Cosmo Connections, May 1996
Ceylan Nashashibi: 1996 Cosmopolitan Club Service Award Recipient
The Cosmopolitan Club Service Award is given annually by the Board of
Directors in recognition of an individual's outstanding volunteer
contributions in forwarding the Club's purpose of fostering international
understanding. Each award naturally stands as a testament to both the
individual recipient and to the ideals of the Club. Cosmo friends were thus
filled with deep satisfaction by the presentation of the Award, at the
International Dinner and Performance Night on April 14, to Ceylan Nashashibi.
Many club members and visitors have benefited from Ceylan's involvement in the
club's activities, especially the many events that she hosted. Her gracious
manner and warm personal welcome always helped to create a sympathetic
ambience for any event in which she participated. In 1995-1996, Ceylan served
on the Board of Directors, and devoted many hours to her work as Chair of the
Program Committee. As a reliable and generous volunteer, she played an
important role in bringing new ideas and participants into the Club.
In presenting the award on behalf of the Board, Dede Kern Brown spoke of
Ceylan's enthusiasm, dedication, and personality: "....We thank you for your
willingness to step in and add your special touch on the Board and to Cosmo's
programs this year. We will miss you and hope that the Cosmo spirit of
Above All Nations Is Humanity stays with you through your future
endeavors."
Ceylan (pronounced JAY-lahn) Nashashibi was born in Istanbul, Turkey. Soon
afterwards, her family moved to Italy and then to Heidelberg, Germany, where
she grew up. In Heidelberg, Ceylan developed a great liking for international
environments. She attended American schools, established friendships with many
German children, and spent many afternoons "people-watching" on the
Hauptstrasse. In 1987 she entered Indiana University, majoring in
German and minoring in Political Science. In Bloomington she met her husband
Salah, whom she married in 1991. They moved to Champaign for Salah's Master
and Doctoral studies in German. She and Salah will soon be leaving the
Champaign-Urbana community and their Cosmo friends. They hope to someday
relocate to Europe or the Middle East to be closer to their families. Ceylan
also hopes to start a family of her own in the next few years.
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