Graduates of the first class of the School of Nursing, 1908 — three in number! Seated is their directress of that time, Miss Van Zandt.
The services it has rendered in Lebanon from 1905 to 1932!
The School of Nursing at the American University of Beirut celebrated its golden jubilee, holding a special program that lasted three days, attended by a large number of nurses, graduates of the institute, who had come from several countries for the occasion. The first ceremony opened in the presence of Mrs. Chamoun; Mrs. Hana Semaan, president of the Association of Nurse Graduates of the University, delivered a word of welcome, followed by Miss Van Zandt, founder of the School of Nursing in 1905. Miss Van Zandt came especially from the United States to attend the jubilee. It is worth mentioning that
Miss Van Zandt, founder of the School of Nursing in 1905, is decorated with the gilded Lebanese Order of Merit by His Excellency the Minister of Health — she came especially from America to attend the golden jubilee celebration.
the Lebanese government recognized Miss Van Zandt's efforts in the field of nursing and decorated her with the Lebanese Order of Merit.
The speaker of the ceremony was Dr. George Khayyat, who delivered an address in which he dwelt on the nurses' mission and their service to humanity, and recalled the noble services of the School of Nursing, not only in Lebanon but throughout the Arab East.
On the second day the ceremony was devoted to receiving the school's graduates, who came from eight countries: Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Germany, Britain, and America. A special program was arranged for the occasion at "Dale Home," the nurses' residence. It is worth mentioning that two graduates of the school's very first class were present — Miss Adele Kassab and Miss Osanna Maksoudian — and they spoke of the School of Nursing in their day: how they lived in the hospital "barracks" and received their lessons in the bedroom of the directress, Miss Van Zandt..
On the afternoon of the same day the graduates went to Bouchrieh to see the land on which the home for retired nurses is to be erected. It is a matter of pride that this home will be built under the patronage of the First Lady of Lebanon, Mrs. Zalfa Chamoun..
On the evening of the same day a dinner banquet was held at the Alumni Club, attended by more than a hundred nurses.
The celebrations concluded with a grand tea party that brought together a huge number of those connected with the school.