Record-Breaking Fundraising Dinner in New York City: For Our Students, for Our Patients

Vol. XXII, No. 1, 2024

Almost 300 alumni and friends of AUB gathered in New York City on November 16, 2023, for the 2023 AUB Fundraising Dinner hosted by the Board of Trustees to raise urgently needed funds “for our students, for our patients.” The event raised $6 million—a stunning achievement and a testament to the extraordinary generosity and commitment of the AUB family.

During his keynote address, President Khuri described AUB as “a powerful, vibrant, and safe space for freedom of thought, for creativity, and most especially for hope for a better tomorrow.” He stressed the university’s commitment to “do whatever it takes to maintain that remarkable, irreplaceable space.” Khuri highlighted the critical role of the successful and impactful BOLDLY AUB campaign, which has so far raised more than $760 million and will conclude in 2024, in enabling the university to provide financial assistance to AUB students and in reducing “the number of people for whom finance is a barrier to healthcare.”

One of the special moments during the evening was a heartfelt tribute, led by Trustee Emerita Ann Kerr-Adams (former student 1954–55), Trustee Franz-Josef Ulm, and Trustee Emeritus José Zaglul (BS Agriculture ’71, MS Animal Science ’73), to Dr. Philip S. Khoury, who will be stepping down as board chair in 2024. The incoming chair of the Board of Trustees, Abdo George Kadifa (BE Electrical Engineering ’81), has served as a trustee since 2014 and is the board’s vice chair for information technology and innovation.

“It was truly a memorable evening. Thanks to our exemplary AUB family, we were able to raise $6 million for our students and our patients,” says Senior Vice President Imad B. Baalbaki. “The evening was a celebration of our university and the singular role it plays in Lebanon and the region—especially during challenging times such as the ones we are living through these days.”