bethlehem university news - spring 2016
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Volume 23 - Issue No. 2, 2015-2016TRANSCRIPT
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In this issue:
Celebrating Brother JoeFrom Gaza to HollywoodJerusalem’s Fascinating History
Volume 23 - Issue No.2, 2015-2016
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A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR
Advancing Bethlehem University’s Educational Mission
In November 2015, I had the honor to address Pope Francis at the World Congress on Education at the Vatican. I was able to share with the Holy Father and the audience the unique mission of Bethlehem University to develop an environment and provide opportunities for our students to learn the knowledge and skills, as well as acquire the attitudes and values that will enable them to live life as fully as they can in the midst of the difficulties they face. This is the essence of the mission that accompanies everything our community on campus works to achieve, with your generous support. This is why we exist!
This Spring Semester marks an exciting time in the the history of Bethlehem University: the renovated University Library opened on February 24th . With the help of so many of our friends and supporters, we have been able to renovate the library that was built in 1977, when fewer than 400 students attended Bethlehem University. Not only did we need more space for our now more than 3200 students, it was also necessary to bring the physical design into the 21st century and to align with current pedagogical and technological requirements. With the attendance of many international and local notables, we inaugurated the renovated library after years of planning and fundraising.
Bethlehem University has been blessed to have been able to serve the Palestinian people for more than 40 years, but we do not rest on our laurels. We work to continually find better ways in which we serve here in the Holy Land. Education and research are always evolving and we are focused on the future with the development of new programs, reviewing our existing academic offerings, finding better ways to teach these programs, and developing the facilities master plan. We are looking to improve the facilities Bethlehem University has in order to offer its students and academics the best opportunities to learn. The renovation of the Library is a first milestone in that journey towards an improved campus that facilitates and empowers the academic process. You – our friends and supporters – are vital to our mission to serve the Palestinian people through education.
Shukran, thank you!
Brother Peter Bray, FSC, EdD Vice Chancellor
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Published bythe Advancement Office
Editorial CommitteeMr. Alexander MuslehMr. George N. Rishmawi Mr. Isaac SahharBro. Stephen Tuohy, FSCMs. Annerieke Willemze
ContributorsDr. Omar Abed RabboMr. Demitri AwwadMs. Jenny Baboun Mr. Eric CrossleyMs. Rania Hazboun ‘96 Dr. Irene HazouMs. Shahinda Nassar ‘05 Br. Dominic Smith, FSC
Design and PrintingHMC Printing & [email protected]
Bethlehem UniversityElectronic addresswww.bethlehem.edu [email protected]
Mailing addressBethlehem UniversityCommunications OfficePO Box 11407 92248 Jerusalem
Location addressFreres Street #9Bethlehem, Palestine
Bethlehem UniversityFoundation USAMailing addressBethlehem UniversityFoundationP.O. Box 355Beltsville, MD [email protected]
Location addressBethlehem University Foundation6001 Ammendale Road, Suite 200Beltsville, MD [email protected]
Cover Photo by:George Rishmawi. (Br. Joseph Loewenstein at Bethlehem University)
News ..........................................................................4
Going Abroad .........................................................9
University Matters ..............................................10
Graduate Profile ..................................................11
Celebrating Brother Joe .................................... 12
Student Mother ................................................... 13
Table of ContentsAnnual Scholarships .........................................14
Jerusalem’s History ............................................16
Student Profile ..............................................17
Thank you ........................................................... 18
Financial Statement .......................................... 21
Visitors ................................................................. 22
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Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray spoke at the “World Congress Educating Today and Tomorrow: A Renewing Passion” in Rome, where His Holiness, Pope Francis, was present. This year, the Congregation for Catholic Education is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration Gravissimum Educationis and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae. The Congregation for Catholic Education organized the World Congress to re-energize the Church’s commitment to education.
Bethlehem University was invited to participate in the Congress and our Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray was one of the main speakers in the final session where His Holiness Pope Francis was present. Brother Peter Bray addressed His Holiness: “We are seeking to create
an atmosphere, develop an environment, and provide opportunities for our students to learn the skills, acquire the attitudes and values that will enable them to live life as fully as they can in the midst of the difficulties they face.”
NEWS
Celebrating Christmas Eve Every year on Christmas Eve, the Chapel of the Divine Child at Bethlehem University is a site of joy and worship when faculty, staff, and friends of Bethlehem University gather to celebrate Christmas during the Midnight Mass.
Though the beautiful Chapel at Bethlehem University always exudes a warm atmosphere, this spirit is particularly alive on Christmas Eve, when worshippers give thanks to the Lord and pray for peace to prevail on earth.
Many guests attended this special Mass, including members of the Bethlehem University Board of Trustees and Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray.
The mass was led by HE Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto.
In the Middle East consanguineous marriages (inbreeding) are quite common. These marriages increase the chance that both members of a couple will carry any recessive variant present in the family, and transmission by both parents will likely result in severe recessive disease in their children.
New genomic technologies are now enabling the Hereditary Research Lab (HRL) at Bethlehem University to research the molecular basis of many genetically
inherited Palestinian abnormalities. Bethlehem University has received Paralleled Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology in the form of the NextSeq 500 Platform machine.
This technology has accelerated the base of genetic research. It allows a systematic approach towards genetic defects and thus provides answers for potential risk, diagnosis, tailored therapy and prognostic indicator.
Hereditary Research Lab Acquires‘Next Generation Sequencing’ Machine
Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray at the Vatican for World Congress on Education
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On February 24th the renovated University Library yesterday was festively opened in the presence of the International Board of Regents and the Board of Trustees as well as Mr. Thomas Staal, the USAID-ASHA representative. H.E. Excellency Guiseppe Lazzarotto, the Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine was also present, as well as His Beautitude Fouad Twal, the Latin Patriarch.
The renovated Library is now equipped with study areas both for groups and individuals, as well as state of the art library technologies such as a digitized book-loan system, ample computer areas, and space-saving tools to keep books and other library resources centralized without taking over too much space. It also features a cozy café for relaxation and lively group discussions, as well as a garden. Both café and garden are intended to encourage interactive learning and to allow students and faculty members to spend as much time as needed within the Library’s premises.The renovation of the library started in May 2015 and Dr. Mellie Brodeth, Library Director, and her team have worked tirelessly to continue to provide library services to students and faculty members in the temporary library in Sansour Hall.
The festive ceremony was opened by Dr. Michel Sansour, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, with the National Anthem. Vice Chancellor Brother Peter Bray addressed the attendees, expressing his gratitude to all everyone who helped enable the renovation of the Library. He especially thanked the architect, Mr. Graham Ormsby, as well as the Capital Projects Committee for leading the renovation process. He also addressed the library staff and said they have an important and indispensable role in the educational process. Brother Peter Bray stressed the importance of bringing the library into the 21st century,
after the library’s addition to Bethlehem University in 1977. It was the first building built by Bethlehem University in addition to the existing De La Salle Building.
Mr. Thomas Staal, the USAID-ASHA representative also addressed the attendees saying it was a special privilege for him to be able to attend the ceremony. He emphasized the global need for good quality education is taken very seriously by USAID-ASHA. The renovation of Bethlehem University’s library allows for higher educational quality at Bethlehem University as it is fully equiped to fulfill its 21st century role as information and intellectual hub on campus. He also said USAID-ASHA is grateful to have been part of the building and renovation of every building on Bethlehem University’s campus. USAID-ASHA has been the biggest funder of the library renovation project with a contribution of 1,575,000 USD.
H.E. Guiseppe Lazzarotto spoke about the characteristics of a Catholic University. Mr. Fuad Kattan, Chair of the Board of Trustees, shared his views on characteristics of a Lasallian university. Prof. Bart McGettrick, Chair of the International Board of Regents spoke of what this state of the art library provides the Bethlehem University Community. His Beatitude Fouad Twal gave a blessing on the Library, praying for protection and a growth in knowledge and wisdom.
Brother Peter Bray, Dr. Mellie Brodeth, Mr. Fuad Kattan, H.E. Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Prof. Bart McGettrick, Sister Irene O’Neill (Chair of Bethlehem University Foundation), Mr. Thomas Staal, and His Beautitude Fouad Twal joined together in the cutting of the ribbon, officially opening the library.The ceremony was followed by a tour of the renovated library and a reception on the rooftop patio.
Opening Renovated Bethlehem University Library
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NEWS
Handal House Purchase CompletedEarly 2013 Bethlehem University and the Custody of the Holy Land jointly purchased the Mount David property in Bethlehem from the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem.
This property was the former hospital owned by the Holy Land Christian Mission which included ownership of 40% of the Handal House. At that time the remaining 60% of Handal House, one of three parcels on the Mount David property, was owned by members of the Handal family.
The Ecclesiastical Court of the Latin Patriarchate had become the trustee of the Handal House and represented the Handal family. Negotiations between the Ecclesiastical Court and Bethlehem University led to the completion of the purchase of Handal House by the University and the Custody of the Holy Land at a signing on 20 October 2015.
Bethlehem University is grateful to all who made this purchase possible which will contribute to the implementation of Bethlehem University’s strategic plan.
The Bethlehem University Foundation hosted the Third Annual Bethlehem University Legacy Dinner on November 8th at St. Francis Hall at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, DC. The dinner helped raise funds to complete funding for the Bethlehem University Library Renovation Project.
Many honored guests were in attendance at the dinner to show their support for the University and included representatives from the PLO Delegation, the Embassy of the State of Qatar, Catholic Charities, the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and the Shelton family and friends. The highlights of the evening included an impassioned speech by Brother Peter Bray, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University.
In addition, the inaugural Bethlehem University Legacy Awards were awarded to three outstanding friends and supporters of the University. The
organizations honored were: ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad); Christian Brothers Conference; and The Schmidt Family Foundation. These organizations have been extraordinarily generous to University for many years and have provided critical financial support. Since 1997 the Schmidt Family has contributed over $500,000 to the University for Scholarships. USAID/ASHA has awarded grants that have contributed to the construction or renovation of every building on campus, including the recent grant to renovate the Library. Christian Brothers Conference has been the official sponsor of Bethlehem University since its founding in 1973 and has provided financial support and personnel including seven of the University’s nine Vice Chancellors.
In addition to the great cuisine, a reception was held before the dinner to allow our contributors and friends to get further acquainted.
2015 Legacy Dinner Honors Longtime Friends of Bethlehem University
Library Digitizes a Rare ManuscriptJenny Baboun-Hodali, Librarian for IT/Digital Services has worked with Sister Rose, the Library’s archivist, to conserve a rare manuscript long kept in store in the University Library’s Archives section. The manuscript contains the epistles of Senesius, who was bishop of Cyrene circa 370-413 AD, as well as excerpts from Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian war”. This manuscript dates back approximately to the 16th century.
The digitizing of such a rare document is very delicate work and Jenny and Sr. Rose have put in a lot of time and dedication to conserve this valuable manuscript as an electronic resource.
Scan the code so you can see the manuscript!
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South African Ambassador on CampusH.E. Ambassador Ashraf Suliman, Head of the South African Representative Office in Ramallah, and Ms. Sholeen Mooljee, Counselor, visited Bethlehem University on Wednesday the 20th of January to learn about the University and its mission to provide first class education to the people of Palestine. The Ambassador said he was glad to be on campus as “education is something dear to me personally”.
Brother Peter Bray Vice Chancellor received the guests with Brother Stephen Tuohy, Vice President for Advancement.
Opening of the François Abu Salem SymposiumBethlehem University, together with Institut Français du Proche-Orient (Ifpo), the Institut Français, the National Palestinian Theatre and the Palestinian Theatre League, hosted a symposium in the first week of January that promoted writing, acting, performing, and stage setting practices in contemporary Palestinian theatre.
The aim was to provide opportunities for academics and theater practitioners to consider the past, present and future of the Palestinian theatre experience and its specificities, challenges and status. The symposium also provided a meeting platform for artists, theatre practitioners and scholars to reflect and discuss on the current situation of the Palestinian theater.
The successful symposium was organized by the Faculty of Education and saw scores of actors, theatre specialists, and local community leaders participate.
Two faculty members of the English department participated in the 8th International Pixel Conference for ICT in Language Learning in Florence, Italy on 12/13 November 2015.
Raphaela Fischer-Mourra and Shada Shahin presented their research paper titled “Liberated Spaces: The Use of iPads in Higher Education and the Possibility for Change” in which they posit that iPads can be catalysts in the true liberation of young Palestinian minds. Their study found that integrating iPads in the curriculum could enhance creativity, civic engagement and create committed critical thinkers who can develop “transnational literacy” concerning social, economic, and political realities. Education for liberation involves any project that requires students to step out of the metaphorical box to ask critical questions, think creatively, and consider innovative solutions to these problems.
The study Mourra and Shahin conducted was a result of a year-long pilot project
at Bethlehem University, in partnership with Diak University in Finland, in which iPads were utilized in specific English language courses to examine the ubiquitous role iPads can play in the lives of students, turning them into active agents responsible for their own learning and empowering them to share their own authentic accounts as Palestinians against the mainstream discourse which obliterates the Palestinian narrative.
Using iPads in Palestinian Education
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NEWS
Job Interview Workshop for 4th Year Nursing Students at Qubeibeh CampusOn Tuesday, 9 February, Sister Mary Yacoub, faculty member at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, organized a workshop for the 4th year nursing students in Qubeibeh.
Mr. Jihad Abu Amsha, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources & Administrative Affairs, and Brother Peter Iorlano, Coordinator of Institutional Values conducted the workshop.
This interactive workshop addressed topics such as the importance of the job interview, preparing for the interview,
professional comportment and attire at a nursing job interview, and a study of the kinds of questions that could be asked.
The workshop culminated in simulated job interviews during which Jihad and Brother Peter role played interviewers and students took turns being interviewed as well as rating the interviewees. Student participation was thoughtful and enthusiastic; afterwards students were grateful for this informative and practical learning experience.
ObituariesCardinal Carlo FurnoOn 9 December 2015, Cardinal Furno passed away at the age of 94. Cardinal Furno was Grand Master emeritus of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and in this position, he was a great supporter of Bethlehem University.
Pope John Paul II appointed him Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on 16 December 1995. The Order is a member of many international bodies and has observer status at the United Nations. Cardinal Furno resigned this office in June 2007 and was succeeded by Archbishop John Patrick Foley.
In 2002, when Bethlehem University inaugurated the Millennium Hall for the Arts and Business Administration Faculties, the building’s main hall was dedicated to Cardinal Furno and named ‘Furno Hall’ in recognition of his support of Bethlehem University. In addition, endowed scholarship funds from the Equestrian Order of the Holy Speulchre - Grand Magisterium that bear Cardinal Furno's name have supported many students over the past years.
Student Anas Hassasna
Bethlehem University is deeply saddened by the unexpected and untimely death of our student Anas Hassan Hassasna on Thursday, 28 January 2016. We grieve with the Hassasna family over the loss of Anas, a thoughtful, sensitive, intelligent young man who took his studies seriously. Anas was an honor student each semester and his family was very proud of him. Many of Bethlehem University’s community attended his funeral.
Ms. Reema Ghrayyeb
Reema Izz-Eddin Hamed Ghrayyeb passed away on August 26, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. Reema worked at Bethlehem University since 2012 as a French language instructor. She worked hard to make the French program a stable and strong minor that catered to many students around campus, especially Hotel Management and Faculty of Arts students. Reema trained her students to take official French language tests, such as DELF, which many students passed with flying colors.
Dr. Maha FathoDr. Maha Fatho passed away in Jerusalem on Saturday, 17 October 2015. She was a faculty member of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Maha joined Bethlehem University as a faculty member in 1991. She was the dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences from 2002 – 2006. In 2009 Maha started a PhD at Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Community Health, in Scotland. She submitted her dissertation, yet her untimely death did not allow her to attend the official graduation which would have been held in December 2015.
To honor her work, the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences at Bethlehem University will publish her dissertation.
Maha was the coordinator of the Midwifery program; the first midwifery program in Palestine. She was a community activist and greatly contributed to enhancing midwifery in Palestine.
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Rola Al Shomali“One of the most exciting and life changing times in my life came when Bethlehem University gave me a chance to study abroad at Lund University in Sweden. One semester was enough to give me a different perspective on life. I learned Swedish, I learned how to cook, how to be independent, and most importantly, I learned how to embrace challenges.
Growing up in the Occupied Palestine made me eager to learn more about other cultures, traditions and customs. I had the life changing opportunity to do so in Sweden. I met people all over the world and many of them are still good friends that I keep in touch with regularly. Coming back to Bethlehem University, I pass on my experience and what I’ve learned to other students, sharing my experience taking chances and exploring the other side of the world!”
Huda Soghayyer & Yara Hadweh
“Within the Nursing Program at Bethlehem University, we are required to do 400 hours of training at different hospitals during the summer. Eighteen students were chosen by the Nursing Faculty to train at ISMETT Hospital in Palermo, Italy. Two other students were chosen to train in Germany. This was an amazing opportunity for us; we were able to train in a state of the art medical facility. We learned about new ways for treatment, and new ways to make our job as nurses easier.
The patients were very welcoming and were happy to meet people from Palestine. A few students met a lady who recently fled from Syria whose young daughter was very sick. They helped with translation between the mother and the nursing team and were able to show her their love and support and listened to her story. This is what nursing is about, we learned; listening, caring, loving.”
INTERNSHIPS ABROAD
Going Abroad Students from different faculties often study or do internships abroad. This is an important moment in their time as students and greatly enhances their career prospects. Four students tell about their experiences.
Nancy Konkar“Going on an exchange program to South Korea was like travelling to a whole new universe. Studying in Handong Global University doesn’t only entail learning about the Korean educational system; it means being a part of a new culture, having friends from 18 different countries, and loving their cultures. It means sharing your country’s pain and listening to theirs. It means that you have to study hard to represent your country’s strengths but it also means that you get to party until you can’t feel your legs, eat things you never thought you would, and celebrate other people’s cultures and teaching them about Palestine. People at Handong Global University showed me love and kindness, but most importantly, their constant support gave me enough hope to believe that changing the world is absolutely possible.”
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Building Upon Bethlehem University’s FoundationsDr. Irene Hazou, Vice President for Academic Affairs
UNIVERSITY MATTERS
Bethlehem University’s primary aim is to actively support the young people of Palestine with quality higher education that emphasizes teaching, research, and service to the Palestinian community. The Academic office works alongside the various faculties and departments to ensure that this agenda is thoroughly implemented across all levels of Bethlehem University.
One of our core principles is to keep students at the center of our educational process by ensuring that they receive rich academic experiences which are compatible with both local and international standards. We do this by fostering programs that instill Bethlehem University’s students with the skills and the intellectual prowess they will need in order to achieve their dreams and contribute to the sustainability, development, and wellbeing of their respective communities and society at large. To that end, our main goal currently is to implement the Strategic Plan of 2013-2017.
The Strategic Plan will ensure that the quality of education at Bethlehem University will remain one of the best in Palestine, as well as work towards bolstering our international competitiveness. This program will feature a full review of all academic curricula and teaching/research methods in order to enhance the teaching and learning process and support the growing IT infrastructure of Bethlehem University, in addition to responding to market and social needs by implementing new undergraduate and graduate programs. This is no easy task, especially when one considers the hardships of operating an institute as large and important as Bethlehem University in an atmosphere
of frequent political and socioeconomic turmoil.
A keen global outlook and understanding of various cultures goes a long way in shaping a capable and international competitive individual. Therefore, we work tirelessly to help provide students with opportunities to engage in international exchange programs during their undergraduate degrees that help enrich their academic experience. Moreover, we also help Palestinian graduate students secure their education and future by working alongside international agencies that award scholarships and financial aid.
It goes without saying that our faculty and staff play a critical role in helping us achieve a more vibrant and engaging atmosphere at Bethlehem University. We want to make sure that they always excel in their endeavors in both teaching and research by supplying them with research grants and other resources that aid their progression and permit them to flourish as creative and innovative teachers and accomplished researchers.
As chief academic officer at Bethlehem University, the Vice President for Academic Affairs is tasked with providing solid leadership and vision, in addition to the administration of all academic matters, recruitment, evaluation and faculty promotion. This is all done while emphasizing the fore-mentioned goals and adhering to Bethlehem University’s overall mission of promoting teaching excellence, research and service to the community. It is my hope that upon implementing the strategic plan, we will be able to further examine creative and new ways in which we can help improve Bethlehem University by further enriching its students.
Dr. Irene Hazou is the Vice President for Academic
Affairs since August 2012. She is the first
Palestinian Woman to assume this position. Dr.
Hazou graduated from Bethlehem University
in 1977 and proceeded to continue her MA and
PhD in Mathematics from Oregon State University.
She has been engaged with Bethlehem University in various capacities from
1980.
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Building Upon Bethlehem University’s FoundationsDr. Irene Hazou, Vice President for Academic Affairs
GRADUATE PROFILE
From Gaza to Hollywood Celebrated Palestinian actor, Iyad Hajjaj, tells about his life as an actor in Hollywood and his time at Bethlehem University.
The journey from Gaza to Los Angeles was not an easy one for the now 46 year old Iyad Hajjaj. He grew up in a refugee camp in Rafah in Gaza, not far from the border between Israel and Gaza. With 11 brothers and sisters, his family lived in poverty and the political situation meant life in Rafah was never easy. His parents encouraged working hard for a good education, “as a way to escape”, Iyad says. Iyad attended the United Nations-run school in Rafah and developed a love for mathematics and painting, something he still enjoys doing. He also felt enamored by theater and acting, and started to participate in plays in school and the mosque. Iyad also used to work on film sets as an extra.
After graduating from the UNRWA school, Iyad enrolled at Bethlehem University in 1992. He chose a bachelor in Physiotherapy, a choice, he says, that was motivated by an interest in medicine and good job prospects. He graduated in 1996. After his graduation he worked for a while with the Bethlehem based Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation as a physiotherapist and later worked with the Red Crescent where he was in charge of rehabilitation programming. An important event in his life was receiving a scholarship after graduation to do an internship in England. It established his fluency in English and it was the first time Iyad got a taste of “life outside”.
Looking for a better life, Iyad moved to the US in 1998 where he started working odd jobs before moving to California to work at the Stanford University Medical Center for eight years before he got his first acting role, marking the beginning of his Hollywood career. It went so well that he continued to take jobs as an actor and eventually became a fulltime actor. Iyad says his challenge is to represent Arab roles positively, instead of the often negative roles given to Arab characters in movies. “I always look for films and roles that contribute to changing the perception of Arabs and I am often able to contribute to the scenario,” he explains.
Iyad also provides consultancy services to film directors, to help change incorrect assumptions about culture, language, and religion. “I make sure that actors say things in Arabic correctly, and if there are things in the English script that are offensive, I fix them in the Arabic translation, and/or I tell them this is inappropriate”.
Iyad has not been able to go back to Gaza, but he talks with
his friends and family on the phone all the time. Returning to Gaza is not easy but it remains his dream to go back and spend time with his loved ones. His mother and father passed away while he was in the US, and “they were the reason I wanted to go back most”. Iyad’s father encouraged him to go to the US, and Iyad knows he was very proud of his success.
At Bethlehem University, Iyad studied Physiotherapy, a line of study that did not adhere to his original dream of wanting to become a doctor. However, when he heard about the Physiotherapy program at Bethlehem University he applied and was one of the few people from Gaza able to go. “Bethlehem University was my first peek into a different world”, he says. “It was a world of meeting people from different national backgrounds and different religions. Bethlehem at the time was a much more open minded place than Gaza, allowing me to develop myself in a different ways than I was used to.” Iyad remembers that the Brothers and teachers serving at the University “truly cared about us”. “Bethlehem University instilled a sense of possibilities in me” he says.
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Brother Joseph Loewen-stein is known around campus as Brother Joe. He often sits by the gate at the end of the day greeting students and staff. To students, teachers and staff he is the face of the universi-ty. Brother Joe celebrat-ed his 90th birthday on October 25th 2015 and here he shares the story of his life with us. One thing is for sure, there was never a dull moment!
Brother Joe came to Bethlehem University in 1975. In the years before, he completed his doctorate in Education at UCLA, specializing in Administration and Supervision. This topic had garnered his interest while working in Kenya with the Kikuyu tribe at a teachers training school and later as headmaster of a secondary school in the same area. It wasn’t an easy time to be in Kenya, in the aftermath of the Mau Mau uprising and the subsequent independence from colonial Britain.
Brother Joe has a lot of compassion for his students and still works with individual students struggling with English. His genuine interest in and compassion for students stems from his time at Lincoln Hall Correctional School for Boys, where he worked for four years between 1956 and 1960. It wasn’t easy to get settled in Lincoln Hall. The school housed rough kids who were incarcerated, sometimes for serious crimes, but Brother Joe got used to the children and was able to build relationships with them. “It was a very important time in my life” Brother Joe says. “Working with delinquent boys made me more concerned with the person than with the daily routine of education.” His experiences at the school led him to volunteer to go to Kenya and later to come to Beth-lehem. “I developed an interest in doing new things, expe-riencing other places” he says. At Bethlehem University, his experiences at the correctional school and in Kenya helped him keep his cool during the first Intifada, when students were regularly arrested and the Israeli army often burst onto the campus.
Brother Joe was born in Queens, New York, in 1925 where he grew up alongside two siblings during the depression. Brother Joe attended St. Bartholomew Elementary school in Elmhurst, administered by the Dominican Sisters as part of the Brooklyn Diocese. The diocese offered scholarships for students of their elementary schools and he was accepted
Celebrating Brother Joe into Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, which was run by the De La Salle Christian Brothers. “I always wanted to be a priest” Brother Joe says. “But at school I became interest-ed in joining the Brothers. At 15 years old, Brother Joe left home to go to a training school for boys interested in joining the Brothers. “We were encouraged to focus on the voca-tion, and at that time it was common to leave home for that purpose” Br. Joe explains. He graduated in 1943 and went to Novitiate for one year’s training in the Brotherhood, after which he enrolled in Catholic University in Washington D.C.
When Brother Joe came to Bethlehem University in 1975, he was ready for a new challenge. First, he taught for a while without assuming a leadership position, after which he became the President and passionately took up leading the new university. Bethlehem University had only opened its doors in 1973 and not all educational facilities were yet on track. Brother Joe proceeded to enlist new people to lead the faculties and established deanships to decentralize leader-ship. He also added Nursing to the curriculum after requests from local doctors. Nowadays, the Nursing program is one of Bethlehem University’s most successful programs.
During the first Intifada from 1987 to 1993, Brother Joe was faced with severe difficulties. The Israeli military viewed Palestinian universities as hot beds of political resistance, and cracked down hard on student resistance. At the time there was no Palestinian Authority and the Israeli military had full reign on the West Bank. Brother Joe explains how he often had to negotiate with Israeli army personnel during that time. “Once students had been locked in the campus” he remembers. “The students couldn’t leave as all gates had been blocked by the army. Eventually it was negotiated that buses would come to take the students off campus, but the students refused to go on the buses as they were afraid the army would send these buses to the military base to carry out a mass arrest. Only after I negotiated for faculty members to be able to accompany the students was the crisis solved.” Another time, the military told Br. Joe to send some students to the military base, but he re-fused and told them he would not comply. Sending students to the military base to be interrogated did not sit well with Broth-er Joe under any circumstance and he wanted to prevent the framing of the University as a place of collaboration. Such an image would have damaged the University beyond repair and most importantly, he felt strongly about Bethlehem University being a safe haven for its students.
Brother Joe has spent 34 years in Bethlehem and has been very important in the shaping of the university as it is now. His passion is making university-level education available to young Palestinians and he still loves working with individ-ual students to serve as a tutor and mentor. We are grateful for Brother Joe’s unending commitment to Bethlehem Uni-versity. Happy 90th birthday, Brother Joe!
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Student mothers at Bethlehem University
Rana is a sparkling twenty year old Arabic major. She is from Za’atara, a small village outside Bethlehem with few amenities. A typical second year student, except that she has just had a baby girl called Maryam, right in the middle of the first semester close to the exams. Just three weeks after she has given birth she is back on campus sitting with some friends. When asked how she is doing she says she’s feeling well, but misses her baby. However, she is determined to do well in the coming exams and says it was not an option for her to stay home longer.
Rana is not exceptional. Professors at Bethlehem University regularly have students in class who are becoming mothers while at University. Hanan, who taught English to first year students, recalls one particularly devoted student asking her if it would be alright if she wouldn’t attend classes for a week as she was due to deliver her baby soon. Hanan told her to stay at home longer than one week, and that she would be able to give her the exam at another point, but she refused. ‘I am a student’ she said, ‘and I have to do well’. Shortly after, Hanan’s student was back in class with blue chocolates to celebrate the birth of her baby boy and ready to take on the exams.
Minerva Jarayseh, Chairperson of the Social Sciences Department, has carried out a study of married female students at Bethlehem University. She addresses the realities of these students at Bethlehem University and the social, cultural, and psychological obstacles and challenges confronting them in their pursuit of their
tertiary education in Palestine. The study established a link between the level of challenges and the lack of cooperation and moral support primarily on the part of the student’s partner as well as other family members and friends. She also noted that the University administration and staff could offer more opportunities to student mothers. Bethlehem University has a high level of female enrollment at 78.3%, and thus also has quite a large number of female married students. Minerva Jarayseh
estimates that around 250 female students are married, and her research had a sample of 108 students of which 106 were also mothers.
Marrying young and having children shortly after is common across social layers in Palestine. Women from more conservative backgrounds often marry right before they attend university and that might mean that they
will become mothers as well during their four years at Bethlehem University. Sujood is a 21 year old Physical Therapy student from Hebron who has been married for two years. Shortly before she was due, she explained that her mother would be taking care of her baby once she returns to class. “My husband makes all the difference” she says. “He’s a lawyer and is very supportive, I haven’t had to do a thing the past months except study and take care of myself”. She says she is worried about leaving her baby behind, even though he will be with her mom. “I fear he won’t know me and I won’t be able to breastfeed him” she says. “But it is a sacrifice I make for him too, I want him to have an educated, strong mother”.
GRADUATE MOM
Palestinian Women in Statistics
The average age for women
marrying is 20.3 years and the
legal age for women to be married
is 18 years, however, marriage
might be allowed from 16 years
depending on the decision of a
religious court. In fact, one out of
five women in the age of 20 – 49
years were married before the age
of 18, although this percentage is
higher in the Gaza Strip compared
to the West Bank. The Palestinian
Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)
has also found a high fertility
rate among Palestinian woman.
In the period 2011 – 2013, the
average was 4.1 births per woman.
The adolescent fertility rate in
the age group 15 – 19 years old
was 48 births per 1000 women.
According the PCBS, 11% of all
currently married women want
to space their births or limit the
number of children they have but
are currently not using any family
planning method. Once women
join the work force, there is an
immediate gap in participation
rate as well as the average daily
wages between men and women.
Female participation in the labor
force was 19.4% compared to a
male labor force participation
of 71.5%; more than three times
higher. Bethlehem University has
an exceptionally high enrollment
of women and is committed
to enabling its students and
graduates to bridge these divides
and support them where possible.
14
“You help me to help others!”
“My name is Abeer Bahnan. I’m a third year student majoring in Lower Primary Education. I have always wanted to become a teacher and encourage young children to study because I believe in the power of knowledge and education. I was really sad to learn that Mr. Thomas Wolfe, who has supported my education for the past two years, passed away a few months ago. His memory will last through the commitment of education he has provided to many needy students like me. I will always keep Mr. Wolfe and his family in my prayers.”
“My name is Issa Jaraysa. I’m a third year student majoring in Physical Therapy. When I finished high school, Bethlehem University was my first choice as it is the only Catholic university in Palestine. I would like to thank the EOHSJ- USA Northern Lieutenancy for giving me the chance to study at Bethlehem University and help me fulfill my dream. As a Palestinian, I see people suffer every day from the Israeli occupation. I am passionate about helping reverse the physical pain and make a difference in people’s life. By becoming a physical therapist, I will get the chance to help patients regain their ability to live their life to the fullest. I believe that I’m part of God’s plan. You help me to help others.”
ISSA JARAYSA
“My name is George Ghareeb. I’m a third year student and I’m studying Nursing at Bethlehem University. I have always wanted to become a nurse. I chose Bethlehem University because all the graduates from the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences of Bethlehem University find jobs right after graduation. I learned from my clinical training that communicating well with patients is what makes you a good nurse. I truly enjoy it when patients ask for me personally to give them medication or do something to comfort them. The support that I received from the EOHSJ- North Central Lieutenancy through the Bishop Morlino Educational Fund has given me the opportunity to continue my studies at Bethlehem University and become a better person.”
GEORGE GHAREEB
“My name is Elias Nuaimi. I am a second year student majoring in Hotel Management. Food has always been my passion. At Bethlehem University, I am combining my talent for art and food and I’m learning to develop new dishes. I would like to use the knowledge I get from Bethlehem University to become a famous chef and provide quality food services to tourists who visit Palestine. The generosity of the Association en Faveur de la Bethlehem University helps ambitious students like me to get one step closer to our dreams.”
ELIAS NUAIMI
ABEERBAHNAN
15
“You help me to help others!”
“My name is Muna Daher and I am from Jerusalem. I am a second year Nursing student and I attend classes on the Quibebeh Campus of Bethlehem University. I’m the only Christian student in the Quibebeh campus and I’m very honored to be the recipient of the Dr. Jerome Lejeune Scholarship for the Study of Science. I believe that everybody in this world is here for a mission. My mission is to serve the community by becoming a nurse. On 15 February 2016, I received the extraordinary chance to meet my donor, Dr. Thomas W. McGovern, MD, KCHS, and spend some time with him and his 13 year old daughter. I feel lucky and I will always be grateful to Dr. McGovern for his support and kindness.”
“My name is Issa Jaraysa. I’m a third year student majoring in Physical Therapy. When I finished high school, Bethlehem University was my first choice as it is the only Catholic university in Palestine. I would like to thank the EOHSJ- USA Northern Lieutenancy for giving me the chance to study at Bethlehem University and help me fulfill my dream. As a Palestinian, I see people suffer every day from the Israeli occupation. I am passionate about helping reverse the physical pain and make a difference in people’s life. By becoming a physical therapist, I will get the chance to help patients regain their ability to live their life to the fullest. I believe that I’m part of God’s plan. You help me to help others.”
ISSA JARAYSA
“My name is George Ghareeb. I’m a third year student and I’m studying Nursing at Bethlehem University. I have always wanted to become a nurse. I chose Bethlehem University because all the graduates from the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences of Bethlehem University find jobs right after graduation. I learned from my clinical training that communicating well with patients is what makes you a good nurse. I truly enjoy it when patients ask for me personally to give them medication or do something to comfort them. The support that I received from the EOHSJ- North Central Lieutenancy through the Bishop Morlino Educational Fund has given me the opportunity to continue my studies at Bethlehem University and become a better person.”
GEORGE GHAREEB
“My name is Elias Nuaimi. I am a second year student majoring in Hotel Management. Food has always been my passion. At Bethlehem University, I am combining my talent for art and food and I’m learning to develop new dishes. I would like to use the knowledge I get from Bethlehem University to become a famous chef and provide quality food services to tourists who visit Palestine. The generosity of the Association en Faveur de la Bethlehem University helps ambitious students like me to get one step closer to our dreams.”
ELIAS NUAIMI
MUNADAHER
In the Fall 2015 Semester of the academic year
2015/2016, more than 800 students received
scholarships and financial aid. 94 of them
received annual scholarships. Here, five of
these students talk about their studies, their
donors, and their passions in life.
For more information
on scholarships, please
visit our website:
16
Dr. Omar Abed Rabbo has been assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities Department since 2014. Apart from teaching several courses on Arab Islamic civilization, the Ottomans, and the history of Palestine, he is also an avid researcher. His recent research discussed the gates of Jerusalem during the Fāṭimid and Seljūq periods. In
his forthcoming publication, Dr. Abed Rabbo provides new locations for the gates from the beginning of the Fāṭimid period until 1033 AD when an earthquake struck Jerusalem.
Omar Abed Rabbo’s fascination with Jerusalem’s history has a long history itself. Growing up in Jerusalem, he went to school in the Old City, after which he started a double major in history and archaeology at Birzeit University where he became involved with the Palestinian Archaeology Institute and started working under the supervision of the late Professor Albert Glock. After Dr. Abed Rabbo received his Bachelor’s degree at Birzeit University in 1992, he joined the Hebrew University for an MA program in archaeology in 1993 and in 1994 he simultaneously enrolled in the Higher Institute for Islamic Archaeology at Al Quds University. His MA thesis dealt with the Archaeology of Fāṭimid Jerusalem, a time period he is still interested in. During his studies, he supervised and managed a wide range of field projects in ancient historical cities. In 1998, Dr. Abed Rabbo joined the Palestinian Institute of Archaeology of Birzeit University where he held the post of field director of excavations at Khirbet Birzeit, the ruins close to the present day village of Birzeit.
In 2004, Dr. Abed Rabbo rejoined the Hebrew University as a PhD student at the Institute of Asian and African studies and again focused on the Fāṭimid but also the Seljūq period. The Fāṭimid Caliphate was an Ismaili Shia, which was in power from 909 until 1171 AC. The Seljūq dynasty’s medieval Turko-Persian empire lasted from around 1037 until 1194 AC and included Jerusalem from 1073 until 1098 when they lost it again to the Fāṭimids just before Jerusalem’s capture by the Crusaders in 1099.
Dr. Abed Rabbo also worked extensively with the research and excavation project in Tiberias where Byzantine and Umayyad remains were uncovered. After completion of his PhD, he started a post-doctorate program studying the intellectual life during the Umayyad period in Jerusalem.
While Dr. Abed Rabbo was working on his PhD, he worked as a history teacher at the College des Freres in Jerusalem. He noticed major problems with the history curriculum and became interested in writing a holistic book about the history of Palestine as a reference book for students. He participated in the Danish-Palestinian Founding Committee’s Palestinian History and Heritage Curriculum Project which works to re-write the Palestinian history curriculum. Dr. Abed Rabbo focuses specifically on the classical and Islamic periods in this project.
In 2014, Omar started working with Professor Basem Ra’ad, author of Hidden Histories: Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean which presents alternative perspectives on the history of Palestine. Together they formed a group to initiate work on a new history of Palestine. A founding committee has been established which hopes to collect contributions from Palestinians here and in the diaspora and international researchers on the various periods from the prehistoric to present time. The committee is currently preparing the initial guidelines and documents for the important task of producing an accessible and documented alternative history of Palestine.
At Bethlehem University, Dr. Abed Rabbo was elected as a member in the Resaerch Council representing the Faculty
RESEARCH
Jerusalem’sFascinating History
17
STUDENT PROFILE
Joanne Asmari is a 19 year old Accounting – Business Ad-ministration sophomore. She works in the Advancement Office as a student assistant where she helps out in the Development Office. As a student assistant she works in exchange for a tuition reduction and of course, she says, will benefit in the future from having relevant work ex-perience. Joanne receives the Archbishop Antonio Franco Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship was established by the International Board of Regents of Bethlehem Universi-ty with the generous support of Erzbischöfliches Gen-eralvikariat Köln, Mr. Elias and Mrs. Annette Aburdene and Rev. Kail C. Ellis, OSA, Ph.D. in honor of Archbishop Antonio Franco for his years of service as Chancellor of the University.
Joanne loves math but she did not want to become a teacher, so decided to major in accounting. Her dream is to work in a big accounting company and maybe start her own business one day. She loves being at Bethlehem University, which she says is small and cozy and allows for strong relationships between students and teachers.
Joanne is planning to do her CPA exams (Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination) and get an MA in the field of finance as well. She not only has ambition but also a strong work ethic; apart from her studies and work in the Advancement office, she also works at one of Bethlehem’s most loved bakeries. The past year she was also a Student Ambassador, which allowed her to meet with international groups visiting Bethlehem University’s campus.
Even though Joanne will have to live abroad for a while if she wants to get an MA in finance, she says she cannot imagine herself anywhere else but in Bethlehem in the long run. “I love it here” she says. “Even with the occupation and how difficult that can be, this is home, these are my people, and I want to be here, to build my community”.
Joanne Asmari
of Arts. He received an Internal Research Grant (IRG) for the academic year of 2014/2015 to finance his research titled “The gates of Jerusalem during the Fāṭimid and Seljūq periods” which has now been finalized and will be published soon. His current major research effort is to write a book entitled Cultural Life in Jerusalem during the 10th and 12th Centuries. The book focuses on gathering all the data of learned men who were born, lived or visited Jerusalem in order to study ḥadīth. The purpose of this research is to discuss the religious and cultural status and importance of Jerusalem, particularly in the field of study
and transmission of ḥadīth. Such a study has never before been conducted. Dr. Abed Rabbo explains that it requires “meticulous cross-checking of the myriad Arabic sources, evincing good knowledge of the Arabic language and familiarity with Islamic technical terminology”.
The comings and goings of different empires and the attraction Jerusalem has had on people around the world over the centuries is central to Dr. Abed Rabbo’s work and has resulted in a fascinating documentation of the history of Jerusalem and Palestine in general.
18
Thank YouFor Your Generosity$100,000+Signum FideiConferenza Episcopale ItalianaEOHSJ - Grand MagisteriumFriends of Bethlehem University in the United Arab EmiratesEOHSJ - USA Middle Atlantic LieutenancyKatholische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe MISEREOR e.VOXFAM GBUS Agency for International Development through Christian Brothers Conference
$50,000+Founders’ ClubArab Bank Plc.The Breast Cancer Research FoundationBrother Myron Collins, FSCDe La Salle InstituteErzbischöfliches Generalvikariat Köln Michigan State UniversityMurex S.A.Salvatorian Sisters
$25,000+ Trustees ClubDr. and Mrs. Samir Abu-GhazalehMr. and Mrs. Bassam AburdeneCatholic Community FoundationDiakonia-FinlandEOHSJ - Canada, Montreal LieutenancyEOHSJ - Canada, Toronto LieutenancyEOHSJ - USA Northwestern LieutenancyFriends of Bethlehem University in England and UKGerman Association of the Holy Land - Jerusalem OfficeMISSIOMr. and Mrs. John Steger, In Memory Of George ZirnheltVikesWorld Bank
$10,000+Chairman’s ClubSheikh Khaled Ahmed Abudullah Al JuffaliAmerican EmbassyBethlehem Association Scholarship FundCaritas Aotearoa New ZealandChristian Brothers Community - Bethlehem University CNEWA - Pontifical Mission for PalestineConsulate General of the USADe La Salle BrothersDe La Salle Solidarieta Internazionale/SECOLIEOHSJ- German Lieutenancy
EOHSJ - USA Northern LieutenancyRev. Adam FornoIndiana UniversitySheikh Bassam Mahmood Khalil Abdulrehman JaberMrs. Suad Husseini JuffaliKonrad Adenauer Stiftung E.V.Les Freres des Ecoles ChretiennesCalleen and Francois LetaconnouxMiddle East Children’s AllianceMr. George NasraMr. Tony Saca and Mrs. Ilham SacaMunib R. Masri Development FoundationOSIA NYS Grand Lodge Foundation Inc.Breda SheltonSovereign Military Order of the Temple of JerusalemUnion of Jerusalem GraduatesUniversity of WashingtonWelfare AssociationWorld Vision Jerusalem West Bank Gaza
$5,000+Chancellor’s ClubMr. Elias and Mrs. Annette AburdeneAl-Rowad Culture & Theatre Society- Aida Camp-BethlehemDr. and Mrs. Marcello BisottiMr. J. Henry ButtaR.M. DreussiDr. Walter EitelEmbassy of the State of QatarEOHSJ - USA North Central LieutenancyFundacion Promocion Social de la Cultura – MadridKonsul Dipl.-Kfm. Michael WirtzMr. and Mrs. James F. LeahyBrother Richard Lemberg, FSCCol. John Linsenmeyer, KCHSGeorge O’Brien & Joseph Linberg Charitable FoundationHer Excellency Lady Mary C. O’Brien, LGCHSOrthodox National Charitable SocietyMr. and Mrs. Mario A. PasinPershing Fieldpoint Private Securities, LLCMrs. Mary A. SimonBishop Jaime SotoMr. and Mrs. Sandor Straus
$1,000+Vice Chancellor’s Club
Advisors Charitable Gift Fund (ACGFund)AhdafMr. Sa-ed J. Al-BudeiriSheikh Dr. Is’haq Al SahsahMr. Bashir Anastas and Mrs. Heather Haxo PhillipsAramex Company
Mr. and Mrs. William BeanBelgian Technical CooperationLinda and David BohanMarianne and John BorelliMrs. Jane A. BorstMr. and Mrs. Elias BottoHelen & Frank BradyBrothers of the Christian Schools, Turon CommunityCaritas JerusalemDeacon Jim and Teresa CarperCatholic Archdiocese of SydneyCatholic Charities USACatholic Theological UnionChristian Brothers Community La Salle InstituteCommunity Foundation of AcadianaCongregation of Our Lady of Sion/ Notre Dame de SionConsulate General of FranceMr. William D. CorcoranArchbishop Giuseppe De AndreaDe La Salle Brothers of the Christian Schools, DENA DistrictDiocese of ArlingtonDiocese of Springfield in IllinoisDiocese of Wheeling-CharlestonKathleen Batato EganEOHSJ - England and Wales LieutenancyFidelity Charitable Gift FundTim Fischer, AustraliaMr. and Mrs. Robert E. FrielFriends of the Holy Land – PalestineMrs. Patricia Garczynski, LCHSGeneral Delegation of the PLOMr. Pierre Guislain and Ms. Marie- France MathesMr. and Mrs. Gregory HamerLois Harr and John M. ReillyMr. and Mrs. Edward S. Hazboun 1977Prof. Nicholas S. HopkinsManford D. Hotchkiss and Mary Ryan HotchkissMs. Rita HoulihanMs. Nancy L. IredaleMs. Brigitte JaenschDiana and Andrew JezyckiMichelle JezyckiBrian KatulisMr. Eugen KellerElias and Carolyn KhouryMr. Bernard KilroyLatin Patriarchate of JerusalemLatin Patriarchate SchoolMary L. LevinKaren J. LinderRev. John MayheadDr. Thomas and Mrs. Sally McGovernDaniel Medinger, KHSBrother Rodolfo Meoli, FSCPamela and Robert Mertz Mrs. Abigail A. Metzger
19
Very Rev. John Joseph MurrayNicholas and Christian Raho FoundationDiane Allen NixonMr. John B. O’Hagan, In Memory of Baby Mary O’HaganMs. Sandra O’NealPalTel Group FoundationProject Loving Care Society-JerusalemReach Education FundMr. John Reilly and Ms. Lois HarrMr. S. Rainsford RounderMr. and Mrs. Michael J. RuckFondazione Mago SalesDeb SawyerDr. Diane Shammas, In Honor of Mazin Qumsiyeh, Who Gives Much of Himself to the Palestinian People SiParadigm Diagnostic Informatics Inc.The Sorkhabi FamilyMr. Dave StannardMr. Mohannad SubohMr. and Mrs. John A. Van AalstJohn Viste and Elaine StriteThe Laura Jane Musser FundThe Xerox FoundationTree of Life Educational Fund, Inc.United Church of Christ Wider Church MinistriesMr. and Mrs. John A. Van AalstMr. Kenneth G. Willett
$500+ Special FriendsGeorge and Polla AbedAnonymousGerald R. BarnesJim and Ginger Biedron, In Honor of the Selfless Service of Carlos Velazquez Ms. Barbara BoigergrainBrother Martin Borg, FSCMr. Patrick and Dr. Maggie BurgessMsgr. Paul A. ByrnesMs. Rebecca CalaorRev. Joseph P. CallipareChristian Brothers Community at Manhattan CollegeMr. Alan Cram and Rev. Pamela M. CramMr. Rudy deLeonEcce Homo Convent/Notre Dame de SionEdward D. Jones & Co. CustodianA.M. EdwardsMargild & Alexander ErcklentzCol. Richard Flahavan, KC*HS Frere Alumni AssociationMr. John William GardnerMr. John Joseph GarveyProf. Emeritus Mary GreyMr. Heinrich HagenbucherHuda and T.E. Jackson, In Memory of Hadiya BitarGeraldine Lawhon
Dennis LesterBrother Dennis Malloy, FSCMr. Luca MarmoBrother William Martin, FSCMaslamani Company Ltd.Mr. and Mrs. Marshal I. McMahonMs. Doris F. NorritoMr. W. Dennis Owen, AFSCMichael and Mary PartingtonPeter K. PhelanLady Kristin W. PiknjacMonika L. & John Q. RathboneMs. Barbara G. ReynoldsJane and Richard RodehefferMr. Jamal A. Sa’dSt. James CathedralMr. and Mrs. Stanley Schardon, In Honor of Carlos Velazquez, Selfless ServiceMerylann (Mimi) SchuttloffelKathleen SheehanDr. Clayton S. SinyaiThe Rt. Rev. John SmylieShibley Telhami and Kathryn HoppsThe Domestic & Foreign Missionary SocietyMrs. Constance van WesemaelKeith WaltersWm. Randolph Weber, KM, KGCHSPatrick White and Pauline SmetkaWomen Against Military Madness (WAMM)
$100+ Century ClubDr. and Mrs. Odeh AburdeneMs. Katherine E. Acuff, In Honor of John SchlageterSteve and Miriam AdamsMiss Maha AlamiDr. Thomas AmbroseAnonymous (8)Anonymous, In Honor of Alexandra SchaumberLawrence and Carolyn ArenaRev. Christopher ArmstrongVictoria and Michael ArmstrongDr. Robert AshmoreSir and Mrs. Ross S. Bacica KC*HSDrs. John and Rosaline-Cardarelli Ballard Mary H. BallardRev. Joseph W. BandenSteve and Paula BaranskyDr. David E. Bartkus and Dr. Carolyn Y. WooBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate ConceptionMrs. Karen L. BatroukhBrother Dominic Berardelli, FSCMs. Wilma C. BerkeleyMr. and Mrs. Robert L. Berner, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. BerzowskiMary M. Blanford
Mr. Peter Bouwes and Mrs. Elisabeth Bouwes BavinckMs. Shary K. BoziedMr. and Mrs. Richard J. BrennanMost Rev. Timothy BroglioMr. and Mrs. Charles H. Brown IIIJohn and Christine BrownBishop Peter BrownDorothy C. BuckFr. John R. BurkeRev. Martin J. BurnhamMr. and Mrs. Bruce B. ButlerMr. Guy A. Butterworth, In Honor of Br. Joseph Loewenstein, FSC, God’s work is Timeless and knows no BoundariesMs. Layla CableMr. Robert CableValencia CampBrother Robert Carnaghi, FSCMr. and Mrs. Eugene CarusoJack and Gerry CaseyMr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Cassidy, To Celebrate Students and the Youth of the Holy LandCatholic Development FundDr. Frank CaveMr. and Mrs. Raymond C. CeasarSister Maria Consuelo Celis, SPCChevron Matching Employee FundsChristian Brothers Investment ServicesChristian Brothers of the Midwest, Inc.Christian Brothers Saint Patrick CommunityDrs. Stephen and Cheryl ColecchiMr. George ComissoContribution to LearningDonald F. and Mary K. CostelloCarolyn CoxMr. Adrian CrookMr. and Mrs. Paul CrosseyRev. Anthony T. CurranMr. and Mrs. Robert D’AcquistoDannoun Corporation for Industrial ElectricityMrs. Deborah DarnesJim & Marilyn DayBrigida M. DeLeonMr. and Mrs. Daniel De MatteisMr. and Mrs. Anthony Di GiacomoLady Ann S. Dixon, LCHSFather Lawrence J. DoyleDrs. Brian and Gloria DuffySister William Eileen Dunn, D.C.Cree and Frazer DurrettPeter and Kathy Eder, In Memory Of Archbishop Giovanni De Andrea Dr. and Mrs. Richard J. EllenbeckerRev. Kail C. Ellis, OSA, Ph.D.M. et Mme. Abel ErondelMr. and Mrs. Paul FahertyMr. Barry and Mrs. Angela FairweatherRev. Joseph P. FallonMs. Beth FlahertyFather Martin Flatman
1 September 2015 – 29 February 2016
20
Drs. P.R. and C.M. FletcherGerald FloodJudith FogtSir Charles H. Foos, KGCHSMr. and Mrs. Edward R. FroehlichMr. Shunichiro FunakawaBob & Kay GareisBobby and Kate GiaimoSir Patrick A. and Lady Shirley A. GiacomiMr. and Mrs. Frank GiannantonioChrista M. GormanBrother Paul Grass, FSC, To Celebrate Students, the Youth of the Holy LandMr. James D. GriffinBrother John P. Guasconi, FSCMs. Anne Bisanz Hannahan Rev. Lawrence and Ms. Mary Hansen, In Honor of Fr. Richard Rutherford for his Contributions to LearningDr. and Mrs. Robert HardieMrs. Veronica A. Hertel, In Honor of Rev. Ronald J. LewinskiMost Rev. Martin D. HolleyTom and Peggy HowenJoan and Bob Hug, In Memory of Mildred TonningICAHD-UKMr. Joseph E. ImbriacoDeacon Sir & Lady Henry JacquemetSalim JreissatyMs. Suzanne KeehnMr. Kenneth W. Jones and Ms. Melody ShankJust GiveMr. and Mrs. Louis E. KanavatiMs. Adele M. KasinskasHarry and Ana KatzMr. and Mrs. Paul KennedyDrs. Nabil and Mouna Khoury, In Memory of Issa Khoury, For a Great Man who was a Role ModelRev. James C. KidderWalter and Judith A. Kimbrough, Jr.John and Mary KingBrother Charles M. Kitson, FSCMs. Mary KleczajDr. and Mrs. Robert KlockeRev. Msgr. Raymond J. KupkeMs. Mary LaneLatin Parish Beit SahourMrs. Patricia M. LatteriJohn LeddyLiverpool Carting Co., Inc.Archbishop George J. LucasBishop Vincent MaloneNorma V. MarshburnJohn P. Martin, M.M.Ms. Norma V. MarshburnMs. Judith B. MarxThe Honorable and Mrs. Eugene F. MatthewsMr. Carl McCann, BBS, MA, FCADr. Angela McCarthy
Mr. and Mrs. Walter McCormack Lucy C. McGuirkMs. Teresa McLaughlinMs. Lucia MeoliMsgr. Dennis L. Mikulanis, STD, KCHSRev. Thomas J. MillaneJamie MonkMs. Margaret MooneyMr. and Mrs. Glennon D. Mueller David M. MurdochDaniel R. MurrayMr. Gerald J. Najor and Ms. Toni NajorMs. Daisy G. NevesMs. Asunta NicolauRon and Lorraine NilsonHis Eminence Edwin F. O’BrienTimothy and Julia O’Keefe Orthodox University Students’ FundOur Lady Queen of All Creation ParishSir Peter N. and Lady Maria S. PangDr. Karl G. Pankratz and Dr. Michal PankratzMr. and Mrs. V. Robert PayantMost Rev. Joseph A. PepeNancy and John PielemeierRev. Mark R. PierceMr. and Mrs. John PolanDr. John D. Poling and Cindy JokelaDr. and Mrs. Maher N. Qabar, Ph.D. 1987, In Memory of Nicola andDalal QabarMr. and Mrs. Charles W. Quaintance, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Quigley, In Honor of Catherine QuigleyEllen ReganBrother Joseph P. Reilly, FSCMattie RennMr. and Mrs. Kevin J. RetzkeBishop Greg and Marti RickelCurt and Marybeth RiesJohn RingDr. Patrick RingMr. Robert J. Ring IIMrs. Margaret RobertsonMr. and Mrs. David W. RobinsonBrother James J. Roszak, FSCBeth and Paul RoyerMr. and Mrs. Mark SacraSacred Heart R.C. ChurchSt. Peters Catholic Church, Eynsham, UKSaints Gregory and Augustine ParishDr. and Mrs. Peter M. Sanfelippo, M.D.Pauline M. ScharresRev. and Mrs. Gerald A. ScherkenbachElizabeth ScheurenJohn L. SchlageterSchwab Charitable FundMr. Richard SchweitzerBarbara ShanahanMr. and Mrs. Patrick J. ShepherdBrother Dominic Smith, FSCRobert D. Booth and Lorraine Sostowski
Mr. and Mrs. James SpachAna M. SpitzmesserMr. Cletus SteinRev. Paul W. StellerRev. Father Thomas F. Stransky, CSPMrs. Margaret Suchan-PickertBrother Jerome Sullivan, FSCSusan S. SullivanRev. William and Mrs. Mary SwingFather Anton ten KloosterFr. Richard TeroMrs. Marjorie ThorntonDr. and Mrs. David ToorawaMr. and Mrs. Kamel TotahRev. Msgr. F. Charles TroncaleMs. Gloria J. TruittRev. Peter I. VaccariMr. and Mrs. Joseph Vasut Dr. Julian and Cheryl Verde, To Celebrate our AnniversaryJohn and Georgiana Warta and FamilyMr. Edwin T. WeberMr. Michael J. WesterfieldJ. Michael Whitaker, M.D., In Honor of Brother Carl Clayton, FSCMr. Greg WhitbyMs. Gwen E. WilliamsMaria T. Wilms, LHSThe Honorable Bernard WolffCarolyn Woo and David BartkusMs. Johanna L. Worley, To Celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Mazin Qumsiyeh for their Wonderful and Loving Spirits!Dr. Kathleen C. YoskoYouth of the Holy Land Mr. Johannes Zang
Up to $99Silver Anniversary Pat AbfalderMrs. Donna I. AbramovAnonymous (5)Anonymous, In Memory of Brother Vincent MalhamAnonymous, To Celebrate EpiphanyAnonymous, To Celebrate the Great Work you do with the StudentsMr. Gregory J. AppletonAnna, Monica, Peter & Robert Barber, To Celebrate Hope and LightThe Archdiocese of Birmingham ParishMs. Ellen E. BarfieldDr. and Mrs. Gabriel John BatarsehMr. and Mrs. Ronald J. BeareMr. and Mrs. Jeremy BeckerBethlehem University FoundationProf. Emeritus Judith BlauRev. Allen J. BratkowskiTony and Marie BrearBernadette BrownbillRev. John E. Burger
Thank You For Your Generosity
21
Dr. Miriam G. Burke, Ph.D.Mr. and Mrs. John CairnsSusanne M. CassidyDr. and Mrs. John CastleJuan C. CatapangCarol ChroningerMs. Walda W. Cobain, In Honor of Father Adam FornoHenry and Marjorie ConroyMrs. Rita CourtholdMr. William C. Crain IVMsgr. John R. DaleMs. Susan DalyMs. Diane D’AmbrosioDavid J. DepewRev. Charles E. Des Ruisseaux Ms. Eleanor DwightMr. Walid ElefrangiLucy FallonRev. Joseph R. Farrell, KHSMr. Robert FernandesMr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Finnegan, Jr.Ms. Gail FlackettMs. Claire A. FordrungCraig and Dolores FosterMr. and Mrs. Bernard FreemanMs. Laurel FreemanSister Joan Gannon, RSCJDr. John GarrettSister Barbara Gfeller, SNJMMr. Anthony S. GraefeCount Jay Hamburger, To Celebrate Mazin Qumsiyeh Mr. and Mrs. David HartDr. Annette HerskovitsDr. Iman HilalPat HoltRev. Stephen E. HookMr. Frank HughesMr. G. Richard HullPaul and Mary HurleyRev. Bishop Peter InghamDavid and Polly Johnson, In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Mazin Qumsiyeh for their Wonderful and Loving Spirits!Mr. and Mrs. William R. JorgensenMr. and Mrs. Jerome A. KappMrs. Elaine KayDr. David H. KelleyMr. and Mrs. Michael P. KelleyRobert and Kay KenneyRev. James P. KieselMs. Sally L. KingSister Sarah Kohles, OSFSarah Kohles, OSFKW Botanicals, Inc.Mr. David LacheckDr. Maurice LapierreRosemary LawsonMr. James D. LinnMrs. Sheila M. M. Lupton, In Memory of Richard Lupton
Mrs. Joan W. LynchMaureen MackJoseph R. MarcoVera Masrieh-HomsiMrs. Sally E. McCleanMs. Elizabeth McCombeJim and Ann McGillJoe and Paula McGrathBrother Joel W. McGraw, FSC, In Memory of Brother Vincent MalhamJohn and Vera McMahonMr. and Mrs. Edward MichaelMrs. Phyllis MooneyMr. and Mrs. Richard MooneyMr. Michael MoranFather John R. Morris, OPBrother Frederick C. Mueller, FSCMrs. Maureen Mullaly-ClarkeFather Issa MuslehJack and Honey O’LearySister Irene O’Neill, CSJ, CSJ, Ed.D, In Honor of Michelle Pohlad, Peace Seekers Mr. Robert J. OnstineGrzegorz Otronowski, In Memory of Lidia Swierczynska Prof. Dr. John Durham PetersMr. and Mrs. Gary J. PiotrowskiSir Richard and Lady Katherine PizzatoMr. Pippo RanciGeorgiana RitoMary Catherine RyanMost Rev. Joseph M. SartorisMsgr. Francis X. SchmidtMrs. Robert M. SchroderMs. Linda SekiguchiRev. Lawrence A. SeyerMs. Clare M. SheridanMs. Jeanne ShevlinMrs. Margaret SnowdenSister Florence Steichen, CSJMark E. SyjutMr. and Mrs. John TancabelMr. and Mrs. Michael TosoMs. Vierka Vasquez, To Celebrate the Palestinians and their Accomplishments Father Carlos VelazquezMs. Sharon B. WardMs. Lee WhitakerAnn A. WhitePaul and Marianne WilliamsMr. Arthur Wong and Rev. Kathryn Choy-WongMr. Warren S. WrightMr. and Mrs. Matthew W. WronaMs. Joan WutzMr. August YankeMs. Margaret Young
BethlehemUniversity
Financial 2014-15Statement
1 September 2015 – 29 February 2016
Expenses (USD) ..................................13,371,839 Instruction .................................................6,590,816 Institutional Support ............................2,056,104 Public Service ............................................1,270,273 Plant Operation & Maintenance .........1,223,990 Projects and Research Grants .........1,016,929 Depreciation ..................................................781,473 Currency Exchange Differential .......358,823 Employee Relative Waiver.........................73,431
Income (USD) .................................12,897,465 Tuition and Fees ................................4,916,452 Subsidy, Donations& Scholarhips ......................................4,438,188 Projects and Research Grants .........1,487,334 Public Service ......................................1,320,028 Other Student Related Income .......397,209 Other Sources ........................................338,254
38%
34%
12%10%
3% 3%
49%
15%
9%
9%
8%6%
3% 1%
22
01Archdiocese of Edmonton, Canada.
02Bishop Beis-ner’s group, U.S.
03Caritas Hospi-tal, European Bishops.
04Catholic Chari-ties group, U.S.
05Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, U.S.
06Catholic group, New Zealand.
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08 Catholic Womens League CNEWA, Can-ada.
07Catholic Theological Union students, U.S.
09Diocese of Springfield, U.S.
10 Eastern Mennonite University, U.S.
11 EOHSJ-England, U.K.
07
08
09
10
11
12
12 EOHSJ, Finland
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13EOHSJ-Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy, U.S.
14EOHSJ-North Central, U.S.
15EOHSJ-North Western Lieutenancy, U.S.
16EOHSJ-Northern Lieutenancy, US.
17EOHSJ Western Asutralia Lieutenancy.
18First Lutheran Church, U.S.
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20 Fr. Anthony’s group, Aus-tralia.
19Fr. Alex Kratz’ group, U.S.
21Fr. Carlos Velazquez’ group, U.S.
22 Fr. Mark Pierce’s group, U.S.
23 Rev. Ralph Kleiter’s group, Canada.
24 Franciscan group, U.S.
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30
2825
29
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25General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, U.S.
26Group from France.
27Group from Surrey Hills, U.K.
28St. Joseph Semi-nary, U.S.
29H.E. Sir Michael S. Feeley, KGCHS and Mrs. Feeley.
30Houston Diocese, U.S.
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31 34
3633
32 35
32 Mr. and Mrs. Marino, U.S.
31Johannes Zang’s group, Germany
33Mr. Daniel and Mr. Jason Medinger, U.S.
34 Msgr. Ludger Bornemann’s group, Germany.
35 Msgr. Tillman’s group, U.S.
36 National Association for Lay Ministry, USA
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Scan the QR codes in the magazine using a QR code reader application on your smart phone.
Opening of the renovated University Library
Gifts from the local and international communities can be made
via check to ‘Bethlehem University; or by bank transfer. For
more information, please contact:
Advancement Office
PO Box 11407 – 92248 Jerusalem
Tel: +972 2 274 1242
Fax: +972 2 274 4400
Bethlehem University Foundation
Gifts from the United States can be made via check to:
‘Bethlehem University Foundation’ – a tax deductible non-profit
eligible for employer matching gifts. (Tax ID 22-3600739) For
more information, please contact:
Bethlehem University Foundation
P.O. Box 355
Beltsville, MD 20704-0355
To keep hope, faith, and the dreams of so many young people in
Palestine alive, please consider making an immediate difference
with an online contribution to Bethlehem University. Visit www.
bethlehem.edu/donate/online to make a convenient and fast
online donation.
Giving to Bethlehem University