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Sep. 28, 2016

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Shimon Peres 1923-2016

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev mourns the passing of the ninth President and former Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, and salutes a partner, statesman and leader, who sought peace and made an unparalleled contribution to the building of the country in the spirit of David Ben-Gurion’s legacy and extends its condolences to his daughter, faculty member Prof. Tsvia Walden, and the entire family.

Peres was presented with the Ben-Gurion Leadership Award in 2014 shortly before leaving office as President. He was the last living disciple of David Ben-Gurion and the last of Israel’s “Founding Fathers.”

“This award which carries David Ben-Gurion’s name recognizes leaders who see the potential for growth and development in ideas that are only just emerging or even before they do. Those people who capture the moment and turn it into the future,” explained University President Prof. Rivka Carmi at the time.
 
“Shimon Peres truly embodies the spirit of David Ben-Gurion whom we often quote as saying ' if you want to be a realist you have to believe in miracles'. Shimon Peres has always been a visionary dreamer who saw the potential before others did, for solar and renewable energy, water, nanotechnology, brain research and other subjects for which silence is still in order. He never let naysayers stop him from taking action when he believed in something.”
 
Peres responded, “The land hasn’t blessed the people. The people have blessed the land. I believe that we can teach that to our neighbors in the Middle East. All people in the Middle East can make their land blessed.” Calling the Negev the center of peace and a place to dream, “wherever you see a shortage, that’s the place to become a leader,” he asserted.
 
Shimon Peres received an honorary doctorate from BGU in 1984, a lifetime achievement award in 2000 and the Ben-Gurion Leadership Award in 2014 and was an honorary member of the Board of Governors. Peres’ connection to BGU stretched back to the University’s founding as the photo album below attests.


 

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