Graduation Ceremony Held at Bethlehem University

Bethlehem University graduated 407 students on Saturday 19 June. The festive ceremony, attended by friends of Bethlehem University and the families of the graduating students as well as members of the Board of Trustees and representatives of local municipalities and other honored guests of the University, marks the completion of the 30 th Anniversary Academic Year.

Brother Vincent Malham, President-Vice Chancellor, congratulated the graduates on their marvelous accomplishments in pursing their University education in the midst of considerable obstacles and difficulties. Brother Vincent highlighted the pride of the Bethlehem University local and international community in the accomplishments of the graduates and asked for God's blessing upon them all.

Reverend Naim Ateek, Director of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Jerusalem, was the Graduation Ceremony Guest Speaker, urging the graduates as they leave the University to continue believing in and working for peaceful solutions for the regional problems in the Holy Land and to reject violence. Mr. Hanna Nasser, Mayor of Bethlehem and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, spoke about the unusually difficult socio-economic situation in the Holy Land and in Bethlehem in particular. He called on the graduates to persevere in forging a better future.

Graduates received their diplomas in Arts, Business, Education, Nursing, Science, and Hotel Management. The atmosphere of the graduation day was one of genuine pride, happiness. The auditorium and amphitheater were full of cheers as the graduates were called on stage to receive their diplomas from Brother Vincent Malham, President-Vice Chancellor, assisted by Brother Fergus McArdle, Academic Vice President.