Office of Advancement, advancement@aub.edu.lb
“Every year, I wonder how we'll possibly match the success of the previous year's dinner," commented Senior Vice President for Advancement and Business Development Imad Baalbaki. “It not just the amount of money that we raise at the annual AUB Fundraising Dinner in New York City. It's the extraordinary atmosphere in the room – the feeling of hundreds of people coming together in support of our university and our steadfast commitment to do everything we can 'for our students, for our patients.'"
More than 400 people including AUB trustees, members of the International Advisory Council, senior university leadership, dignitaries, alumni, and friends packed into the Cipriani 42nd Street on November 20, 2025, for this signature and quite extraordinary event. In his welcoming remarks, Board of Trustees Chair Abdo Kadifa described AUB “as a beacon of reason, of science, and of hope amid chaos." He touched on some of the changes that were taking place in Lebanon that were being led by AUB graduates – and the changes that were taking place at AUB including the establishment of a School of Computing and Data Sciences. The school, which Kadifa described as “the gateway to the future," will become AUB's eighth faculty. “The new school will train the next generation of engineers, computer scientists, social scientists, artists, humanists, and innovators who will power Lebanon's and the region's digital future," said Kadifa.
Kadifa and President Fadlo R. Khuri presented the University Medal, AUB's highest recognition, to the Honorable Rodney Procter Frelinghuysen at the dinner. “His extraordinary political mind paired with his enduring love for AUB has been a guiding light for our institution," said Khuri. He went on to describe Congressman Frelinghuysen as someone who “exemplifies the very best of public service, inspires our advocates and strengthens our mission as the most vital US-accredited university abroad. Time and time again, he has gone above and beyond to help AUB weather the storm." Frelinghuysen thanked the university and praised Khuri for his leadership. He noted that AUB's mission, as a “beacon of democracy in a tough neighborhood," had been clear since the 1860s.
Trustee and alumnus Ricardo Karam (BS Chemistry '91), who was the master of ceremonies, introduced keynote speaker President Khuri. He noted in his introduction that President Khuri had “guided the university through some of its most challenging and transformative years with a rare combination of courage, humility, and vision." In his speech, Khuri described AUB as “mission focused." He highlighted the important work that AUB does for students and for patients – and the even more important contribution that AUB makes by providing hope. Even during challenging times, “there is a belief," said Khuri, “that together we will get through this and that we will be able to make a difference." Khuri lauded and thanked all AUB donors, including and especially the members of the AUB Board of Trustees, for their support that enables the university to achieve its mission.
Khuri said that the current crisis in education was an opportunity for AUB and other higher education institutions to demonstrate the important role that they play in empowering the citizen leaders of tomorrow. He said that people at AUB, its students, faculty, and staff, are committed to making a difference. “Our goal is to help uplift societies," he said. Khuri spoke about AUB's plans to establish three new schools: of computing and data sciences; of design; and of the arts and humanities. Khuri described the three schools as “the hubs around which the wheel of our university will be able to grow."
Following President Khuri's speech, attendees watched a moving video featuring three AUB students and three patients receiving care at the AUB Medical Center – all of whom were and, in some cases, still are benefiting from the philanthropy of AUB donors. “Their stories are the reason this university exists," said Karam.
Harry Santa-Olalla then led an energetic and very successful live fundraising appeal. At the conclusion of the appeal, Khuri reported on the amount that AUB had received leading up to the evening ($7.9 million) and the total raised during the live appeal ($1.5 million), bringing the total to $9.4 million. He then announced a $1 million gift from the Farouk Abi Rafeh family to establish the Aghnie Farouk Abi Rafeh Endowed Scholarship, named for “a devoted wife, mother, and champion of education" and benefiting STEM students at AUB. He also announced a second extraordinary gift of $3 million from alumna May Rihani (BA Political Studies '68) to establish the Albert Rihani Endowed Chair in Humanities, which is named for her father, Albert Rihani, a visionary and intellectual pioneer in the Lebanese American community. These two gifts brought the total amount raised up to and during the dinner to more than $13.4 million
“The money that we raise is so important – not just because of the lives that will be impacted, but because of the message it sends that alumni and friends around the world, old and new, believe that with AUB and through AUB they can make a difference and have the impact that they want to make in the community that we serve. It is “for our students, for our patients," said Baalbaki.
Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed music performed by The Brooklyn Nomads and the opportunity to catch up with old friends.
You will find a wonderful selection of photos here.