NNA - More than 600 students graduated July 4 when the Lebanese American University (LAU) held its 23rd commencement exercises at the Byblos Campus.



The public event that was attended by friends and families of graduates from LAU's seven schools and graduate programs, witnessed the participation of Industry Minister Vrej Sabounjian representing H.E. the President of the Republic of Lebanon General Michel Sleiman, the speaker of the house Nabih Berri and prime minister Najib Mikati; MPs Walid Khoury, Simon Abi Ramia and Assem Araji in addition to many other public and religious figures.



During the ceremony, Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Humane Letters were conferred to Mrs. Leila Charles Saad and Mr. Chafic Neemtallah Frem for their many contributions to the Lebanese society.
Speaking to the assembly, LAU President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra said:
"We gather here, tonight, our hearts filled with joy at what we, at LAU, Board of Trustees, Board of International Advisors, administration, faculty, staff, students, and especially our graduating class, have achieved this past academic year".



"I am delighted to announce to you that we will be graduating tonight our first class from the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, and our first class from the Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing. This is a dream come true, and both achievements constitute a milestone in the growth of LAU which has become an academic power house, taking its right place in the constellation of leading institutions of higher education in Lebanon, the MENA Region, and beyond", he added.



"We are gearing up for reaccreditation by the leading accrediting agency in the world, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in 2014, and our five-year strategic plan, which is academically focused, is being implemented with great success. Being part of society, with the obligation to respond to the needs of young people, we have added new programs to our curriculum offerings: The Elie Saab Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, Gender Studies, Actuarial Studies, and an LL.M, a Master in Business Law".



"Our capital projects on all four campuses, Beirut, Byblos, UMC-RH, and New York involve both new buildings and renovations of old ones. We have just completed on the Byblos campus, the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury Health Sciences Center, which will house the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, the Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing, and the School of Pharmacy".



"We are honored tonight to award two honorary doctorate degrees in humane letters to Mr. Chafic Frem and Mrs. Leila Saad whom are sources of pride for all of us" Jabbra ended.



Inspiring speech was also given by student Essa Hariri from the School of Arts & Sciences being the class valedictorian.



In her honorary doctorate speech, Saad said: "I would like to thank the board of trustees of the Lebanese American University for honoring me with this prestigious award - My links to this university go back almost seven decades to the time I joined the American Junior College - a women's college at the time. I still remember receiving my A.A. Diploma from Dr. William Stoltzfus - albeit at a different campus. Over the years the world we live in, this university, and I have changed beyond what we could imagine at the time Without enhancing and fostering integrity and morality, we cannot possibly prepare future generations to make the right choices. As for us, let us remain aware that the choices we make today will shape tomorrow's world", she ended.



For his part, Frem said: "It is a great honor for me to be here today surrounded by this distinctive audience, and I extend my gratitude to the Board of Trustees of the Lebanese American University (LAU), particularly to President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra for giving me this honor". Frem then, addressed the graduating students presenting his respect and recognition to every person who has done something for education and culture, giving students some advises and asking them to always work and contribute for the interest of Lebanon.



Students, who received their degrees from President Jabbra, Provost George K. Najjar and the Schools' Deans, graduated from programs including Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Civil and Computer Engineering, Business, Arts & Sciences, Nursing, Medicine and Masters' programs before performing the LAU's anthem marking the commencement of a new journey in their life.


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