ROCHESTER HILLS — Over 200 students, professionals, and alumni from across the country descended on Oakland University from April 1-3 for the Lebanese Collegiate Network’s 2011 annual convention. The event featured a host of different workshops and other events designed to help students  reach their potential.

Lebanon’s ambassador to the U.S., Antoine Chedid, served as keynote speaker for the LCN’s 4th Annual Awards Ceremony Dinner, during which he expressed his hope for the organization to lead the Lebanese American youth to a better future.

“You are a joy to me, it’s really nice to witness what you are doing and the way you are doing it,” he said of the organization, which began in 2007 and helps to unite, promote and educate Lebanese clubs, students, alumni and professionals across the country.

Chedid talked about the organization’s ability to promote a “bi-cultural” attitude, allowing members to keep the spirit and traditions of Lebanon alive through support and various events even as they continue to transition into and thrive in American society at large.

The group that best exemplified that spirit this year was the Lebanese Club at the University of California-Santa Barbara, which won the award for Outstanding University Lebanese Club. But according to President Nadine Hammoud of the club, celebrating their Lebanese heritage wasn’t always easy in a place with a much smaller Arab American population than metro Detroit.

“In L.A. when you fly the Lebanese flag people would make you feel uncomfortable or (give you) dirty looks, but here in Michigan people are very welcoming.”

Other award winners included Wassim Mahfouz, the executive director of the Lebanese American Heritage Club in Dearborn, as Supporter of the Year, along with Selim Sessine, president of MAE Engineering in Michigan.

Academic Excellence & Heritage Award scholarships were given to Danny Azar and Antoine Ghorayeb, and Judith Farah of Oakland University’s Lebanese club was elected president of the organization.

Chedid re-iterated his faith in the Lebanese students and professionals in attendance going forward.

“Remember that you are bringing the Lebanese together, and we stand steadfast like the cedar tree as one unified nation,” he said.

“We know you will be successful just like the other Lebanese who have contributed a great deal to to America throughout the years.”

For more information on the LCN and its mission of uniting Lebanese collegians past and present, visit www.mylcn.org.