“Success is mainly a path…”

Under the high patronage and in the presence of H.E. Mr. Denis Pietton, Ambassador of France to Lebanon, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) organized on June 29, 2011 a ceremony to award the Insignia of Officer from the Order of Academic Palms to Rev. Fr. Professor Georges Hobeika, USEK Vice-President to International Affairs, for his major contributions in promoting the French culture around the world.

The ceremony was attended by a large audience, particularly Bishop Boulos Hachem representing Patriarch Mar Beshara Boutros Al Raai, Rev. Abbot Tannous Nehme, Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order, a number of deputies and ministers, University Council members, eminent figures from the military, religious and social fields, in addition to a large crowd from Al Midane – Jezzine, the hometown of Fr. Hobeika.

The ceremony included several speeches assessing and praising the outstanding work of Fr. Hobeika in the fields of philosophy and humanities, delivered by Prof. Nicole Chalhoub, President of the USEK Doctoral College, former ministers Dimyanos Kattar and Selim Sayegh, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, USEK President and H.E. Mr. Denis Pietton, in addition to two musical interludes given by Ms. Cynthia Baroud and Mr. Elia Francis who performed songs from the operatic and modern French heritage.