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Knowlton '84 Visits King Abdullah II of Jordan Twenty-five years ago Abdullah II and Knowlton were members of the 1980 graduating class of Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA. Abdullah II has fond memories of his years at Deerfield and continues to appreciate his American education and former classmates. The King, who wants to bring a similar educational experience to students in his country, is building a school modeled after Deerfield Academy near Jordan’s capital city, Amman. Knowlton had an opportunity to tour the school, known as King’s Academy, as part of an American delegation of nearly 100 Deerfield alumni and their spouses. King’s Academy will be unlike any other school in the region. By offering financial aid, the school hopes to attract the most promising students from across the Middle East, regardless of socio-economic background, religion, or gender. According to Abdullah II, “King’s Academy will be a place where students set aside class, background, and pretense to learn and grow together while embracing personal and community values that include dignity, honesty, tolerance and compassion.” King Abdullah II has led the country of Jordan for the past six years. Jordan borders Israel, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Located in the center of the Middle East, Jordan features tourist sites that predate the birth of Christ by thousands of years and show influences from the Egyptians, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, and Arab Muslims. “King’s Academy and its graduates will have a profound and positive influence on the Middle East’s role in world affairs for generations to come,” said Knowlton. The American delegation had a chance to visit famous sights during its tour of Jordan, including the 6,500 year-old city of Jerash, the ancient “lost city” of Petra, and the biblically important region around the Dead Sea (also known as the lowest point below sea-level on Earth). Knowlton received a bachelor’s degree from Assumption in 1984 and a Ph.D. in History from Boston College in 1998. He also holds master’s degrees in both English and Classics from Syracuse University. In his current role at Assumption, Knowlton teaches English Composition and Introduction to Literature. A native of Milford, MA, Knowlton also teaches Latin at Northbrook Academy, a new private school in Raynham, MA. For more information about Jordan, please visit www.see-jordan.com. For more information about the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, please visit www.kingabdullah.jo.
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In August 2005, Barry C. Knowlton ’84, lecturer in English at Assumption College, was invited by King Abdullah II of Jordan to visit the Middle East and tour a new school that is being built.