The American University of Beirut (AUB) marked a milestone on Monday, September 22, 2025, with the Legacy Ceremony, a tradition that brings together generations of alumni and their families. This year’s event at Assembly Hall welcomed 422 legacy students—sons, daughters, and grandchildren of alumni—who are beginning their academic journey at the university.
The gathering, attended by AUB president Dr. Fadlo Khuri, senior administrators, faculty, alumni, families, and students, highlighted the role of legacy in shaping AUB’s enduring community.
Inspiring a new generation
Opening the evening, Salma Oueida, Associate Vice President for Development, Alumni Relations, and University Events, urged students to use their legacy as a foundation, not a limitation. “Let it inspire you to create your own stories, ask your own questions, leave your own mark,” she said, thanking parents and grandparents for their sacrifices and commitment to AUB.
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Antoine Sabbagh revealed that many legacy students had received financial support this year. “Legacy is not just about what is accomplished—it is about what we leave behind for the future,” he told the incoming class.
Samer Kharoubi, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, encouraged students to embrace both challenges and opportunities. “Be proud of the legacy you inherit, but also be bold in creating your own,” he said.
Voices of experience
The keynote address was delivered by alumna Yasmine Barbir (BBA ’99, MBA ’02), who spoke of her time at AUB as an “oasis in Beirut” where ambitions turned into achievements. She credited the Rafic Hariri Foundation’s scholarship support for helping her pursue her dreams and shared her pride as her daughter Celine continues the family’s AUB tradition. “We are not just alumni, we are guardians of a legacy that spans generations,” she said.
Looking ahead
In his address, Dr. Fadlo Khuri reflected on AUB’s resilience over the decades, having endured famines, wars, economic turmoil, and pandemics. He pointed to future milestones, including the School of Computing and Data Sciences, which will welcome its first students in fall 2026. His message to legacy students was clear: “Live fully. Learn deeply. Serve generously. And commit yourselves, in all that you do, to building a better world for all.”
A family tradition
The evening closed with a group photo at Main Gate and a reception, turning Assembly Hall into a space of family and community where the past, present, and future converged.
The ceremony reaffirmed AUB’s role not just as an academic institution but as a living legacy carried forward by generations.
