Monday, December 18, 2023
Philanthropy is the bedrock of many educational institutions and is the reason why the American University of Beirut (AUB) came to be in 1866. Consistent philanthropy is its backbone, ensuring that the university can maintain a steady course of dedicated service and excellence in higher learning and patient care. AUB is quite fortunate to have a sizeable number of generous donors who choose to contribute regularly in support of the university’s mission to serve the peoples of the Middle East and beyond. The 1866 Society was founded in 2014 to honor donors who have made a gift to AUB of any amount in at least seven of the last ten years. The society’s worldwide members are over 980 strong; more than half have earned gold or platinum pins, meaning that they have consistently made gifts to AUB for at least 15 or 21 years respectively. This is an incredible legacy of support that is much needed particularly during these turbulent times.
“Since its founding in 1866, the American University of Beirut has played a transformative role in the history of Lebanon, the Arab region, and the world. Whether through offering world-class education, or caring for the sick and wounded, [it] has shaped Lebanon and the region’s intellectual and artistic movements, influenced political and civic life, and helped the most vulnerable among us. For more than a century and a half, this university has stood tall serving its community, both near and far, through crises, wars, and challenges. The last few years were no exception on any level, health wise, security wise, economically, physically, and mentally,” said President Fadlo R. Khuri. “That is why today’s gathering is particularly special. Each and every one of you has responded to our calls for support, and has given, remarkably and repeatedly, despite all we have endured, as individuals and families, as a community and as an organization. I want you to know that we will never take your support for granted, and that we are ever grateful.”
President Khuri made his remarks at two 1866 Society receptions on December 6 (for faculty and staff) and December 12 (for alumni and friends), which he hosted in a festively decorated exhibition space at the Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners) Architecture Building. During the alumni and friends reception, this year’s keynote speaker, member of the 1866 Society platinum circle HE Mr. Sami F. Haddad (BA Economics ’71, MA Economics ’77) also addressed guests, detailing his family’s long established roots at AUB. “My family’ s history with AUB spans three generations going back to the late nineteenth century when my maternal grandfather Dr. Amin Yusuf Fawaz from Deirmimas in south Lebanon enrolled in AUB’s premedical program in 1889 before going to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia to earn his MD.” This wealth of memories spanning over 130 years, meant that Haddad and his family witnessed the enduring impact of our university, as Haddad noted in his remarks: “AUB’s highly influential role throughout the region is well known and its contribution to Lebanon’s development and prosperity is overwhelming! In addition to its high academic standards, one of AUB’s defining attributes is that it thrives in a liberal environment where students and faculty are encouraged to speak their mind and listen to, and tolerate, differing opinions and attitudes. […] This amazing interaction in education and health care should be a model for the rest of Lebanon.”