An Eye on History |
| Welcome to AUCToday’s special issue on the university’s 90th
anniversary. A thicker issue with many visuals, it gives you an inside look
on AUC’s history. Working on this issue was particularly gratifying. Digging into the university archives, we came across interesting stories and colorful tidbits that we present to you: the way AUC came into being (page 24), the first female student who entered the university (page 36), the pattern of student life in the early days (page 38), an alumna who is the same age as AUC (page 31), distinguished visitors who came to the university over the years (page 32) and snapshots of AUC in its early years and today (page 26). As is evident from these pieces,AUC students and faculty members in the early years were a small and closely-knit group who developed a special bond. Similar to today,AUC students were always in the lead.They had a strong sense of service to their country and pioneered a number of initiatives in that respect. Many thanks goes to staff at the Rare Books and Special Collections Library, particularly Stephen Urgola and Terra Kridler, for their constant and invaluable support in helping us dig for important facts and find relevant pictures. In addition,AUC’s extraordinary history book, The American University in Cairo: 1919 - 1987, by Lawrence R. Murphy was a huge asset in preparing for this anniversary issue. This edition is also special because it coincides with the official inauguration of the New Cairo Campus (See “A Grand Opening,” page 16). Although the campus has been operational since September 2008, the official opening was held this February.A long-awaited dream for AUC, the inauguration of the campus represents a new chapter in the history of the university.The event was presided over by Egypt’s First Lady Suzanne Mubarak ’77, ’82 and for a week, the university welcomed a number of distinguished speakers and public figures to take part in academic panels, discussing contemporary topics of interest to Egypt and the region. Cultural and art exhibitions as well as musical concerts were also held. We hope you enjoy your read as you learn about your alma mater from the day it was founded up to its 90th birthday. 
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