The American University in Cairo Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary

By Mary Judith Sundstrom and Howdy Stout

Charles R. Watson, an American born in Egypt, had a vision of establishing a private, English-language university in Cairo, calling for high standards of scholarship and the promotion of international understanding. He founded The American University in Cairo (AUC) in 1919 with the assistance of other interested American citizens.

True to its mission, The American University in Cairo offers liberal arts and professional education in a framework that respects the cultural values of the Arab world. AUC has operated without interruption since its founding and completed 75 years of service to Egypt and the Middle East during the 1994-95 academic year.

"In a time when bridging the cultural divide between East and West has assumed a new sense of urgency," said Egypt's first lady, Suzanne Mubarak, herself an AUC graduate, "The American University in Cairo, with its educational principles and its solid adherence to the culture and traditions of Egypt, exemplifies the best of both worlds."

Over 4,200 students representing more than 50 nations enroll annually in AUC's undergraduate and graduate programs. At AUC, Egyptian and Middle Eastern students prepare themselves for successful careers and positions of leadership. Students from outside the Middle East learn the language, history and culture of the Arab world, aided by their immersion in the daily life of Cairo. Among AUC's 13,000 alumni are CEOs and senior executives of major corporations, diplomats, entrepreneurs, government officials, journalists, scholars, scientists, writers and a head of state.

"There are many AUC alumni who have come from all over the world to study here, and who have gone on to many different careers in their home countries and abroad," said U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Edward S. Walker, who studied Arabic at AUC in 1977. "They have carried the legacy of AUC with them—an understanding that helps build a bridge between cultures."

The university offers one of the largest adult-education programs in the Middle East (11,000 students per trimester) and conducts applied research through its academic departments and two research centers: the Social Research Center and Desert Development Center.

Mrs. Mubarak and Ambassador Walker were among Egyptian and foreign dignitaries who attended ceremonies opening a year-long observance of the 75th anniversary on Sept. 26, 1994. Continuing in its role of bridge-builder by promoting public discourse and dialogue on issues facing Egypt and the Middle East, the university hosted numerous lectures and symposia in both Egypt and the United States.

U.S. Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. delivered the keynote address at AUC's symposium Sept. 4 entitled "Population and Development: Implications for Egypt and the Region," held in conjunction with the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development. Panelists included Timothy E. Wirth, undersecretary of state for global affairs, and administrator Brian Atwood of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

In November 1994 and again in May 1995 in New York City, the university hosted two AUC Forum programs. The November program, entitled "The Peace Process: Where Do We Go From Here," featured panelists Richard W. Murphy, senior Middle East fellow for the Council on Foreign Relations, and David M. Satterfield of the National Security Council. Former Senator Robert W. Kasten, Jr. of Wisconsin, an AUC trustee, moderated the event.

The May forum, entitled "The Future of Egypt's Past," featured panelists Dorothea Arnold of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Richard Fazzini from the Brooklyn Museum, Mark Lehner of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago, and AUC Professor Kent Weeks. Dr. Abdel Halim Nur-El-Din, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, gave the guest lecture and W. Kelly Simpson, AUC trustee and professor of Egyptology at Yale University, was moderator.

"Happy birthday AUC, you have a new tomb," said Dr. Weeks, referring to the university's work, through its Theban Mapping Project, on the KV-5 tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Splashed across newspapers and magazines around the world, the discovery of KV-5, the tomb of the sons of Ramses II, is believed to be one of the largest tombs ever discovered in Egypt.

Scholarship and research constituted the nucleus of the 75th anniversary celebrations. Each academic department designated a week-long observance which included lectures and events open to students, faculty and graduates, and in March 1995, students from around the world participated in AUC's Seventh Cairo International Model U.N.—the largest outside of North America.

The university's special collections were augmented in November 1994, when the family of the late Hassan Fathy—the internationally renowned Egyptian architect—presented AUC with 16,000 documents, more than 1,400 books, and thousands of architectural plans, sketches and paintings from his archives.

AUC alumni organized receptions for AUC President Donald McDonald in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Egypt. One of the highlights of the year was the alumni homecoming and Ewart Hall rededication in October 1994. For years the largest auditorium in Cairo, Ewart Memorial Hall still serves as a focal point for Egyptian intellectual and cultural life.

Among those who have performed there are beloved Egyptian singer Um Kalthoum, and Maestro Arturo Toscanini and the Palestine Orchestra.

Among those who attended a March 1995 AUC Capitol Hill reception sponsored by Sen. Daniel Inouye were Sen. Claiborne Pell, Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Ahmed Maher El Sayed, Frank Miller, USAID director for Egypt and North Africa, and former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Lucius Battle.

A gala dinner in New York in May 1995, sponsored by AUC's board of trustees, was the final event of the 75th anniversary in North America. Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, United Nations undersecretary-general, read a keynote speech on behalf of U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Speakers representing the Egyptian and U.S. governments included Nabil Elaraby, permanent representative of Egypt to the U.N., and Edward W. Gnehm, Jr., deputy permanent representative of the U.S. to the U.N., who also attended AUC in 1967. Dr. Frank E. Vandiver, president emeritus of Texas A&M University and chairman of AUC's board, was also a principal speaker.

Spring commencement marked the formal end of the 75th anniversary festivities in Cairo with 278 undergraduate and 66 graduate students receiving diplomas. Honorary degrees were awarded to Tharwat Okasha, former minister of culture, and Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz, the 1988 Nobel Laureate.

The AUC Press first published Mr. Mahfouz's books in English, and holds the translation and publishing rights to his works in all languages except Arabic. The AUC Press, celebrating its own 35th anniversary, has more than 100 titles in English and Arabic in print, and is the leading English-language publisher in Egypt.

Exemplified by its 75th anniversary activities, The American University in Cairo's commitment to excellence in education, research and service will continue to serve as the hallmark of the institution well into the next millennium.

Mary Judith Sundstrom is AUC associate director for alumni and public relations in New York. Howdy Stout is editor/senior writer for AUC in Cairo. AUC's New York address is 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 517, New York, NY 10017-1889, tel: (212) 421-6320.