Yousif Boutrous Ghafari

September 27, 1952

Alma el-Chaab, Lebanon

During the Senate confirmation hearings, then-Senator Barack Obama called Ghafari "an immigrant who has truly lived the American dream." Born in Alma El-Chaab, Lebanon, "in a home with no electricity, phone or running water," Ghafari moved to the United States in 1972. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1974, a Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics and Computer Applications in 1975, and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1977, from Wayne State University. In 2004 and 2005, Ghafari was a public delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. His alma mater named one of its residence halls in his honor after he donated $9 million to the school. The school gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on May 3, 2008. He was notified of the degree the same week the Senate confirmed his ambassadorship. A significant donor to the Republican party, Ghafari is considered one of "the active, vocal and successful Republican leaders of the Michigan Arab-American community." On May 25, 2008, Ghafari presented his diplomatic credentials to Dimitrij Rupel in Ljubljana. He was received by Slovenian President Danilo Türk on May 29. He climbed Mount Triglav, making him "an honorary Slovenian." On January 20, 2009, when Barack Obama was sworn in as U. S. President, Ghafari's term ended.

Yousif Boutrous Ghafari Edit Profile

Background

Ghafari, Yousif Boutrous was born on September 27, 1952 in Alma el-Chaab, Lebanon. Arrived in United States of America, 1972, naturalized, 1978. Son of Butrus and Aida Ghafari.

Education

Bachelor in Mathematics, Wayne State University, Detroit, 1974. Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics and Computer Applications, Wayne State University, Detroit, 1975. Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, 1977.

Master of Business Administration, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 1992.

Career

During the Senate confirmation hearings, then-Senator Barack Obama called Ghafari "an immigrant who has truly lived the American dream." Born in Alma El-Chaab, Lebanon, "in a home with no electricity, phone or running water," Ghafari moved to the United States in 1972. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics in 1974, a Master of Arts in Applied Mathematics and Computer Applications in 1975, and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1977, from Wayne State University. In 2004 and 2005, Ghafari was a public delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.

His alma mater named one of its residence halls in his honor after he donated $9 million to the school. The school gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on May 3, 2008. He was notified of the degree the same week the Senate confirmed his ambassadorship.

A significant donor to the Republican party, Ghafari is considered one of "the active, vocal and successful Republican leaders of the Michigan Arab-American community." On May 25, 2008, Ghafari presented his diplomatic credentials to Dimitrij Rupel in Ljubljana. He was received by Slovenian President Danilo Türk on May 29. He climbed Mount Triglav, making him "an honorary Slovenian." On January 20, 2009, when Barack Obama was sworn in as U. S. President, Ghafari's term ended.

Membership

Member Young President Organization. Member Engineering Society Detroit, The President Association, Michigan Society Professional Engineers, National Society Professional Engineers, Oakland Hills Country Club, Renaissance Club.

Interests

Marathoning.

Connections

Married Mara R. Kalnins, September 23, 1978. Children: Gabrielle, Nicole, Peter.

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