Bethlehem University News (BUN)
-Mass of Thanksgiving -Honorary Doctorate
-Five-Year Strategic Plan Enters Phase II: Implementation -Minister of Education Visits Campus -Development News -Donations from June 7, 1998 to November 15, 1998 -Major Grants Provide Funds for New Construction -First Individual Endowed Scholarship Received -Local support for the 1998-1999 Scholarship Fund: -First Annual Fundraising Dinner 
Bethlehem University Silver Jubilee
A Mosaic of MemoriesBrother Vincent Malham, Vice ChancellorIt was a wonderful week of celebration: one of thanksgiving, great joy and pride, one long to be remembered and cherished. The photos and coverage in this special issue will serve to recall some of its special moments. One would have had to be here, however, to truly capture the emotion, the impact, the significance of this milestone in the history of Bethlehem University. The Silver Jubilee was, among many things, an exciting reunion of many of the pioneers who began this courageous venture in faith, men like Pio Cardinal Laghi, a true Father and Founder; Brother John Johnston, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools; and Monsignors Robert Fuglister, President of ABU; Herbert Michel, President, Weltmission-Weltkirche; and Robert Stern, Secretary General, CNEWA. It was also a gathering for almost all of the University's past chief administrators, Brothers Joseph Loewenstein, Thomas Scanlan, Anton De Roeper, and Ronald Gallagher, who made the long journey to celebrate with us, as did many others, including Brother Brendan Fitzgerald, one of the first three Brothers to serve here, and former teachers and students living abroad. It brought together as well a wide circle of benefactors, church and civic dignitaries, Trustees and Regents, alumni and friends, noteworthy among whom were Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah, first President of the University (1981-1988), Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Pietro Sambi, new Chancellor of the University, and Mayor Hanna Nasser, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Recalling a twenty-five-year history of dramatic struggle and courageous achievement, the various ceremonies throughout the week gave tribute to many significant persons, both living and deceased. But this Jubilee was not only a remembrance and celebration of the past. It will also be, it is hoped, a sign of encouragement to our students, and to the entire Palestinian community, that Bethlehem University renews its commitment to providing quality education for Palestine's best and brightest. We have been here twenty-five years, but we are just beginning. With God's continued blessing, and with the generous support of our friends and benefactors around the world, this University will continue to serve the young people of this land.
Coming Home to Bethlehem
They came from far away places, returning to
Bethlehem for Bethlehem University's Silver Jubilee celebrations, a week
of events beginning October 4th and ending October 10th. There were
founders, former administrators, teachers and students, many benefactors
and dignitaries, in addition to the University community of faculty, staff and students. The celebrations included concerts, campus tours, an all-day picnic, sports events, a photo exhibit and science fair, singing and dancing, and a special time set apart to commemorate deceased faculty, staff and students.
The Jubilee opened with a Mass of Thanksgiving. Presiding was His Eminence Pio Cardinal Laghi [in photo left] from Rome, the First Chancellor of Bethlehem University (1973) and the recipient of Bethlehem University's new De La Salle Award . In his homily the Cardinal remarked that the founding of Bethlehem University "was an act of faith," that had "the power to … transform history" and he praised the courage of the three original Christian Brothers who journeyed to the Holy Land to implement the project—Brothers Joseph Neary, Anthony O'Connor and Brendan Fitzgerald. "Theirs was a faith that moved the mountain," he said.
De La Salle Award
His Eminence Pio Cardinal Laghi, the Prefect of the Congregation of
Catholic Education is pictured here on the right, accepting Bethlehem
University's De La Salle Award from the University's Vice Chancellor Br.
Vincent Malham [center] and Christian Brother Superior General Br. John
Johnston [left]. Cardinal Laghi was the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem
at the time of the founding of Bethlehem University in 1973. This new
award, created in honor of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the Founder of
the Brothers of the Christian Schools, is bestowed on "a person who
has distinguished himself/herself in the field of education, or to a
person who has contributed in an outstanding way to the good of the
University or the community." Accepting the award, Cardinal Laghi
made these comments: "The instructions Pope Paul VI gave me were to
see to it to commit yourself and the efforts of the church to stopping
the exodus of young Christians from the Holy Land. My satisfaction is
obvious, at seeing the 25th Jubilee of the university. It is
my prayer that Bethlehem University continue to prosper.
One of the principal events of the week was the Academic Convocation on October 5th, an impressive international gathering of the Bethlehem University family--past, present and future.
Honorary Doctorate
Bethlehem University presented the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Pedagogy
to Brother John Johnston, FSC, the Superior General of the De La Salle
Christian Brothers. This is the first Honorary Doctorate ever given by
the University and the sixth conferred upon Br. Johnston who has five
previous honorary degrees from other Lasallian institutions. The
citation of Honorary Doctorate of Pedagogy was read by the Dean of the
Faculty of Education, Dr. Jacqueline Sfeir, acknowledging Br. Johnston's
forty-eight years of service to the De La Salle community, the past
twelve as its Superior General, and his career in education as teacher
and administrator. In his remarks of acceptance, Br. Johnston said,
"Twenty-two years ago God in his loving Providence called me to
accompany in a particular way Bethlehem University. From miles away, at
our headquarters in Rome, I have tried to contribute to its development.
I am intensely proud of Bethlehem University and all those who
throughout its twenty-five-year history have made it a reality. I thank
you for recognizing my love for this institution and my efforts on its
behalf."
The University Presents the Special Service Award to Five Special Individuals
Monsignor Robert Fuglister, AFSC
Monsignor Robert Fuglister is the president of the Bethlehem
University Association in Switzerland. He has expressed his uncommon
devotion to Bethlehem University over many years through his
administrative and development activities and efforts on behalf of the
University in the Vatican and the Swiss government and through many
outstanding contributions. At the presentation ceremony in the
University Chapel of the Holy Child, Monsignor Fuglister stated,
"We need this institution. We have a great mission."
Monsignor Herbert Michel, AFSC
Monsignor Herbert Michel, currently serving as Chairman of the
Finance Committee of the International Board of Regents, was present in
the earliest discussions leading to the choice of the present campus.
His encouragement was essential in making the decision to establish a
university granting baccalaureate degrees rather than a community junior
college. To Monsignor Michel we also owe the name of Bethlehem
University. He worked assiduously to bring direct aid from the
Archdiocese of Koln in Germany for development projects and academic
programs. He said he felt his biggest contribution was the naming of
Bethlehem University.
Monsignor Robert L. Stern, AFSC
Monsignor Robert L. Stern, Director General of Catholic Near East
Welfare Association (CNEWA), has been one of Bethlehem University's most
astute, loyal and influential supporters. He helped to establish the
International Board of Regents in 1995 and now serves as its Chairman.
He helped to regularized the legal status of the University and was the
principal author of the Statutes. "The credit really goes to my
predecessor, Bishop John Nolan," he responded. "Sixteen years
ago I came along with him to Bethlehem at Christmas time and he
introduced me to the university. I am just continuing his work."
Brother Joseph Loewenstein, FSC
Brother Joe, as he is lovingly known, served Bethlehem University
for 17 years, from 1975 to 1992 in various capacities, including Vice
Chancellor. His many accomplishments include opening a dialogue with the
Union of Arab Universities and implementing building projects to
modernize the campus. But his greatest gift, according to his closest
friends, is his personality and charm and his winning smile, which
formed many lasting friendships for him and the university.
Brother Jean Manuel, FSC
Brother Jean is the one who was present before the University was
founded, who conceived the idea of an institution of higher learning in
Bethlehem, helped to make it a reality and continues to serve after
twenty-five years. Brother Jean, a Palestinian, was director of the
Freres Schools in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He worked alongside
then-Monsignor Pio Laghi, who was Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem, to
found a university in Bethlehem, doing all the necessary details,
finding an academic and secretarial staff, and arranging for those
Brothers who came to administer the University
Silver Jubilee week
continues…
"You have one
direction to go, and that
… and forward, into the new millennium
Three Faculty Members Receive Prestigious Fulbright AwardProfessors Vivian Khamis, Mo'en Kan'an and George Rishmawi, all faculty members of Bethlehem University, are recipients of Fulbright research scholarships for the current academic year. This is an outstanding achievement for each recipient and an unusual occurrence for one institution to have several Fulbright scholars in the same year. Dr. Khamis, currently doing her research at Harvard University, is investigating the best techniques of conflict resolution throughout the world to adapt to the regions of the Middle East, particularly Palestine. Dr. Mo'en Kan'an will implement his research on The Molecular Basis of Deafness in the Palestinian Non-Syndromic Deaf Population at the Medical School of the University of Washington in Seattle. Dr. George Rishmawi will investigate the influences of the Muslim East on Western literature, particularly on American literature at the University of California, Riverside.
Five-Year Strategic Plan Enters Phase II: ImplementationOn June 22nd last year a general assembly was held to unveil Phase I of the Bethlehem University "Five Year Strategic Development Plan - The Vision". Work on the plan started in October 1997 with the appointment of a team from the University Community, and two strategic analysts, Monsignor Conor Ward and Dr. Colette Dowling, who are funded by Irish Aid. Phase II: Implementation, the most challenging phase, started immediately following the completion of the October Silver Jubilee celebrations and included an Assembly of the University Community held on November 5th to advance the process of implementation. Vice Chancellor Brother Vincent Malham and Dr. Colette Dowling made presentations, then the assembly broke into groups for discussions on the Vision Plan. Eighty-two proposed initiatives were listed under twelve major themes in the Vision Phase Report. When all the members of the University were consulted about the possibilities for immediate implementation, the proposed initiatives which were most frequently chosen were:
Minister of Education Visits Campus
Dr. Munther Salah, Minister of Higher Education, visited Bethlehem
University on October 19th , meeting with the Student Council, the
Workers Union and Faculty Deans. Dr. Salah, who in the past served as
president of Al-Najah University in Nablus, was presented with a gift
from Vice Chancellor, Br. Vincent Malham—a commemorative medal with an
emblem of the University to honor the Minister for his visit to the
campus.
Development News
Thank you to the following individuals, parish groups, fraternal
organizations and foundations who have been so generous. Your
participation in the mission of Bethlehem University, regardless of the
amount, is very important.Sincerely, Brother Jerome Sullivan, FSC Vice President for Development
Donations from June 7, 1998 to November 15, 1998
Major Grants Provide Funds for New ConstructionThe United States Agency for International Development, under the auspices of its Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad, has granted Bethlehem University, through the Christian Brothers Conference in the U.S., a sum of $503,574 to support the construction of a new classroom/office building. This grant, together with the grant of $250,000 received from the Oil Producing Exporting Countries (OPEC), will enable the University to start construction next summer. This will be the first new construction since the Social and Cultural Center was completed in 1990.
First Individual Endowed Scholarship ReceivedBreen Bland, MD, AFSC, and his wife Betty Moore Bland, pictured here with their family, are the first individuals to give a $25,000 endowed scholarship to Bethlehem University. Married for fifty-four years, with eight children, fourteen grandchildren and one great grandchild, they recently celebrated this landmark anniversary with a trip to Rome and the Holy Land where, as members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, they received their Pilgrim Shells from His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. It was during this visit to Bethlehem that they presented the scholarship to Brother Vincent Malham, FSC, Vice Chancellor of the University.The Blands, from Millington, Tennessee, have a long history of association with the Christian Brothers. Dr. Bland and his father, brothers, uncles, cousins, his five sons and now two grandsons have all attended or are now attending Christian Brothers Schools. He is an affiliated member of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Both Blands, Breen and Betty, have lived a life of service to others through volunteer work with countless civic, community and religious groups, as well 
as serving on many boards. Doctor Bland retired in 1997 after practicing
medicine for fifty-five years in service to "God's little
ones," as he affectionately referred to his patients, young and
old, rich and poor. Though both are retired from their active
professions, they have never retired, nor will they ever retire, from a
lifetime of selfless, loving, living, giving and caring. This generous
gift to the University is a shining reflection of the lifetime of Doctor
Breen and Betty Bland to which we all aspire and for which we are all
most grateful.
PLEASE SUPPORT BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY BY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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Local support for the 1998-1999 Scholarship Fund:
Transjordan Engineering Company - BethlehemInternational Exchange Company - Bethlehem Caritas - Jerusalem St. Vincent de Paul - Jerusalem Nicola Canavati Scholarship Library Scholarship Fund Palestinian Student Center Pontifical Mission - Jerusalem Faculty Scholarship Fund Secretariate for Solidarity - Jerusalem Nestle Corporation, Bethlehem Latin Patriarchate - Jerusalem Arab Student Aid International - Jerusalem Hebron Zakat Organization - Hebron Above: Caritas provided scholarships to 18 Bethlehem University students on September 26th. Br. Jerome [front center] with student recipients of scholarships and with Claudette Habesch [on his right], who is Director of Caritas in Jerusalem and a member of the University Board of Trustees, and Mervat Naber [on his left], head of the Social Department at Caritas-Jerusalem.
First Annual Fundraising DinnerAn annual fundraising dinner was inaugurated in this Silver Jubilee year with proceeds going to the student scholarship fund and tuition aid for needy students. The event is an opportunity for the local community to support University development programs. In October, a Silver Jubilee Annual Appeal was mailed to individuals as a first step in expanding the University's individual giving program on an international scale. The dinner is the first special event locally and will foster local participation in the overall development plan. The dinner was held November 7th in Bethlehem's Nissan Restaurant, attracting 340 guests, including the Mayor of Bethlehem, Hanna Nasser, who is also the Chairman of the Bethlehem University Board of Trustees, and Daoud Al-Zeer, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. There was a raffle drawing for donated prizes: a new washing machine donated by Fuad Kattan of the Transjordan Engineering Company, two diamond pieces donated by the Lama Brothers and a gold ring donated by the Saca Brothers, all from Bethlehem. Unexpected special donations received were 10,000 shekels worth of printing services from Issa Habesch and one student scholarship donated by Mr. George Nasser. The Bethlehem University development office is grateful to all volunteers, donors and guests for making our first annual fundraising dinner a successful eventAhlan wa sahlan. In Arabic, this means "Welcome!" And in the ancient tradition of hospitality in Palestine, we welcome you and your pilgrimage groups to stop by to visit our campus, have a cup of tea or lunch in our Institute of Hotel Management Dining Room, stop by the Campus Corner Gift Shop, meet some of our students and learn about the ministry of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land. To arrange a visit, contact Bethlehem University. The Administration, Faculty and Staff of Bethlehem University wish you a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year |
Mass of Thanksgiving
