U.S. Secretary of Education to Give Keynote Address at Lebanese American University Luncheon in Washington, Thursday, March 27

U. S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will speak about higher education in the Middle East to an audience that includes LAU president and trustees, and U. S. dignitaries U.S. Secretary of E

Often overlooked in news coverage of the Middle East is that the U.S. higher-education system enjoys vast respect, and continues to be considered the gold standard. More than 20,000 students in the Middle East, for example, attend universities that offer an American-style education.

Dr. Joseph Jabbra, president of the Lebanese American University (with campuses in Beirut and Byblos), wrote, in a 2007 guest editorial column in the Providence Journal (http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_lebuniv23_09-23-07_H8765 JV.1941efa.html):

It is incumbent upon us, as educators and educated people, to identify common ground, and to lead by practicing tolerance and acceptance. Providing our young people with the opportunity to obtain a good education will give them a stake in society that will let them turn their differences into assets ... education is one of the best investments Americans can make in the Middle East.

"LAU, the chairman of the Board of Trustees and board members are honored to welcome Secretary Spellings as our keynote speaker," said President Jabbra. "We are looking forward to learning more about her thoughts on education in the Middle East."

Secretary Spellings is working to ensure that every young American has the knowledge and skills to succeed in the 21st century. Prior to her tenure as Education Secretary, Spellings served as Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, where she helped create the No Child Left Behind Act and crafted policies on education, immigration, health care, labor, transportation, justice, housing, and other elements of the President's domestic agenda. Previously, Spellings worked for six years as Senior Advisor to Governor George W. Bush with responsibility for developing and implementing the Governor's education reforms and policies. From the White House and the Statehouse to the school board and college campus, Spellings has been involved with education policy at every level.

A native of Lebanon, Dr. Jabbra is the author of ten books and is a respected university administrator. For more than 25 years, he has been a leading advocate of using higher education as a conduit for tolerance and peace in the Middle East. For more biographical information visit: http://www.lau.edu.lb/administration/executive-officers.php.

LAU's history dates back to 1835 when it was founded as the American School for Girls by Presbyterian missionaries. Today, LAU has a coed student body of more than 7,000 at two campuses in Lebanon and includes respected programs in Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering & Architecture and the region's largest graduate Pharmacy school. For more information about LAU, visit: http://www.lau.edu.lb/about/.

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS:

This event is not open to the public. Secretary Spellings begin her keynote speech at 11:30 am, followed by a question and answer period. All journalists are invited, but if you would also like to join us for lunch, please R.S.V.P. to Bob Johnson, marketing and communications manager (bob.johnson@lau.edu or 212.870.2585), by Monday, March 24.

CONTACT: Bob Johnson, Marketing & Communications Manager, Lebanese American University, +1-212.870.2582, Bob.Johnson@lau.edu

/PRNewswire-USNewswire - March 13/

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Source: Lebanese American University

Web Site: http://www.lau.edu.lb/

2008-03-13 17:50:42 0312415 PRNEWSWIRE