The Celebrating Your Next Step event has become a much awaited annual tradition for NDU- Shouf Campus students. Organized by the Alumni Affairs Office (AAO), the event gives the graduating class a chance to have a private conference with NDU President, Father Walid Moussa.
This year, on May 24, 2016, the graduating students gathered in the Conference Room eagerly waiting for the event to commence. Father Hanna Tayar, Director of NDU-SC, welcomed the visiting delegation comprised of the President, Mr. Suheil Matar, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Ms. Joyce Ghosain, Coordinator of AAO, and Mr. Joe Yammine, Alumni Officer.
Father Tayar expressed pride in NDU-SC graduating students and commended them for their hard work. . “We pride ourselves in our graduates because they are capable and we have made sure that they have the right baggage for their new adventure,” Fr. Tayar said. “Most importantly remain true to yourself…embrace, with courage, whatever life brings your way” Fr. Tayar advised the graduates. He assured them that they had marked NDU with their presence and now they would mark the world by joining the extended body of NDU graduates worldwide.
Ms. Ghosain briefed the students on the Alumni Affairs Association and shared with them a documentary about NDU graduates from across its three campuses.
Father Walid Moussa told the graduates that they will soon look back and cherish the rich experience they had at NDU- with other students, its faculty, and its administration. This NDU life would accompany them throughout. Fr. Moussa advised the students to be passionate about their work and to perform it whole heartedly. He initiated the students into the conversation by asking them about their NDU experience, aspirations and concerns.
In addressing the graduates, Mr. Matar told them to hold on to the memories they made at NDU since the best memories remain those that we take from our school and our university.
The floor was then given to Ms. Lara Hamed who spoke on behalf of the NDU-SC 2016-2017 graduating class. Ms. Hamed thanked the NDU-SC administration, faculty and staff for their contribution to the success of every student. She spoke of the uniqueness of NDU-SC and was grateful for the knowledge and experience gained on campus. She called upon her classmates to make a difference in the world and to reflect the light of NDU-SC to the world.
The event concluded with light conversations and friendly smiles over a celebratory buffet.