al Zoghbi, Assala, and Kazem al Saher.

“The music videos are over twenty years old now,” he said. “And still remembered today. We succeeded because we were young, full of novel ideas, and very passionate about our work.”

El Turk’s avant-garde approach also caught the attention of many local and international companies seeking his unique vision in producing their advertisements. Again, he set new records, with his work serving as a template for ads in various countries.

Before long, el Turk mastered the art of short films and documentaries,

revolutionizing every aspect from form to content. His storytelling abilities extended beyond visual, fashion, beauty, and photography, both technically and in content. He advanced camera technology by developing and pioneering new visual experiences. Indeed, in a remarkable technological breakthrough, he created the first Arabic 3D film, “My Last Valentine,” using a camera he had personally constructed.

With requests for his services pouring in, El Turk found himself swept up in a whirlwind existence – constantly navigating the intricacies of new cultures and guiding foreign filming crews. It was undoubtedly exhilarating, yet each assignment came with its own adventures.

Take Mexico, for instance. The ageold warning of never carrying too much cash in your pockets became a grim reality when as if from a scene straight out of Hollywood, the public bus he was traveling on was hijacked. El Turk had $35,000 (production money) stuffed in his suitcase and clothes. He might as well have had a target painted on his back. Fortunately for him, the militiamen were hunting for someone else to kill that day. And that someone was not on the bus. It did not occur to them to search the passengers. And so, after two hours in the hot, scorching desert sun, the bus was finally released on its merry way.

Once his heart stopped pounding, El Turk had to admit that the situation had been rather comical. He featured it in his latest experimental project – a one-man

show that took place this past March at the al Madina theater in Beirut, where he put on a completely improvised show recounting his kidnapping in Mexico to being accused of assassinating a Maharaja in India. He also explored

“

As soon as you have storytelling and emotional involvement, you have a hit. ”

in 1989 when he was at IC. His father had arrived home from work and was parking under the building. Suddenly, a huge blast rocked the building. The target was Sheikh Hassan Khaled, the country’s grand mufti. He and 22 people were killed that day. El Turk’s father was one of them.

“He was only coming home from an honest day’s work,” said el Turk. “That was it.”

It was enough to traumatize a 14-year-old boy for life. But he knew that he had to make a choice: live a traumatized life or a passion-driven life.

his odd relationship with dancer Susu Harka and other funny antics, such as snatching an elephant and hiding it in a Hamra Street apartment.

“It was based on the audience’s interactions,” said Turk. “So I didn’t know myself what my next scene was.”

After two weeks of performances, he returned to his adopted country of Egypt – where he moved with his family in 2020 to experience the more robust film industry – leaving behind an audience who had personally experienced his well-known “human touch.”

It is this human touch that made the very essence of all his projects.

“As soon as you have storytelling and emotional involvement, you have a hit,” he said matter-of-factly.

Very likely, his ability to delve into emotions stems from a traumatic childhood experience. He pinpoints the exact turning point in his life. It was

He was passionate about the cinema. He made his choice.

“I became stronger,” he said. “After my father’s killing, nothing fazed me anymore. If things don’t work out, it’s okay. Let’s move on to the next thing. In my work, one day, I work in a grand palace, and the next, I sit in a garbage dump. I always follow my passion no matter where it takes me.”

Culinary Resilience: Rouba Khalil’s Kitchen

Itdecidedly takes a certain boldness to shift from Wall Street to crafting food flavors. Much to her parent’s dismay, Rouba Khalil ’00 abandoned her thriving corporate career in New York to attend culinary school. That was 15 years ago. Today, Khalil is a highly regarded chef who operates a thriving pastry shop in Beirut and runs her own catering business. All managed from Dubai.

By her own account, “It was easier to stay on the path destined for me.”

But it was not the path she had set for herself.

“I was good at math. This meant that I should go into engineering,” she said. “So I did.”

She wanted to be a chef.

Now, that was an odd realization, seeing she wasn’t interested in cooking as a child. But she suddenly became a ‘foodie’ in New York when she joined friends in Michelin-starred restaurants. She even began traveling to sample different foods and enrolled in wine-tasting classes.

“I want to go to culinary school,” she told her parents. They didn’t take the news well.

Nevertheless, Khalil enrolled and, much to her surprise, found many professionals-turned-cook classmates. But not all the wannabes persevered. “They hadn’t found their passion,” she said. “But I did. I was very passionate.”

Her grand entrance to the culinary world came when she landed a job at a restaurant. She was assigned to ‘prep’ –in other words, scrub the lettuce, chop onions, and peel the potatoes in freezing water. Not quite the glamour that she had imagined.

As was also expected of her, she worked for her father’s company.

After earning her masters in 2007, she joined Morgan Stanley. Then, one day, it hit her: I am not enjoying corporate life. “I was bored,” she said. “I wasn’t in my environment.”

So, she resigned from her job. Embracing a carefree spirit that only the young can embrace, she, along with IC childhood friend, Reem Beydoun ‘01 (her partner in crime, as described by Khalil), jumped on a plane and headed to Argentina. For the next two months, the two adventurers slept on the road, climbed glaciers, walked alongside penguins, danced Tango, and learned Spanish. Any thoughts of a corporate high life were completely buried. Somewhere along the way, Khalil figured out exactly what she wanted from life.

“Many people find it demeaning,” she said. “But I loved it, and I produced the best-washed lettuce!”

She later worked at high Michelin-starred restaurants, including Boulud Sud, Nougatine at Jean Georges, Babbo where she perfected her passion for baking.

In 2013, she returned to Lebanon. First, she taught cooking. A student then asked her to cater a dinner party. Khalil did, and her reputation as a chef spread. More requests came in. Soon, she had a 15-chef kitchen.

She also began supplying various cafés with pastries.

Her cuisine was in such demand that in 2019, she launched her pastry shop, “Rouba Khalil’s Kitchen,” in Ashrafieh. In the coming few years, however, her resolve was tested repeatedly as a series of events rattled the country.

First came the Lebanese revolution. Business slowed down. Fortunately, it revived again, only to dip again as COVID struck.

Khalil was determined to persevere. She had a brilliant idea: sell her food frozen since everyone was confined at home thanks to COVID. Her instinct proved right. Surpassing even her own expectations, Khalil and her team raced to meet the overwhelming demand.

Then came August 2020. The Beirut Port explosion badly damaged her shop. Two days later, she opened it. Once again, she had overcome adversity. What else could possibly happen?

By 2021, the economic crisis had plunged the country into dire financial instability. All the key chefs left the country. Her catering business collapsed. A dejected Khalil kept the shop open, ensuring that all her employees continued receiving a salary. She, herself, married and moved to Dubai. She had lost all hope in Lebanon.

But something astonishing happened: two years later, a few chefs came back. They were apparently unhappy in foreign countries. Would Khalil take them back?

Enter October 2023. Business took a huge dip as the war on Gaza intensified. A few months later, however, it picked up again.

“That’s how it is in Lebanon,” she said matter-of-factly. “We take a hit, we rise. We take a hit, we rise.”

“ It is tough to keep a business in Beirut with everything that is happening. But we are doing it and doing it successfully. I have no regrets. ”

And so, Khalil’s catering business returned to full swing and – interestingly – became a larger business. By now, Khalil was running the entire operation from Dubai with frequent travels to Beirut. (She relies on her engineering days use of ‘systems’).

Her pastry shop, fortunately, never faltered. Catering is now a ‘seasonal event’ depending on the country’s volatility.

“Most important, I have never laid off anyone,” said Khalil proudly.

Now a mother of two, Khalil is about to launch a catering business in Dubai.

“It hasn’t been an easy journey,” she said. “It is tough to keep a business in Beirut with everything that is happening. But we are doing it and doing it successfully. I have no regrets.”

For more information on Rouba Khalil’s kitchen, pastry shop,andcatering,goto:https://www.roubakhalilkitchen. com/our-story

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO…

Samia Sullivan

Former Elementary School Director

Can you share your experience after leaving IC?

After leaving IC, Sully (James Sullivan) and I moved to Greenville, North Carolina, in 1988 and stayed there for 31 years. It was a thriving town. The university, hospital, and various amenities attracted diverse professionals. Our life there was pleasant, with an active community and numerous activities.

While there, I was asked by then IC president Gerrit Keator to help them get the alumni back after the war, as there had been no communication with them all this time.

So, we formed a committee made up of Gerrit Keator, Rima Zeitun, Ramez Abu Haidar, and myself. Our task was to gather lists of alumni names from the New York office. Ramez came to Greenville, North Carolina, and stayed with us at home for around ten days. We got another telephone line. He manned one phone, and I manned the other. We started calling everyone on the list. It took us a lot of time because we also had to work at night because of the time difference.

“ Seeing your old students again was one of the most rewarding things.”

In 10 days, we covered the entire list in the US and Canada. I took the list and identified the ones I knew from the elementary school when I was there. My list alone was 700 people. So now we had lists in every state. Then, Gerrit Keator wrote appeal letters. I added a personal note to each one of my 700 students. Afterward, we identified representatives from each state to facilitate communication and follow-ups. The representatives played a crucial role in keeping track of alumni movements and maintaining a connection. Then, we started holding reunions across the US and Canada. Altogether, I worked closely with the Alumni office for 18 years.

Can you share some memorable moments from the gatherings with alumni?

The gatherings were incredible experiences. Seeing your old students again was one of the most rewarding things. I recognized them. It was amazing. This went on until 2009. I have since kept up with my old students and teachers as well.

How did you continue your involvement with IC after your help with the alumni base?

A: I remained engaged with IC through annual visits to Lebanon. I maintained connections with teachers and continued participating in gatherings and events. Even during the war, our ties remained strong, and I contributed by supporting the school financially and encouraging donations.

Reflecting on your time as the elementary school director, what stands out the most?

A: The elementary school holds a special place in my heart. It was my baby. I joined IC in 1944 as a secretary. At the time, IC was a small school. We had about 200 boys. In time, I became the director of the elementary school. At first, we were a practice field for the Education Department at AUB, and we were able to choose the best among the AUB students to fill our teaching vacancies.

“ The love and camaraderie from former students and colleagues are truly heartening.”

Over the years, I witnessed the growth and development of IC. I remember when they first introduced girls to the French section. I formed a great bond with students and teachers, which remain cherished memories.

Do you have any regrets about your journey with IC?

Absolutely not. Joining IC was one of the best decisions of my life. It became my second home, and I dedicated myself to the school’s growth and success. The experiences, friendships, and memories from IC are invaluable.

How are you spending your time in Lebanon?

My days are filled with communication, both online and in person, with friends from the US. I engage in physical activities like gym sessions twice a week. Additionally, I am a member of the American Women’s Club and occasionally attend their events. Family gatherings and paperwork, including going through files of materials I had collected from IC, also occupy a significant portion of my time.

Any final thoughts or sentiments you’d like to share?

My connection with IC and the people associated with it remains strong. I’ve been blessed with a fulfilling life surrounded by a supportive community. The love and

BLAST FROM THE PAST

The Beginning The Prep School:

Ifwe were to define the moment that IC was conceived, it would be after a fallout between renowned Arabic scholar Butrus Bustani and Rev. Daniel Bliss, the president of Syrian Protestant College, today’s AUB.

Rev. Daniel Bliss

Source: AUB/Library Archives

Butrus Bustani

In the aftermath of the bloody 1860 massacre in Mount Lebanon stemming from sectarian tensions, Bustani, a key figure of nineteenth-century Nahda, established the Madrasat al Wataniah or the National School in 1863.

Originally from a Maronite family from the village of Dibbiye in Chouf, Bustani became the Arabic tutor of the newly arrived Protestant missionary, Dr. Daniel Bliss. A strong friendship ensued between the two.

It was during these years that Bustani converted to Protestantism. A master of nine languages, he became known as “the teacher,” a major scholar, educator, and writer.

Founding the school was Bustani’s effort to improve relations between the various divisions in the country. He strongly advocated for secular education and firmly believed that education could unite a divided community. His madrasat welcomed “students from all religions and all races without distinction. It respects their beliefs and compels no one to embrace a religion other than that of his parents.1”

The school opened in 1863 in Zokak al Blat and accepted students regardless of faith. His teachers included prominent scholars and thinkers such as Naṣif Al-Yazigi, Kha ar Ad-Da da , Ibrahim Al-Yaziji, Yusuf Al-Asir, Salim Taqla, and Yusuf AlBa ut.

In that same year of 1863, the State of New York granted a charter to establish the Syrian Protestant College (SPC) with Dr. Daniel Bliss as its president. Three years later, in 1866, Bliss rented space in Bustani’s madrasat to start 1 Footnote cited

SPC classes and admitted sixteen students. It was also arranged for the madrasat graduates to continue their education at SPC, where the rigorous curriculum of the institution served as a preparatory department. The school was so successful that the Ottoman government awarded Bustani the Order of the Majidi, and the Ottoman governors paid him a visit in recognition of his efforts.

But soon, problems began to surface. Bustani ran the madrasat as a strictly secular institution, forbidding any teachings about religion.

This, however, did not bode well with Bliss. It was incomprehensible to him that a preparatory school would have no interest in imparting Protestant values to its students, which was the fundamental purpose of the mission. The Syrian Protestant mission’s board of directors tried to interfere and impose a more religious curriculum on the madrasat.

The result was a significant fallout between Bliss and Bustani. Consequently, the ties between the SPC and the madrasat were permanently severed.

A proposal was made to make the Abbey Seminary (used by missionaries) the SPC’s preparatory department. But the idea failed to materialize.

SPC attempted to get by without a preparatory department until 1872, relying instead on local schools to supply qualified graduates. However, as the college gained recognition, more students began arriving - some from long distances. Unfortunately, few were eligible.

“It is a matter of regret that the various schools in Syria

Source: Akhbar newspaper

don’t sufficiently prepare students to enter the library, much less the medical department of the college. Last year, a number of pupils from distant places anxious to enter the college but unprepared were turned away with the means in the hand and asking to remain to complete the necessary preparation,” wrote Bliss in the SPC’s 1972 Annual Report.

A new solution emerged: designate a space in the buildings under construction for use as a preparatory department. However, no faculty was hired. The idea was that SPC students would teach. However, students were not proficient in English, the newly adopted language of instruction. For until now, Arabic was the teaching language.

Finally, an American preparatory department teacher was hired. In 1876, Brown University graduate Joshua B. Cane arrived in Lebanon and became the preparatory’s first English teacher, enabling the department to use English as the main language of instruction. Within three years, the enrollment in the preparatory outnumbered the enrollment in the actual college.

Until now, the preparatory department was housed in various new campus buildings. However, it had expanded so much that it needed its own campus.

And so, in 1912, SPC trustees “recommended that three new buildings be erected on the bluff of the west campus2.”

2

Largely planned by William H. Hall, who would become the preparatory first principal, the buildings were ready by the fall of 1913: Rockefeller Hall, named after John Davison Rockefeller, an American oil magnate; Thomson Hall, named after Dr. William Thomson, the discoverer of the lower level of the famous Jeita caves north of Beirut, and Sage Hall, named after a philanthropist, Russel Sage. The cluster also included Martin House, purchased from a Lebanese family with funds donated by Mrs. Martin of Vermont for the school’s principal, and a refectory for the kitchen, dining room, and service facilities.

In 1920, the SPC changed its name to the American University of Beirut, and its preparatory school became widely known as the “Prep”.

In 1936, International College from Smyrna, Turkey, arrived in Beirut and merged with the Prep.

The school would hence be known as International College.

In 1956, IC became independent of AUB (which went into effect in 1960).

The rest, as they say, is history.

As for Bustani and Bliss, it seems their friendship was never rekindled.

According to Board minutes

What is left of the Bustany School in Zokak al Blat today

Christmas Village

AChristmas Village, organized by the school’s Physical Plant Department, was held from December 16 to 21. Children of all ages gathered to celebrate the festive season and participate in various activities, including inflatables, a Christmas tree-planning station, Kermess games, craftworks in Santa’s workshop, and the highlight of the event: a train trotting around the campus.

“With everything sad happening in the country, we wanted to do something cheerful for children,” said Tima Mrad, the Physical Plant’s Office and Logistics Manager. “We opened it to everyone in the community.”

Another motivation for the village was to showcase the talents of several Physical Plant personnel, who exhibited remarkable skills in producing beautiful woodwork, steelwork, and various handmade crafts.

“We want to demonstrate that our workers’ abilities extend beyond campus repairs,” said Mrad. “We have real talent here.”

The large turnout and the event’s success have inspired the school to make the Christmas Village an annual tradition. Plans are already underway to involve the students in crafting for the event.

“Next year, we are looking forward to increasing student involvement in the event with a greater variety of student-led activities,” said Talal Jundi, IC’s Vice President & CFO. “Additionally, we plan to introduce evening activities to enjoy the enchantment of Christmas lights. Furthermore, as part of our expansion, we intend to involve neighboring institutions in the event.”

The physical plant is ready.

“An event as broad and elaborate as the Christmas Village takes careful preparation and management, especially given the limited time,” said Facilities Manager Rola Rahal, Facilities Manag. “The Physical Plant Department had to balance routine maintenance with other obligations to ensure the event’s success. Still, it is worth showing our department’s strengths outside its basic duties.”

All proceeds from the event have been earmarked for an NGO that helps children with Down Syndrome.

Visit

Reunion Years Class of 2013

December 26, 2023, Ras Beirut Campus

EVENTS and DINNERS IN KSA

KHOBAR

January 12, 2024

Lunch hosted by Ramzi Shami’64

L to R: Riana Neman, Leen Dargouth ’94, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Alice Tarazi, Bushra Abu Salem ’94, Zeina Dannawi

L to R: standing: Karim Mirza’ 99, Antoine Tarazi ‘78, Ramzi Shami ‘64, Hani Awadalla ‘91, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Amer Fathalla. Sitting: Wajdi Abou Ayash ‘90, Jamal Dannawi ‘76

L to R: 1st Row: Riana Neman, Alice Tarazi, Bushra Abou Salem ‘94, Zeina Dannawi, Leen Dargouth ‘94 Standing: Amer Fathalla, Ramzi Shami ‘64, Antoine Tarazi ‘78, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Wajdi Abou Ayache ‘90, Jamal Dannawi ‘76, Karim Mirza ‘99, Hani Awadallah ‘91.

RIYADH

January 14, 2024

Dinner

Randa Abla ’93 and Serge Cherfan

Faysal Shawaf, Mohamad Shawaf, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Mohamed Razian ‘02, Omar Shawaf

Left to Right top row: Hani Saadi ‘93, Amer Rifaii ‘93, Lynne el Hout ‘08 , Nabil Saade ‘05, Karim El Jisr ‘95, Walid Hussein ‘06, Arwa Taan, Ramzi Abu Khadra ‘84. Bottom row: Moufid Beydoun ’64, Randa Abla ’93, Hiba Osseiran

Moufid Beydoun ’64, Mohammed Al-Soleiman ‘59

hosted by Rana Abla ‘93

JEDDAH

January 15, 2024

Dinner

L To R: Noura Tabbara Shishakli ’77, Mazen Kotob ’85, Alaa Al Jabri ’74, Hiba Osseiran, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Baria Sardouk

L to R: Yasmina Maktabi Salam ’93, Nayla Kaddoura ’99, Ali Ballouz ’99, Rana Ghalayini ’99, Mohamad Zameli ‘81

Moufid Beydoun ’64, Said Hatlani ‘72

hosted by Mohamad Zameli ‘81

DINNER IN QATAR

February 4, 2024

Dinner held at the Lebanese Embassy

L to R: Moufid Beydoun ’64, Hiba Osseiran, Joel Peinado, H.E. Farah Berri ‘85, Ayman Jomaa, Karim El Younes, Bassem Safadi ‘85

L to R: Ayman Jomaa, Joel Peinado, H.E. Farah Berri ’85, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Hiba Osseiran

L To R: H.E Farah Berri ’85, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Joel Peinado, Hiba Osseiran

L to R: Ayman Jomaa, H.E. Farah Berri ’85, Hiba Osseiran, Joel Peinado, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Abdo Sweidan ‘75

EVENTS and DINNERS IN THE US

BAY AREA

February 15, 2024, Tannourine Restaurant

L

L to R: Marwan Nader ’82, Raja Petrakian ’82, Mrs. Petrakian, Moufid Beyoun ’64, Khaled Nasr ’76, Christina Nasr, Rania Fawwaz, Shaun Jahshan, Jibran Jahshan ’82, Hani Daou ’12, Ayman Fawaz ‘78

L

L to R: Amr Diab ’90, Nabil Saad ’85, Sami Katrib, Louay Owayni’73, Sani Yamout ‘91, Stephanie Yamout, Amer El-Hage ’73, Abbas El-Hage ‘79, Joseph Hissen, Ramsey Hissen’78, Mia Diab

to R: Moufid Beydoun ’64, Khaled Nasr ‘76, Sani Yamout ‘91, Stephanie Yamout, Amer El Hage ‘73, Christina Nasr, Rania Fawaz

To R: Susan Barghash, John Bowers, Linda Bowers, Rami Mortada ‘17, Ahmad Bleik ‘01

BERKELEY

Brunch February 17, 2024

The eldest and youngest graduates!

L

R:

Pic 3: L to R: Sami Barakat ’22, Hadi Tinawi ’22, Louay Owayni ’73, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Rania Turk ’91 Maya Najjar ‘19, Faysal Al Assad ’16

L to R: Waddah Chehadeh ’59, Ghada Alromani, Roxanne El_Hage, Mrs. Kawa, Moufid Beyoun ’64, Jamil Kawa ’76, Amer El Hage ’73, Kamal Obeid ’73, Regina Anavy, Ralph Anavy ‘58

Pic 4: L to R: Maya Najjar ’19, Faysal al Assaad ’16, Zeid Solh ’19, Patrick Skaf ’21, Fouad Sinno ’22, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Omar Arakji ’94, Sami Barakat ’22, Hadi Tinawi ‘22

to

Hadi Tinawi ’22, Ralph Anavy ’58, Waddah Chehadeh ’58, Fouad Sinno ‘22

WASHINGTON, DC

February 22, 2024

Dinner at the University Club

Honoring H.E. Ivonne A-Baki, Ambassador of Ecuador to the United States, organized by the DC Chapter, headed by Walid Chalhoub ’96

L to R: H.E. Ivonne A-Baki and her family

L to R: Lillian Koumair, Youssef Koumair, Israa Mryat, Safa Rifka ‘64, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Amb. Farid Abboud, Reem Najjar, Reem Aboud

L to R: Hala Chalhoub, Walid Chalhoub ‘96, Karim Noueihed ‘98, H.E. Ivonne A-Baki

L to R: Sana el Haj ’86, Joel Peinado, Walid Chalhoub ’96, Don Selinger, Moufid Beydoun ’64, Rania Turk ’91, Hala Chalhoub

L to R: Lucia Schmitz, Bayard Dodge, Hala Chalhoub, Don Selinger, H.E. Dima Kawar

THE IC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2024 PINNING CEREMONY

BAC FR

BAC LB

The ICAA Pinning Ceremony has become a heartwarming tradition that is much awaited by IC graduating students. Dressed in their personalized green and white IC jackets, the 270 IB, CPP, Lebanese BAC & BAC Français students filled out the Irani Auditorium, excited to soon become graduates and alumni.

With a warm introduction from President Joel Peinado, the Ceremony was launched with an emotional video (produced by Jamil Beyhum Class of 1985) portraying the testimonials of several multi-generational alumni with their lifetime attachment to our school and the much-cherished eternal support and loyalty they continue to receive from their classmates and the whole of the IC Community.

After a heartfelt welcome by Karim Noueihed (ICAA President), several members of the ICAA Board, including Zeina Annan (Vice President), Ziad Dakroub (Treasurer), Dr. Samer Doughan (Head of the ICAA Awards Fund), Wael Sanyoura (App Lead) and Moufid Beydoun (Vice President/ Alumni & Major Gifts), introduced the graduates to how the Association and IC will continue to assist, support, and empower them with the platform they have prepared for them. The Association’s support services include applying to the ICAA Awards Fund for university studies, electing class representatives who stay connected no matter where they go, and receiving guidance and support from the Global ICAA Ambassadors and their volunteering teams if they move abroad.

All these programs are accessible to our recent graduates and the entire network of

approximately 20,000 IC alumni. This rich and influential global community is easily reachable and contactable through the user-friendly ICAA app. As a welcoming gift, the ICAA gave the Class of 2024 a three-year grant membership period in the ICAA.

With that, the young leaders went on stage to receive their ICAA 2024 pins and were officially announced as IC ALUMNI! CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024! Thank you for embodying the IC Spirit and honoring our Alma Mater across generations!

In Memoriam

We regret to inform you that Sana Ahmad El Haj ’81 passed away in February 2024. IC faculty and staff send their deepest condolences to the El Haj family.

In Loving Memory of Mike A. Karim ‘84

September 9, 1966 - August 5, 2023

Mike A. Karim was laid to rest on August 27, 2023 at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California.

Mike was a longtime supporter of several community organizations and charities and a tireless volunteer for many events and causes dear to his heart. Over the past two decades, Mike’s generosity and kindness were credited with not only positively impacting those he supported, but in fact even saving lives.

For those who have asked how they can honor Mike’s memory, one of Mike’s favorite charities was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).

We will miss him terribly, but we will hold onto his loving memories and keep his drive for kindness, compassion, fairness and inclusivity alive. Mike, you pushed us to do better and to be better, and we are all better for having known and loved you.

Please remember him in your prayers. May his memory be eternal.

“I AM IC” is a touching story of a school looking for a place it could finally call home.

Sold at Antoine Bookstores, IC Advancement Office and online at: www.antoineonline.com

All proceeds go towards the IC Scholarship Fund