The UPP class of 2009 marked the end of the year with a special gathering on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.  All students in the Business, Engineering, Medicine, and General Pathways were encouraged to attend.   The venue was the beautiful palace of the late King Faisal.

The hour-long ceremony was attended by UPP faculty, administrators, and students; Alfaisal University faculty and administrators; and several parents of UPP students.  The program began with a beautiful recitation from the Quran by Mashhour Alsagaf, UPP student in the Medicine pathway.  The program also included a student address by Ahmed Alshibi, UPP Student Association President. 

Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Joudeh, Assistant Director, spoke about the UPP’s recognition of students with high academic performance.  Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher for a single semester are Honor Roll students, and students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher for both semesters are Dean’s List students.  Dr. Mahmoud read the names of the honor students one by one.  As the students stood to be recognized they were applauded.  Twenty-nine students made the Honor Roll for the spring semester.  Twenty-three students made the Dean’s List. 

Before the completion certificates were distributed to students, Dr. James Seasholtz gave an inspiring address, representing the faculty.  His speech focused on life lessons the students learned while at the UPP, to encourage the students to achieve greater and greater things throughout their lives and future careers.

For the presentation of the certificates of completion, Mr. Waleed Albaty, Registrar, called out each student’s name according to pathway, while Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Joudeh, Assistant Director, and Dr. John Aydelott, Director, presented the certificates and congratulated each student.  The inclusion of the Alfaisal University representatives of each college was a much appreciated touch to the ceremony.  Dr. Norm Wright, Dean of Business, congratulated each UPP Business Pathway student as he received his certificate; Dr. Maher AlOdan, Dean of Engineering, congratulated each UPP Engineering Pathway student as he received his certificate; and Dr. Mohammed Hassan Rajab, representative from the College of Medicine, congratulated each UPP Medicine Pathway student as he received his certificate.

In an address highlighting keys to success, Dr. John Aydelott provided closing remarks for the ceremony, following which students were organized for photographs.

After the ceremony, students, faculty, administrators, and guests were invited into the palace dining room to enjoy an assortment of refreshments, including a special cake, in honor of the occasion.  Each student was given a Memory CD containing photos taken of the UPP throughout the year – classes, field trips, on-campus activities, and many other activities of the program.  A party organized by Student Association followed the serving of refreshments.  The highlight of the party was a student-produced comedy movie which had everyone laughing. 

The ceremony and party provided an atmosphere of celebration to finalize a year of hard work and success for UPP students.

The following students were placed on the Dean’s List because of their high academic performance in both semesters of the UPP: