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31 May 2019 // Vol 8 // Issue 02
 

Where Have We Come?

 
In an earlier Voice of MEU, I asked, “Where are we going?”  I used MEU’s 178 step hillside stairs as a metaphor of MEU’s upward journey through the years.  Step by step. 

Today, I pause on another step we have taken together—the 2019-2020 Spring semester—which, by the way, just concluded with MEU’s 78th Commencement celebration.  I look back on an incredible year.  So many exchanges, activities, decisions, events, life transforming moments, happenings, and initiatives have taken place just these past four months.   I am amazed.  Humbled.  Reminded once again how privileged I am to share in the journey of our young people, a new generation whom God is changing, inspiring, leading, empowering.

Please take the time to read what follows in this volume of Voice of MEU.  Follow the links to read more and appreciate the pictorial record.  Meet our MEU family.  Study the faces of our students, faculty, and staff.  Imagine what God has done here yet again.  Envision what this generation of students has been able to experience and who they are becoming because of MEU.  Catch in your mind’s eye the transformational mentoring and its implications for service and mission in behalf of our Living Lord.

Given MEU’s challenges, I am amazed at where we have come—all that we can rightfully call good, exciting, successful.  But even more, I am astonished at how God has brought us thus far.  Where have we come?  We have risen to a place of experience and strength which God alone has opened and provided.  As you read the following, celebrate He Who has made it possible.
 
MEU Promotional Video
MEU's 78th Graduation
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2019! Guest of honor and Commencement speaker Deputy Reverend Dr. Edgard Traboulsi shared his thoughts while commemorating the 200-year anniversary of Butrus al-Bustani, pioneer Lebanese Christian writer, scholar, educator, and leader who significantly impacted Lebanese and Arabic culture. The 40 graduates represented all four Faculties completing teaching diplomas, undergraduate and graduate degrees. They also represented 11 countries from 5 continents. Following the conferral of degrees, Mrs. Eileen Ghali gave a poetic charge to the graduates and Karim Kammouge, valedictorian, gave the class response. After Mr. Farid Khoury welcomed the new class to the MEU alumni family, the celebration concluded with a delightful reception on the MEU lawn.

Malawi Service Trip
A group of students led by Sara Lasu, Service Learning Coordinator, spent their spring break in Malawi conducting health expos and a children's book writing workshop in April 2019. They visited the villages, learned how to cook traditional food, practiced their Chichewan language skills, and made friends with the university students at the Lakeview campus of Malawi Adventist University.
 
Never Forget Never Again
Student assembly on April 10 was on the sobering topic of genocide with a look at major genocides in the last century and how Christians should respond. MEU students Jack, Levi, and Joe spoke on the Armenian, Yazidi, and Rwandan genocides respectively, ending their factual presentations with heart-wrenching survivor testimonies from these dark times in history. Dr. Shawna's mother shared her personal experience living as a missionary in Rwanda at the time of the genocide. Nayiri, MEU student, summed it up appropriately when she said, we should not differentiate, discriminate, or perpetuate violence based on colour, facial features, religion, or other factors, but we should always treat each person as a child of God.
Faculty & Staff Appreciation
On Sunday, May 5, 2019 the faculty and staff enjoyed a time of appreciation and a sumptuous meal at the Colibri Hotel in Broumanna. Desy Kammouge, HR specialist, handed out service pins for those who had served 5+ years with MEU while also affirming their prior years served with other SDA educational institutions. Special certificates were awarded to Ara Barkanian, Dr. Raja Farah, Sylvia Kiraz, and Suhad Kharma who have served more than 30 years each at MEU. A couple months earlier, the faculty were especially honored as students gave personalized tributes, each teacher received an inspirational bookmark and a rose, and Academic Dean Dr. Ron gave a heartfelt thanks to the faculty on Teacher's Appreciation Day. 
Missiology the Theme
From a community health expo where booths were set up to teach about natural remedies for chronic lifestyle diseases, to an outing to Baalbek to tour the ancient historical temples, to a poster presentation on missiological implications of Theology on intriguing titles such as Missionary Monks, from the spring week of Spiritual emphasis on Parables by Glenn Russell and his team, to playing friendly sports games in our courts and in the community, and more, this semester's theme has been how to bring missiology into our academic, spiritual, and every day lives. 
 
MEU Open Days with Guy Manoukian & Dr. Michel Nawfal.
Congratulations to Myriam Torres, our IT Assistant, on her engagement to ALC teacher Malak Awad! 
Spring Picnic in Faqra.
Heritage & Culture Center Book Signing.
Theology luncheon
MEU logo on basketball court gets a facelift.
Congratulations to Maria Lombart, secretary to the president, and Sirwan Shajiei on their engagement!

Upcoming Events
Keep in mind the upcoming dates:  
  • June 3  Summer semester begins
  • June 5 & 6  Holiday (Eid Al-Fitr)
  • July 18,19 – Summer final exams
  • August 28-30  Fall semester registration
* Dates subject to change.
 
University Church (www.universitychurchsda.org)
The University Church has a mid-week prayer meeting at 7 pm every Wednesday, vespers at 7:30 pm every Friday, and on Saturday a Bible study at 9:15 am, church service at 11:00 am, and vespers at sundown to close the Sabbath. All events are held in the MEU Auditorium unless noted otherwise. For announcements and special events, please visit universitychurchsda.org and click on the current bulletin.

Alumni and Friends
In order to improve our communication, we encourage you to forward this weekly newsletter to fellow alumni and friends of the University. As we are also in the continual process of improving our database of contacts, feel free to share the contact information of others who would like to be kept updated.


 
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If you or your department would like to make an announcement or report news to be mentioned in the Voice of MEU, please contact Maria Lombart at maria.lombart@meu.edu.lb to be included in the next issue.

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