On October 1, 2024, distinguished researcher and administrator Dr. Chaouki T. Abdallah took over the reins from Dr. Michel E. Mawad and assumed his duties as the 10th president of the university.

The new president previously held several high-ranking positions, as Executive Vice President for Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and President of the University of New Mexico in the United States, among others.

In a June message to the LAU community, Mr. Philip Stoltzfus, Chairman of the LAU Board of Trustees, praised Dr. Abdallah’s qualifications and stature in his previous work as the Executive Vice President for Research at Georgia Tech University and, before that, as the 22nd president of the University of New Mexico. He highlighted Dr. Abdallah’s impressive record in building one of the largest and most innovative research and entrepreneurship programs in the world, in addition to his international network, which will serve LAU well as it enters its second century.

Among Dr. Abdallah’s scientific accomplishments is the significant growth in research during his time at Georgia Tech, where research funding increased from $850 million in 2018 to approximately $1.45 billion in 2023.

During his presidency at the University of New Mexico, he also led major efforts that resulted in an 8 percent increase in first-year student enrollment and a 125 percent increase in graduation rates. Dr. Abdallah is a leading expert in systems theory and engineering, having published eight books and over 400 peer-reviewed articles.

In a message to the LAU community today that can be read in full here, Dr. Abdallah discussed the priority of physical safety, mental well-being, commitment to continuing to support the learning modalities as circumstances change, and appreciation of outgoing president Mawad, the Board and others for their work during this critical time.

He reiterated that he is more resolved than ever to return to Lebanon, stating: “We have a critical mission: LAU and LAU Medical Centers exist to help build a better future for our students, and for Lebanon and humanity.  To our original motto “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield,” today I would add “to heal.”