I saw that acting together, our differences are beautiful rather than bad. That sums up Al-Ubaidi's philosophy, one that has fueled him in his service to the university, the wider community and his profession, earning him this year's Oscar Schmidt Public Service Award. In the classroom and in the community, he constantly strives to increase cultural understanding and communication. I love to see people take charge and change things to bring justice, prosperity for all. We don't have to fight for resources.
Communication can solve any problem.
Al-Ubaidi is living proof that such wonderful goals can be fulfilled. For instance, he serves and leads a number of campus and community efforts like UC's Worldfest and the city's International Folk Festival. Al-Ubaidi, an Iraqi native, promotes connections throughout UC by employing traditional Middle Eastern hospitality. He has hosted luncheons of Middle Eastern cuisine for 15 years. Fellow faculty member Beverly Swaile, assistant professor of chemical technology, estimates that approximately 4,000 UC faculty, students and staff have attended at least one of the lunches.