Before an audience of well-wishers that including four of the refugee students whose lives have been directly affected by her philanthropic work, Dr. Scott Sprenger, President of AUR, described Ms. Jebreal’s influence and relationship with the university; It wasRula’svision anddeterminationto help refugee studentsthat led directly to the establishment, in 2015, of theRula Jebreal Scholarship Fund, a fund explicitly designed to enable young refugees from conflict-torn countries worldwide to rebuild their lives, and, in turn, help rebuild their communities.

Dr. Sprenger went on to state “Ƶ's Presidential Medal is awarded to individuals who have made an extraordinary impact on the lives of students of the university. Ms. Rula Jebreal is the first contemporary recipient of this award, and it is presented in honor, and with thanks, for the leadership and resolve she has shown in enabling refugee students to reconstruct their lives.