History of IC - Episode 3: 1934 - 1967

The International College is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in Lebanan and the Middle East and has shaped the history nd the lives of many of the peoples and communities of the region in profound and lasting ways. In this series we will expose the detailed history of IC from its earliest beginnings in 1872. We Hope you will enjoy reading it as we did.

Episode 3: 1934 - 1967 - IC Moves to Beirut

Smyrna '1934: International College Closes. IC president Cass Arthur Reed wandered around the empty idle buildings on campus. Its students had been accepted in both government institutions and in Robert College. The Turkish staff had mostly been employed in government schools, the foreign ones scattered across other parts of the world. Has all this been for nothing? No, Cass thought.

We maintained high standards. We adjusted to trying conditions. We educated a large number of able young men, many of whom already occupy positions of influence and more of whom will prove increasingly useful as the years pass. We have set standards which the government schools will continue to appreciate and seek to emulate. No, a college is not a cluster of buildings. It is a group of personalities, and we stood for ideals and helpfulness

Beirut '1936: The Move to Beirut: International College merges with AUB’s preparatory school in Beirut. “AUB president Bayard Dodge had recognized an opportunity when he saw one. This would be the perfect time for International College to move to Beirut and take over AUB preparatory school and thus urged his friend, Cass, to make the move. It was a bittersweet moment for Cass Reed. The International College in Izmir was no more. Its new home was now Beirut

On September 24, 1956, IC and AUB were officially separated by a Lebanese presidential decree and in 1967 Girls are officially admitted to IC effectively making it a coed school. “The change on campus was immediately noticeable. With much amusement, IC president Tom Schuller noticed that the usual boisterous behavior of many of the boys became subdued. They suddenly became more conscious of their manners. Furthermore, the girls tended to be studious and receptive to classroom demands setting the higher example

Stay Tuned for the next Article in this series 

I Am IC 

This article appears in the Book "I Am IC" authored by Reem Haddad and published in 2019 by Librairie Antoine. This book tells the story of IC from its humble beginnngs in 1872 up to recent times. If you wish to obtain a copy of this book please contact the development office or through Antoine Online