PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
P.O.Box. 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Tel: 01-353010/1/2
01-349230/1
Haigazian University awards H.E. Mrs. Leila Solh-Hamade the University
"Service Shield"
Haidostian: It is Haigazian University that has been honored through
honoring those servants in the past and present
Beirut, 06/05/2009- On May 1, 2009, Haigazian University grasped the
unique opportunity of its Board of Trustees meetings held for the first
time in Beirut since May 2006, to award H.E. Mrs. Leila Solh-Hamade the
University "Service Shield", during an exquisite dinner at the La Marina
Club, Dbaye.
Present were members of the Board of Trustees led by Chairman Mr. Herair
Mouradian, the President of the AMAA, Dr. Hrair Aharonian, the President
of the UAECNE, Rev. Megerdich Karageuzian, the President of the
University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, the Deans and key Staff members,
in addition to Haigazian University partners, the US Ambassador, Mrs.
Michele Sison, the Armenian Ambassador Mr. Roupen Kharazian, the Vice
President of the Al Waleed Bin Talal Foundation, Mrs. Leila Solh Hamade,
as well as special friends of the University, cabinet Ministers Jean
Oghasabian and Alan Tabourian, and MP Dr. Bassem Shabb.
The program started with a word of welcome by the University
Public Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, who appreciated the sense of
calling and the vigorous efforts of the Board members, to hold the
meetings in Beirut, after a two-year break, due to the political
situation in Lebanon.
After the opening prayer offered by trustee Rev. Carnegie
Calian, the Executive Director of the AMAA (Armenian Missionary
Association of America), Andrew Toriguian greeted the audience, and
highlighted the pivotal role Haigazian University is playing in the
Armenian Diaspora, proving excellence in education and preserving the
Armenian and Lebanese heritage.
In her word of greeting, US Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E.
Michele Sison, expressed her government’s sincere commitment to
investing in the future of the youth and future generations, through
education. Sison stressed the importance of creating a support system to
nurture the new generation, thus, going beyond just providing basic
education. In this respect, Sison highlighted the value system of
Haigazian University, in nurturing its students, and preparing them for
future leadership positions, and expressed her joy for granting US
support to the scholarship program at the University.
President Haidostian addressed the audience, acknowledging the
presence of the Board of Trustees as an occasion of the renewal of the
original vision of the founders of Haigazian.
"The training of leaders and of servants of society was always high on
their agenda, and continues to be so today as well. … And yet, in our
education we know that all leadership aims at serving the most needy,
and service is the most noble and impressive styles of leadership",
Haidostian noted.
Haidostian found this unique opportunity of the Board visit to specially
recognize a multi-faceted and far- reaching servant leader, known in
Lebanon through family history and personal endeavor, a personality that
is both a symbol and act of indiscriminate service to all communities of
Lebanon and beyond, i.e. the Vice President of the Al Waleed Bin Talal
Foundation, H.E. former Minister Mrs. Leila Solh Hamade, whose
friendship to Haigazian University has been much more than symbolic, and
her leadership role in the Al Waleed Bin Talal Foundation really
exemplary.
President Haidostian, bestowed upon Her Excellency an honor that
Haigazian University considers as part of its calling, an exclusive and
highly selective shield, the Haigazian University Service Shield.
This shield, bestowed by Haigazian University upon selected prominent
personalities who embody the noble values of the University (Truth,
Freedom and Service, and the greatest of these is Service), on the
national and global scene has been granted before to three prestigious
personalities only, and Mrs. Solh-Hamade became the fourth person. The
previous recipients were: H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs the Armenian
Republic, Mr. Vartan Oskanyan (2005), His Excellency former and late
Prime Minister of Lebanon, Mr. Rafic Hariri (2001), and the President of
the Armenian Republic, Mr. Robert Kocharian (2000).
"It is Haigazian University that has been honored through the honoring
those servants of humanity in the past, and today Haigazian University
is really honored by you joining our list of special honor", said
Haidostian while presenting the shield to Her Excellency, accompanied by
the Chairman of the Board, Herair Mouradian.
H.E. Leila Solh Hamade expressed her gratification and pride
while receiving the exclusive and highly selective Haigazian University
Service Shield, praising the prominent role Haigazian has played in
Lebanon, as a revered representation of the Armenian people. Solh
acknowledged the participatory role of Haigazian University in the
Lebanese community, as an active partner in the country, and as a
prestigious academic institution that groups all political and religious
denominations without any differentiation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
