This Inspiring Lebanese Businessman Came Back to the School He Hated with a $1M Donation
This extraordinary man has had the international business world talking about him as a "Conscious Capitalist with a global focus", as a "Business Titan,", as "One of the most highly regarded, influential CEOs in business", according to analysts from The Motley Fool (2018), and as a "humanitarian at best".
But this recently retired Chairman and CEO of the Middleby Corporation, a US leading company in commercial kitchen worldwide, did not have a smooth start during his schooling in war-torn Lebanon of the 70s. Not when he had to also endure dyslexia and ADHD, a school he hated so much, a series of failures, and a lack of financial means.
Via Foodservice Consultants Society International
A graduate of Collège Notre-Dame of Jamhour in Lebanon, also known simply as Jamhour, Selim Bassil entered this week his former school, which he claimed several times to have hated so much, addressing the alumni with his story, and stunning them and the school with a totally unexpected gift. What he had to say is not to be missed!
"This school, which I never liked, which I really hated, and which has welcomed me for 13 years, honors me today. What a paradox! I never liked Jamhour because I was a turbulent, dyslexic, deficient, hyperactive, mediocre, not to say catastrophic, student." This is how Bassoul started his speech to the alumni and the college's body, in the presence of President Michel Aoun who was in attendance.
Rather unexpected that Bassoul expressed his dislike towards his school during his early stages. However, that was the starting point of his fierce determination at his most challenging stages in life, and he needed to share it for a purpose.
Via Microcap Club
He described the difficult environment in which he was raised, "Coming from a modest family, surrounded by studious and rich classmates, I suffered a lot in this school. Socially maladapted to the needs and demands of the school, I accumulated failures, referrals, and disappointments. But despite this dark picture, there are people here who believed in me.”
Via Conscious Capitalism
In fact, Bassoul failed the Lebanese Exit Exams , known as the Official Exams, making his future look gloomy and hopeless. With the civil war raging at that time, and with no access to financial aid and no exit exam diploma, he was in a doomed state, or that is what he felt back then.
However, Bassoul was driven from that time by a passion to change the world, as he would come to reveal later in his life during his journey of supporting the unfortunate in the world, "I want to be able to, in a small way, change the world. It has always been my purpose.”
That was the force driving back then the young Bassoul who had refused to submit to his academic failures. He now advised all the youngsters who feel the same way to not give up on themselves.
He used himself as a prime example of a failing student who worked his way up, "I managed to turn a complete failure into outstanding professional success. Basically, there wasn’t a student worse off than I was. If I made it, you can make it."
True as he said, Bassoul has made it when all seemed impossible. He managed to attend the American University of Beirut (AUB) where he earned a B.A. in Business Administration with Distinction and was the recipient of the David Dodge Scholar Award.
He remained committed to excelling, and moved forward, starting his career path with Ernst & Young, until he decided he wanted to do more of his life.
Via Hospitality News Mag
Hence, he took to the United States, enrolling at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, and graduated with an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing and a Certificate in Accounting.
Via Daily Herald Business Ledger
On his journey towards what would become the top position at the Middleby Corporation, Bassoul worked eight years in the healthcare industry for the American Hospital Supply and Baxter Healthcare, assuming various positions that included mergers and acquisitions, corporate planning, and the regional directorship of the Middle East and Africa.
He kept progressing, joining Premark Inc. of Illinois for eight years, excelling in commercial food equipment, until he climbed his highest level at the Middleby Corporation.
While referring to his own experience in his speech at Jamhour, he encouraged the youth to travel abroad and seek life-changing opportunities that could possibly pave the way towards greater success, similar to what happened to him.
Via Hospitality News Middle East