LAU has announced a landmark philanthropic commitment from Trustee and longtime supporter Ray Debbane to advance the LAU New York campus, expand scholarship opportunities, and strengthen the university’s role as a bridge between Lebanon, the diaspora, and the world.

The gift was celebrated at a ceremony on May 14, 2026, marking the renaming of the campus as the LAU New York Debbane Campus.

For Mr. Debbane, LAU mirrors a fundamental truth about the country where it is anchored and a responsibility he believes must be acted on now: “Lebanon’s natural resource is educated people, and this is what we have always produced and exported to the rest of the world.”

At a time when Lebanon continues to lose many of its most talented young people, he sees LAU as one of the institutions best positioned to turn education into opportunity and keep Lebanon connected to the world.

At the core of Mr. Debbane’s gift is his conviction that LAU New York represents a strategic opportunity for the university, not only as a campus, but as a bridge for students, the Lebanese diaspora and global partners. As the only university from the Middle East with an accredited campus presence in New York City, LAU occupies a rare and powerful position globally.

“LAU New York is a major strategic asset for the university,” Mr. Debbane explained, because it gives the university a foothold in one of the world’s most dynamic cities and creates opportunities that students, faculty, alumni, and partners can share.

That global presence, he noted, is not only about geography, but also about differentiation and connection. LAU New York can attract students from across regions, engage the diaspora more meaningfully, and expand LAU’s international reputation and academic reach.

Inaugurated in September 2013 as a headquarters and academic center, LAU New York became a degree-granting campus on March 12, 2024, a decision formalized by the Board of Regents of the State of New York. It comprises approximately 30,000 square feet, spread across three floors in Midtown Manhattan.

Mr. Debbane envisions LAU’s growth through a hybrid global model, blending online learning with immersive in-person experiences. The New York campus turns that model into a platform for programs, professional exposure, enterprise activity, and experiential learning that complement LAU’s campuses in Lebanon.

With this commitment, the university has renamed it the LAU New York Debbane Campus. The commitment will support inaugural scholarships for deserving students, establish an enterprise hub to connect education with innovation and opportunity, and create an Endowed Distinguished Business Chair, all named after Mr. Debbane.

Pointing to success stories of Lebanese all over the world, Chair of the LAU Board of Trustees Mike Ahmar noted how a common thread among them is that they were educated in Lebanon and left to become leaders. “Our focus now is to limit this brain drain by creating opportunities for young people to stay in Lebanon, especially with the rise of remote work.”

“LAU is proudly and unapologetically ‘Beirooted,’” affirmed LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah. “Our intellectual, cultural, and moral anchor is Beirut. But from that anchor, we are building bridges to the world.” The historic Debbane gift, he added, accelerates the university’s transformation into a truly global network of educational excellence—one that connects Lebanon to opportunity, innovation, and leadership worldwide.

“New York is our principal global hub, a gateway that amplifies our mission, expands our reach, and ensures that an education rooted in Beirut can shape the world,” said Dr. Abdallah.

“Transformational gifts signal belief in an institution’s mission, its leadership, and its potential,” said Vice President for Advancement Juhi Dagli. “Mr. Debbane’s historic commitment embodies that belief in a powerful and deeply affirming way. Having witnessed the impact of such moments at global institutions, I know how they ignite possibility and galvanize momentum,” she added.

Underscoring how this gift strengthens LAU’s standing among philanthropists worldwide and positions the university to expand its global footprint while deepening its impact at home, Ms. Dagli also pointed to the bold campaign in the works under President Abdallah’s leadership. “I am profoundly proud to be part of this defining moment in LAU’s story,” she added.

For Trustee and Capital Campaign Co-Chair Nijad Fares, “campaigns succeed when visionary leaders step forward with clarity and conviction. The Debbanes have done precisely that. Their historic investment not only strengthens LAU’s global footprint, but it sets the tone for what is possible as we advance our bold campaign goals. Education transforms lives—and when supported at this level, it transforms institutions and nations.”

Reflecting on the future of universities, Trustee and Capital Campaign Co-Chair Philip Stoltzfus underscored how “LAU Global embodies a new vision by creating a worldwide ecosystem in which innovation thrives through collaboration and partnerships that deliver the right skills for our students, and impactful research that drives economic growth and solves societal problems.”

Mr. Stoltzfus, therefore, views it as “a necessary evolution in LAU’s mission to serve Lebanon, our diaspora, and the world as a whole.” The gift, he added, “transforms what we can do with the New York campus, and is a momentous step toward turning our vision into reality.”

“The LAU New York Debbane Campus is a gateway for students to access an LAU education, a New York experience, and a global opportunity,” said Associate Provost and Executive Director of the LAU New York Debbane Campus Barbar Akle. He added that the campus advances LAU’s student-centered mission by connecting students to the academic, professional, and global opportunities of New York.

Based in New York City, Mr. Debbane is the co-founder and CEO of Invus, a global investment firm, as well as the CEO of Artal Group. Prior to forming Invus in 1985, he was a manager for The Boston Consulting Group in Paris. He holds an MBA from Stanford University, an MS in Food Science and Technology from the University of California, Davis, and a BS in Agricultural Sciences and Agricultural Engineering from the American University of Beirut. He is currently the Chairman of Action Against Hunger – USA.