FCC Rector honoured at Annual Alumni Reunion

This was the 9th reunion since denationalisation and an opportunity for the alumni and the university staff and faculty to honour the contribution of the Rector, Dr Peter Armacost, who will be retiring at the end of June.All speakers at the function praised Dr Armacost for his role in the renaissance of FCC. The support provided by his wife, Dr Mary-Linda Armacost, a noted academic in her own right, was also acknowledged. Later Dr Armacost thanked the speakers for their generous praise but said it had been a team effort. He thanked key members of the FAA for their role in denationalising FCC, bringing the alumni together, raising funds for the university’s development and strengthening the welfare of the organisation. He also thanked the faculty for bringing about many changes in a very short period of time, providing quality teaching and showing concern for the students. He said, “Thank you for being good friends and supporters and helping us to serve and live in an adopted nation.”The Rector, who was also the Chief Guest, used the occasion to introduce the incoming rector, Dr James Tebbe, who will take charge on 1 July 2012. Dr James Tebbe, the son of a former Principal of FCC Dr Robert Tebbe, was born and raised in Pakistan. He was educated in Pakistan, the US and the UK. With Dr James Tebbe’s long experience of working as a CEO of an international organisation, Dr Armacost said, FCC would be in good hands in the decade ahead.On this occasion, two alumni were given Distinguished Formanite Awards for outstanding contributions in their fields. Mian Muhammad Afzal Hayat was awarded for his effective service in the Punjab Provincial Assembly, his leadership as a minister in various departments, and his dedicated service as Chief Minister of Punjab in 1997. Mian Afzal Hayat recalled his days at FCC and said that what he had achieved had been due to the guidance of his teachers. He recognised Dr Armacost’s services in rebuilding FCC and making Formanites into a family. “Whatever we do, it will be very difficult for us to pay back Dr Armacost and the college for what they have done for us.”The second awardee was Mr Attiazaz (Bob) Munawwar ud Din, CEO of EnPointe, who was recognised for his extraordinary success as a business leader in the US, his involvement in civic affairs, his work with Pakistani Americans, and support for his alma mater. Mr Din is one of only three Pakistan-born CEOs of corporations traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange in the US. He acknowledged his award by saying he had spent two of the best years of his life at FCC and benefitted not just from classroom instruction but the mentoring and love he had received. Now Dr Armacost had transformed this college after a period of decline. “Dr Armacost may be leaving,” he said, “but he is not leaving our hearts.”Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed, President of the FAA, spoke of being privileged to have worked with Dr Armacost. He said, “Restoring the college to its pre-nationalization status seemed like a Herculean task in 2003. Dr Armacost not only rose to the challenge, he proved his doubters wrong.”