Local and International Support
for Christmas 2004 Benefit Dinner

On Saturday evening, 4 December 2004, Friends of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land came together in a joyful atmosphere for the annual Christmas Benefit Dinner. This year witnessed a record attendance of 140 guests at the Pontifical Institute, Notre Dame Center, Jerusalem (click here for attending organizations)

H.E. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Delegate and Chancellor of Bethlehem University, offered a prayer of blessing and Brother Vincent Malham, President-Vice Chancellor, expressed gratitude to all for their most generous support of Bethlehem University's faculty and students and wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mr. Habib Khoury (’82), and Maro Sandrouni (’82), Benefit Dinner Chairpersons, spoke about the significance of the Christmas dinner in raising funds for scholarships for Bethlehem University students. (click here for Benefit Dinner Committee)

Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development, and Brother Vincent presented Father Abdul-Masih Fahim, OFM, (’86), the University Medallion in recognition of the Custody of the Holy Land’s most generous support of the University. Father Aldo Tolotto, Chargé du Saint-Siège, Pontifical Institute, Notre Dame, was presented the University Medallion for his leadership at Notre Dame and his support of Bethlehem University, especially through the cooperation agreement with the Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism.

he success of the Benefit Dinner was enriched by the hard work of the Planning Committee of alumni of Bethlehem University and leaders from the international community. Additionally, a number of generous donors sponsored scholarships for students (click here for list of scholarship donors) and dinner tickets for others to attend the evening (click here for tickets sponsors). The festive evening included specially designed Armenian Pottery gifts for all attendees, compliments of the Sandrouni Family, and 2005 Calendars, compliments of PYALARA. Over 40 prizes were awarded during the evening, donated by various local and international organizations, merchants and individuals, including Air France and KLM airlines, restaurants, travel agencies, merchants and individuals. (click here for a list of prize donors).

Sisters of St. Paul and Philippina friends. More photos: 1 2 3 4 5 6