LAU holds its centennial gala in New York in support of student scholarships and healthcare: President Abdallah announces Trustee Debbane's largest gift in LAU's history for LAU Global
NNA - As part of its commitment to support education and healthcare in Lebanon, the Lebanese American University (LAU) marked the beginning of a new century of service to the community in a Centennial Gala Dinner held on March 13, 2025, at the New York Public Library.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward LAU's initiatives to foster industry in Lebanon, support financially challenged students and patients, and create an ever-giving legacy.
The university's continued efforts to help uplift the country are needed more than ever as Lebanon emerges from years of crises and embarks on rebuilding and renewal.
The event was attended by New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores, Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations Hadi Hachem, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations Ambassador Tareq Al-Bannai, Consul General of Lebanon in New York Majdi Ramadan, members of the Board of Trustees, LAU President Emeritus Joseph G. Jabbra, alumni, donors, and friends of LAU committed to upholding LAU's mission.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, the Chairman of the LAU Board of Trustees Philip Stoltzfus said: 'The Lebanese American University is a trusted institution for a simple reason: we always try to do the right thing, decade after decade, in times of crisis, in times of blessings. For a full century, for 100 years. It is not always easy and it is nearly always expensive, but acting this way is not a choice, it resides in our mission, the formative values of our founders, our sacred covenant with Lebanon.'
LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah announced that LAU trustee Raymond Debbane and family were making the greatest gift in LAU's history to launch the university's global strategy and support its New York campus.
Expressing his gratitude to sponsors, donors and friends of LAU for their generosity and commitment to the university's mission, he said: 'Please join me in holding the gate of hope open for more students in Lebanon and around the world and thank you for helping us usher in the second century of LAU.'
Alumnus and CEO of Synopsys, Sassine Ghazi ('91) and three-time World Music Award winner and Arab pop icon Elissa were honored at the event; Ghazi for his lifetime achievements in innovation and excellence and Elissa for her advocacy of women's rights and brave fight against breast cancer.
Ghazi said: 'When I went to LAU in '88 I never imagined I would be here at its 100 anniversary. I love our country, and I love our heritage and our people.'
'Today, more than ever, our nation needs passionate leaders with access to education,' said Elissa. 'It is our collective duty to nurture this hope and empower future generations to believe in themselves and dream so they can best represent Lebanon anywhere like yourselves.'
The evening was co-chaired by LAU trustees, H.H. Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah and Mr. Peter Tanous.
About LAU
LAU is an internationally recognized not-for-profit, private American university established in 1924. It boasts two campuses and two academic hospitals in Lebanon, a campus in New York City, and a bustling community of 9,000+ students and 1,100+ full-time faculty and staff members. Chartered in the State of New York and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, LAU strives to deliver a high-quality liberal arts education to the broadest possible spectrum of society in Lebanon and the MENA region, and in so doing, to be an agent in making our world fair, equal and free. — LAU
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