Houston and Los Angeles Hosting the Rector with a delegation from USJ
Houston and Los Angeles Hosting the Rector with a delegation from USJ
For the second time in less than a year, the Rector, Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., headed to the US, together with the Director of the Fondation USJ, Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea and the President of the Federation of USJ Alumni, Dr. Christian Makary to meet the Alumni and friends in Houston and Los Angeles for fundraising in support of the USJ students and its hospital, the Hôtel-Dieu de France (HDF).
HOUSTON
November 18 and 19, 2022
Cocktail reception at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Hakim
On the 18th of November, Mr. Joseph Hakim and his wife Randa, Director of the North America Office of USJ have invited the delegation to a cocktail reception in honor of the Rector, and in the presence of several Alumni, friends and personalities from Houston.
The next day, the delegation met with the internationally renowned oncologist and researcher, Dr. Philipp Salem, known for his great values of humanism and solidarity.
Mr. Nijad Farès, CEO of Link Group LLC and Wedge Equities LLC has invited the rector and the delegation to lunch, in the presence of Dr. Pierre Khoury, President of the Houston Chapter, as well as some Alumni and friends.
1st Gala Dinner organized by the USJ Alumni Houston Chapter
A Gala dinner organized by the USJ Alumni Houston Chapter was held on Saturday, November 19, at the Omni Hotel in Houston, where nearly 300 alumni and friends of the University gathered around the USJ Rector, Prof. Salim Daccache s.j. and the delegation, made up of the President of the Federation of USJ Alumni, Prof. Christian Makary, and the Director of the Fondation USJ, Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea.
The meeting in Houston whose main goal was raising funds in support of the USJ students in difficult financial situation, and the patients of the university hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de France, was also a great opportunity for the USJ delegation to meet up with the Alumni and all their friends and to forge new partnerships/bonds.
R.P. Edward Hanna, the priest of Our Lady of the Cedars parish launched the evening with a prayer that highlighted the importance of the bonds built within the USJ Alumni community who showed loyalty and solidarity toward their Alma Mater.
The president of the Houston Chapter, Dr. Pierre Khoury has then welcomed the guests and gave them an overview of the Lebanese community in Houston.
Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea has provided an update on the initiatives undertaken by the Fondation USJ across their activities during this crisis. "Supporting students who are in a difficult financial situation gives the next generation of USJ graduates an opportunity to excel and succeed," she said.
Prof. Christian Makary highlighted the efforts made over the past few years to strengthen the bonds between the University and the Alumni, as well as between the Alumni themselves. He also highlighted the synergy and the important role of the Alumni abroad, in Houston, particularly in supporting and mentoring young graduates newly settled in the city.
After thanking the guests for all the support, they are willing to provide to the University, the Rector declared that this 1st Gala dinner in Houston will forever mark the university community, students, and Alumni. "USJ will remain standing, always ready to fulfill its educational and civic mission to serve Lebanon, despite the huge difficulties and the many challenges it faces”, he added.
During this friendly evening, The Rector, wished to decorate several personalities through honorary distinctions given to several Lebanese personalities from Houston, in particular, Dr. Raymond Sawaya whose exceptional career was hailed by the medal of merit of the University, which was given to him by the hands of the Prof. Salim Daccache s.j. and a trophy also presented to him on behalf of the Chapter. For info, Dr Sawaya is an Alumnus of the USJ Faculty of Medicine from the class of 1974; he was appointed in 2021 Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean “Raja N. Kuri” of the Faculty of Medicine of the American University of Beirut – AUB.
In a moving speech, Dr Sawaya returned to his journey which began at USJ and which led him to Houston, at the MD Anderson Medical Center, insisting on the special place of USJ in the life of Alumni and on the importance of the Alumni network.
In recognition of their efforts to bring USJ Alumni together in Houston, the Rector also awarded the USJ Medal to Dr. Pierre Khoury (FM, 1991), Mr. Pierre Mubarak (ESIB, 1988) and Mrs. Randa Hakim, the Director of USJ's North America Office.
LOS ANGELES
November 20, 2022
Solidarity Brunch at the invitation of Dr. Kamal and Jocelyne Zakka
In Los Angeles (LA), on November 20, the Rector of USJ and Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea were invited to a Solidarity Brunch, at the invitation of Dr. Kamal and Jocelyne Zakka, who mobilized a large number of their friends and personalities of LA.
During this convivial meeting, the Rector has warmly thanked the Zakka’s for their generosity and hospitality and addressed a word of gratitude to all of the attendees for their friendly support to the USJ students.
Support dinner initiated by the USJ Alumni California Chapter
Also in Los Angeles, on the evening of November 20, a fundraising dinner in support of the USJ students was organized by the USJ Alumni California Chapter, at the Phoenicia Restaurant Glendale, around the Rector, Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., accompanied by the Director of the Fondation USJ, Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea and the President of the Federation of USJ Alumni, Dr Christian Makary.
During the evening, the Rector of USJ awarded 3 medals of merit to the founding president of the California Chapter, Dr. Toni Daher represented by his wife, to Dr. Nabil Feghali, and to Mrs. Layla Yaacoub, as a sign of recognition for all their efforts in organizing this dinner that brought together a hundred of USJ friends and alumni.