The 2026 commencement exercises continued on the LAU Beirut campus on June 12 and 13, 2026, carrying forward a century-long mission of service and a commitment to cultivating judgment, wisdom, character, and the pursuit of truth.

Students from the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS), the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB), and the School of Architecture and Design (SArD) gathered to mark the culmination of their academic pursuits and step forward as the next generation of leaders and changemakers.

Combined with the graduates recognized earlier this week at the Byblos commencement exercises, the Class of 2026 accounted for a total of 2,337 degrees awarded.

Addressing the graduates, LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah acknowledged the challenges this cohort has endured and urged them to remain guided by “purpose” rather than personal gain. He argued that lasting change is achieved by those committed to building something larger than themselves, reminding the graduates that history belongs to people driven by a purpose, not merely reward.

Describing LAU as a university with a mission, “Beirooted” in Lebanon and sustained through a century of challenges by the conviction that “we share a common future,” he emphasized that a degree from LAU carries with it a responsibility to the public good.

“LAU is a university whose identity is inseparable from Lebanon,” said President Abdallah, “and whose graduates have carried that identity into every corner of the world.” He called on them to become “stewards of what belongs to all,” stressing that Lebanon is a shared responsibility, and that decline is not destiny. As the university’s global partnerships expand across three continents and its alumni network continues to grow, he added, it is precisely these roots that enable its reach.

In the same spirit of guardianship and continuity, Provost George E. Nasr told graduates, “Today, the story continues through you.” Each degree, he noted, represented something larger than an academic credential: the accumulated effort of families who sacrificed, faculty who remained steadfast, and students who persisted through uncertainty—an embodiment of the same enduring mission that has guided the university.

Provost Nasr reminded the graduates that what they carry forward is not only expertise and professional preparation, but “the capacity for clarity, the discipline to ask better questions, and to engage with the world that rarely offers simple answers.”

On June 12, valedictorian and Biology graduate Mariam Bairakdar took the stage on behalf of her fellow SoAS graduates, giving voice to a generation shaped by adversity. Reflecting on the experiences that defined her cohort, she shared what she considered its defining lesson: “that resilience is not something we are simply born with … but something we build.” She spoke of a class that met uncertainty with determination and, despite every challenge, simply “refused to stop.”

Valedictorian Lydia Bouezzedine, a full-scholarship Business graduate, addressed her fellow graduates from AKSOB and SArD during the commencement ceremony on June 13. Before turning to the future, she expressed gratitude to LAU “for its dedication and continuous commitment to our education.” Though they had arrived as strangers with diverse dreams and backgrounds, she said, they now step forward together into a rapidly evolving world.

While artificial intelligence and emerging technologies continue to reshape daily life, she noted, “it is our skills and values that will remain timeless and distinguish us,” adding that their capacity for ethical judgment, alongside the empathy and knowledge they carry, “will enable us always to lead responsibly.”

On June 13, the ceremony was paused to honor the late Farah Timani, who passed away tragically earlier this year. In a moment of quiet grief and great pride, her parents received an honorary degree on her behalf, which recognized a life of accomplishment and a place in this graduating class that will not be forgotten.

Special awards were given at the ceremonies to the outstanding graduates from the class of 2026.

The Riyad Nassar Leadership Award, granted to a graduating student who maintains strong academic standing and demonstrates exemplary leadership, was awarded to Ahmad Houssam El Chakifi, a Biology graduate who earned an Honors distinction.

The Rhoda Orme Award, which recognizes a female graduating student who demonstrates dedication and service to others, was presented to Anna Maria Dany Serhal, an Education graduate who achieved High Distinction and participated in the University Honors Program.

The President’s Award, granted to one High Distinction graduate from each school (excluding medicine) who demonstrates strong leadership through extracurricular engagement on and off campus, was awarded to Lara Mohammad Younis, a double major in English and Translation; Maryam Mohammad Ghader, a Business graduate; and Mohamad Walid El Oweini, a Graphic Design graduate.

The Torch Award, which honors students who exemplify leadership, service, volunteerism, commitment, and ethical conduct, was presented to Rafi Fadi Daou, a Political Science and International Affairs graduate; Mona Ali Hennaoui, an Architecture graduate; and Qusai Ra’ed Othman Smadi, a Business graduate.