News

Dominique Lynette Gergen from the small town of Dalhart, Texas, is a member of the Dartmouth class of 2007. At Dartmouth, she is pursuing a major in English Literature and a minor in Spanish Language and Literature. Dominique is a teaching assistant at the Claflin Jewelry Studio and participates in the America Reads program as a tutor to young children. She has completed training as an Eating Disorder Peer Advisor (EDPA) and a Sexual Abuse Peer Advisor (SAPA), and played rugby during her freshman year at Dartmouth. Her other interests include Kayaking, wood-working, dance and travel. Dominique is delighted to be travelling to the American University of Kuwait to serve as an intern in Fall 2006.
 

Rose Mutiso, Dartmouth class of 2008, plans to major in Engineering Sciences with a double minor in Mathematics and Women and Gender Studies. She was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. At Dartmouth, Rose is actively involved with the Tucker Foundation where she chairs a local community service program. She has also served as a Tucker Foundation Fellow in Tanzania, among other service projects. Rose also works for the Dartmouth College Writing Program as a Writing Assistant, and as an Undergraduate Advisor for the Office of Residential Life. In Kuwait, Rose looks forward to pursuing her interests in Women and Gender Studies and to exploring the relationship between culture/religion and the Western model of economic and social progress. Rose is passionate about people, nature, life, social justice, equality, sustainability and Africa. She enjoys singing, thinking and smiling.
 

The September 2006 issue of the AUK Chronicle (newsletter) can be downloaded or viewed by clicking here.

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

The Board of Trustees of the American University of Kuwait (AUK) announced today the appointment of Dr. Marina Tolmacheva as president. An expert on the history of Islam, she came to AUK in January 2006 and has been serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and, more recently, as Acting President. She has taught at universities across the United States, as well as in France and in the Ukraine.

"It is my great privilege to make this announcement on behalf of the Board of Trustees," said Shaikha Dana al-Sabah, Chair of the university's Board. "Dr. Tolmacheva has consistently shown dedication to our mission as a liberal arts university. Her energy, enthusiasm, and broad expertise in academic as well as administrative areas will provide the leadership we need to move confidently into the future."

"I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead the American University of Kuwait at this important time in the institution's history," said Tolmacheva, "On June 20 we will graduate our first class and we have just gained accreditation from the Private University Council. These are two major milestones, yet much remains to be done. I intend to work with the Board of Trustees and with faculty, staff, and students to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the university. We will enhance support for faculty scholarship and strengthen the administrative infrastructure on which our academic enterprise depends. I want to thank the entire AUK community for its continuing support, and I look forward to meeting our present challenges so we can take full advantage of our future opportunities."

Today's announcement comes after a presidential search process, begun in March, 2006, which was the first of its kind at a private university in Kuwait. Meshal Ali, Vice Chair of the AUK Board and a member of the Presidential Search Committee, said that conducting such a search has been a privilege for the institution. "We asked faculty, staff, and students to contribute to the process by sending us their thoughts about the kind of leadership the university needed," he said. "Many of them took that opportunity, sending us important and substantive feedback, and it was gratifying to see the community become involved in this way."

The American University of Kuwait was founded in 2003 as a private liberal arts university. Based on the American model of higher education, it is dedicated to providing students with knowledge, self-awareness, and personal growth experiences that enhance critical thinking, effective communication, and respect for diversity. The university has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dartmouth College, an Ivy League institution in New Hampshire in the United States of America. Founded in 1769, Dartmouth offers a premier undergraduate liberal arts experience combined with distinctive graduate programs in the arts and sciences, medicine, business, and engineering. Dartmouth and AUK continue to pursue a variety of advisory, consultative and cooperative projects.

Dale F. Eickelman, the Ralph and Richard Lazarus Professor of Anthropology and Human Relations at Dartmouth, who also served as a member of the AUK Presidential Search Committee, said, "This is an auspicious moment for AUK and a proud moment for Dartmouth. Those of us who have worked with the Board and with Dr. Tolmacheva feel optimistic about what the future holds for every member of the university's community."
 

Dr. Marina Tolmacheva AUK's President