Another Lebanese genius. In the sick country of Lebanonesia, "prestige" and ranking is everything. Look at this title: "Lebanese-American named to prestigious post". So this dude Rihani sent a press release to every lousy Lebanese newspapers to the effect that he was elected "president" (that was how An-Nahar printed the story) of this association--whatever it is. So the story is told in the Daily Star: "Sarmad Albert Rihani was recently elected governor in the Structural Engineering Institute in the US out of 11 governors who compose this council. This body of professional governors suggests legal federal projects that are discussed and issued by the US Congress. The Professional Engineering Committee of the institute held its first annual conference, chaired by Rihani, and included professional lectures by distinguished scholars and experts coming from more than 25 states in the field of civil and structural engineering in the United States." But you go to the institute's website, and you don't see the guy's name. Why does every shallow Lebanese abroad wants to convince his relatives back home that he won some prestigious award? What is this complex? For the record: I have never won any award--other than the Nobel prize in Chemistry which I told my family back home about.
PS Dirar found a reference to him but alas he is not the president of the whole association as he bragged to An-Nahar.