Bethlehem University magazine Fall 2017

Volume 25 - Issue No.1, 2017-2018

25 VOLUMES

A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR

Reflecting on the Past Looking Towards the Future

As we issue the 25th volume of news about Bethlehem University, we have the opportunity to reflect and see how far we have come in the past 44 years. We remember especially those who dedicated their lives to serve the Bethlehem University community and help it grow. In 1973, when Bethlehem University began, there was a commitment to provide quality higher education for Palestinian youth. This same commitment has been evident down through the years since then when, in spite of challenges and the occupation, the community at Bethlehem University has come together to work towards achieving our mission of serving the Palestinian people through education. The dedication of our faculty, staff, and students is incredible.

Many people have contributed to make Bethlehem University what it is. The challenge to begin Bethlehem University was met, and systems were established to ensure there was quality of education. Then came the challenge to grow, to provide more, to deal with the implications of the occupation and the twelve closures by the Israeli military. Brother Joe Loewenstein, was the first Vice Chancellor and was responsible for laying the foundations. He spent 35 years working here and sadly at 92 years old and with some health problems, he has decided to stay in New York. This brings to a close an amazing time of service to Bethlehem University. In this issue, we feature the annual tennis tournament honoring the memory of Brother Cyril Litecky, who died in 2015 after serving Bethlehem University for 30 years. One of the things he focused on was the sports programs and the Athletics Department thrived because of his support, and for that we will always be thankful. He, Brother Joe, many other Brothers, volunteers and Palestinians helped make Bethlehem University what it is today, and we are deeply grateful to all of those people.

We now build on those achievements. We continue to carry out our mission of serving the local community by responding to its needs. After evaluating the needs of the information technology industry, we found a demand for an undergraduate program in software engineering, which is beginning this academic year, the first of its kind in Palestine. The reviews of the Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism and the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences have led to the commitment to develop the former hospital at Mount David into a teaching hotel and teaching restaurant and the construction of a new facility for the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences. Both these projects will commence in the coming months and will be finished before 2020.

These revised programs and new facilities will provide better opportunities for our students to gain even more from their time at Bethlehem University. It will also provide us with the opportunity to engage with people in the wider community and ensure that Bethlehem University is really a beacon of hope, not only for our students, but for the people in the region and country. Offering these innovative programs and providing new facilities would not have been possible without the commitment of our generous donors and friends from all over the world. We really appreciate your efforts to contribute to the future of Palestine through the education of our students. As we continue to expand and develop our programs and facilities, we count on the local and international community for your support, for which we are deeply grateful.

Brother Peter Bray, FSC, EdD Vice Chancellor

Published by the Advancement Office

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Editorial Committee Ms. Jenny Hodali BU ‘08 Br. Denis Loft, FSC Ms. Dina I. Rishmawi BU ‘15 Mr. George N. Rishmawi Mr. Isaac Sahhar Mr. Zane Wolfang Contributors Ms. Erika Burri Br. Henry Chaya, FSC Br. Robert Deary, FSC Ms. Rania Hazboun BU ‘96 Ms. Amjaad Musleh BU ‘15 Ms. Haneen Musleh BU ‘07 Ms. Shahinda Nassar BU ‘05 Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh Ms. Mona Khalilieh Salah BU ‘16 Br. Dominic Smith, FSC Ms. Anna Stelter Mr. Jonah Wermter Cover Photos by: Munjid Kharoufeh Design and Printing Creative Ad Design & Print Co. Ltd. www.creative-ad.com

Bethlehem University Electronic address www.bethlehem.edu info@bethlehem.edu

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome, Farewell.........................................................4

Of Malta, Palestine and a Beautiful Life................ 13

News..................................................................................5

2017 Endowed Scholarship Graduates.................. 14

Friends of Bethlehem University...............................7

Students Going Abroad............................................. 16

In Honor of Brother Cyril Litecky.............................8

Thank You Donors...................................................... 18

Bethlehem University News Through the Years...9

2017 Data...................................................................... 21

New Software Engineering Program...................... 10

Visitors........................................................................... 22

Animal Biodiversity in Palestine............................ 12

Mailing address Communications Office P.O. Box 11407 92248 Jerusalem Location address Frères Street #9 Bethlehem, Palestine

Bethlehem University Foundation USA Electronic address www.bufusa.org brds@bufusa.org Mailing address P.O. Box 355 Beltsville, MD 20704-0355 Location address 6001 Ammendale Road, Suite 200 Beltsville, MD 20705

Welcome In the past, I have worked with the Brothers in Papua New Guinea for 20 years, and most recently spent 6 years in South Sudan. When I informed friends that I was now posted to Palestine, their response was mostly along the lines of: “What have you done wrong. Another tough place!” I quickly learned to say I was appointed to Bethlehem instead, and the reaction was immediately more positive: “Wow, aren’t you fortunate.”

Bethlehem, for Christians, has always been associated with good news, peace, and joy.

Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation, proclaims, “Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope! (#86).” Bethlehem gives us that hope, albeit amidst a difficult situation at times.

Bethlehem brings to mind images of peace and joy, because Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Bethlehem University, a vision of Pope Paul VI, was established in 1973 precisely to promote hope and peace for all Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim. In this sense, Bethlehem University is an investment in hope.

In a few years, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bethlehem University’s inception. I am delighted to be part of a team that has big plans for a future well beyond that milestone. The immediate plans include state-of-the-art facilities for the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism, as well as a new Student Fitness and Visitor Center.

In 1893, when the De La Salle Brothers purchased a sizeable plot of land on a hill just outside Bethlehem village, they never could have dreamed of a University with over 3,300 students. Yet, with time, needs have outgrown the original plot, and there have consequently been numerous projects, buildings and acquisitions. One present goal is to realize a longer-term Master Plan for the main campus. We rely on the support of good and generous friends to keep these dreams alive in a place chosen by God as his birthplace here on Earth.

Brother Denis Loft, FSC Vice President for Advancement

Farewell “I will never forget the experience of living in Palestine,” was Brother Joseph Loewenstein’s farewell note to the Bethlehem University community. Realizing that he was becoming increasingly dependent with his advancing age, Brother Joe made the painful decision not to return from his annual summer holiday to the United States. During a six-year hiatus from his ministry at BU in the early 1990’s, Brother Joe was instrumental in converting De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, New Jersey from a retirement community into a government certified care facility for elderly Christian Brothers. Now, he has returned there.

Brother Joe was born in Queens, New York in 1925. After serving in the U. S. and Kenya, Brother Joe arrived at Bethlehem University in 1975, where he would serve in various leadership roles for 35 years. Prior to coming to Bethlehem, he had completed his doctorate in Education at UCLA, specializing in Administration and Supervision. From the day he arrived, Brother Joe’s passion was making university-level education available to young Palestinians. He loved working with individual students as a tutor and mentor, and he did everything he could to procure financial aid to help those students most in need. At the 2017 graduation ceremony, the mayor of Bethlehem made Brother Joe an honorary citizen of Bethlehem - his second home. Brother Joe received a standing ovation from students and families alike in tribute to his dedicated service to the community.

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NEWS

German President Visits Qubeibeh Our Qubeibeh Campus was honored when President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, visited the Faculty of Nursing. He spent several hours with Bethlehem University nursing students in order to hear about their lives in Palestine. He is pictured being shown the campus by its Director Sr. Hildegard Enzenhofer, SDS. Qubeibeh is a part of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences of Bethlehem University and is a joint venture with the German Association of the Holy Land (DVHL), which also runs a nursing home there in cooperation with the Salvatorian Sisters. The project is specifically significant for the development of health care infrastructure in the area north of Ramallah.

The President took several hours to learn about the work of the Sisters, to meet with the local nurses, and to talk with the students. He asked about their plans for the future, specifically whether they planned to stay in Palestine or emigrate. Most of the Qubeibeh students told President Steinmeier that they felt a duty to stay and contribute to the development of their society.

The atmosphere was relaxed, and although students discussed the problems they faced due to the occupation, laughter ensued when one student said, “Studying here gave me two highly important things: My education and my wife!”

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Founder’s Day Every year, Bethlehem University celebrates the Feast of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and Patron Saint of All Teachers.

This year, on May 18th, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Chancellor of Bethlehem University, presided with faculty and staff of Bethlehem University. Father David Neuhaus, Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew-speaking Catholics, gave the sermon.

Brother Peter Bray, Vice Chancellor, asked attendees to reflect on the challenges they faced this year. He encouraged all in attendance to pray for a stronger faith, and a commitment to serve the students as elder brothers and sisters. As part of the celebrations, the De La Salle Christian Brothers at Bethlehem University renewed their vows of service to the poor through education.

Following mass, the 21st Annual Staff Recognition and Celebration of Service ceremony began. Brother Timothy Coldwell, General Councilor of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, addressed the faculty and staff.

Then awards of recognition to faculty and staff who had completed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the University were distributed by Archbishop Lazzarotto, Brother Peter, and Brother Mark McKeon, Vice President of Human Resources. A lunch prepared by the Institute of Hotel Management in the University’s garden capped off the day.

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NEWS

A New Journey for 900 Freshmen For many young people, starting university after successfully negotiating 12 years of school feels daunting – new courses, new friends, new environment and new expectations. So every year, Bethlehem University tries to make this transition as easy as possible for its new students by welcoming them to their new academic home over the course of a two day freshman orientation.

This August, over 900 newly matriculated freshmen were formally introduced to Bethlehem University. The Dean of Students, Dr. Mahmud Hammad, welcomed them, then the Vice Chancellor, Brother Peter Bray, assured them that Bethlehem University would offer a safe, predictable, and caring community.

“Here, nobody will interrogate you, nobody will stop or harm you.

Here at Bethlehem University, the faculty and staff are not superior to you; consider them your older brothers and sisters. They will care about you!” Brother Peter told the new students. Knowing the difficulties students sometimes face, especially when coming from outside of Bethlehem and passing through the Israeli military checkpoints, the faculty and staff want the campus to be an “oasis of peace” and a “beacon of hope” for all.

Next BU Student Ambassadors explained how their program encourages students to guide and inform visitors, particularly pilgrims, about the complexities of daily life in Palestine. They asked freshmen to consider joining.

A special musical performance by Wajd Musical group, a traditional Palestinian band comprised of BU students and graduates, followed.

Tours on campus and visits to some of the main service centers were conducted by older students.

New experiences bring new challenges, so it was with joy, optimism and enthusiasm that Bethlehem University welcomed the newest members to its community.

Australian Parliamentary Friends of Palestine Visit In April, Bethlehem University welcomed a delegation of Australian Parliamentary Friends of Palestine – all members of Parliament, from three major political parties, and from both houses of the Australian Parliament.

Led by its co-chairs, Honorable Mark Coulton, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Ms. Maria Vamvakinou, member for Calwell, they were accompanied by Mr. Ken O’Dowd, member for Flynn, Senator Lisa Singh, Senator for Tasmania, and Mr. Ross Hart, Member for Bass, His Excellency Izzat Abdelhadi, Palestinian Ambassador to Australia, and Mr. Rabe Barghouthi, representative from the Palestinian Legislative Council.

In his welcome, Dr. Michael Sansur, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, emphasized the common interests shared between Australia and Bethlehem University - diversity, multiculturalism, coexistence, and social justice.

Stressing the importance of education, the Honorable Mark Coulton commented, “Education is the key to changing everything- poverty, peace.”

After taking a tour of the campus and being briefed on Bethlehem University’s current development initiatives over a lunch prepared by the Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism, the delegation had the chance to meet with student ambassadors. They chatted and answered questions about their lives as students coming from Bethlehem and Jerusalem, and their hopes for the future, both for themselves and Palestine.

Mr. Ross Hart complimented the student ambassadors, and shared a story with the student ambassadors about his recent experiences in Palestine. He expressed, on behalf of the entire Australian delegation, a heartfelt appreciation for the warm hospitality they had received from the Palestinian people.

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FRIENDS

Bethlehem University Foundation - USA

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Mrs. Callista and Hon. Newt Gingrich

Br Peter Bray, Mrs Annette Aburdene, Sr Irene O’Neill, Mr Elias Aburdene

Patrons

New Director of Development

Bethlehem University Foundation invested its inaugural class of Patrons on the 20th of April at a reception in New York at the Residence of the Holy See to the United Nations. Our host was Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.

In February, Bethlehem University Foundation announced the hiring of Dr. Maggie McCarty, D.Min., LHS, as Director of Development.

The Patrons are individuals or couples who make a qualifying gift to the Annual Fund of the Bethlehem University Foundation.

By their gift, the Patrons invest themselves into the work of the Foundation in its sole mission of supporting and promoting the Bethlehem University.

AUSTRALIA

Donations to Bethlehem University made through a special project with Catholic Mission Australia are now eligible for tax deductibility.

Catholic Mission Australia has approved the clinical supervision of Nurse trainees, as an approved Development Project. Each nurse trainee in Palestine and Israel is required to undergo 1155 hours of supervised placement in hospitals and clinics during their 4 year programme. The total annual cost to Bethlehem University for this essential work is almost $150,000.

Dr. McCarty comes with over twenty years’ experience in fundraising, as well as four years’ working directly with the De La Salle Brothers as Executive Director of the Christian Brothers Conference. She served most recently as the Director of Development for the Catholic Climate Covenant in Washington, D.C.

Save the Dates!

November 9th 2017 - 6 to 8pm Washington, DC. at the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) to the United States.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre is our host for the evening. In addition to investing Patrons of Bethlehem University Foundation, Bethlehem University will bestow an Honorary Doctorate on Mr. Frank Jungers in recognition of his years of support for Bethlehem University.

April 5th 2018 - 5:30 – 7:30pm New York, at the Residence of the Holy See to the United Nations.

Archbishop Bernardito Auza is our host for the evening.

Visit www.bufusa.org/events to learn more.

SWITZERLAND

In order to understand why Association Bethlehem University Br Peter Bray, Ms Erika Burri, Mr Heinrich Koller, Br Stephen Tuohy was originally founded in 1976, one must look back to the turbulent times in Palestine when Bethlehem University was first being established. In light of the geopolitical insecurity of the Israeli occupation, Bethlehem University’s founders considered various options, including a plan to establish a foundation in Switzerland which would own the land where the University was to be established. Although this particular plan was never implemented, Association Bethlehem University was founded in Switzerland to support the new Christian university in Bethlehem. ABU would go on to take a leading role in the establishment of the Board of Regents, which eventually became the governing body of Bethlehem University.

Donations to Bethlehem University for this project are now eligible for tax deductibility in Australia, when made through Catholic Mission Australia.

For the last four decades, ABU has raised funds for Bethlehem University, mainly through Catholic Church collections. In January, after ably administering the ABU for ten years, managing director Klaus Röllin retired. Erika Burri has taken up the ABU’s administrative responsibilities and continues to direct ABU in seeking funds for specific projects. ABU’s current fundraising focus is a high diploma in nursing at Bethlehem University for students who specialize in oncology and palliative care.

www.catholicmission.org.au/bethlehemuniversity

To support ABU, please visit our website: www.unibethlehem.org BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

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UNIVERSITY FEATURES

In Honor of

Brother Cyril Litecky For the past three years, the Athletics Department at Bethlehem University, in cooperation with Mr. Issa Rishmawi, former President of the Palestinian Tennis Association and the University’s volunteer tennis coach, has organized an annual tennis tournament to honor the memory of the late Brother Cyril Litecky.

Brother Cyril first joined Bethlehem University in 1984 as Academic Vice President and later served as Financial Vice President prior to assuming the position of Administrative Assistant to the Vice Chancellor in 1995. He was an avid supporter of the Athletics Department which falls under the wing of the Office of the Vice Chancellor. He went above and beyond to ensure that the Athletics Department thrived and that the students always had opportunities to engage in different sports. Bethlehem University is proud of its men’s and women’s basketball teams, volleyball teams, and football teams, in addition to its women's badminton team, and all its athletes in other disciplines including table tennis, tennis, swimming, karate, and weight-lifting. Brother Cyril supported the Athletics Department by providing the facilities to organize events and activities, assisting in equipment acquisition, as well as watching and encouraging the athletes during their games. "The two sports Brother Cyril was most known for supporting at Bethlehem University were tennis and women's football," highlighted Mrs. Samar Araj Mousa, Director of the Athletics Department.

Starting in 1994, with the support of Brother Cyril and the cooperation of Mr. Issa Rishmawi, the Athletics Department organized an annual Palestinian National Tennis Tournament at the University tennis courts. Players from all over Palestine participated in the annual tournaments that took place until the year 2000, when they were stopped because of the second intifada. The Department also organized annual Bethlehem

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University tournaments exclusively for its students. Brother Cyril's involvement in tennis was not limited to support and encouragement in organizing events as he used to go to the courts and help coach the students during tennis lessons.

"Brother Cyril was instrumental to the development of tennis not only at Bethlehem University, but in all of Palestine. He would give permission to local athletes to practice on the Bethlehem University tennis courts," added coach Issa.

In 2003, Brother Cyril played a crucial role in the establishment of the first women's football team in all of Palestine at Bethlehem University. He also assisted in improving the fitness room at Bethlehem University to encourage students to exercise and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

He ensured that the fitness room was available to students for free and was open to the local community after hours. To continue the legacy of Brother Cyril, the University is looking to relocate and develop the fitness room into a fitness center, in the hopes to accommodate more students, faculty, and staff.

This past May, over 30 players from all over the West Bank participated in the Third Annual Brother Cyril Litecky Tennis Tournament, which was divided into three categories – a men’s open tournament, a tournament for men over 35 years old, and a women’s open tournament. The final match of the tournament ended with a 6-2, 6-3 win for 19-year-old Ahmad Ayyad Hreimi, earning him the title for the third consecutive year. Ahmad’s memories of Brother Cyril are from playing tennis together at the University. "He was a kind man who always encouraged me to practice hard and who enjoyed watching me play," recalled Ahmad. Without doubt, Brother Cyril will always be remembered and appreciated for his contributions towards the development of sports at Bethlehem University.

The Bethlehem University News was predated by the Bethlehem University Information Bulletin. This was mailed out in 1981, and readers who have been with us since the 1980’s may recall receiving a slim packet of typewritten pages from the University’s Public Relations office. The two pages contained an explanation of Bethlehem University’s mission, a concise word about the function of the newly formed Bethlehem University Information Committee, and a chronology of events that occurred in the Bethlehem area in November, 1981. At the Information Committee’s first meeting, Vice Chancellor Br. Joe Loewenstein advised committee members to “disseminate facts, rather than political rhetoric,” and the Bulletin would adhere to this maxim for the next 13 years, keeping its global readership informed during a time of immense political turmoil. It is in the rich soil of this fearless publication’s legacy that the modern Bethlehem University News is rooted. The first issue of our contemporary magazine was published in 1995, the cover simply adorned with the Bethlehem University crest and the oneword heading, “News.”

The Bethlehem University News has also featured all major development projects that have occurred, including the acquisition of Bethlehem Hall in 1995, the completion of Millennium Hall in 2002 and the renovation of the University library in 2015. The BUN acknowledges our many generous donors and includes photos of the visitors who come to our campus every semester. In addition to saying thank you and showing the donors our appreciation for their commitment, the magazine has always been a critical component of Bethlehem University’s mission to provide students with the best education possible, because news about development is important in stimulating further improvements.

Since then, both the University and the magazine have grown tremendously.

The magazine, which was rechristened as the Bethlehem University News on the cover of the June 1998 issue, has reported on major events occurring within the Bethlehem University community over the

The 2017 BUN looks radically different. That first issue featured 6 pages of text interspersed with a few black and white photos. Today, the magazine comprises 28 pages of articles, photos, and links to digital content covering a wide range of subject matter, from development initiatives to cutting-edge academic programs, to profiles of Bethlehem University graduates working all over the world. The BUN is mailed to 3,000 readers in over 40 countries, and is also available online, making it easier to share than ever before. With the support of our dedicated readership, the Bethlehem University News will continue to serve the University and the Palestinian people for many years to come.

Dec 1995 Fall 1998 Fall 2002

last 25 years. The Winter/Spring 2000 Great Jubilee issue covered Yasser Arafat’s visit to Bethlehem University in December of 2000.

The following issue covered Pope John Paul II’s visit to Bethlehem, and the cover of the May 2009 issue featured a candid photo of Pope Benedict XVI during his May 2009 visit to the Holy Land, along with this quotation from his speech about interreligious dialogue: “I wish to make special mention of the outstanding achievements of Bethlehem University.”

Dec 1998

For the past 25 years, it has been the distinct honor of the Bethlehem University News magazine to share the Bethlehem University community’s accomplishments with the world.

As the Bethlehem University News, or as it is referred to on campus, “The BUN,” celebrates its 25th year of publication, we look back on a quarter-century of proudly upholding the commitment to inform our readership about the endeavors and achievements of the University’s faculty, staff and student body.

Fall 2009

Through the Years

Fall 2014

Bethlehem University News

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UNIVERSITY MATTERS

Brother Henry John Chaya, FSC, joined the Faculty of Science at Bethlehem University as Coordinator of the Computer Information Systems program in 2003.

He took up the position of Chairman of the Computer Information Systems Department from 2007-2009 and again in 2013 until the present time.

Brother Henry obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Manhattan College in 1973 and a PhD in Material Science from Princeton University in 1981. He served as chairperson of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Manhattan College from 1996-2000.

For many years, Brother Henry served on the USA National Fellowship Committee for Tau Beta Pi, and he is a member of ACM, Phi Beta Kappa, and Sigma Xi.

Software Engineering In the Fall 2017 semester, the Faculty of Science at Bethlehem University launched a new Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, accepting its first cohort of 35 students. It is the first undergraduate program of its kind in the West Bank.

The decision to offer this program began with the realization that the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) is a very dynamic one and that the program of study that began in 2004 was not meeting the current needs of the ICT industry in the West Bank. In the spring of 2014, Bethlehem University began a discussion with the local ICT community and other universities about alternate curricula that would better serve both our students and the industry.

The result of these discussions was the recognition of a need for a program in software engineering. There are plenty of programs in computer science, but only few of their graduates are fully prepared to enter the growing software development industry in Palestine.

Beginning in the spring of 2015 the Faculty began to develop a full major in software engineering using ABET criteria and ACM model curricula as references.

The first proposal was submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education in January 2016, but it required revision to

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distinguish it from other computer science programs. Members of the Faculty then reached out to a local expert in the field of software engineering and a retired member of the ACM Education Board living in the UK. The revised proposal was submitted in October 2016 and finally approved on December 7, 2016.

The next challenge was to find experienced faculty to teach this new specialization. The Faculty of Science has been searching since February 2016 but has yet to find qualified experts. Letters were previously secured from seven West Bank firms pledging their support for the new program, for example, offering to provide part-time instructors with expertise in specialized fields. This is being implemented for the first time this Fall 2017 semester with a special topic course on software testing.

Another way to meet this challenge is to retrain current faculty. One of the instructors from the Faculty of Science, Rawan Gedeon, has received a scholarship to pursue a PhD degree in the field of software engineering at Liverpool Hope University in the UK. Rawan is a Bethlehem University graduate from the class of 2011 who obtained a Master’s degree in Computer Security from Lewis University. After she obtains her PhD, Rawan plans to come back to Bethlehem University as an instructor for the new program.

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Bethlehem University Parkour Club Bethlehem University is constantly expanding its offerings of extracurricular clubs and student activities. One of the most recent additions is the Bethlehem University Parkour Club. Supported by the Athletics Department, the student group is a movement sports club focusing on Parkour and free running. Parkour, which originated in France and has since spread around the world, looks something like an acrobat running a 5000 meter race.

According to junior business major Ibrahim Qato, the team leader, the sport is mentally

comforting as it allows the individual to get in touch with the urban environment and feel harmony between himself and his surroundings. The perception of the world as an enabler to overcome obstacles rather than it being the obstacle itself is what makes this sport fascinating.

While this sport may seem risky at first glance, participants spend a lot of time at practice improving their body control, including learning how to break a fall to ensure that they are not hurt. Seemingly

complex movements are always broken down into basic steps in order for the members to grasp them easily and ensure their safety. Aside from building up physical strength, the club promotes individuality and acceptance of others. Members practice as a team, yet work on individual moves, and each runner brings his own unique style to the sport. Parkour provides the students who participate with a boost of confidence and a means to communicate a message of their own.

Celebrating Outstanding Students with Honors Day Every year, the Dean of Students Office organizes its annual Honors Day to recognize and celebrate outstanding students at Bethlehem University. Within each University faculty, the students with the highest GPA in the Spring and Fall 2016 semesters received plaques for their achievement.

The Dean’s office also awarded certificates to all students who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above.

Dr. Mahmud Hammad, the Dean of Students, congratulated and thanked the students for their efforts. He also extended thanks to their parents and professors for providing the students with encouragement and a healthy learning environment.

Dr. Irene Hazou, Vice President for Academic Affairs, commended the outstanding students for their hard work and expressed the University’s pride in them, saying, “Your success is our success.” She addressed each class as a group, providing words of encouragement in hopes of seeing the freshman, sophomore and junior students at the event again next year. She concluded by congratulating the seniors in attendance for their upcoming graduation.

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RESEARCH

Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh is a scientist and political activist. He is interested in all things Palestinian – anthropology, natural history, and biodiversity, to name just a few. He teaches courses ranging from Molecular Biology to Anthropology to Biodiversity at both Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities. He is the director of both the Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability and the Palestine Museum of Natural History (www.palestinenature.org) at Bethlehem University.

For more information, please visit his site at http://qumsiyeh.org/.

Animal Biodiversity in Palestine Palestine is located in the western part of the Fertile Crescent that connects Africa with Eurasia. Our diverse habitats cover five ecozones, ranging across the Central Highlands, the Semi-Coastal Region, the Eastern Slopes, the Jordan Rift Valley, and the Coastal Regions.

Palestine also spans four bio-geographical regions (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanese/Ethiopian). It is thus not surprising that this small country is more biologically diverse than some countries ten times its size. Many thousands of years ago, the Fertile Crescent's mild weather and rich soils allowed for a wide variety of wild plants and animals to be harvested from nature and domesticated. The transition from a huntergatherer way of life to a settled agricultural and pastoral life resulted in an increase in human population and eventually the development of civilization and religious beliefs, first among the local Natufian people and later among the Canaanite people. Over time, a diversity of religious beliefs evolved in Palestine. This led to its being considered the Holy Land for nearly half of the people on earth.

Palestine’s location also ensures an ideal passage between Europe and Africa, and to this day hundreds of millions of birds pass through Palestine in the course of their annual migrations. Human interventions, however, especially since the industrial revolution, have resulted in the decline of the previously amazing animal life. Some of the animals that have become extinct in Palestine in the past few hundred years include the ostrich, the fishing owl, the Syrian brown bear, the roe deer, and the cheetah. Lions lingered until the 13th century.

One could argue that humans are the wildest of all animals because of their destructive impact on the environment. Only since the late twentieth century has the conservation

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of biological diversity become recognized as an urgent issue, as scientists have observed the significant decline in biodiversity that has accompanied industrialization and human-induced climate change.

Objective studies of animals in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) are limited compared to nearby areas. Research in general still lags behind in our area (see Qumsiyeh and Isaac, 2012, Arab Studies Quarterly, 34:158-172). Most studies of flora and fauna within Palestine were completed

by Western visitors who came on short trips to study the “Holy Land,” and many of those visitors were connected to Western empires (e.g. Rev. Canon H B Tristram, who did the first full survey of Palestinian fauna in 1884). One of the first native Palestinians who engaged in faunal studies was Dr. Sana Atallah, who performed a number of studies from 1962 until his untimely death at the age of 27 in 1970. Since then, there have been a few sporadic research studies by local scientists.

In the last two decades, biodiversity research became more relevant in light of the deteriorating environmental situation. For example, there is a research paper (Decline in Vertebrate Biodiversity in Bethlehem, Palestine, Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences 2014, 7(2):101-107) on the decline in animal biodiversity in the Bethlehem region due to human effects, including walls and colonies. The Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH) at Bethlehem University has published fascinating studies on freshwater snails, scorpions, butterflies, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. It is possible to be cautiously optimistic that Palestinians, with the support of others, can rise to the challenge of protecting the rich fauna and flora that constitute an integral part of our native heritage. Such efforts not only connect us to this “Holy Land,” but are critical for human survival in this part of the planet and elsewhere.

Of Malta,

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Palestine

and a Beautiful Life My name is Mona, and my story is about finding success despite unlikely circumstances; about turning apparent difficulties into learning opportunities. Things may not have seemed optimistic, especially for a Palestinian woman whose education was interrupted by the Intifada, and also by the raising of three children - Rocky, Claudia and Ramzi. But in fact, raising children and helping them to achieve their own academic goals, introduced me to the practical side of management and also of hospitality.

And there was Bethlehem University.

I enrolled at Bethlehem University for two semesters in 1990 and 1991 and again in 2001, but had to withdraw because of the political situation and personal circumstances. When I enrolled again in 2013 I achieved the highest marks in my final exams, attracting the attention of a leading international hospitality expert, Mr. Italio Rota, who offered me an internship program with Corinthia Hotels in Malta. I grasped the opportunity, eager to learn more in one of the best hotel chains in the world.

That opportunity in Malta put me in contact with various important people in the tourism industry. One of these was Andrew Agius Muscat, CEO of the Hotels and Restaurants Association and Secretary General of MTF ( Mediterranean Tourism Foundation). The MTF has a vision of promoting tourism as a vehicle for peace and stability across the Mediterranean region, and I embraced it immediately.

I was then appointed Advisor to the MTF and organized various awareness sessions in Malta and in Palestine.

Workshops that we organized in Bethlehem attracted over 40 leading entrepreneurs and other tourism stakeholders. I also brought together a delegation of 25 participants to attend the 4th Mediterranean Tourism Forum in Malta. Later I was invited to speak to the more than 2,000 people attending a conference on Human Resources in Turkey.

More recently I was appointed Representative of the Malta Tourism Authority in Palestine.

I firmly believe that Palestine has the potential to offer a great deal to international tourists, and also to learn from popular travel destinations.

Malta can contribute to further developing sustainable tourism growth across Palestine by spearheading the whole process and highlighting Bethlehem as a unique door to Palestine.

And I firmly believe that, given a willingness to work and institutions of opportunity, what may seem like obstacles in our path can become advantages.

Bethlehem University prides itself in graduates like Mona, who are resilient and who work towards the benefit of Palestine. The University has offered Mona a scholarship to further pursue her studies at the master’s level.

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

13

2017 Graduates who received Endowed Scho The Grand Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem Sandra Babish

Oriana Anastas

Nasri Yatim

Brother Dominic Smith, FSC and a group of generous donors in memory of Mr. Harold and Mrs. Anna Mary Smith

H. Lance Forsdick

The De La Salle Christian Brothers’ Community of Bethlehem University

Mr. Harold and Mrs. Anna Mary Smith Scholarship

H. Lance Forsdick Endowed Scholarship

Thank you very much for your support.

I would not have the same access to an amazing education that provides great opportunities for learning and growth if it were not for your generosity.

Sandra Massad

Carlo Cardinal Furno- Grand Magisterium Endowed Scholarship

Serena Nassar

Amal Dar Thweib

Saint Pedro Poveda Endowed Scholarship

Naseem Shqueir Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Adnan and Mrs. Fatina Shqueir and a group of generous donors in memory of Naseem Shqueir

Brother Joseph Neary Endowed Scholarship

Members of the Teresian Association

Daniel Salama

Lady Anita M. Finie Endowed Scholarship

Jouline Salameh

Lady Anita M. Finie, EOHSJ – USA Western Lieutenancy

Fourth Grand Magisterium Endowed Scholarship

Elias Khair

Friends of Bethlehem University-UK Endowed Scholarship

Jihan Marzouka

Emilie & Marian Nursing Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Hildegard Emilie Charles and Mr. James Linton Charles

Mirna Seryani

The Friends of Bethlehem University in UK

Sir James P. Miscoll Endowed Scholarship

Christeen Ibrahem

Grand Magisterium Endowed Scholarship

Lady Ingeburg Miscoll and Mr. And Mrs. John Linsenmeyer

Mariana Shaer

Ladah Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Rawan Marzouka

Dr. Samir Zaki and Mary J. Abu-Ghazaleh Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Samir Zaki and Mary J. AbuGhazaleh

The Ladah Foundation

Nadine Backleh

The Musallam and Oafa Eadeh Endowed Scholarship

Fadi Matar

Grand Magisterium Endowed Scholarship – Nursing

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Eadeh, Australia

Marian Baboun

Rasha Abualzulof

Georges Wick Stiftung Endowed Scholarship Georges Wick Foundation, Fr. Josef Wick

14

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

Rawan Mohammad

Mohammad Al - Okar Endowed Scholarship Mr. Mohammad Al-Okar, DohaQatar

The Hani Abu-Dayyeh Endowed Scholarship in Hospitality and Tourism in honor of Mr. Emil and Mrs. Wedad Abu-Dayyeh Mr. Hani Abu-Dayyeh

Mariam Ghanem

Grand Magisterium- EOHSJ Endowed Scholarship

olarships

I want to thank you for your generous gift that made my education a reality. Through your support, I have accomplished much of what I never thought possible.

The Moley Family Foundation, USA

Mariana Iseed

Margaret Sa’d Scholarship

Ms. Najwa Sa’d, Mr. Jamal Sa’d and a group of generous donors.

Sandy Khalilieh

Annabel Stork Endowed Scholarship

Dona Kharoufeh

Haneen Qassis

The late Mr. Frank J. Bremser

The USA/Toronto Regional Conference of Christian Brothers

Mr. Frank J. Bremser Endowed Scholarship

De La Salle Christian Brothers Endowed Scholarship

Abeer Bahnan

Jan and Gordon Forbes Scholarship

Pamela and Robert Mertz and members of the Westmoreland Congregational Church UCC in Bethesda, MD

Guliana Ishaq

Beatrix Stork Endowed Scholarship

Raneen Al Moghrabi Siman Family Endowed Scholarship The Siman Family, USA

Rawan Almasou

Madeleine and Shehadeh Botto Endowed Scholarship Their children and grandchildren

United Arab Emirates Friends of Bethlehem University Scholarship

Laureen Zakharia

Dr. James S. Hall Endowed Scholarship

Sir Michael J. and Lady Karen M. Hall, EOHSJ-USA Northwestern Lieutenancy

Nagham Musleh

Mary Frances Hock Endowed Scholarship

Juan Thaljia Elham Anastas

Richard and Elizabeth Moley Endowed Scholarship

Ahlam Dadou

Nreeman Ali

Dania Odeh

Rula Qunnies

Haneen Al-Da`amsa

Sara Sayed Ahmad

Linda Abbasi

Shirin Sayed Ahmad

The Murray F. Milne Endowment Fund

Sr. Mary Kay Milne, OSU, Jerusalem

Maram Khaliliyeh

William Hock Endowed Scholarship

Nathalie Sleiby

Brother Joseph Lowenstein Endowed Scholarship

The De La Salle Christian Brothers of the New York Province and the Bethlehem University Brothers Community

Please consider – Endowed Scholarships live on forever BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

15

EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

GOING ABOARD

16

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

The Office of the External Academic Relations at Bethlehem University currently administers eight exchange programs that have been approved for funding by the EU Erasmus Plus program.

These agreements allowed for nine of our students and six faculty and staff members to travel abroad during the 2016-2017 academic year.

I just realized that I will never be completely at home again, because a part of my heart will always be elsewhere.

Hani Mubarak

For the Spring 2017 semester, students Hani Mubarak, George Bael, and Mahdi Bali studied at the University of Economics in Katowice, Poland.

Reina Handal and Marian Hosh spent their semester at Vilnius University in Lithuania, and Yasmine Abu-Shkhiedim studied at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.

These opportunities to study abroad expand the horizons of Bethlehem University students and allow them to be exposed to new cultures. Being immersed in a foreign culture, living among locals and learning about their traditions promotes acceptance of others and enriches our students with a deeper understanding of the world.

Erasmus is not a semester of your life but it’s your life in a semester Marian Hosh

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

McGUCKIN

INTERNSHIPS 2017

llege

USA Interns

Manhattan Co

Lara Kasbari, Shaden Shaer, Leyla Abu Ayyash Three rising juniors from Bethlehem University had the privilege to gain work experience and test their skills in the American working environment at different organizations across the United States.

Lara, who studies Business Administration and Marketing, interned with the Christian Brothers Conference in Washington DC, where she helped coordinate their volunteer program in addition to offering her skills for fundraising and social media work. Leyla, an English Literature major, was also placed in DC. Leyla was working with the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. Shaden put her skills as a Business and Marketing major to the test at the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, where her main responsibilities revolved around the promotion of the Diocese’s “Campaign for Justice and Hope.”

lia

Loyo

stra u A la

Since 2009, the Alumni Office has been organizing the Sir John McGuckin Mentoring and Internship Program. The program provides third year students at Bethlehem University with two-month summer internship opportunities at Christian institutions around the world.

Jackline Khoury, Ali Zawahrah, Randa Al Obayyat, Jane Allawi, Ghassan Harami Bethlehem University and Manhattan College continue to expand upon a range of cooperative programming, and this year five Bethlehem University students completed summer research projects in New York. Under the guidance of highly qualified members of Manhattan College’s faculty, each student became a part of a team carrying out research in a field relevant to their college major. Additionally, Jane Allawi and Randa Al Obayyat took part in a Business Data Analytics Competition which included teams from 16 different universities in the United States, Canada, and now Palestine. The goal of the competition was to discover and apply a business advantage by analyzing large data sets. Through their experience at Manhattan College, all five interns were able to develop their research skills while experiencing American culture and daily life in New York City.

Shahd Froukh, Amane Obeidat, Abrar Qumbar For the third year, students from the Faculty of Education had the opportunity to complete a student teaching internship at Loyola College in Melbourne, Australia.

In addition to acquiring valuable classroom experience, Shahd, Amane, and Abrar gained insight into the Australian culture and lifestyle. Furthermore, living in Australia provided these future teachers with the opportunity to develop and strengthen their English language skills.

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

17

Thank You For Your Generosity $100,000+ Signum Fidei

Anonymous USA Anonymous UAE Bethlehem University Foundation EOHSJ Grand Magisterium Mrs Suad Husseini Juffali Mr & Mrs Ghassan Salameh Union Aid Abroad APHEDA Dr George L. Zarur - In memory of Frere Etienne Armand, Dir, College des Freres, Bethlehem & of Joseph & Regina Abu Zarur

$50,000+ Founders’ Club

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation German Association of the Holy Land Jerusalem Office Prof. & Mrs Mazin B. Qumsiyeh Salvatorian Sister Milwaukee Wayne State University

$25,000+ Trustees’ Club

Christian Brothers Community Bethlehem University EOHSJ USA Northwestern Lieutenancy Indiana University Bloomington Münster University of Applied Sciences Parish of St. Raymond Bronx World Bank

$10,000+

Chairman’s Club Mr & Mrs Elias Aburdene American Embassy to Israel Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand EOHSJ German Lieutenancy EOHSJ USA Western Lieutenancy Col. Richard Flahavan KC*HS - In memory of Stephen J & Helen M Flahavan for their commitment to Christian Education in the Holy Land The Honorable Newt & Mrs Callista Gingrich

18

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

Mr Anton & Mrs Lina Kattan Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Middle East Children's Alliance Ministry of Education & Higher Education OXFAM Great Britain The Morganti Group Inc. UNICEF United Holy Land Fund University of Chester UK UNOPS

$5,000+

Chancellor’s Club Anonymous USA Mr & Mrs Lawrence Anzivino Bethlehem Foundation Dr & Mrs Marcello Bisotti Brothers of the Christian Schools Eastern North America Charles Foundation Charitable Trust Dr Rose Mary Dreussi German Society for International Collaboration Helen Brach Foundation Mr Walid H. Kattan Medical Aid for Palestinians Munib R. Masri Development Foundation National Financial Services LLC Nationwide Marketing Group LLC New Zealand Embassy in Turkey Her Excellency Mary C. O'Brien LGCHS Ms Anne Marie H. Resor Mr Tony Saca & Mrs Ilham Saca Mr Victor J. Saca Mr Mohammed M. Salhoot Dr Aziz Shaibani Mr & Mrs George P. Shelton III Mr & Mrs Joseph B. Starshak The BGR Foundation Inc. Catholic Foundation of South Nebraska United Palestinian Appeal Inc. Rev. John Van der Kaa Frau Dr Maria Elisabeth Velten Bock und Herr Oliver Bock Volontariato Internazionale Per Lo Sviluppo Mr Edwin T. Weber Jerry & Sue Zaccardelli - In honor of Br Robert Deary

$1,000+

Vice Chancellor’s Club Abdul Qavi - Mazin Qumsiyeh Scholarship Mr & Mrs Hani Abu Dayyeh Al Masrouji Company for General Trade Al Zaytoonah Society for Youth Development Anonymous Lebanon Anonymous Philippines Anonymous USA Anonymous Jordan Arab Bank Bethlehem Branch Arab Orphan Committee Arab Student Aid International USA Arab Studies Society Youth Development Department Archdiocese of Baltimore Mr & Mrs Issa N. Baconi Jim & Kay Barmettler Jim & Ginger Biedron Ms Alison P. Brown Sam & Nancye Bryan Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge Capital Trust The Diocese of Arlington Christian Brothers of Midwest USA Christian Brothers St. John's Community College des Freres Jerusalem Community Foundation of Acadiana Consulate General of the USA His Eminence Blase Cardinal Cupich Br Jack Curran FSC PhD KHS Mr & Mrs John M. Curran De La Salle Solidarieta Internazionale SECOLI Mr Waleed D'keidek Mrs Mary Ann Dorsa DC*HS Her Excellency Vicki Downe DGCHS EdwardJones EOHSJ England & Wales Lieutenancy William Guy Evans Jr KC*HS Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Dr & Mrs Hassan G. Fouda Freres des Ecoles Chretiennes du Canada Francophone Friends of Bethlehem University UK Dr Cullen K. Geiselman Mr Varghese R. George German Jordanian University Dr & Mrs Burhan Ghanayem

Brenda & Gregory Hamer Family Fund Lois Harr & John M. Reilly John D. Herrick Rev. Msgr Paul Hudock Ms Brigitte Jaensch Diana & Andrew Jezycki Jordan Ahli Bank Bethlehem Branch Rev. Daniel N. Klem Rev. Msgr John E. Kozar Rev. Fr Robert Kurvers Geraldine Lawhon The Living Stones of the Holy Land Trust L'Oeuvre D'Orient Most Rev. William E. Lori Loyola College Australia Manhattan College NY Marion Charitable Trust Mr Luca Marmo Dr Thomas & Mrs Sally McGovern Drs Matthew & Moira McQueen Maysoon's Kids National Insurance Co. LTD Ms Mary Neznek Northwestern Mutual Foundation His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O'Brien Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted Ms Abeer A. M. Oweineh ‘03 Palæstina Orientering Palestine for Development Foundation Palestinian Vision Association Pharmacare Ltd Pontifical Mission for Palestine Clarence & Moneta Prince Project Loving Care Society Fatmeh Abu AlSuud Fund Mr & Mrs Imad I. Qasim Reach Education Fund Rev. Msgr Walter Rossi Dr & Mrs Fritz Scheuren Br Robert Schieler FSC Schwab Charitable Fund SiParadigm Diagnostic Informatics Inc. Dr & Mrs James G. Spahn Mr Mohannad Suboh The Archdiocese of Chicago Tree of Life Educational Fund Inc. Ms Diane E. Umstead Mrs Jeanne Vreeswijk

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

1 March 2017 – 31 August 2017

$500+

Special Friends Ms Katherine E. Acuff Ahdaf Al Nasher Technical Services Anonymous Australia Anonymous Philippines Aramex Company Mr Sergio Atallah Carolyn Woo & David Bartkus Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Mr & Mrs William Bean Mr & Ms Rafic A. Bizri Mr & Mrs Joseph F. Boyle - In memory of Bob Lojewski John & Christine Brown Rev. Msgr Paul A. Byrnes Very Rev. Joseph P. Callipare De La Salle College Malta Mr Leonard S. Dino Snr Br Kevin Dobbyn FMS Dr Hani Shawa Foundation Colette & Robert Ehnow Margild & Alexander Ercklentz Faisal Husseini Foundation His Excellency Dr Thompson M. Faller KGCHS Rev. Msgr Martin E. Feild - In honor of 50th anniversary of ordination of Bishop Denis J. Madden Mrs Michele B. Ferone Rev. Todd E. Foster Rev. Ryan Holly Mr & Mrs George N. Jalinos Mr Issa R. Kassis Mr Hasan S. Khalidi Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Per Magnus Maehle Ms Kerry McArdle - In memory of Br Fergus McArdle from his brother Philip and niece Kerry Dr Justine McCabe PhD - In honor of 60th birthday of my friend Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh Mr John McFadden - In honor of Bishop Denis Madden on his 50th anniversary Mr Robert McGann His Excellency Thomas E. McKiernan KGCHS Mr Frank McQuoid Daniel Medinger KHS Rev. Msgr Ronald A. Newland KHS Dr & Mrs Thomas Okner

Mr Mario J. Paredes KCHS Rev. Msgr Thomas F. Petrillo Mr Matt R. Pico Mr Anthony Podesta Rev. Erik Pohlmeier Mrs Mary Powell TTEE Sir Richard L. Purdon KGCHS & Lady Susan A. Purdon LGCHS Mr & Mrs Robert Rogers Ms Julie Sakellariadis Mr Marion Duel Scroggins In memory of Patrick Ray Scroggins Rev. Msgr Archimandrite Robert L. Stern Mr Barry Sullivan Mr & Mrs Richard K. Toll - In honor of Mazin & Jesse Qumsiyeh Mrs Anne M. Wigley

$100+

Century Club Ms Christine W. Abbyad Mr Tanas Abu Aita Mr Wagih M. Abu Rish Mr Mahmoud Aburizek Rev. Richard Adams Ms Cynthia Adcock Mr Khaled N. Al A'Ama Mr Hamza Alami Mr & Mrs Wail Allababidi Ms Teresa J. Allen Al Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Art Mr Youil Y. K. Anastas Mr G. M. Anderson Anonymous Italy Anonymous Palestine Anonymous USA Anonymous USA - To celebrate my wonderful career & retirement Archdiocese of Atlanta Dr Robert B. Ashmore Jr Dr Aref Assaf Renske Averyt & Fr Michael E. Averyt Mrs Mariam S. S. Awad ‘95 Dr Sima Bakalian – In memory of Anis Habiby Rev. Joseph W. Banden Ms Marlene Barakeh Mr Paul S. Barron Br Thomas W. Barton OSF Rev. Frank W. Bassett Jr Mrs Karen L. Batroukh - In honor of the Shqueir family Adnan & Fatina Mr & Mrs William Boisvertd

Jim & Donna Boozer Ms Sharyn K. Bozied Most Rev. Timothy Broglio Rev. John R. Burke Mr & Mrs Cannon Mr Charles M. Carella Esq. Mrs Catherine Carey Rev. Philip J. Caruso Ms Susan M. Castellan Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Br Gregory Cavalier FSC - In honor of Br Dominic Smith Dr Francis D. Cave Mr Nabil A. Chayeb Mr & Mrs Cherrington Suzanne Ching Ms Jessica Choo Rev. Msgr Joseph A. Ciampaglio Br J. William Clarey FSC Mr & Mrs Claiborne M. Clark Coalition for Peace with Justice Mr Jonathan Conlon Msgr Charles Cooper Mr Alan Cram & Rev. Pamela M. Cram Rev. Joseph L. Darbouze Mrs Deborah Darnes Daughters of Charity St. Vincent de Paul Bethlehem Prof. Joseph de Rivera Dr Barbara Deck Mrs Anne DePalo Lady Ann S. Dickson LC*HS Mr Louis R. DiCocco III KHS Rev. Joseph S. Dietz Rev. Leonard DiNola Mr & Mrs Patrick D. Dorsey - In appreciation of Br. Neil Kieffe FSC Ms Corazon Dumawal Ecce Homo Convent Notre Dame de Sion A. M. Edwards Mr Richard R. Edwards Dr Nass Elmar DTh DSoc Tom & Elaine Ermolovich Exelon Foundation Matching Gift Program ExxonMobil Foundation Mr Barry & Mrs Angela Fairweather Rev. Joseph P. Fallon Elham & Joe Farah Mary D. Farrell Dr Steve R. Feldman - To celebrate Mazin Qumsiyeh’s birthday His Excellency Michael Louis Fitzgerald

Ms Beth Flaherty Mr & Mrs Michael Fleming Ms Sheila Jo Fox Mr & Mrs Stephen France Franciscan Social Services Mr Ridgely Fuller - To celebrate Mazin Qumsiyeh’s birthday Rufino & Coralia S. Garcia Georgetown Presbyterian Church Rev. Msgr Jamie Gigantiello KCHS Mr David S. Gordon Dr & Mrs John C. Greenwood Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory Prof. Emeritus Mary Grey Miss Dominique Guatieri - In memory of Dorothy Jamal Dr John Gunkel Jay Hamburger - To celebrate Mazin Qumsiyeh 60th birthday Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation Mrs Veronica A. Hertel - In honor of Rev. Ron Lewinski Dr Marie T. Hilliard Most Rev. Martin D. Holley Mr Kent H. Hughes Mr Jonathan W. Igoe Rev. Robert P. Imbelli International Sociological Association Research Katie & Dennis Ippensen Ms Deborah T. James Rev. Msgr W. Ronald Jameson Dr & Mrs Salim C. Jreissaty Rev. Felix Just SJ Katholische Studierenden und Hochschulgemeinde Münster Dr Fadi S. J. Kattan PhD ‘90 Harry & Ana Katz His Honor Mayor & Mrs Nicola Khamis Mr Jamal A. Khrais Mr Robert Kiefiuk Sir Jack & Lady Mary King - In memory of John McGuckin Mr Ralph F. Krause Jr Rev. Msgr George J. Kuhn Rev. Joel LaBauve Mrs Samar H. Langhorne Mr Bruce Lawrence Dennis Lester Mary L. Levin Lewis University Mr & Mrs Daniel Lischwe Mr & Mrs Robert J. Little Jr Ms Asuncion N. Llabata Mr Frank Lore Jr Most Rev. George J. Lucas

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

19

Thank You For Your Generosity Joe Bock & Susan Lyke - In fond thoughts of Nasra Dahdal Dr Irene Hazou & Mr Subhi Makhoul Mr Jonathan March Rev. Msgr Anthony D. Marchitelli Mr Peter Martens Rev. John P. Martin MM Dr Muna A. M. Matar ‘81 Ms Sharon M. McCaffrey Mr & Mrs Pat McCarthy Lucy C. McGuirk Dr Clea McNeely Mr Donald Meaders Ms Brenda Mehos Dr Joan Meisel - To celebrate Mazin Qumsiyeh’s birthday Rev. Thomas J. Millane Ms Margaret S. Misch Ms Margaret Mooney Ms Alice S. Moore - In memory of Br Luke Salm FSC Mr John Moyer Mr & Mrs David N. Muirhead Municipality of Beit Jala Mr N. M. Murad Rev. Msgr Joseph P. Murphy Rev. & Mrs Richard N. Myers - To celebrate opening of Palestine Museum of Natural History Ms Elizabeth Neuse Ms Daisy G. Neves - In memory of Leonardo Gallardo & John Petersen Dr Stuart Newman Joseph T. Nix Rev. Robert H. Oldershaw Mr Glyn Oliver Rev. Msgr Thomas Olszyk KHS Orthodox Cultural & Educational Center Most Rev. Richard E. Pates Mr & Mrs Francis Peck Stephen & Rita Peters Mr Matt R. Pico - In memory of my wife Jean Lewis who passed away in 2013 Mr & Mrs Wincelaus J. Podbielski - In memory of Kuzniewski & Podbielski Families Mr John Porter Catherine Quigley Sir Rateb Rabie KCHS Sr Marianne Race CSJ Ms Najwa S. E. Raheb Rev. Msgr Joseph Ranieri Sr Barbara Reid OP

20

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

Br Joseph P. Reilly FSC Reliable Income Tax Service Inc Mr & Mrs Kevin J. Retzke Mr James A. Rice Mr & Mrs David W. Robinson Br David Roger FSC Rev. Patrick J. Rush Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church UK Mr Isaac Awad Isaac Sahhar Mr J. Scott Scherer KHS Dan & Stormy Schevis - In thanksgiving for Noah Daniel Schevis newly adopted baby boy Sr Paulette Schroeder Richard Schweitzer - In memory of Anne E. Schweitzer Dr Alaa Sharara Prof. Suleiman Sharkh - To celebrate Palestine Museum of Natural History Mr & Mrs Patrick J. Shepherd Dr Walid A. Y. Shomaly ‘14 Richard J. Siegel Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania Mr & Mrs Barney J. Skladany Jr Mr Brooks De W. Smith - In honor of Mazin Qumsiyeh & family John & Kathy Smith - In memory of Harold & Anna Mary Smith Rev. Richard Smith Prof. Peder Solberg Ana M. Spitzmesser St. Pius X Primary School Melville Rev. Paul W. Steller Mrs Pamela Sukhum - In memory of Len Jacoby Mr Adel Tafish Mr Fred Taylor Mr & Mrs Jacob E. Terpstra Terra Sancta Pilgrimages Dr Paul E. Teschan MD FACP Ms Jennifer Thomas Mr Peter Titelman Mr Gerald Tortorella Sr Frida Totah Geert van Dartel Mrs Ketty Wadia Dr Donald E. Wagner Jr - In honor of Mazin Qumsiyeh and Justice in Palestine Mr & Mrs Richard Ward Mr & Mrs Daniel F. Warden Ms Mary M. Welker Mr Michael J. Westerfield

Ms Lee J. Whitaker Mrs Maria Wojcik Mr Abbas Yaacoubi Ms Maureen E. Yahrmatter Mrs Hanadi I. H. Younan ‘86 Dr & Mrs Robert P. Younes MD - In memory of Murad & Nora Younes Mrs May Young Dr Robert Yuen – In memory of deceased De La Salle Brothers in Hong Kong Hayah Zabana Mr & Mrs Salem Y. Zoumot

Up to $99

Silver Anniversary Rev. Michael P. Ahlstrom Gary & Kathryn Aitchison AmazonSmile Foundation Anonymous France - For the wonderful work of Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh Anonymous UK Anonymous USA Ms Elizabeth Benefiel - To celebrate birthday of David Benefiel Bernack Dr Michael Bentley Mr Frits & Margaret Bergman Deacon & Mrs Thomas J. Berna Rev. Leonard B. Bjorkman Mr Jack Blanchard Mr & Mrs William Boudet Rev. John E. Burger Most Rev. Colin Campbell Ms Judie Cantrill Miss Maureen Carroll Mrs Elizabeth Carruthers Mr Murray & Mrs Karen Carter Mr & Mrs William R. Carter Ms Jean Chapman Mr Hubertus Tony Commissaris Peter & Deirdri Costello Mr William C. Crain IV Mrs Irene Crossan Rev. Msgr John R. Dale Mr Paul Darbyshire Prof./Cav. & Mrs Philip J. Di Novo Frau Dr Özge Can Dogmus PhD Terri & Karl Eder - In memory of Archbishop Giuseppe De Andrea Ms Judith I. Ferster Col & Mrs William J. Flanagan Jr

Claire A. Fordrung - In memory of Br Brendan Fitzgerald FSC Mr Richard Forer Mrs Shelly Angelo Forrest Br Michael Fugger FSC Br Richard L. Geimer FSC Ms Mirena Ghossein Mr & Mrs Galen L. Gockel Most Rev. Raymond E. Goedert Dr Allan W. Graham - In memory of James Raybin MD Mrs Anastasia Greene Gail M. Gresser Ms Joyce Guinn - To celebrate Mazin Qumsiyeh’s birthday Mr Harry Gunkel Mary Ann F. Hayward Rev. Bernard P. Heter Mr & Mrs Patrick Hey Ms Barbara A. Higgins - In memory of Br Francis Bowers FSC Mrs Patricia Hoare Ms Helen S. Hordes Ms Tova Indritz Mr & Mrs Ronald Ingram Maria Nellie Jaramillo Most Rev. Francis J. Kane Rev. James J. Kane Mr & Ms Jerome A. Kapp Mr & Mrs Michael Keleher Ms Kathleen Kelley - In honor of my beloved husband Dr David H. Kelly Mr S. T. Kimbrough Jr Mr David B. Kirsh Ms Alisa Klein - In honor of Mazin Qumsiyeh 60th birthday Ms Ann Kriss Ms Michele Lafferty Ms Laura Landsman Ms Mary Lane Ms Virginia A. Lawinger Mr Jeffrey C. Leiter Ms Lucy W. Lewis Mr Dan Lieberman Ms Kristin Loken Br James Loxham FSC Barbara Marie Lubinski Mr & Mrs William J. Lynch Ms Patricia Mach - In memory of all deceased EOHSJ members Donald L. Mahoney - In memory of Irene E. Mahoney Mr & Mrs Jerry L. Markatos Miss Hilda Massoud Rev. Msgr Louis Mazza Dr Maggie W. McCarty & Dr Robert J. McCarty – In honor of George Rishmawi

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

1 March 2017 – 31 August 2017 Br Joel W. McGraw FSC - In memory of Br Vincent Malham FSC Des & Marjorie McMahon Mrs Phyllis Mooney Rev. John R. Morris OP Mr Lee J. Mortimer Mme Ruth B. Moynihan – In honor of Mazin Qumsiyeh for all his good work and his birthday Mr Donald W. Muncy Ms Gwendolyn Murphy Dr Yvonne A. Nelson Ms Tess Nemil Ms Linda Nishi Mr & Mrs Russell Norris Mr L.D. O'Shaughnessy Carolyn Osiek RSCJ John & Joyce Petro Mr & Mrs D W. Pryor Ms Clare Roskill - To celebrate opening of biodiversity museum Mrs Ann Ross Ms Joan Rossy - In honor of Mazin Qumsiyeh for all his good work and his birthday Ms Jessica Sawyer Mrs Angela H. Schaffer Mr John L. Schlageter Esq. Ms Linda H. Sekiguchi Ms Denise Shirley Mr & Ms Graeme Siddle Ms Alexandra Singer Mrs Coe M. Slattery Mrs Margaret Snowden Ms Priscilla Stephan Mrs Jean Stout Ms June Swain Ms Lucille S. Tanner Mr Richard E. Ullrich Ken & Pat Vincent Sir Harold Walker Ms Mary Walkinshaw Frau Pia Weimer Ms Mary Wolfe - In memory of my sister Brenda Vesprini Ms Joan C. Wutz Mr James Yamin Lt. Christopher York - In honor of Br Dominic Smith for his service as a Christian Brother

Bethlehem University 2017 Statistics Master

128

Higher Diploma

86

Middle Diploma

127

Student Enrollment

Baccalaureate

2965

2017-2018

15933 Alumni

3306

23%

Female

Male

2552

Total Students for 2017-2018

432

77% Teacher to Student Ratio

1/15

Employees

754

Religion Christian 784 Muslim 2522

Student Home Locations

Jerusalem 1532 46%

Bethlehem 1470 44%

Hebron 256 8%

Other 48 1%

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

21

Visitors

Visitors March - August 2017

March - August 2017

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

22

8

10 March, Focus Tekton Ministries, USA March, Helping Children in the Holy Land, Japan March, Katholische Studierende und Hochschulgemeinde (KHSG), Germany March, Tree of Life Educational Fund, USA March, Association En Faveur De La Bethlehem University (ABU) visit with scholarship students, Switzerland BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

6. March, Focus Tekton Ministries, USA 7. March, Palestinian Israeli Network, USA 8. March, Trinity Woodlands, USA 9. March, Church of the Presentation, USA 10. March, Rockhampton Group, Australia

11

12

13

14

15

I was very inspired by the youth, by their optimism and I feel so much better about the future of Palestine and the world!

16

17

18

19

11. March, Equestrian Order to the Holy Sculpture of Jerusalem, USA Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy

12. March, Equestrian Order to the Holy Sculpture of Jerusalem, England and Wales 13. March, B Puttoff Group, USA 14. March, Fr. Alex, Terra Sancte, USA 15. April, Ludo Group, Belgium

16. April, St. Joseph's Co-Cathedral, USA 17. April, Pia Weimar Group, Germany 18. April, Professor Lueny Morell with the Puerto Rico- Bethlehem University Scholarship recipients

19. April, Sr. Anna Manyonga, Internationals BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

23

Visitors March 2017 - September 2017

21

20

23

22

Your hospitality and sharing help build the bridges needed for peace.

24

25

26

27

28

20. April, Marist Group, Australia 21. April, Parramatta Diocese, Australia 22. April, Sr. Marianne Race, CSJ Group, USA 23. April, Bishop Strickland Group, USA 24. May, Fr. Ralph Kleiter Group, Canada

24

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

25. May, Stephen Binz Group, USA 26. May, Msgr. David Tonks' Group, New Zealand 27. May, Braford Family, New Zealand 28. May, Tantur Group, USA

29

30

This was a wonderful opportunity to meet such bright and engaged Palestinian students. I found the time hearing the stories was powerful!

31

32

33

35

34

36

37

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29. May, Debora Rolfes Group, Canada 30. May, Toine Van Teefflen, Holland 31. June, Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, USA 32. June, Equestrian Order to the Holy Sculpture of Jerusalem, Belgium 33. May, Catholic Theological Union, USA

34. May, Hollywood Florida, USA 35. May, Loyola Institute of Spirituality, USA 36. May, Julie McNamara Group, Australia 37. June, Church of the Resurrection, Solon Ohio, USA 38. June, Australian Family Group, Australia BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

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Visitors March - August 2017

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Education provides opportunity. What you are doing here provides both opportunity and hope for your students and this land

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Continue to keep your spirits strong and resilient! You are the hope of a bright future!

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39. June, Sr. Paulette Group, USA 40. June, Lon and Samantha Alperin, USA 41. June, Ecce Homo Biblical Group, Internationals 42. June, Fr. Don Willette Group, USA 43. July, Seminarians' Holy Land Retreat, USA

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BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

44. July, Fr. Simon Winn Group, New Zealand 45. July, Mr. Arian Sorkhabi and Mrs. Maha W. Habiba, USA 46. July, Dr. Tiago Teles De Abreu and wife Grace- EOHSJ, Portugal 47. July, Know Thy Heritage Conference, Internationals

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Your hospitality and sharing help build the bridges needed for peace.

56 48. July, Palestina Solidarteit, Belgium 49. July, Abraham's Children Group, North America 50. July, Ludger Bornemann Group, Germany 51. July, Dr. Dan Olsen Group, USA 52. July, NLA University College Summer-Students, Norway

57 53. July, Focus Tekton Group, USA 54. July, Journey for Justice, Internationals 55. August, Bethel Church Group, UK 56. August, Christ The King Seminarians Group, USA 57. August, AFRP Cultural and Educational Mission Group, USA BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY

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Giving to to Bethlehem University Giving University USAfrom andthe Canada: Gifts local and international communities can be made via checkhttp://www.bufusa.org/donate to ‘Bethlehem University’ or by bank transfer.

Online: For By more mail, information please sendplease your contact: checks to: Bethlehem University Foundation Bethlehem University P.O. Box 355 Advancement Office P.O.Beltsville, Box 11407MD – 92248 Jerusalem 20704 – 0355 USA TEL: +970 2 274 1242 FAX: +970 2 274 4440 Make your check out to sfarha@bethlehem.edu ‘Bethlehem University Foundation’ www.bethlehem.edu

United Australia, NewviaZealand, Gifts fromKingdom, the United States can be made check to: ‘Bethlehem Foundation’ – a tax deductible Italy, andUniversity Switzerland non-profit for employer matching please seeeligible the backside of your addressgifts. label (TAX ID 223600739-) For more information please contact: All otherUniversity Countries Bethlehem Foundation P.O. Box 355 Online: https://bethlehem.edu/donate/online Beltsville, MD 20704 – 0355 brds@bufusa.org Make your check out to "Bethlehem University" www.bufusa.org

and send to: Bethlehem University a tax deductible non-profit, eligible for employer To keep hope, faith, andID the223600739-) dreams of so many young people in Palestine alive, please consider Advancement Officemaking an immediate difference matching gifts.

(TAX with an online contribution to Bethlehem University. Visit www.bethlehem.edu/donate/online to make a P.O. Box 11407 – 92248 Jerusalem convenient and fast donation. Alternatively, follow the QR link using your smartphone.

To keep hope, faith, and the dreams of so many young people in Palestine alive, please consider making an immediate gift.

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