In Memoriam In Loving Memory: Dr. Edmond Tohme

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of IC’s former Deputy President, Dr. Edmond Tohme, on March 27, 2023. Tohme was a truly remarkable individual who played a pivotal role in keeping IC open during the civil war.

Tohme held many various posts at IC, including Director of Admissions, Dean of Students, Associate Director at the Middle school, Director of the Secondary School, Executive Vice President, and Deputy President. He was also the recipient of the National Order of the Cedar Award. Throughout the war years, he showed incredible courage and leadership. He became part of a core group of administrators making difficult decisions and taking bold actions to keep our school running during a time of great turmoil and uncertainty.

Edmond (Eddie) Tohme initially came to IC as a boarding student before traveling to the US to pursue his studies. After completing his master’s degree at Stanford University, he returned to Lebanon for a visit and was offered a position teaching philosophy and counseling at the school’s secondary level. Tohme accepted the offer and canceled his plans to return to the US.

UN Grand Homme: noble , juste, professionnel qu’on ne peut que respecter et se sentir honnorée de travailler sous sa direction.

Il a toujours su appriécier les gens à leur juste valeur.

Je n’oublierais jamais quand j’ai reçu la 1ère le prix qui porte son nom et que j’ai été pour lui parler après la cérémonie, il m’a dit : “Amal tu mérites hautement cette reconnaissance pour tous les services rendus à la section française de l’IC mais surtout aussi pour ton professionnalisme et ton intégrité.

C’est hélas le peu dont je me rappelle de notre conversation.

Que son âme repose en paix .

C’est comme tu l’as si bien dit Mona une perte sèche pour l’IC car après lui, personne n’a pu l’égaler.

Ta mémoire restera à jamais gravée dans nos coeurs et nos esprits.

Adieu Mr Tohmé!

Amal Charara

It would be a decision that would greatly impact the future of the school. Tohme and his colleagues were responsible for making critical decisions about whether to hold classes in the face of ongoing battles and conflicts. They frequently confronted and pushed out armed militia groups entering the campus grounds.

Still, IC opened its doors.

“We had always thought it couldn’t get worse, but the pit seems bottomless, and we sink lower as time goes on… No matter what happens, I cannot imagine a country without schools for very long; I cannot imagine a country without children going to school, and I cannot imagine the Lebanese, no matter the hardships, settling for less than quality education. For that, our efforts are still worthwhile,” he stated in Annual Report to the Board of Trustees 1988-89.

Je reçois comme un choc cette triste nouvelle, bien que tout le monde eût vent de sa longue et pénible maladie. Car, un homme ( au vrai sens du terme ) tel que Edmond Tohmé, il n’en existe plus dans notre pays meurtri. Son intégrité, sa classe, sa grande tolérance, il les a emportées avec lui. Je n’oublierai jamais nos discussions en matière de pédagogie ou de relations humaines. Il tenait à conserver à chacun sa place jusqu’à preuve du contraire. Profondément humain et respectueux, il ne tolérait aucune injustice et cela augmentait notre admiration. L’IC se doit d’être fier d’avoir été dirigé par Edmond Tohmé!

Jessy Kobeissa

With the untimely death of then-IC President Alton Reynolds, Tohme assumed the role of Deputy President and continued the search for a new campus location on the east side of the country. In 1987, he finally settled on a site with breathtaking views to build an ‘extension’ campus of IC in the picturesque village of Ain Aar. A year later, the Ain Aar campus opened its doors.

Tohme received several job offers throughout the war. He had always refused, firmly believing that IC needed him. Regarded as a sophisticated and refined man who spoke deliberately and thoughtfully, he earned the admiration of numerous educators over the years.

“I have been trying to and trying very hard to approach your ‘silent wisdom,’” said Mona Shbaklo as she accepted the Edmond Tohme Award in 2008. “Have I succeeded?”

A 1999 Torch tribute for his retirement described him as “a rare combination of powerful presence, sharp intellect, ethic professionalism, pleasant company, and great humility; his tendency to shy away from the limelight adds to his quiet strength.” (Sana Haydar).

Other remarks praised him as an exemplary leader. “Many things have been said about Eddie’s wisdom and vision in the way he guided IC during the worst days of the war. However, I saw during my long working experience with him the other face, that of the shy, discrete, humble, patient, and most of all helpful and humane person.” (Yussuf Korfali, Torch 1999)

Today, the Edmond Tohme Outstanding Educator Award recognizes an outstanding IC educator whose teaching and/ or administrative career has been marked by significant contributions to IC’s mission and objectives.

Thank you, “Eddie,” for your dedication and love to IC.

May you rest in peace.

Tout le monde connaît Mr Tohmé le philosophe, l’érudit qui a dirigé notre IC avec sagesse durant les années les plus difficiles de son histoire. Mais rares sont ceux qui connaissent le côté humain de ce grand homme et que j’admirais beaucoup chez lui.

Permettez moi à ce sujet de vous raconter une entrevue que j’ai eue avec lui et qui m’a permis de découvrir la noblesse de ses actes et son empathie avec le corps professoral.

En effet, dans les années 90, les enseignants à mi temps ne bénéficiaient pas d’aide financière pour la scolarité de leurs enfants qui équivalait parfois à tout leur salaire comme c’était le cas de l’un de mes collègues du département. Je décidai donc d’aller en discuter avec Mr Tohmé.

Le réglement de l’établissement ne le lui permettant pas, il n’hésita pas à lui accorder cette aide du budget qui lui était alloué en tant que président par intérim. Je ne pense pas que d’autres l’auraient fait. C’était en cela qu’il se distinguait de tous les autres.

Repose en paix.

Tous ceux qui ont eu la chance de te connaître ne t’oublieront jamais.

Jeanette Frangieh