As LAU turned the page on its first century, its community in Lebanon and beyond came together to rally behind its new leader and tenth president, Dr. Chaouki T. Abdallah, at a formal investiture that took place on April 3, 2025, on the Beirut campus.

In attendance were the representatives of the President of the Republic,  Speaker of the Parliament, Prime Minister, minister of Education and Higher Education, minister of Public Health, as well as current and former ministers and members of parliament, ambassadors, university partners and friends, presidents of universities, CEOs of hospitals in Lebanon, members of the LAU Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni students and LAU retirees.

The event marked a milestone that celebrated LAU’s legacy and invited the community to unite in the renewal of shared values, mission and the service of Lebanon, especially at a time of national rebuilding.

The Chair of the Board of Trustees Philip Stoltzfus underscored how LAU, under Dr. Abdallah’s leadership, is well-positioned to play a great role in this period of tremendous change.

“LAU has a huge role to play now, delivering skilled graduates, relevant research, policy advice, centers of entrepreneurship, international networks and outstanding healthcare delivery,” said Mr. Stoltzfus.

He further stressed that “LAU is a trusted institution because we always try to do the right thing, generation after generation, whether in times of crisis or times of blessings.”

Referring to the founding of the institution 100 years ago, Mr. Stoltzfus highlighted how LAU’s time-honored mission will continue to guide the university to be “at the heart of the reconstruction and renewal of our beloved country.”

Delivering the keynote speech through a televised address, President Emeritus and Regents Professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology George Paul (Bud) Peterson spoke about Dr. Abdallah’s academic and research rigor, attesting to his competency to lead LAU.

“Dr. Abdallah’s leadership in academia has been nothing short of transformative,” said Dr. Peterson, describing his stellar career in higher education and his strategic vision which greatly advanced research at Georgia Tech.

“His global perspective,” added Dr. Peterson, “positions him perfectly to help LAU expand its influence beyond Lebanon and the Middle East.”

Dr. Abdallah’s career has spanned the provostship and presidency of the University of New Mexico. Most recently, he served as the Vice President for Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).

In his inaugural address, Dr. Abdallah reflected on LAU’s history, its visionary leaders and its values, which, he pledged, “are being reaffirmed today.”

“Today, we stand united in renewal acknowledging that being justifiably proud of a past that we had no role in making, it is the future that is our responsibility to create,” said the president.

He described universities as lighthouses that guide nations to a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future. He said: “This ancient land and its people have kept the light on for humanity in the darkest moments of history, and today, we’re called upon again to lead our own nation towards a better tomorrow.”

“We live [LAU values] together as we renew our pledge to serve humanity through our graduates who research, heal, design, build, lead, write, paint, create and sculpt, and keep the light shining through this university on the hill.”

Dr. Abdallah also paid tribute to those who enriched Lebanon with its human capital. “I take this moment to honor the sacrifices and quiet heroism of Lebanese mothers and fathers—who, for generations, have raised global citizens and made Lebanon the world’s brain and talent factory.”

Representing different university constituents, faculty, staff, alumni and students took to the podium to reflect on the presidential transition and to rally behind Dr. Abdallah and the rest of the LAU community.

Chair of the Faculty Senate and Professor Abdul-Nasser Kassar addressed the president, saying: “With you at the helm, empowering us and instilling an entrepreneurial spirit within our faculty, and with the support of a caring and generous board, the stage is set to not only solidify LAU’s prominent position nationally and regionally, but also to elevate LAU further and a global university.”

For the Chair of the Staff Advisory Council Mayssam Ezzeddine, “the staff of this university are the unseen architects who sustain its daily rhythm. Our collective dedication, hard work and passion form the foundation of this institution, and we are eager to work with [Dr. Abdallah] to reach new heights.”

Speaking on behalf of students, civil engineering senior Rita Nassif traced a common thread in her story, “an unspoken hobby—the ability to argue.”

As a 13-year-old middle schooler, this love for argument led her to participate in the LAU Model United Nations as a young delegate, which kindled her passion for justice, diplomacy and change-making. As a high schooler, the same program rewarded her hard work with an LAU scholarship, which opened the doors for her to ultimately lead all five LAU Simulation Models programs as secretary general this year.

“As the compass points towards the North Star, the students of LAU are guided by the leadership of their president, who is steering the helm of LAU into a new chapter, where students are not only here to learn, but to contribute, to become the leaders, the innovators, and the change-makers of our tomorrow,” said Nassif.

Alumna and Senior Instructor of English Nermine Mufti Hage (BA ‘92), who also emceed the ceremony, spoke about the significance of this event in symbolizing continuity and renewal. “I have always called LAU my second home, for within these storied halls, I discovered not just knowledge but a community and a sense of belonging that made me feel profoundly connected,” she said.