Annual Report 2010 | 2011 - Columbia Global Centers

Istanbul – On March 22, a number of Turkish alumni attended a dinner hosted by Vuslat Doğan (IA ‘96) and
her husband Ali Sabanci (BU ‘95) at their home in Istanbul. President Lee Bollinger and his wife, Jean Bollinger,
in addition to a delegation from Columbia University were also present. The occasion marked the announcement
of the November launch of the Columbia Global Centers | Turkey.
Beirut – In partnership with GSAPP, the Center held an alumni dinner in Beirut on May 2 with Dean Mark
Wigley and Professor Safwan Masri. Approximately 15 alumni—mainly GSAPP graduates—attended the dinner,
which was hosted by Sari El Khazen (AC ‘03). In addition to a quick update on the Columbia Global Centers |
Middle East, the dinner also included a conversation about Columbia University’s global experiments, including
GSAPP’s Studio-X network in various regions of the world. The next day, Dean Wigley gave a lecture to an audience
of over 80 students, faculty members, architects, and alumni, entitled, “Utzon’s Wings: The Mythology of the Global
Architect,” which was held at the Department of Architecture and Design at the American University of Beirut.
Tel Aviv – CAA organized a gathering and cocktail reception for over 60 alumni at Hotel Dan in Tel Aviv on
May 24, which featured a conversation about Columbia University today and tomorrow with Fred Van Sickle, the
Executive Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations at Columbia University.
Amman – On May 25, Jordanian alumni reunited for an Independence Day luncheon with Fred Van Sickle
and Professor Safwan Masri. During the luncheon, several alumni expressed their interest in working towards
establishing an Alumni Club of Jordan. The Columbia University Club of Jordan, which is the University’s 82 nd
alumni club, was launched at the Columbia University Middle East Research Center on October 4. During the
Club Launch, Professor Masri shared an update on CUMERC and the University’s growing network of Global
Centers. The event also featured remarks by the Club’s President, Ramzi Muna (EN ‘81). Vice President Osama
Jumean (GSAPP ‘89) was also present.
Cairo – An alumni dinner was held in Cairo, Egypt on July 27 with Professor Safwan Masri and Joseph Stiglitz,
Professor of Finance and Business at Columbia University, Chair of the University’s Committee on Global Thought,
and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Initiative for Policy Dialogue.