Benefit Dinner 2011

Critical thinking. Self determination. Confidence. Communication and collaboration. These are the common threads that bind and identify AUCians worldwide, according to the three guests of honor at the University’s Catalyst for Change benefit dinner. Former Nile TV anchor Shahira Amin ‘78, actor and activist Amr Waked ’96, and CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman (YAB ’81) were presented with Distinguished Alumni Awards in recognition of their positive contributions to Egypt and in the world. In accepting their awards, all three credited AUC with giving them the educational and life skills they needed to succeed in their chosen careers — careers that require them to absorb, synthesize and accurately convey information that is relevant to the people and the future of Egypt.

AUC raised more than $340,000 at the AUC: Catalyst for Change benefit dinner with net proceeds supporting scholarships.

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing.

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

benefit dinner 2011

AUC organized its first annual Benefit Dinner in New York on October 20, 2011 under the theme AUC: Catalyst for Change. More than 200 alumni, friends and supporters of AUC were on hand at the Jumeirah Essex House for an evening of socializing

AWARDEES

shahira_amin

Shahira Amin is an Egyptian freelance journalist and former deputy head of Nile TV International. She quit her job on February 3, 2011, during the Egyptian uprising, in protest against state TV coverage of the events in Tahrir.

Shahira Amin ’78, Journalist and Former Deputy Head of Nile TV International

ben_wedemen

Ben Wedeman is CNN's senior international correspondent based in Cairo, Egypt. Since 1995, he has reported on scenes of conflict and tension across the Middle East and northern Africa for the network.

Ben Wedeman ’81, CNN Senior International Correspondent

amr_waked

I learned to think. I learned to ask questions. I learned that even if I fail, I benefit from trying. This is what I learned at AUC. That even in failing, there are lessons to be learned. I have to try. I have to keep trying until I succeed, no matter what I do.

Amr Waked ’96 Actor

Know more about Benefit Dinner 2011 Awardees

Past Honorees

Abdallah Jum’ah ’65

Former president and CEO of Saudi Aramco

Shafik Gabr

Shafik Gabr ’73

Chair and Managing Director, ARTOC Group for Investment and Development

Azza Kamel ’83

Founder and Director, Alwan wa Awtar NGO

monica hanna

Monica Hanna ’04, ’07

Award-Winning Egyptian Archaeologist

Haifaa Al-Mansour ’97

Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker

Rana El-Kaliouby ’98 ’00

Chief Science Officer of Affectiva

Heba Morayef ’02

Egypt director of Human Rights Watch

john_rogers

John F. W. Rogers

Executive Vice President, Goldman Sachs

Mustafa Abdel-Wadood ’91

Chief Executive Officer, Abraaj Group Limited

Perihan Abou-Zeid ’09

Co-founder and Communications Director, Qabila Media Production

shahira_amin

Shahira Amin ’78

Journalist and Former Deputy Head of Nile TV International

ben-wedeman

Ben Wedeman ’81

CNN Senior International Correspondent

amr_waked

Amr Waked ’96

Actor

suad_juffali

Suad Al-Husseini Juffali

Chair of the Ahmed Juffali Foundation