Houston and Los Angeles Welcome the Rector with a Delegation from USJ
For the second time in less than a year, the Rector, Professor Salim Daccache s.j., together with the Director of the Fondation USJ, Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea, and the President of the Federation of USJ Alumni Associations, Dr. Christian Makary, traveled to the United States for meetings and fundraising efforts in Houston and Los Angeles to support USJ students and patients of its university hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de France - HDF.
HOUSTON
November 18 and 19, 2022
Cocktail Reception at the Invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Hakim
On November 18, the delegation was invited to the residence of Mr. Joseph Hakim and his wife Randa, Director of the North America Office of USJ, for a cocktail reception in honor of the Rector, bringing together several alumni, friends, and personalities from Houston.
The following day, the delegation met with the oncologist and internationally renowned researcher, Dr. Philippe Salem, known for his unwavering humanism.
Later, a lunch was held in honor of the Rector at the invitation of Mr. Nijad Farès, CEO of Link Group LLC and Wedge Equities LLC, attended by Dr. Pierre Khoury, President of the Houston Chapter, as well as some alumni and friends.
First Gala Dinner organized by the Houston Chapter of the USJ Alumni Association, November 19, 2022
A gala dinner organized by the Houston Chapter of the USJ Alumni Association was held on Saturday, November 19, at the Omni Hotel in Houston, where nearly 300 alumni and friends of the University gathered around the Rector of USJ, Professor Salim Daccache s.j., and the escorting delegation, namely the Director of the Fondation USJ, Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea, and the President of the Federation of USJ Alumni Associations, Dr. Christian Makary.
The dinner aimed to fundraise for the USJ Student Scholarship Fund and the HDF Solidarity Fund, which both support students and patients in need. This major meeting in Houston was also an opportunity for the USJ delegation to reconnect with alumni and friends and establish new ties.
Rev. Edward Hanna, the priest of the "Our Lady of the Cedars" parish, opened the gala dinner with a prayer and highlighted the importance of the bonds within the USJ alumni community, remaining faithful to their alma mater values and demonstrating solidarity towards the latter.
The welcome address was then given by the President of the Houston Chapter, Dr. Pierre Khoury, who provided an overview of the Lebanese community in Houston.
In turn, Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea outlined the initiatives undertaken by the Fondation USJ, particularly in the context of multiple and acute crises. “Supporting students in financial difficulties is giving a chance to the next generation of USJ graduates to excel and succeed," stated Mrs. Ghobril Andrea.
Professor Christian Makary highlighted the numerous efforts made in recent years to revitalize links between the University and the alumni, as well as among alumni members themselves. He also highlighted the synergy and significant role played by alumni members established abroad, particularly in Houston, in supporting and mentoring recent graduates who newly settled in the city.
After thanking the guests for their support to the University, the Rector declared that this first gala dinner in Houston would forever mark the University’s community, students, and alumni. "USJ will remain standing, ready to fulfill its educational and civic mission to serve Lebanon, despite the enormous difficulties and numerous challenges it faces," added the Rector.
During this friendly and supportive evening, the Rector made a point of honoring several Lebanese personalities in Houston, including Dr. Raymond Sawaya, whose exceptional journey was acknowledged with the University's Merit Medal, presented by the Rector, and a trophy presented on behalf of the Chapter. Dr. Sawaya is an alumnus of the USJ Faculty of Medicine, class of 1974; he was appointed in 2021 as Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean "Raja N. Kuri" of the Faculty of Medicine at the American University of Beirut – AUB. In an emotional speech, Dr. Sawaya reflected on his journey that began at USJ and brought him to Houston, at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, emphasizing the special place of USJ in the life of alumni members and the importance of the alumni network.
In recognition of their efforts to bring together USJ alumni in Houston, the Rector also presented the USJ Medal to Dr. Pierre Khoury (FM, 1991), Mr. Pierre Moubarak (ESIB, 1988), and Mrs. Randa Hakim, the Director of the North America Office of USJ.
LOS ANGELES
November 20, 2022
Solidarity Brunch at the Invitation of Dr. Kamal and Jocelyne Zakka
The Rector of USJ and Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea were invited on November 20 to a solidarity brunch, at the invitation of Dr. Kamal and Jocelyne Zakka, who mobilized a large number of their friends and LA personalities.
During this friendly meeting, the Rector warmly thanked the Zakka family for their generosity and hospitality, and expressed gratitude to everyone present and their friendly support to USJ students.
Support Dinner Initiated by the California Chapter of the USJ Alumni Association
The USJ Rector's tour in the United States last November included two major destinations. After the first gala dinner of the Alumni Chapter in Houston, Professor Salim Daccache s.j. traveled to Los Angeles with Dr. Christian Makary, President of the Federation of Alumni Associations, and Mrs. Cynthia Ghobril Andrea, Director of the Fondation USJ. The California Chapter of the USJ Alumni Association organized its fundraising dinner for the benefit of the University and its students on November 20, 2022. Over 100 guests responded to the invitation, including Mr. Bashir Saad Sarkis, Consul General of Lebanon in Los Angeles, and several figures from the Lebanese community.
The evening began with a welcoming note from Dr. Nabil Feghali, on behalf of the Chapter. Dr. Feghali thanked attendees for responding positively to the solidarity call with the alma mater.
Mrs. Andrea began by presenting the initiatives undertaken by the Fondation USJ, particularly the "Give to Educate" campaign, launched in partnership with the Alumni Federation, which provided financial assistance to almost half of the students in 2021/2022. She mentioned that the University expects the number of aid requests to increase further, given the continuing economic and social crises.
Professor Makary focused on the current situation of Lebanese youth, concerned about the circumstances threatening their future. He encouraged dinner attendees to get more involved in ensuring the best education for future generations and urging them to anchor themselves in the country: "we rely on this generation for change," he said.
For his part, Professor Daccache provided an overview of the situation at the University and its University Hospital, Hôtel-Dieu de France, which is celebrating its centenary this year, as well as their urgent needs. "No donation is too small. Every contribution counts because it comes from the heart and that spirit of solidarity that animates you." The Rector also awarded the USJ Medal to Dr. Nabil Feghali (FM, 1975), Dr. Tony Daher (FMD, 1977), and Dr. Layla Yaacoub (FMD, 1999) in recognition of their efforts to bring together and animate the USJ Alumni community in California.
Source: https://alumniusj.org/article/diner-de-fundraising-a-los-angeles/07/12/2022/788