Surrounded by colleagues, students, and family members, Hicham Bou Nassif was recently installed as the Weinberg Associate Professor of International Relations and the Middle East and George R. Roberts Fellow at Claremont McKenna College.
In a March 28 ceremony at the Athenaeum, Heather Antecol, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of the Faculty and Boswell Professor of Economics, presented Bou Nassif with a special medallion in recognition of the honor, and highlighted his stellar academic career.
Antecol described Bou Nassif as a distinguished scholar with “expertise that spans various fields including authoritarianism, civil-military relations, and Middle East politics.” His book, Endgames: Military Response to Protest in Arab Autocracies and numerous peer-reviewed articles, have significantly contributed to the field. Bou Nassif is currently writing a second book focused on U.S. policy in the Middle East under Ronald Reagan.
In addition, Antecol noted that Bou Nassif’s teaching experience encompasses a range of courses from international relations to comparative politics, and that Bou Nassif, who grew up in Lebanon, is fluent in Arabic, English and French.
Bou Nassif “brings a multicultural perspective to his work,” Antecol continued. “Beyond the classroom, he has done extensive fieldwork in various countries in the Middle East, showcasing a hands-on approach to research.”
Before he delivered his talk, “Understanding Violence in the Middle East,” Bou Nassif took a moment to acknowledge his mother, who was in the audience. “In the three languages that I know, I could not find enough words to tell you how proud I am to be your son, and how grateful I am for everything you’ve done to get me here,” he said.
CMC alumnus Peter Weinberg ’79 established the Weinberg Professorship of International Relations in the Middle East in 2007. Weinberg’s contributions to CMC have spanned across various research programs and initiatives, including the Kravis Leadership Institute, where he serves as a board member. In 2010, his family foundation created the Weinberg Family Dean of Science Endowment for the Joint Science Department of CMC, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges. The collective philanthropic impact of Weinberg and his family reflects a steadfast commitment to CMC’s academic excellence and to fulfill its mission to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions.