Basic HTML Version
Winter
2013 9
Site of new
Middle School
around an old carob tree– creating a big
challenge for the architects. More green
space will be created on the rooftops of the
buildings.
Like the Elementary school, the new build-
ings will be Leed Gold certified.
Money, money, money
When all is said and done, it essentially all
comes down to funds. Can IC raise the capital
needed?
A floor down from Johnson’s office, vice
president of Alumni and Development,
Moufid Beydoun ‘64
, is getting ready for
another trip to the US. He has spent many
a day on such journeys in the past five years
soliciting funds for the new elementary school
from different places including Lebanon and
abroad. This time he has a new goal: $45
million, of which $12m have already been
pledged for ‘Bricks and Mortar, scholarships,
and educational programming. Fortunately,
he is not alone in his quest. There is a newly
formed capital campaign committee, headed
by board member
Mu’taz Sawwaf ‘69
and
the development office at his disposal not to
mention Johnson who often accompanies
Beydoun on his solicitation travels.
Still, it is quite a big sum and they have only
three years to come up with the money. If
Beydoun feels daunted, he doesn’t show it.
“Of course, we’ll raise it,” he says look-
ing rather surprised at the question. “Why
shouldn’t we?”
Indeed, the Partnership for Excellence
Campaign launched in 2009 has been a
resounding success. The proof is three beauti-
fully designed buildings with a view of the
sparkling Mediterranean sea just below.
Beydoun’s itinerary for the year promises
to be full. Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
Kuwait, Emirates, the US, and Europe beckon.
The target? Alumni, parents and IC friends.
“There are many out there who care deeply
for the welfare of the school and its students,”
he said. “They know what IC is doing here and
they want to make sure that it continues to
graduate students who will be able to take the
lead in local and international communities.”
Ain Aar
At Ain Aar, a brand-new playing field,
completed in 2010, has significantly expanded
opportunities for sports, recreation and physi-
cal education. Plans are now underway to
construct a gymnasium, auditorium, and ad-
ditional recreation spaces, as well
as underground bus and parking.
Parents, relax
No, the tuition will not be
funding any of these projects.
To be blunt, tuition – even with
hikes – barely covers the school’s
operating expenses (which are
quite a few!) let alone attaching
an extra several million dollars on
the bill. And no, the number of
students will not increase.
IC needs you
This is where alumni, friends
and parents come in. Again. No
extra proof is needed to show
that donations truly go to work.
Just ask the 750 elementary
school students who finally have
state-of-the art classrooms.
As for Johnson, he will not
see the completion of the new
buildings. He returns to the US
at the end of the year. “But,” he
laughs, “I certainly hope I’ll be
invited to the inauguration!”