Instilling the Importance of Giving Back
LAU’s Class of 2017 had a chance to give back to their university through the annual Senior Class Gift program: Plant Your Class Tree. Organized for the sixth consecutive year on both campuses by the Office of Development during May and June, the 2017 campaign resulted in $10-donations from an impressive 467 students — nearly a third of marching graduates.
The funds raised were channeled towards scholarships for needy and deserving students, and an olive tree was planted on each of the campuses as a lasting gift to LAU. Director of Development Lana Abou Teen has spearheaded the program since its launch in 2012 and said, “It is so special because it involves students before they graduate and become alumni of this institution.”
She also explained that student involvement in the program is the key to success. “The actual solicitation from students by student volunteers working in these campaigns is, in my opinion, the main catalyst for success. Students listen to students,” said Abou Teen.
One of the six student volunteers, Noor Chedid, a second-year MBA student, said, “Seeing others give back to the community after receiving from it shows a great deal of gratitude and appreciation.”
Reham Jichi, also served as a volunteer, and knows first-hand how important scholarships and financial aid are to students in need. “Since LAU provided me with a graduate assistantship and a part-time job to fund my studies, I found that it was easier to express myself and encourage my colleagues to donate,” said Jichi, who is a first-year graduate student in the MA Applied Economics program.