54th Board of Governors Meeting Brings Community Together

Our Time to Be Together

One of the main highlights of the 54th meeting of the BGU Board of Governors, under the title “Our Time to be Together”, was the presentation of a University President's Award to Nili Margalit, a nursing faculty member who spent 55 days in Hamas captivity. During that time, she bravely cared for her wounded fellow hostages showing supreme courage and heroism. "I'm sure Nili would have preferred not to be in the spotlight, but the circumstances forced it on her," said University Rector Prof. Chaim Hames. "What we learned about her heroism and the way she took care of her fellow captives in Gaza is an example for us all. Nili is a remarkable person and role model.”

Nili Margalit's story showcases her incredible ability to handle crises and bounce back from extreme distress. This resilience mirrors the spirit of David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, whose perseverance was highlighted in University President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz's speech. "Throughout his life, Ben-Gurion faced many hardships and conflicts, but he stuck to his vision. His resilience was the basis of what would become his most lasting legacy - the State of Israel. Ben-Gurion understood that resilience is the key to achievements; and just as Ben-Gurion stood firm in the face of difficult trials, so does our university community in these difficult times."

A central focus of this year’s Board of Governors meeting was the honorary doctoral degree conferment ceremony, in the presence of Avi Nissenkorn, Chair of the Executive Committee and Lloyd Goldman, Chair of the Board of Governors, and hundreds of invited guests. This year, the University honored historian of medicine, Prof. Allan M. Brandt, Amalie Moses Kass Professor of the History of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Israeli composer and singer, Yehudit Ravitz; Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life; and Prof. Michael M. Crow, President of Arizona State University.

Yehudit Ravitz, a beloved singer and songwriter, who was born and raised in Beer-Sheva, was visibly moved upon receiving an honorary doctorate. Ravitz's music is a foundational part of Israeli culture, spanning genres and providing a sound track of the moments of our lives, big and small.

Prof. Crow, President of ASU, spoke passionately on behalf of the awardees. He expressed strong support for Israel and condemned the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas. "The young democracy of Israel, which is 76 years old, and the young democracy of the United States, which has not yet celebrated 250 years, are both beacons of light in a world that is still filled with hate and a lack of understanding of what freedom really means," said Prof. Crow, adding: "The October 7 attack was an unbelievably heinous act by the terrorist organization Hamas and their allies, not only against Israel and its citizens, but against all democracies and what they represent. It is hard to imagine here, almost eight months after the attack, that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice” in the words of Martin Luther King. This is a difficult and long process… Democracies fight for these freedoms, and I believe that we, the universities, must help our democracies move forward, not only for the benefit of our countries but for the benefit of the entire world.”

A President's Award was also presented to the medical centers in southern Israel – Soroka University Medical Center, Barzilai University Medical Center, and Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital for the exemplary activities of the medical teams, staff, students and volunteers, in treating the wounded and supporting their families, with unparalleled dedication and uncompromising professionalism during and after the October 7 attacks.

Another recipient of the University president's award, as mentioned, was Nili Margalit, a faculty member of the nursing department at Ben-Gurion University and a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit at Soroka University Medical Center, who was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Nili’s father, Eliyahu Margalit, was also taken prisoner. It was only upon her release from captivity that Nili was informed that the worst had happened. Her father had been murdered and his body is still being held by Hamas terrorists.

"I was kidnapped from my home; they led me through the tunnels. At first, I operated on autopilot. I was in complete shock," she recalled the moments of her kidnapping. "I was taken captive with people from my community. Instead of thinking about the terrible situation I found myself in, I thought about how to help them and how to take care of them. I knew I had to survive, and in order not to sink into depression I thought about what else I could do to help my friends. And that's what kept me going," she said in a video prepared for the ceremony. The audience honored her with a standing ovation and applause for several minutes.

The Robert St. John Award for Objective Middle East Reporting was awarded to journalist and news anchor Yonit Levi. The award was given to her for her professional integrity and the fearless representation of the truth in her journalistic career. Levi has been the chief news anchor of the evening news on Channel 12, the most watched news show, for over 20 years. She launched a popular podcast with The Guardian's Jonathan Freedland entitled “Unholy” three years ago.

In addition to attending ceremonies and exploring the scientific endeavors of the university's researchers, guests from Israel and abroad experienced a poignant visit to the site of the Nova party at Reim. They were accompanied by Lt. Col. Daniel Elbo Arama, commander of the "Arava" medical center and a doctoral student in the Department of Emergency Medicine. This visit to the site where hundreds of young people were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists, left many visibly moved. Lt.-Col. Elbo Arama shared his personal story of near miraculous survival and his anguish at being unable to help the victims of the Nova party.

Links:

Link to Yehudit Ravitz award ceremony | Credit: Yoni Zonenshein

Yehudit Ravitz receiving her award

Yehudit Ravitz | Credit: Zaad studios

Nili Margalit’s story | Credit: Zaad studios

Link to Nili Margalit award ceremony | Credit: Yoni Zonenshein

Prof. Michael M. Crow’s speech on behalf on honorary doctorate recipients