UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1989-11_Page-048

THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES Thursday November 9, 1989 2:00 p.m. River Club Present: Mr. Bacon, Mr. Crary, Mr. Mac Donald (Chairman), Dr. Pedersen, Mrs. Thorne Also Attending: Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Covey, Mrs. Davidson, Mrs. Desforges, Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Nichols, Dr. Lamont 1. After a few opening remarks about the Washington DC event, Mr. Mac Donald went on to confirm the details of the event as rescheduled for the Spring of 1990: a) That the event will be a luncheon to be held on Tuesday, May 15 or Tuesday, May 22, so as not to conflict with AUC's Spring Board meetings scheduled for Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18. Dr. Lamont brought to the Committee's attention the fact that New York office staff involvement during this time frame may be minimal since preparation for the Board meeting would be a priority. b) That the luncheon will be held in the Senate/House Office Building(s) dining room(s) to keep costs low and to be convenient for the proposed invitees. Mobil is in the process of identifying and reserving such rooms. c) That Mrs. Christine Covey, AUC's new Washington representative, is responsible f~r organizing the sponsoring committee for the luncheon to be comprised of ambassadors from Middle East countries, corporate executives, Congressmen, and social types. d) That the luncheon format will consist of a brief cocktail reception, followed by a 3-course lunch. Welcoming remarks will be given between courses and the keynote address would be delivered by an AUC faculty member. Conclusion of the lunch will be the presentation of the journalism award. e) That the background of the journalism prize remains the same: the University will honor a journalist for his reportage on the Middle East. Nominations for the award will follow the same process as for honorary degrees. If that procedure is followed yearly, it would establish a tradition which would strengthen the validity of the prize. President Pedersen and a selection committee will provide a list of nominees; the Executive Committee will choose the final candidate. Some suggested candidates to date are Milton Viorst, Thomas Friedman, Youssef Ibrahim, David Shipler and John Kifner. Mr. Mac Donald thought it very appropriate for a liberal arts college with a strong mass communication program to present such an award . . Dr. Lamont pointed out that Thomas Friedman was a Year Abroad student at AUC and that Youssef Ibrahim is a full alumnus. Dr. Lamont had read Friedman's book, From Beirut to Jerusalem, and recommended it highly