Dear friends, greetings from LAU.
I am connecting with you today to rally your support for our students.
As you know, Lebanon is going through a major economic crisis
which is threatening the future of a growing number of our students.
Before I address how we’re rising to this challenge,
I’d like to share with you that I am immensely proud of our students.
Seeing how well they behave, how deeply they think,
how conscientious they are,
I find great hope for the future of our country in these young men and women.
They have certainly benefited from the academic freedom,
democratic values, civil rights, freedom of expression
and commitment to service we strive to nurture on our campuses.
It is wonderful to see this.
It is a ray of light in what seems to be our dark night.
Unfortunately, many of them are no longer able to continue
because their families have lost the financial ability to afford their education.
In fact, today, for the vast majority of Lebanon residents,
American-style higher education has become simply unattainable.
We are working hard to rise to this challenge.
As part of our plans, we are launching an emergency fund for financial aid.
I call on you, my dear alumni and friends, to invest in our students —
in the future of Lebanon, really —
by making a gift to this emergency fund.
Your participation is absolutely crucial.
The money will be immediately channeled
to academically strong but financially vulnerable students,
and prospective students,
so that they don’t lose their chance to obtain quality education
at this pivotal time in their lives.
We are extremely grateful for your support and generosity.
On behalf of our students, their families, and all of LAU, thank you indeed from the deep of my heart.