The LAU community mourns the passing of His Excellency Adnan Kassar, who passed away on May 2, 2025, at the age of 94.

Renowned for his leadership and vision in finance and politics, Kassar was born in Beirut in 1930 and obtained a degree in law from the University of Saint Joseph, Lebanon. In his service to Lebanon, Kassar held eminent posts as chairman and chief executive officer of Fransabank, one of the leading banks in Lebanon, president of the Federation of Lebanese Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and the International Chamber of Commerce, among others. He also served as Minister of Economy and Trade in 2004 and as Minister of State in 2011.

In his lifetime, he received several accolades, including the Lebanese National Order of the Cedar, the National Order of Merit (France), the Order of Merit (Italy), Officier de La Légion d’Honneur (France), and Commander of the Ordre de la Pléiade (France).

In 2015, Kassar made what was then one of the greatest philanthropic investments in LAU toward its school of business, which became known as the Adnan Kassar School of Business.

During the signing ceremony, held on the LAU Beirut campus, he had said, “I consider private initiative as the main source for growth and development. Perhaps this explains my deep involvement in chambers of commerce and industry, which I consider as organizers for private initiative and for bringing about socio-economic growth and development.”

He took pride, he added, in encouraging “an institution like LAU and through it to serve our country’s future generations.”

Paying tribute to Kassar, LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah praised the philanthropist who inspired diligence, vision and leadership in future leaders. Kassar, he said, “believed in the potential of Lebanese youth and the power of education in having them serve our society. His most generous contribution to our university enabled generations of our students, encouraging them to remain in the country.”

Interim Dean of the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) Salpie Djoundourian said that “the school will remember Kassar as the visionary man who recognized its potential for success at a critical juncture. The naming of the school, preceding the much-anticipated accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 2016, gave a boost of confidence to our students, staff and faculty. AKSOB subsequently joined the select group of accredited business schools worldwide.”