Georgetown University Hosts Alumni Dinner during the 10th Anniversary Celebrations

To celebrate the ten year anniversary of its establishment in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFSQ) hosted numerous events in recognition of the school’s achievements spanning the last decade. Honoring the alumni of five graduating classes, the office of Outreach and Business Development (OBD), the department that organizes alumni activities, hosted the dinner at the Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) building which served as the first home of Georgetown University’s activities in Qatar from 2005 through 2010. Drawing more than 130 guests including 90 alumni from both the Qatar and US campuses residing across the Middle East, the event was also attended by visiting dignitaries and special guests.

GU-Q alumnus and president of the Alumni Club of the GCC, Basil Mahfouz (SFS ’11), expressed the appreciation of all alumni to those who made GU-Q possible. “SFSQ has allowed many of us who otherwise would not have been able, to have the Hoya experience,” he said. 

Georgetown President Dr. John J. DeGioia also addressed the attendees offering his remarks on the special occasion.

Pleased to be in audience for the event, GU-Q alumna Lubna Kayyali who graduated from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFSQ) in 2009, said that the alumni gathering served not only as a great opportunity for people to connect, network and learn more about the Georgetown alumni community working in various professions in this part of the world but also served as a source of inspiration. “It was a lovely opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and dear friends. Georgetown continues to be the home to which we all return for intellectual engagement, good conversations and to reignite our sense of purpose,” she said.

With more than 150,000 Georgetown alumni holding leadership roles around the world, Dean Nonneman said that alumni of the Doha campus will serve the region well not only by putting their multiple skills to good use in commerce, government and development, but also by building strong global relationships through the Georgetown family.  “Because most of our alumni remain in this part of the world after graduating, their talents, passions, and energies will be put to work toward bettering this region. And by helping them establish and maintain strong ties with Georgetown University and each other, we make doubly sure they will go on to build solid foundations enriching the communities where they live and work”.

GU-Q Alumni Relations Manager, Charles Nailen, also reiterated the importance of hosting such alumni events to keep alumni connected to the University and each other. “The relationship doesn’t end when a student graduates. Our goal was to use this celebration as an opportunity to allow old friends to reconvene, but also meet fellow graduates they may not have known. By maintaining a connection with Georgetown, our alumni are also able to build meaningful relationships between alumni around the world.”