On October 18, 2025, the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS) celebrated the 11th Dietetics White Coat Ceremony at LAU’s Beirut campus. The event marked a defining step for the graduating 23 students, symbolizing their transition from academic life to professional practice.

Opening the ceremony, Associate Professor of Nutrition Lama Mattar set the tone for reflection and purpose. “The white coat is far more than a uniform—it’s a promise,” she said. “A coat of knowledge, care, and integrity.” Her words captured the spirit of the day, reminding students that the coat they don represents not only achievement, but also a lifelong commitment to service, empathy, and ethical care.

SoAS Dean Haidar Harmanani then addressed the graduates, noting that while the ceremony has become a cherished tradition, it never loses its power. “Each year, this event feels familiar—the white coats, the excitement, the nervous smiles—but it never loses its magic,” he said. Highlighting students’ experiential projects that address food insecurity and raise community awareness, he emphasized that their training unites scientific rigor with human compassion, an ideal at the heart of LAU’s mission.

That spirit of purpose was echoed by LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah, who shared a childhood memory that perfectly encapsulated the meaning of the profession. Recalling a goat herder who once told him, “I’m not only giving you food, I’m giving you health,” he reflected, “He was describing the future guardians of nourishment, health, and dignity—people like you.”

President Abdallah urged the graduates to see their white coats as a mirror of their promise. “It says, I will stand for those who cannot afford a voice. I will fight misinformation with knowledge and kindness.” Nutrition, he reminded them, “is not a luxury, it’s a human right,” and their work will help build not only healthier individuals but a stronger nation.

The ceremony also featured a keynote address by the World Food Programme Representative and Country Director in Lebanon Matthew Hollingworth. Drawing on decades of humanitarian experience across crisis zones, Hollingworth encouraged the graduates to be translators between science and society.

“Your job won’t just be to tell people what to eat, but to help them understand why it matters,” he said. Nutrition, he explained, extends far beyond calories and nutrients—it encompasses culture, connection, and care for both body and soul. “Be courageous enough to stand up for evidence in a world where opinion often shouts louder than truth,” he added.

Amid these inspiring reflections, the event also honored the families whose encouragement and sacrifices made this milestone possible. Assistant Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science Rana Rizk expressed heartfelt gratitude, telling them, “Behind every study session and every exam were your words of support and your belief in your children’s potential. Today, you celebrate not only their accomplishments but also your vital role in shaping the next generation of dietetics professionals.”

Last year, the BS in Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinated Program at SoAS became only the second program outside the US to earn full accreditation as an International Coordinated Program in Dietetics from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The recognition allows graduates to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam and become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN), qualified to practice in the US.

As the Class of 2025 donned their white coats, they embraced the tangible symbol of their new calling. “Lead with heart, guided by science and inspired by kindness,” Dr. Rizk told them. “And know that no matter where your journey takes you, the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at LAU will always be your home, a place where your story began, and a place to return for guidance, collaboration, and celebration of your successes.”