Arab American Scholar Michael Suleiman Passes

Author of the " The Arab-American Experience " and founder member of ARABEX ( the Arab expatriates researchers in social science) and MERC Selection Committee, Michael Wadie Suleiman, age 76, of Manhattan, died peacefully May 12, 2010 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, after an eight month battle with cancer.

Michael graduated from The Bishop School in Amman, Jordan, where he then taught for two years while keeping the books. In 1955 he went to Darby, England where he taught physics, chemistry, and basketball at the Abbotsholme School for a year. He came to the United States to study at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he received his B.S. in political science in 1960. He went on to get his masters degree and his PhD. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

In 1965 Michael joined the political science faculty at Kansas State University. He became a full professor in 1972, and a University Distinguished Professor in 1990. He lectured and taught extensively throughout the world on Arab American relations, political parties, and Arab Americans and political socialization.

In 1963 he married Penelope A. Powers in Marion, Ohio. They have two children: Suad Michelle Evans and Gibran Michael Suleiman. He is survived by his wife, children, and a son-in-law Jerome Evans, and a daughter-in-law Danielle Turner, and his four grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother Victor Suleiman and his sister Sumayya Sakinni both of Amman, Jordan, and many nieces and nephews including Dr. Wadad Ailabouni of Marshfield, Wisconsin.

Memorial Services for Mr. Suleiman will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the All Faiths Chapel on the campus of Kansas State University.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kansas State University Foundation for the Michael W. Suleiman Chair in Arab and Arab American Studies. The chair was begun by the generosity of one of Michael’s former students, John Hofmeister, and has been increased by the contributions of other students, family, and friends.

Memorial contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.