With a long career dedicated to LAU, Dr. Samira Aghacy, former professor, chairperson of the Department of Humanities—now the Department of Communication, Arts and Languages—and the previous dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS) in Beirut stands as a beacon of scholarly excellence and social advocacy.

On March 8, 2024, International Women’s Day, LAU’s Arab Institute for Women (AiW) and SoAS hosted a ceremony to celebrate her decades-long commitment to the institution, education, research, gender equality, and social reform.

The event was held “to honor a remarkable scholar and activist [who] cannot see injustice and keep silent,” said AiW Director Myriam Sfeir. “It is part of our effort as an institution to honor pioneering women at LAU who raised the bar and set an example for us to follow.”

The ceremony was attended by friends of Dr. Aghacy, her former colleagues and students, Provost George E. Nasr, university VPs and AVPs, alumni, faculty, and staff.

In his speech, LAU President Michel E. Mawad praised Dr. Aghacy who, he said, exemplified power characterized by intellect, integrity, genuineness and understanding, and whose leadership by example and compassion set a high standard for her colleagues and students alike.

“The corridors of LAU will tell about her a story of rare dedication, exemplary citizenship and inspiring collegial spirit,” he said. “Dr. Aghacy gave of herself and sought no reward other than the gratification of a job well done. It was a job well done, indeed.”

Born and raised in Beirut, Dr. Aghacy lived through the tumultuous years of the Lebanese Civil War—a period that had a profound impact on her academic interests, sparking her fascination with Arabic Literature and the complexities of identity. Her passion for literature led her to pursue a PhD in English Literature at Exeter University in the UK.

Dr. Aghacy began her career at LAU as an associate professor in 1986, teaching courses in English and comparative literature, and earned a promotion to full professor in 1993. She became chairperson of the then-Humanities Division in 1991 and, a decade and two years later, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Beirut Campus, a position that she held until 2011.

In parallel, Dr. Aghacy was actively engaged in writing and editing for Al Raida, AiW’s flagship journal, before heading the institute from 2013 to 2015, during which she worked to promote inclusivity and fairness within both the university and broader societal contexts.

Principal Gender Development Projects Coordinator at AiW Carol Khater knew Dr. Aghacy during her time as a student at LAU and later “developed a close connection with her when she assumed the role of the institute’s director,” she noted. “Beyond her literary passion, Dr. Aghacy embodies virtues that very few have. She is caring, loving, generous, and ethically attuned.”

Her extensive research output and contributions to literature, exemplified by four published books and countless papers, demonstrate her intellectual rigor and deep understanding of cultural complexities. The subjects of her books range from the portrayal of Beirut in contemporary Arabic literature to male identity in Arab fiction.

“For all these books, including your ongoing monograph on transgression, all your writings on gender in literature, and the indelible print you have left in Humanities research at LAU, it would be remiss of all of us to not express our gratitude and say: Thank you, Dr. Aghacy,” said Assistant Professor Sleiman El Hajj, who reviewed Dr. Aghacy’s book for the Middle Eastern Literatures journal.

According to Dr. Haidar Harmanani, SoAS interim dean, Dr. Aghacy’s “vision has shaped the trajectory of our academic pursuits.”

“As the guiding force behind our English program,” he added, “she has inspired generations of students to explore the boundless realms of literature and language. Her commitment to academic rigor and intellectual curiosity has enriched the minds and souls of all those who have had the privilege to learn under her tutelage.”

Professor Sami Baroudi spoke of Dr. Aghacy’s ethical and responsible leadership in advancing the university and her pursuit of excellence and continuous achievement. “In whatever role she undertook, she always went into it with full dedication, fairness and objectivity,” he said. “She had a way of talking to you, not like your dean, but more like a sensible colleague who truly understands the faculty and the essence of our university.”

Dr. Aghacy’s influence has touched not only her colleagues but also her former students, who praised her transformative impact both inside and outside the classroom. For Senior Instructor Hodeib-Eido, a student of Dr. Aghacy in 2001, “attending her classes was like stepping into a parallel world where equality, diversity, and freedom of expression were not theories to be studied, but possibilities to be explored,” she said.

Senior Instructor Mufti Hage shared that sentiment. “When Dr. Aghacy lectured in her classes, she intoxicated her students like a spell and beyond,” she said. “She is an absolutely fantastic blend of fiction and reality. The great achievements and accomplishments of this one-of-a-kind woman who has championed women’s rights have been to us a pillar of fortitude standing tall and representing a strong woman surpassing all.”

In response to the praises, Dr. Aghacy chose to divert attention from herself and express her gratitude instead to the inspirational women she has worked with, acknowledging in turn their dedication during challenging times and their contributions to the university’s cultural and educational landscape. “I stand here today recognizing the supportive and enriching learning experience they strove to achieve,” she said.

At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Mawad presented Dr. Aghacy with a commemorative award for the enduring legacy she has forged at LAU and beyond.