Over two consecutive days, June 20 and 21, LAU’s Beirut campus pulsed with celebration as the Class of 2025 prepared to turn the page on one chapter and begin another. Beaming with pride, the jubilant graduates were met with cheers from their families, friends, and faculty who had supported them every step of the way.

Much like the Byblos commencement held earlier that week, the Beirut ceremonies carried special significance as part of LAU’s 100th commencement exercises.

Over two days, the university honored a total of 1,400 graduates from the School of Arts and Sciences, the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) and the School of Architecture and Design (SArD).

Together, these milestones celebrated both personal achievement and a proud institutional legacy.

As the sun set on June 20, the spotlight fell on valedictorian Youssef Harb from the School of Arts and Sciences, who, representing his fellow graduates from the school, spoke of the deeper meaning LAU had offered them. He painted a picture of the university as more than a place of study, describing it as “an opportunity to engage in a community that encouraged thought, discovery, dialogue, and collaboration.”

“We were leaders who organized initiatives, not for recognition or titles, but out of a genuine sense of humility, responsibility, and service, values at the very heart of LAU’s mission,” he said.

Harb urged his peers to embrace what he called “ethical success,” emphasizing that achievements alone are not enough without integrity. Reflecting on the pursuit of learning, he reminded them, “the more we know, the more we realize how much we don’t know,” urging them to maintain their humility and courage as they prepare to shape Lebanon’s future.

Lebanon’s Minister of Culture and keynote speaker Ghassan Salamé then took the stage to address the generation of graduates shaped by crises but determined to succeed. Acknowledging the many challenges this class had endured, he chose to focus instead on the strength they demonstrated in overcoming them.

Advocating for the values the graduates had upheld this far, Salamé delivered a powerful reminder: “Your self-confidence is your greatest asset.”

The spirit of reflection and hope carried seamlessly into the next day. On June 21, valedictorian and business graduate Reina Ramadan addressed her peers from AKSOB and SArD.

Speaking with warmth, she paid tribute to the sacrifices made by families and educators and to the quiet strength her classmates had shown throughout years of instability. She encouraged her peers to “embrace their privilege with purpose,” step forward with courage, and let integrity guide the small, often unseen choices that build a meaningful life.

Her words struck a chord when she honored the university’s steadfast role in their academic experience, saying, “Your support never wavered, and that makes us proud to be graduates of this university.”

Blending wisdom with relevance, LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah delivered concise lessons tailored to today’s rapidly changing world, calling on the graduates to lead with empathy, embrace uncertainty, and engage with technology thoughtfully.

He reminded the Class of 2025 that responsibility comes with opportunity. “Your education is a gift,” he said, “use it to lift others, to unify communities, and to serve a greater good.”

The call to serve was echoed by alumnus Toufic Kreidieh (BS ’93)—recipient of the LAU 2025 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, and in 2023, of the Alumni Achievement Award—who delivered a stirring message about the lasting value of generosity at the June 21 ceremony.

Giving, he said, is more than an act of kindness; it’s “an investment that pays back—in earnings, in relationships, and peace of mind.” He encouraged the graduates to strive for the greater good, knowing that “every good deed will find its way back to you in exponentially higher returns.”

Kreidieh also shared his personal story—from a university student who once struggled to afford tuition to the co-founder of one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing off-price retail groups, and the lessons he learned along the way. Today, as executive chairman and co-founder of BFL Group, he is recognized for transforming a local startup into a regional leader and for his commitment to empowering future generations.

To Kreidieh, success was never about status, but about perseverance and human connection. “Success isn’t a solo journey,” he said. “It’s the result of teamwork and trust among friends.” His message to the graduates was clear: lead with integrity, invest in meaningful partnerships, and use your success to uplift others as you rise.

Special awards were given at the ceremony to the excelling graduates from the class of 2025.

Valedictorian Harb received the Riyad Nassar Leadership Award for his academic excellence and purposeful leadership.

The President’s Award, given in recognition of academic distinction and meaningful contributions to the university community, was presented to Lynn Issam AlHadi, Betty Fadi Razzouk, and Raneem Fadi El Salem.

Celebrated for their impactful leadership and positive influence, Joelle Abed Al Hadi Al Kaasamani, Wael Naji Srouji, and Adnan Mohammad Jameel Moumneh each received the Torch Award.

Demonstrating a deep commitment to service and academic integrity, Joudy Wael Allam was honored with the Rhoda Orme Award.

At the end of both ceremonies, a blaze of fireworks celebrated the graduates’ achievements, lighting the way toward a future brimming with hope and endless possibilities.