AUB Alumni Reunion 2025: Honoring Legacy, Celebrating Community

Al Bawaba

4 days ago

American University of Beirut (AUB) alumni, along with families and friends, came together to celebrate the AUB Alumni Reunion 2025 through a series of meaningful events held between June 19 and 21. While the annual reunion is a cherished tradition for AUB graduates, it holds special significance for alumni celebrating their 25th, 50th, or more-than-55-year anniversaries. These milestone classes are formally honored during a ceremony at AUB Assembly Hall, which marks the official launch of a three-day reunion celebration.During the Honoring Ceremony, Associate Vice President for Development, Alumni Relations, and University Events Salma Dannawi Oueida welcomed the guests with moving remarks. 'This bond between you and AUB isn't tied to a graduation year; it's something deeper. It's the quiet pride you feel when you hear of a student breaking barriers. It's the comfort of seeing old classmates and knowing that this place still feels like home. As we look around this room, we see more than alumni. We see torchbearers. Bridge builders. Guardians of a legacy,' she said.In his keynote address, AUB President Fadlo Khuri reflected on the university's enduring mission and future direction: 'We're proud of the impactful AUB education that we provide—and our extraordinary alumni—but it's not enough. Our university must do more for the communities beyond our walls. And that is what we are doing. We are transforming, introducing new programs—even new faculties—while holding tight to the values that have made this institution great.'Khuri also shared updates from campus and affirmed the essential role of alumni: 'There have been some changes at your alma mater. But some things do not change. At the top of that list is the importance of our alumni—of all of you: You lead, you inspire, you innovate, and you give back—so that others may have life and have it more abundantly. You have stepped up time and time again in support of our abiding mission: to serve the peoples of Lebanon, the Middle East, and beyond to the greatest of our abilities. Thank you.'Keynote speaker Hussein Ammar, representing alumni celebrating their 50th year graduation anniversaries, delivered a poignant reflection. A 1975 graduate with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Ammar built a successful career managing construction companies in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. A founding member of the AUB Alumni Chapter in Jeddah, he has remained closely connected to the university as a mentor to graduates and a loyal, generous donor.'We celebrate today our graduation from 50 years ago; and it would be remiss not to reflect on how those years affected our beloved Lebanon,' he said. 'We endured a civil war, wars of others on our land, and external control that has gripped our country and regressed it to levels unimaginable. None of us graduating in 1975 could have anticipated what ensued. We were pioneers and we have fallen far behind.'He continued by highlighting AUB's enduring role through decades of turmoil: 'While all this transpired, AUB has persevered, affirming its noble mission. AUB has continued to be a beacon of learning and open thought in Lebanon, in the Arab world, and beyond. It has stood as a moral compass and safe haven in the face of unimaginable adversity. It has continued to bring Lebanese and Arab students from all walks of life, all religions and all political affinities into one common space—a space for debate, for listening, for learning, for growth. AUB is a microcosm of what Lebanon could be.'Class of 2000 keynote speaker Dana Hussein Ammar (BBA '00) represented alumni marking their 25th graduation anniversary. A strategic business and brand consultant, she also runs a motherhood mentorship platform and has over 20 years of experience spanning global corporations, social impact ventures, and food retail startups. She comes from a distinguished multi-generational AUB family and is the daughter of Class of 1975 speaker Hussein Ammar.'To think that my father, mother, and I sat under the same trees and walked the same steps on this campus, gives all the more meaning and exemplifies the longstanding legacy and sacredness of our alma mater,' she said.Looking to the future, she pointed to the power of alumni to make a difference: 'Having shared precious years and memories on this campus, we now have the privileged position to impact and give back. Some will aid students financially, others through mentorships, grants, opportunity building, and the like—the bravest even get into politics. All of it is vastly appreciated by the communities we support.'The Honoring Ceremony featured the distribution of medals to members of the celebrated senior classes. It concluded with a group photo of the iconic AUB Main Gate stairs and a lively reception at the Assembly Hall Plaza. Festivities continued on campus with the annual Alumni Party featuring Alecco and his band, where hundreds of alumni, joined by their families and friends, enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere and high-energy evening.On the following evening, more than 2,000 attendees gathered at the AUB Green Oval for an unforgettable evening under the stars. The atmosphere was electric as Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram lit up the stage with her timeless hits, and the crowd sang along in pure joy. The concert was a beautiful mix of nostalgia, energy, and pride—bringing together alumni, students, families, and friends for a magical night that perfectly captured the spirit of AUB Reunion. All proceeds from the concert will go toward supporting the class reunion scholarship fund, reinforcing the event's mission of giving back and empowering future generations.
The reunion weekend concluded on a warm and joyful note with a family day trip, where alumni explored Lebanon's natural beauty and created new memories with loved ones.