MWH Soft Honors Dr. Joseph Jabbra with 2006 Presidential Excellence in Engineering Education Award for Leadership and Vision

Distinguished Tribute Recognizes Exemplary Commitment to Higher Education and Role in Spearheading the Use of Advanced Technology

Broomfield, Colorado USA, February 1, 2006 - MWH Soft, a leading provider of environmental and water resources applications software, today named Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra, President of the Lebanese American University (LAU) in Lebanon, recipient of its 2006 Presidential Excellence in Engineering Education Award. The Award is presented annually to a preeminent educational institution that demonstrates outstanding commitment to attaining exceptional status as an institution of higher education and a leader in the use of advanced technology.

In making its selection, MWH Soft recognized the Lebanese American University as one of the leading centers of higher learning in the field of engineering in the Middle East and an instrumental force in the advancement of higher education for its students. The award committee singled out Dr. Jabbra for his outstanding skill and leadership as an educator and administrator, his steadfast commitment to providing a rich learning experience to students, and his consummate dedication to the engineering community. Under his guidance and direction, LAU has achieved and sustained its preeminence in education, and its faculty and students have consistently demonstrated the highest standards of engineering excellence.

Dr. George Faris, Chairman of LAU’s Board of International Advisors, commended LAU for this distinguished honor. “I speak for all of my colleagues in commending Dr. Jabbra and the entire faculty on the quality and passion that inspired this signal honor,” he said. “I am proud and honored to convey our appreciation to MWH Soft for recognizing this institution’s exceptional contribution to the engineering field.”

Dr. Jabbra assumed the presidency of the Lebanese American University on August 1, 2004. He had earlier served as Academic Vice President at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, and as Vice President, Academic and Research, at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada. A highly accomplished academic administrator and researcher, Dr. Jabbra served on and/or chaired over 100 academic committees and boards, ranging from academic senates to boards of trustees. He has co-authored 11 books and more than 30 scholarly articles, and is a member of 15 professional societies.

“I was absolutely delighted to learn that the MWH Soft Presidential Award Committee had selected Lebanese American University for this signal honor,” commented Dr. Joseph Jabbra, LAU’s President and the award’s recipient. “This award clearly reflects the LAU community’s collective and contagious passion for academic and technological excellence and its deeply caring dedication to its students. We take pride in providing an education that is second to none, to shaping the visionary leaders of tomorrow, and to re-engineering a better future for humanity. I would like to congratulate and thank our Engineering Faculty, students, and support staff for their strong commitment to academic excellence, and above all, to extend our gratitude to MWH Soft for recognizing in LAU a community that is passionate, caring, and steadfastly focused on a clear vision of excellence in engineering education.”

Along with the award, MWH Soft is presenting LAU’s Civil Engineering Department with a multi-user Educational Software Grant comprising its industry-leading geocentric water and sewer infrastructure modeling technology.

“Dr. Jabbra’s extraordinary leadership and student-centric vision are propelling LAU to new heights,” said Paul F. Boulos, Ph.D, President and COO of MWH Soft. “His endless energy, tireless devotion, and intense passion for making a positive difference in the lives of the LAU community are inspiring this excellent institution to undreamed-of levels of performance, growth and vibrancy. We sincerely hope this grant will promote the continued success of LAU, its faculty, students, and graduates, and help shape future generations of engineering leaders.”

“This important recognition has had a huge impact on the faculty of the School,” said Dr. Abdallah Sfeir, Vice President for Academic Affairs for LAU. “The University is undergoing a major cultural change under the leadership of Dr. Jabbra, who is guiding us through a fast-paced series of fundamental reforms that are moving the institution to new heights. This exhilarating and challenging process has raised faculty morale higher than ever, and the MWH Soft 2006 Presidential Excellence in Engineering Education Award has quickened that momentum.”

About LAU
Founded in 1924 in Beirut, Lebanon, the Lebanese American University (an American institution chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York) took its final form in 1994 as a career-oriented institution which prepares students for living responsibly and with full awareness of the rich heritage and multiple needs of their respective communities. The university is organized around four schools: Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering and Architecture, and Pharmacy. It operates on two campuses, in Beirut and Byblos, and serves more than 6,000 students. The School of Engineering and Architecture, with twenty full-time faculty members and more than 700 students, is organized into four departments, offering bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, and Computer Engineering.

About MWH Soft
MWH Soft is a leading global provider of technical and infrastructure software and professional solutions designed to meet the technological needs of utilities, government industries, and engineering organizations worldwide. Its clients include the majority of the largest North American cities and ENR top design firms. The multifaceted, state-of-the-art CAD and GIS enabled products created by MWH Soft, empower thousands of engineers across the globe to competitively manage, design, and operate highly efficient and reliable infrastructure systems. For more information, call MWH Soft at (626) 568-6868, or visit www.mwhsoft.com.

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