Welcome Back Home
More in this issueFrom Beirut to Byblos, homecoming week reunited nearly 1,000 LAUers
“I’m coming back home” was an announcement made by nearly every one of the alumni who reunited across a number of events lined up by the Alumni Relations Office in early July. The gatherings featured reminiscing, special tributes, two marriage proposals and countless selfies.
Homecoming week began on a high note with the annual Alumni Dinner at Beirut’s Skybar rooftop club. More than 450 graduates, friends of LAU, faculty and staff gathered at the sky-high venue. That evening, the 11th Annual Alumni Award winners were announced, paying tribute to two prominent alumnae: singer and songwriter Tania Saleh (BA ‘90), who was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award, and Doha El Zein Halawi (BA ‘81) who took home the Alumni Recognition Award.
Later the same week, the Byblos All-Class Reunion was a casual affair, with guests enjoying the sunset from the terrace in front of the Frem Civic Center. A guitar player serenaded alumni from all the classes since Byblos graduated its first cohort in the 1990s.
At Beirut’s All-Class Reunion the next day, more than 350 alumni reminisced over their days on Beirut campus, some from when it was still known as Beirut College for Women (until 1973) and Beirut University College (until 1994).
The week wrapped up with a casual Saturday brunch at Beirut’s scenic Zaytounay Bay during which over 100 alumni had a chance to engage with LAU President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra, Chair of the Board of Trustees Philip Stoltzfus and LAUers young and old.
“The university without its alumni has no value, because at the end of the day, they are the ones who have a genuine, permanent interest in the university,” said Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Abdallah El Khal. Addressing all alumni, he added: “Just come back to campus and enjoy it – it’s your home.”
