For the past eight years, LAU has found means to cultivate the academically distinguished, inquisitive students whose university experience has been transformed by the additional challenges and requirements of the Honors Program.

Currently covering 10 majors across five schools, the program is unique to LAU in Lebanon and is set to include more fields of study. It is tailored to engage students with more opportunities for class participation, increased interaction with faculty, more individual attention, lively discussions and specially assigned readings, projects and research opportunities. 

Over two ceremonies on each of the LAU campuses on June 5 and 7, the Honors Program’s newest cohort of 120 graduates was recognized and celebrated in the presence of faculty, staff and their family and friends.

In his speech, LAU President Michel E. Mawad drew a parallel between the spirit of the program and the university’s mission. “The ethos of excellence, the culture of vibrancy and the spark of achievement way above the usual and the expected – this is one event that captures the best part of our mission at LAU which is producing leaders to combine academic prowess, strength of character, inquisitiveness and volunteerism,” he said.

The extra efforts that the graduates have put in, affirmed Dr. Mawad, will serve them well for a lifetime. “The much-needed qualities of self-learning, self-reinvention and continuous upskilling,” which come naturally to this group of graduates, he said, “demonstrate your natural readiness to be leaders in the image of your alma mater. Thank you for being its ambassadors to the future.”

Provost George E. Nasr reminded the graduates that “success is not solely measured by personal achievements or the accumulation of accolades,” but rather about “the positive impact you make in the lives of others, the difference you create in your communities, and the legacy you leave behind.”

Dr. Nasr appealed to them to “use their expertise, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle the grand challenges of our time and contribute to a better world.”

Inviting the graduates to soar to new heights, Senior Instructor of Chemistry and Honors Program Director Ghada El-Zakhem Naous congratulated them on “demonstrating exceptional dedication, passion and drive, having embraced challenges with a commitment to excellence.”

She also recognized the students’ faculty, families and friends whose support and sacrifices helped them reach this milestone. “The dedication of your faculty as they helped you realize your full potential serves as a reflection of the core values and principles we uphold within our university,” said Dr. Naous.

A musical interlude at both events featured Rawan and Jana Bahous on the guitar, Guy Nafeh on the drums, and Sarah Al Mallah on the violin. They were accompanied in song by Rama Sleiman and Rawan Bahous. The student performers were mentored by LAU Artist in Residence Reem Deeb.

The graduates reflected on their experience within the program.

Aya El Ashi was grateful for the sense of belonging to a like-minded group of peers who are dedicated and goal oriented.

Her colleague, Bayan Fakih, cherished the opportunity “to have insightful discussions with some incredible scholars in the field, while providing an additional, analytical layer to almost every aspect of learning.”

The experience, for Carol El Farraji, “drove us to push our limits in research, teamwork, and self-discovery through delicately designed classes and workshops.”