Marymount University President Matthew D. Shank stressed three simple concepts during the commencement address he gave at the American University in the Emirates: recognize your gifts, seize opportunities and serve others.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u0093I believe that each one of us has been blessed with one or more very, very special gifts or talents,\u0094 Shank told the graduates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. But whatever gifts and talents we have, he stressed, they are nothing if we don\u0092t seize opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u0093If you have seized the opportunities and used the talents that you have, I feel it is our obligation to use those gifts to better the lives of others, especially those who are less fortunate,\u0094 Shank said. \u0093At Marymount University in Washington, D.C., service to others is part of our vision. It is part of who we are and what we do.\u0094<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Speaking at the ceremony for the university\u0092s fourth commencement was an opportunity that grew out of a partnership between Marymount and AUE, which offers an American curriculum, classes in English and a general education undergraduate core. It\u0092s one of the fastest-growing universities in that country.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The ceremony was held Dec. 19 at Dubai World Trade Center. The audience included High Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum and other dignitaries.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Shank, who serves on the board of trustees at AUE, met its president when Dr. Muthanna G. Abdul Razzaq and his family were visiting Washington, D.C., two years ago. Future plans include sending Marymount students to study abroad in Dubai and for AUE students to study at Marymount.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u0093We also hope that some of our faculty will have the opportunity to go over there and teach,\u0094 Shank said. \u0093This just opens up another great opportunity for us. We already have some students from the United Arab Emirates. This partnership will give us more exposure there and help us become well-known in the country and region.\u0094<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Shank anticipates that he\u0092ll travel to Dubai once a year as a board member.<\/p>\n