Beirut native Marc Haddad ’21 has “some of the best experiences of my life” at Rochester.
Marc Haddad ’21 wanted to gain engineering and entrepreneurial skills to help address the breakdown of basic services that affect his family in Beirut, Lebanon.
But the endemic corruption that contributes to those problems dictated that Haddad seek higher education abroad.
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That’s why the first-generation student chose the University of Rochester, where he will graduate during this spring’s commencement ceremonies.
Haddad and his older brother, encouraged by their parents, participated in AMIDEAST and Education USA. The two were among a handful of Lebanese students chosen to attend college in the United States.
Unable to visit colleges in person, Haddad went online instead.
“I had a list of requirements—having a good mechanical engineering program, a good business program, a good music program, a small but not too small campus, and a lot of diversity with international students. Rochester was the only university that kept showing up,” Haddad says.
“With the scholarships and financial aid that they gave me, it was the obvious choice.”
Haddad could not be happier with the results.
“I have had some of the best experiences of my life at the University,” he says. “I have accomplished way more than I thought I could.”
And that is saying a lot. During his four years on campus, Haddad has:
- excelled academically in mechanical engineering
- worked in Adam Sefkow’s research center at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
- cofounded Fourty-Two, a tutoring platform to reshape education in the Mediterranean
- participated in the regional finals of the Hult Competition
- served as the Students’ Association vice president
And he still found time to participate in a host of student organizations.
Haddad and running mate Justyna Gorka ’21 ran their campaign to lead student government at the start of the pandemic while quarantining. “It was a very crazy experience,” Haddad says. “We accomplished our own initiatives while still putting out so many fires. No one was ready for COVID.”
Nonetheless, “it was definitely worthwhile because we ended up doing a lot of good for the University,” he says. For example, Haddad helped advance a request for permanency for the Douglass Leadership House, which promotes African American leadership skills. He also helped convene students and administrators to address concerns surrounding a display of national flags in Wilson Commons.
“Every single thing that I have done here, every single interaction that I’ve had, whether with administrators or students has made me ready to be many things. I’m not just ready to be a mechanical engineer. I’m also ready to be an entrepreneur. I’m ready to be a politician. So, I am beyond excited to see what’s next.”
And that is still up in the air.
“Had you asked me as a freshman, I would have said I’m going to finish my degree and go back home to Lebanon to fix things there,” Haddad says. “And my long-term goal is always going to be in that direction. But (Lebanon) needs a lot of work, and I don’t think I’m ready yet.”
Instead, he will be staying at Rochester one more year to complete a master’s degree in technical entrepreneurship and management (TEAM) through the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship.
“Part of me wants to go directly to work,” Haddad says. “But part of me wants to stay in Rochester. It’s tough to leave without giving Rochester a proper COVID-free goodbye.”
