Under the slogan, “We Make History”, more than 170 alumni of the American University of Beirut (AUB) gathered in Boston for the celebration of the university’s 150^th anniversary (1866-2016) during their annual gala dinner at the prestigious Trustees Ballroom of the Boston University on Saturday March 19^th.

The event was attended by the recently inaugurated president of the university, Dr. Fadlo Khuri, the president of the worldwide alumni association, Ms. Wafa Saab, and several trustees. Among the audience were also distinguished alumni, such as Dr. John Makhoul, renowned engineering scientist, Dr. Leila Fawaz, the Issam M. Fares Professor of Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean Studies at Tufts University, and Mr. Habib Haddad, serial entrepreneur and founder of reputable websites in the Arab world such as Yamli and Wamda.

The evening kicked off with a reception where alumni toasted with champagne and posed for photos in front of a five-meter wall photo of the old College Hall, the symbolic bell-tower building of the university built in 1873.  Guests were then escorted to the luxurious ballroom where a seated dinner was served.

The president of the World Alumni Association of AUB in New England Dr. Akl Fahed gave the opening speech. In his remarks, Fahed welcomed the guests and highlighted the role of AUB in educating women and being at the forefront of academic institutions worldwide in creating women leaders, long before major US universities such as Harvard and Yale. Dr. Fahed added that their alumni association, the oldest and largest in North America, serves the six states and thousands of alumni. The association established a scholarship fund that pays the tuition of two students at AUB each year. Dr. Fahed ended by thanking the guests for their contributions for their gala which fundraised the tuition of two students in 2016.

The president of AUB, Dr. Fadlo Khuri, then gave a keynote address commenting on the remarkable 150-year history of the university and its impact on the region. “AUB has more impact in Lebanon than Harvard has in Boston!” he impressed. Khuri then discussed the future of the university and the financial, social, and economic challenges it faces. He ended by asking the alumni community to be engaged in defining the future of the university.

Following his address, Khuri was joined by Saab who presented the Outstanding Alumni Chapter Award to Fahed and his colleagues on the leadership of the New England Chapter.  A cake with the golden emblem of the university’s 150^th anniversary and the slogan “We Make History” was cut and was followed by an evening of dancing.