UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1952-11-07_Page-031

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 1951-52 While disturbances raged in Cairo, K.U.C. affairs on this side moved quietly. Few committee meetings wore held, no crises arose; and we have survived without a professional promoter. The travels of President Badeau, Dean Howard and Director Rizk reached many individuals and groups across the country. Prospective teachers were interviewed and former teachers and other friends of the University called upon. Mr. Rizk made several sorties from his Princeton lair. Dr. Howard was responsible largely for the two issues of The Chronicle and for negotiations leading to the appointment of new faculty members. Miss Lister kept the office machinery well oiled and managed somehow to get the necessary things done without adequate secretarial assistance. During the fiscal year $65,945.60 was spent in America on payments chargeable to the Cairo budget, chiefly for salary, rent and travel expenses of staff members on furlough; for preparing, outfitting and transporting new mem-bers of the permanent faculty, their lares and penatüs; for books, sup-plies and equipment ordered over here for library, bookshop (re-sale to students), laboratory, classroom, office and residence. In Cairo, my wife and I found ourselves caught up in the maelstrom of A.U.C. activities. The pattern was pleasing in the main, though woven of disparate elements. We felt useful in the daily life of the University. We came away* with groat admiration for faculty, staff, students and servants. In the face of real difficulties, almost all were carrying on without complaint. We wish each Trustee could see the institution as we did, from within, for one look is worth reams of reports — may we say financially and spiritually? Even a glimpse corroborates Dr. Badeauts statement that "behind the turbulence of the headlines lies the great need of Egypt and the Arab world for Christian service, and never has the role of the University been more significant than it is now." When a visit extends three months, as did ours last autumn, the appalling greatness of the need digs deep and the modest efforts of our people, devoted yet in-adequate as they are to cope with the total problem, seem magnificent. Our goals must continue to bo the inculcation of Knowledge, Service and Character, sought under the motivation of our Christian mission to witness through education. The latest testimony comes from Dr. A. Gordon Nelson, visiting Fulbright lecturer during the second semester, 1952: "In boing assigned to The American University I have been most fortunate. It is an institution of spirit and vigor; it is staffed by people who are compe-tent and kind; it is administered democratically; and finally, it has been serving Egypt well for thirty years." Any fouling of accomplishment is somewhat qualified by awareness of shortcomings, both monetary and human. Although the deficit proved loss, when all the figures were in, than we feared at the closing of the books in June, we were still in the red. We are gratified that certain very special friends of the University are rising to its rescue and are rubbing off some of the redness --- but much more is needed if we are to come clean. Miss Lister and I deeply appruuinto ovnryt i.np; Finnh ;wmh•,r hf the Brrtrcl *and reported to you in Janaar