Semaan

Dr Semaan Salem was born in Bterram on April 4, 1927. His parents are Ibrahim Salem and Mserra Abboud.
He studied in Koura his elementary education. He was graduated from Tripoli High School with a high school degree and from the American University of Cairo with a B.S. in Physics.
He obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Texas in Austin.
He joined the faculty of Long Beach California State University. He came to the campus in 1961 and taught physics and soon after published the first research paper from then Long Beach State College.

His contributions to the University earned professor Salem the title of 19th Legacy Lecturer.Dr Salem represented California State University on Associated Western Universities for 23 years, 1980 - 2003. He was chosen as Outstanding Professor of the year, 1981 -1982.
In 1997, he received the Certificate of Recognition of the Phi Beta Kappa (the American Scholar) for his dedicated services to the advancement of liberal learning.

He has published about 100 scientific papers mostly on atomic physics. Other contributions Salem has made include the addition of seven tables to "The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics," and he has also three books: Khalil and all of Lebanon (1980); Science in the Medieval World (1991) and The Near East, the Cradle of Western Civilization (2000). His daughter Lynda co-authored the last book.
Lynda received her Master of Science in Library Science from The Catholic University of America and is working as a librarian in Long Beach, CA.
Sema'an Salem and his wife Juanita Gardner have three daughters Jeilnar, Raya and Lynda.

In 1979, Salem was elected chairman of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and served in this position for nine years. Salem established the Department Advisory Council, which advises and provides funds and equipment for the department.