Dr. Saliba Sarsar, professor of political science and associate vice president for global initiatives, received the Award for Academic Excellence at the 10th Anniversary Gala of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, October 29, 2013.
In congratulating Dr. Sarsar, Dr. Ziad Asali, ATFP president, stated: “We, your family, friends, and our community, are proud of your personal accomplishments, your spirit of public service, your pride in your heritage, and your commitment to our great country. You are a role model of success and accomplishment that our youth can learn from and emulate.”
Monmouth University Provost Thomas S. Pearson added, “We are proud of Dr. Sarsar’s academic excellence, stewardship, and global outreach in support of diplomacy and peace in the Middle East.”
Some 650 people were in attendance at the ATFP Gala, including White House, U.S. Department of State, and Congressional leaders, as well as members from academic institutions, the diplomatic corps, and religious institutions. The keynote address was given by Dr. Philip Gordon, special assistant to the President and White House coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf Region. On Wednesday, Dr. Sarsar joined a small group of ATFP leaders at the White House for a National Security Council briefing on the current situation in the Middle East.