DEARBORN – On Wednesday, the community gathered at Fordson High School’s auditorium to witness Michigan State University (MSU) Board of Trustees Brian Mosallam’s swearing-in ceremony. The event included attendance by Mosallam’s close family and friends, honorary judges and dignitaries, and former Fordson alumni, who all shared a special evening to honor Mosallam’s achievement of becoming the first Arab American Muslim to win a seat in a state wide election.

Mosallam was elected by over 1.9 million Michigan residents during the November elections to serve on the MSU Board of Trustees, where he will begin an eight year term in 2013. He will be one of eight individuals responsible for overseeing the $2.8 billion dollar corporation, which will include budgeting, transactions, projects and policies.

A Fordson graduate from the class of 1992, Mosallam said he was happy to hold the ceremony at the high school, 20 years after his graduation. He went on to land a football scholarship at MSU after he graduated high school. During his time at the university, Mosallam became a District IV Academic All-American as well as a three time Academic All-Big Ten, which meant he was also exceeding greatly in his academics. After graduating from MSU, Mosallam went on to be a Financial Advisor, working for AXA Advisors LLC.  

Fordson Principal Youssef Mosallam opened the ceremony with special remarks from the podium. 

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Charlene Elder swore in Brian Mosallam at the ceremony held at Fordson High School’s Auditorium. Mosallam, a Fordson graduate, won a seat on the MSU Board of Trustees in a statewide election in November. PHOTOS: Imad Mohamad/TAAN

“Brian is an example of a boy who comes from noble and humble beginnings as a Fordson tractor.  As he graduated and moves forward, his background and institution that he came form made him a man. He is an example of what it means to be a tractor and a graduate from the Dearborn Public Schools. He is the epitome of the American Dream,” Principal Mosallam stated.

The keynote speaker at the event was Sir Michael Berry, a Fordson graduate from the class of 1938 and the former chairman of the Wayne County Road Commission.  Sir Michael Berry’s wife, Cindy Berry, a graduate from MSU, spoke on his behalf, stating that they were proud to watch a long time friend go on to achieve his goals.

Also speaking at the event was the President of the Fordson Alumni Association Rudah Saghir and Dearborn City Council President Thomas Tafleski. Fordson graduates Leith Zeidan and Lexis Zeidan presented Mosallam with the Fordson High School Alumni Award. President of the National Honor Society (NHS) of Fordson, Asma Baban gave the Pledge of Allegiance at the ceremony. The NHS worked closely with Mosallam in helping him prepare for the event. 

Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Charlene Elder, a Fordson graduate of 1987, delivered the task of administrating the oath to Mosallam. Prior to that, she gave an emotional speech on the podium. 

“Tonight is the night to celebrate an accomplishment like no other in our community. A statewide win for Brian and a statewide win for all of us. What an honor for Brian, a Dearborn resident, a Fordson Alumni, and a brother to us all, to get his name on a state ballot…This win could have not been bestowed on a better candidate. Brian loves education, he loves kids, and he loves Michigan State. His career in financial advising has all the more prepared him for this task and makes his win more fitting,” Judge Elder stated.

After taking his oath, Mosallam thanked his parents and supporters, promising that he would not disappoint Michigan’s voters. 

Attendees included Mosallam’s parents, friends, elected officials and community leaders.

“I have been selected to lead and run what amounts to be a $2.8 billion corporation and I have never been more ready. I am ready only because of you, because of my upbringing, my preparation through the school system and all of the great role models and mentors that I have had along the way…I promise to lead based on the core values instilled in me at the Dearborn Public Schools. I promise to lead based on the value system instilled in me by my parents. I promise as my mom has said, to be a voice for the voiceless and a friend for the friendless, and I definitely promise to never forget what got me here or where I came from,” Brian Mosallam stated. 

Other attendees at the event included 19th District Court Judge Sam Salamey, 20th District Court Judge David Turfe, State Representative Phil Cavanagh, Wayne County Deputy Chief Mike Jaafar, Wayne County Corporation Counsel Zenna El Hassan, Superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools Brian Whiston and 16th District State Representative Bob Constan.