Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan addressed Elon’s Fall Convocation for Honors Oct. 12, telling students that education is vital to improve the quality of life for people around the world.
“Education is the key to making, and more importantly, building world peace,” Queen Noor said. “Colleges can foster an understanding of international issues, such as the environment, human rights and global populations, while teaching students to resolve conflict without violence.” An advocate for various causes from women’s health to human rights, Queen Noor has also been actively involved in the Nobel Prize-winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines. She described landmines as “a modern, manmade epidemic,” which kill or injure someone every 20 minutes around the world.
Queen Noor is the widow of the late King Hussein of Jordan, who was a pivotal leader in the Middle East peace process until his death in 1999. She is president of the United World Colleges and chair of the United Nations University International Leadership Academy in Jordan.
Queen Noor also announced the establishment of the King Hussein of Jordan Scholarship, which will provide assistance for Jordanian students to attend Elon.
Queen Noor and L.M. “Bud” Baker, Jr., received honorary degrees at the convocation. Baker, chairman and chief executive officer of Wachovia Corporation and Wachovia Bank N.A., served on Elon’s board of trustees from 1991 to 1997, chairing the board during the last two years of his term.
Convocation for Honors offers special recognition to President’s List and Dean’s List students as well as members of the Elon Society, the premier donor organization at Elon.
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