Al Intiqad Sources: Wolfensohn Not to Attend AUB Ceremony

The American University of Beirut issued a statement-of which Al Intiqad obtained a copy- in which it said "AUB regrets to announce that Sir James Wolfensohn, out of concern that his presence at the June Commencement ceremony would distract from the celebratory nature of the event, has decided that he will not attend."

The statement further added that "A detailed statement about this subject will be issued shortly by the University. The Commencement address will be given by President Peter Dorman."
The American University of Beirut had decided to bestow an honorary doctorate on former World Bank president James Wolfensohn during the University's 142nd commencement on June 25, 2011.

Earlier during the week, a group of faculty members sent a petition objecting to honoring James Wolfensohn at American University of Beirut's (AUB) upcoming commencement. 

Wolfensohn has also been scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the commencement ceremony. Calling on the AUB teachers and students to sign a letter that will be presented to the University's community and to the general public, a petition posted online prepared by more than 90 AUB teachers "We believe that honoring Mr. Wolfensohn - a former president of the World Bank, standing member of the international advisory council of the "Israel" Democracy Institute, and investor in a company (Better Place) that among other activities intends to build infrastructure to serve "Israeli" settlers in the West Bank- symbolically undermines AUB's legacy in the struggle for social justice and its historical connection to Beirut, to Palestine and beyond.

According to sources, the rejection petition was issued after their cry for preventing the event went unheard and ignored by the AUB administration. Meanwhile, al-Akhbar newspaper said Friday morning that that the AUB website removed its announcement to the honoring of Wolfensohn, without commenting on the matter.