Summer. The season for homecomings. A much-anticipated time of year for families to reunite with loved ones living abroad and for expats to revisit memories, savor the comforts of home, and embrace the joie de vivre that defines their people.

For those whose microcosm is LAU, their alma mater, all of this and more was to be had during homecoming week, organized by the Alumni Relations Office, which included an evening of music and fun on July 15, and all-class reunions at both the Byblos and Beirut campuses on July 16 and 17 for close to 1,000 alumni.

The celebrations kicked off with the Annual Alumni Dinner at La Scène by Michel Fadel, during which the Alumni Recognition Award was presented to global finance executive and philanthropist Hiba Yazbeck (BS ’97), and the Alumni Achievement Award to entrepreneur Christina Khater (BA ’06).

Before welcoming the guests, LAU alumni, senior leadership, faculty and staff, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Abdallah Al Khal paused to pay tribute to the late Director of Alumni Relations and Special Projects in New York, Edward Shiner, who passed away on July 14.

“Ed led LAU’s alumni relations efforts in North America for nearly two decades, building strong bonds with alumni across the US and Canada,” he said. “His dedication, warmth and humor touched many of us at LAU, and his loss is deeply felt.”

LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah, for whom this was the first alumni dinner “bi lebnan,” considered it “a privilege to gather in celebration of all of you, the alumni.”

He thanked them for their invaluable contributions to the university and the impact of their achievements on the success of future generations.

“You’re the reason why LAU is what it is,” said Dr. Abdallah. “Because of what you achieve, LAU becomes more known and better,” and because of the alumni’s network, the graduates become “much better at getting jobs and contributing.”

Speaking of LAU’s core values of student-centeredness and service to the community, Dr. Abdallah introduced awardees Yazbeck and Khater, “who embody the best of LAU, the professional excellence, the resilience, the innovation, and the profound sense of responsibility and the desire to lift others,” he said.

Yazbeck, whose long fight with Stage IV breast cancer strengthened her resolve to help others, established the Jana Endowment Fund for students in financial need and launched Shifting Gaia, a conscious lifestyle platform, urged fellow alumni to “lead with purpose, speak with truth, give without fear.”

“If my story moved you,” she added, “let it move you to act, support the students, fund the screening, mentor someone, start the conversation with someone.”

Khater recalled that while she was a student at LAU she knew that she “wanted to do something meaningful, contribute to a world where women, no matter where they’re born or what odds they’re up against, have the space to dream freely and build boldly.”

The award meant a lot to her, she said, not because it was a recognition of achievement but because it was “coming from home.”

Generations of alumni from far and wide reunited on the Beirut and Byblos campuses, the pull to their alma mater as strong as ever despite the years, decades and geographical distances. Many would not dream of missing the opportunity to reconnect with old classmates, faculty and staff and relive treasured memories.

Similarly, LAU takes every opportunity to celebrate and reunite its growing network of more than 55,000 alumni, as well as strengthen ties between its larger community and current students.

In addition to the events organized by its active chapters worldwide, the office offers LAU’s alumni lifelong learning lectures, supports the university’s mission through its annual fund and annual giving initiatives, and fosters connections between alumni and students through the mentorship program and speaking opportunities. This year, the university hosted its 14th Annual Alumni Business Networking Event, an alumni art exhibition, and reunions for various schools and majors.

“Every event is an occasion for us to reconnect with the alumni, and for the alumni to reconnect with their alma mater, friends, and faculty,” said Al Khal.