Impact Stories

There has only been an alumni chapter in Ottawa since 1989, but there have been AUB alumni in Canada’s capital city for much longer. What they all share, according to Chapter President Dina Talhouk Abdulkhalek (BA ’00), are “strong, trusting, and positive relationships with one another.” Nouhad El-Eid Hammad (BA ’80) says that they also share “fond memories of AUB, including the quality of its professors and its beautiful setting” and an appreciation of AUB’s “contribution to our understanding of democracy and freedom.” She also credits “the Canadian values of hard work, modesty, and collaboration” for the chapter’s success.

Dina herself first moved to Ottawa when her father, who was a diplomat, was posted to the city. She grew up in Ottawa but attended high school in Lebanon before entering AUB. Dina returned to Ottawa with her husband and children in 2003 and earned a B.Ed. from Queen’s University in Canada in 2005. She has been working in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for almost 14 years, first as a teacher, then an instructional coach, and now as vice-principal of a school, and is an active member of the Ontario Principals Council.

The Lebanese diaspora in Ottawa, which includes many AUB alumni, is especially large and prominent. As part of Canada’s 150th celebration in 2017, for example, the Ottawa City Council declared the month of November to be Lebanese Heritage Month in recognition of the Lebanese community’s significant contribution to the “city’s cultural, religious, economic, and political landscape.” Ottawa Chapter members participate in many activities organized by other Arab and Lebanese organizations throughout the year. The chapter itself works especially closely with the Embassy of Lebanon in Ottawa.

“We’re an inclusive chapter that promotes networking and collaboration,” explains Dina. Former President Elias Abou Hamad (BBA ’77) agrees: “Some of our most active members are not alumni, but friends of AUB—including the spouses of chapter presidents!” Chapter members get together regularly—“at least four times a year,” he explains—for an annual brunch, iftar dinner, summer picnic or event, and a Christmas dinner. On occasion, the chapter organizes cultural and informational events.

Chapter members also contribute financially to AUB both individually and through the chapter. The chapter’s first philanthropic donation to AUB was in 1995 to support the rebuilding of College Hall. In recent years, the focus of the chapter’s fundraising efforts has been its current scholarship fund, which has provided scholarships for seven students so far. Helping AUB students was also a priority when the chapter gathered on December 7, 2019, for its annual Christmas dinner. “We all understand the situation in Lebanon today and wanted to support the Solidarity Appeal,” explains Dina. “All proceeds from the evening went to help AUB students in need of financial assistance.”