Bethlehem University Foundation to honor Mr. John Steger and the Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund at the upcoming November 15th reception at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C.

"The Archbishop Pietro Sambi ‘Star of Bethlehem’ Award for Services to the Bethlehem University Foundation" will be presented to Mr. John Steger in recognition of his 13 years of service and leadership as a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Bethlehem University Foundation, including four years as Chairman of the Board.

"The Pio Cardinal Laghi Founders Award for Outstanding Support to Bethlehem University" will be presented to the Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund for its generosity in scholarship gifts, assisting over 250 students at Bethlehem University since the inception of the program. Dr. Edward Hazbun will accept the award on behalf of the Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund.


More details on the awards and the awardees can be found below. Click here to learn more about past awardees .
The Archbishop Pietro Sambi ‘Star of Bethlehem’ Award for Services to the Bethlehem University Foundation

Mr. John E. Steger, CLU, KGCHS, AFSC

The Archbishop Pietro Sambi “Star of Bethlehem" Award for Services to the Bethlehem University Foundation is presented to an individual who, by giving generously of their time and/or talent, has been of particular service to the Bethlehem University Foundation in its ministry of supporting Bethlehem University.

During his tenure as Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, Archbishop Sambi served as Chancellor of Bethlehem University. Archbishop Sambi always referred to Bethlehem University as “The real Star of Bethlehem." Recipients of this award carry on his legacy by assisting the Bethlehem University Foundation in its sole mission of supporting and promoting Bethlehem University.

John and Nan Steger, from White Bear Lake, MN, began supporting Bethlehem University when John served on the International Board of Regents in the mid-90’s. He also served on the Board of the Bethlehem University Foundation from its inception in 2002 until 2015, and spent four of those years as Chair of the Board. During his leadership, the Foundation expanded its Board of Directors and increased support to Bethlehem University.

John and Nan established the Brother Vincent Malham Faculty Recognition Award Endowment Fund which provides funding to Bethlehem University and recognizes faculty members for outstanding work by funding sabbaticals, supporting continuing research, underwriting attendance at international conferences, and purchasing special equipment. John and Nan have made significant contributions to other major initiatives such as the General Endowment Fund and the Library Renovation Project.

In recognition of their time and talent over many years to the Bethlehem University Foundation, the Stegers were named Legacy Patrons of the Bethlehem University Foundation and will be invested during the November 15th reception.
The Pio Cardinal Laghi Founders Award
for Outstanding Support to Bethlehem University

Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund

The Pio Cardinal Laghi Founders Award for Outstanding Support to Bethlehem University is presented to a charitable organization that has generously contributed to the Bethlehem University Foundation in its work of supporting Bethlehem University.

Then Archbishop Laghi was instrumental in the creation and formation of Bethlehem University and is recognized as one of the primary founders of Bethlehem University. Recipients of this award are recognized for carrying on this legacy of outstanding support to Bethlehem University.

The Bethlehem Association is a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1985 by Dr. Edward A. Hazbun. Its mission is to strengthen close ties among people whose family origin is from the area of Palestine that includes Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala who are now living in the United States, Canada, and Latin America, and to keep them in touch with each other and with their hometowns in Palestine. Most of the members live in the United States with sizable groups in Canada, Central America, and South America.

When Anton Issa Hazboun, the father of founder Dr. Edward A. Hazbun, passed away, his family set up a memorial scholarship which began the Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund. Over the years, fifteen other families have followed suit, resulting in a substantial endowment fund. Today the fund consists of individual family scholarships and a general scholarship supported by contributions from the general membership of the Bethlehem Association. The Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund is administered by Dr. Edward A. Hazbun, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, and Mr. Edward S. Hazboun, Treasurer.

The Bethlehem Association Scholarship Fund provides financial aid for the education and training of capable and needy students from Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour studying at Bethlehem University. Twenty five to thirty scholarships are granted each year and are awarded at the beginning of the Fall semester to pay tuition fees. Since the inception of the program, the scholarship fund has helped over 250 students at Bethlehem University.
About Bethlehem University:
Jointly founded by the Vatican and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Bethlehem University annually enrolls more than 3,200 students in bachelor, master, and professional diploma programs. A Catholic co-educational institution, the University is the only Catholic/Christian university in the Holy Land. The University's mission is to provide quality higher education to the people of the Holy Land and to serve them in its role as a center for the advancement, sharing, and use of knowledge.

About Bethlehem University Foundation:
The Bethlehem University Foundation is the U.S. registered not-for-profit organization entrusted with the sole mission of supporting and promoting Bethlehem University. The Foundation is a means for United States citizens to make a tax deductible donation in support of Bethlehem University.

To learn more about the Foundation, visit  www.bufusa.org   
or like the Foundation's Facebook page " Bethlehem University Foundation "