A message from the President

Dear AUK Community,

It is a privilege to address you in my new capacity as President of the American University of Kuwait. The wonderful beginnings of AUK bring a tremendous sense of responsibility because of the exciting challenges that lie ahead. I am inspired by the confidence shown in me by the Board of Trustees and appreciate the support and contribution of all who helped to make our young university a standard of excellence among the institutions of higher education in Kuwait.

Spring semester 2006 ended on a high note. Ten faculty were awarded research grants for project initiation or completion, and several others received professional development grants for conference travel. In June AUK gained accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education Council for Private Universities (retroactive to February 2006). Also in June we celebrated the first graduation of AUK's transfer students. Eight graduating Business majors were feted not only by their faculty and families, but also by a distinguished group of visitors from Dartmouth College who presented AUK with a Proclamation of June 20, 2006 the AUK Day on the Dartmouth campus. Dr. Sheila Culbert of Dartmouth delivered the keynote speech.

This issue finds AUK preparing for the new academic year 2006-07 with renewed energy and expanded resources. Our faculty ranks have been strengthened by the arrival of ten new faculty whose photos you will find elsewhere in this issue. The new college building is being completed, with spacious new classrooms on three floors. On the fourth floor are faculty offices for the Divisions of Business & Economics and Humanities & Arts. In addition to the large conference room next to the new Dean's office is the attractive faculty and staff lounge. On the ground floor the cafeteria, open computer lab, and a new multipurpose room are nearing completion. This building will allow AUK to expand enrollment on this campus to 2,000 students. We are ready to welcome new and returning students, new Dartmouth interns, and our first Fulbright visitors.

Marina Tolmacheva
President,
American University
 

President Marina with the first AUK graduating class