Impact Stories

“What I’m most proud of,” says Orange County Chapter President Nahed Alameddine (BE ’91), “is that everyone who comes to one of our events – even if it’s a formal gala – feels that they are getting together in a casual way with their friends.” That was very much the feeling in the room on May 13, 2023, when the chapter organized its annual gala at the Irvine Marriott. It was an elegant event with the presentation of Outstanding Achievement Awards to Dr. Abdallah S. Farrukh (BS ’72, MD ’76) and Dr. Oussama Wazni (BS ’93, MD ’97) by the chapter; dancing; and musical entertainment by pianist John El Osta and Sezer Yilmaz, on the kanun, but it wasn’t a formal event. “It was relaxed and a fun time for everyone, which is just the way we all like it,” says Alameddine.

Although it was a fun time, there was also some serious business going on during the gala: the launch of an initiative to raise $100,000 to establish the Orange County Chapter Endowed Scholarship to benefit AUB students. “The chapter is off to a terrific start,” said Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations – North America and general secretary of WAAAUB, AUB’s global alumni association, Lina Jazi. “Through this event, the chapter has already raised $42,000, which is an amazing accomplishment.”

Alameddine says that the chapter has always organized a diversity of events – some are holiday-themed, others are family focused – including brunches, bowling nights, and picnics. There have been some changes over the years though – especially since the August 4, 2020, explosion in the Beirut port. “There are now many more younger alumni moving to the area than in the past – alumni who have arrived from Lebanon and need help to get connected,” she says. Chapter members have stepped up to provide that help. “We’re keeping an eye on our younger alumni,” says Alameddine. It was this concern for younger alumni that prompted the members of the chapter leadership committee to sponsor two tables at the May 13 gala so that younger alumni could attend for free. “We wanted them there for their energy and enthusiasm. We also knew that the gala would be an invaluable opportunity for some of them to make connections,” says Alameddine.

In addition to a strong and engaged alumni community, the chapter also benefits from strong support from many non-alumni – some of whom feel that they are AUB alumni at heart – who live and work in the area. “Everyone is always welcome to our events,” says Alameddine.