Senior Class Gift

Every year, our graduating students make a parting gift to LAU, and to commemorate their lovely act of generosity, we plant a tree on our campus in their honor. To say that the class of 2020 has had a tough year is a huge understatement, but we are happy to announce their trees have been planted nonetheless.

To the class of 2020:

Congratulations on graduating from LAU! We are so proud of you and your achievements.

Indeed, we commend you for your extraordinary efforts to successfully graduate in this very difficult year, during which you continued your studies despite the ever-growing economic constraints and COVID-19’s challenges.

Given the current situation, we won’t be able to see you face-to-face this year as we usually do to talk about the senior class gift: Plant Your Class Tree. This annual initiative, which allows graduating students to support their peers by donating to financial aid, has been taking place since its launch in 2012. In recognition of the graduates who choose to give back to their alma mater, an olive tree with a plaque bearing the name of the class is planted on the Beirut campus, and another on the Byblos campus. Through this tradition of students helping fellow students, every one of LAU’s graduating classes has the opportunity to leave a legacy on campus.

While we’re disappointed about not having the chance to speak to you in person this year, we are still thrilled to continue on with this tradition of marking your class’ legacy through our Plant Your Class Tree campaign.

We know that times are extremely tough this year, but - if you can - we hope you’ll make a gift towards your alma mater, and further be part of this important tradition. You can do so through this very website, by making a contribution in Lebanese Lira, regardless of the amount, whether it is LBP 5,000, LBP 15,000, or more.

Paying it forward, and coming together as a community — especially to help fellow students in need — is central to LAU’s mission, so we hope you will consider a donation to help others in critical need during these unprecedented times.

Though an actual graduation ceremony will not take place this year, we hope that one day, you will return to campus and see your class tree thriving. We hope that it will remind you of your incredible resilience and ability to overcome even the toughest of challenges.

We wish you luck and success with your journey after LAU and hope that you stay healthy and safe.