"I am 90 years old, the same age as AUC." Riri Stark '41 (nee Dimoulitsa) celebrated her 90th birthday in the same year that her alma mater looks back on 90 years of its own history.

   Riri graduated from the American College in Cairo in 1937. She took intensive Greek lessons and was accepted at the law school of Athens.As she began her second year at the University of Athens,world events began to shape the direction of her life. Upon returning to Alexandria for the holidays,war was declared in Europe. This made it impossible for her to return to her studies in Greece and caused her to rethink her future.

   "I was heartbroken to drop law," she said."With a heavy heart, I went to Cairo." In 1939, she enrolled as a junior at AUC, then only a few decades old.

   Without concrete plans, she met with Charles Watson, AUC president and dean, who encouraged her to look into a career in teaching."I met with the very approachable Dr.Watson, who became my professor of comparative religion and a mentor in all our studies," she said."He convinced me that teaching was opening doors and lighting candles. After that, I felt better."

   To add to her challenges, she needed to work to support herself and pay her tuition. She moved in with the family of the former prime minister, Sidky Pasha, to help their young granddaughter and ended up staying with them until her graduation.

   When she started classes, Riri was one of only seven students who developed a close bond together. "There was a little foul (beans) restaurant down the corner," Riri recalled."We would go for breakfast, and at 8 o'clock be there for our first lecture." Once, she recalls, she enjoyed a dinner only a few meters from King Farouk, who was "sitting at the next table and eyeing us closely."

   Riri particularly remembers the days ofWorld War II."During the war years,AUC was our haven," she said. "With Jews and Arabs side by side in perfect harmony, it was an era of understanding and helping one another with love and empathy."

   She also recalls every detail of her graduation day. Prime Minister Hussein Sirry Pasha spoke in Arabic about American culture and its contribution to civilization.Watson spoke in English on democratic ideals and education. Riri, who was valedictorian of her class, delivered a speech stressing the importance of harmonious cooperation among different nationalities and cultures."For me, the most amazing thing was that the speech was not censored; no one had asked to see it before it was given.What amazing trust!" she said.

   After graduation, Riri taught English at the Chatby College in Alexandria. In 1943, she married a New Zealander. Two years later, she moved to New Zealand with her husband and daughter and taught there for 25 years. Today, at age 90, she still teaches French and Greek at her home.

   Looking back at her days at AUC, Riri noted,"I ended my studies at an institution that gave us all the confidence, pride and weapons to face life. . I revel at the AUC of today -- immense and grand with so many more subjects offered -- and purr with pride and happiness that I was there so long ago. Since we are both celebrating our 90th birthdays this year, I wish AUC continued growth and success."

By Peter Wieben