Françoise Meunier, former Fulbright Fellow, speaks at Margaret Nicholson’s Retirement Gala

Herman De Croo, Minister of State, Françoise Meunier, Director General of EORTC, Judge Koen Lenaerts, Court of Justice of the European Union, and Margaret Nicholson, Executive Director, Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States of America, Belgium and Luxembourg

On Saturday June 16 at the Palais des Académies, 260 people gathered to celebrate Margaret Nicholson’s retirement after thirty years of service to the Fulbright community. The Gala began with an Academic Session where Herman De Croo, Minister of State; Françoise Meunier, Director General of EORTC; and Judge Koen Lenaerts, Court of Justice of the European Union spoke about Mrs. Nicholson’s work and how it has impacted their lives. The session was followed by a Piano Recital performed by Mr. Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort, Laureate Queen Elizabeth Competition. The program included Bach, Beethoven, Liszt and finished with Gershwin’s “I’ve Got Rhythm” where Mrs. Nicholson was seen singing along. Afterwards there was a reception where all six decades of the Fulbright program was represented from the founding father of the Fulbright Alumnae Association to Fulbright grantees for the Academic year 2011. Ambassador Howard Gutman gave a few words about the influence of Maggie on both Belgian and American lives and presented her with the Certificate of Appreciation from Secretary Stock. Maggie’s presence will continue to be felt in the community as she is a lifelong member of the Fulbright Alumnae Association.

Anne Boucher
Commision for Educational Exchange between the United States and Belgium