A full-scale academic ceremony marked the award last night of degrees to the first graduates of Bar-Han University, the American Orthodox-sponsored institution.
The degree of Honorary Fellow was conferred in person on Ogden R. Reid. American Ambassador to Israel, and in absentia on Rabbi Judah L. Maimon, Israel’s first Minister of Religions. Rabbi Joseph H, Lookstein of New York, president of the University’s board of trustees, presided.
Twenty-seven students were graduated from the University’s four departments: five in Judaism, four in literature and languages, four in philosophy and 14 in natural science and mathematics. A majority of the graduates–18 of the 27–were girls.
In his address to the convocation, Rabbi Lookstein urged a synthesis between the Judaic way of life and modern science which he said the University symbolized. In conferring the fellowship on Ambassador Reid, Rabbi Lookstein said it was a token of appreciation of goodwill and friendship to Israel and to the University expressed by the envoy.
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