AUB’s public face Ibrahim Khoury to retire from his position as director of information
The American University of Beirut announced that Ibrahim Khoury, the director of Office of Information and Public Relations, will retire from his position, after 16 years of devoted service, effective October 1, 2009.
The announcement came in a statement issued by the Vice President for Development and External Relations, Stephen Jeffrey, who expressed his regret at Khoury's decision to retire.
"I regret to announce that Mr. Ibrahim Khoury has informed me of his intention to retire from his position as Director of Information and Public Relations," said Jeffrey in a statement. "Mr. Khoury has served AUB with sixteen years of admirable service. His distinguished career is widely recognized among the regional media sector and the Lebanese public at large. His broad exposure to the Lebanese community and his deep understanding of AUB, its history and capabilities as an institution have advanced AUB’s profile in ways that are difficult to measure."
Jeffrey highlighted some of Khoury’s achievements, noting that he had succeeded in establishing strong relationships with journalists and other media leaders throughout the region. Moreover, Khoury was “instrumental in establishing AUB’s formidable media relations capabilities and managing and organizing many of the University's most important events, including the annual commencement exercises,” he said. "I have come to rely extensively on Mr. Khoury’s keen sense of judgment, particularly in times of turbulence and uncertainty."
Thanking Khoury, on behalf of AUB, Jeffrey also commended the director of information for his "loyalty, exemplary commitment and his remarkable legacy."
Khoury, who joined AUB in 1991 after 22 years as a journalist and active member in the media sector, has a long list of accomplishments at AUB under his belt. His 16 years of dedicated service and unwavering passion for AUB had turned him into an icon and public face of the University.
"My decision to leave was not easy to make," said Khoury, "and was, in fact, one of the hardest in my professional life. But the more I think of it, the more I realize it is unavoidable. Naturally, I wish AUB continued success and prosperity, since I consider it as more than just an employer for me."
"I deeply regret hearing the news of Mr. Khoury’s decision to retire," said AUB President Peter Dorman. "He has been an integral part of AUB’s public face to the outside world for 16 years, and he will be greatly missed for his unshakable integrity, abiding commitment to the University, unfailing courtesy, professional experience, and personal warmth. His departure will leave a noticeable void in our community."
Khoury added that although he will be retiring from his position as director of information, he "will neither retire from his service to AUB nor from journalism."
Jeffrey acknowledged that Khoury will be a great loss for AUB. "I know that his mentorship and stewardship of those he worked with – colleagues, faculty, senior executives and students alike – will be sorely missed. The difficult task of identifying a replacement will be undertaken shortly," he said.
