By Nagham Khazaal | Staff Writer
Memories and stories are woven onto the benches at AUB. Behind nearly every bench lies an untold story. These seats bear witness to the love stories of former AUBites who found each other amidst its campus. They also hold the memories of friends who shared unforgettable moments between classes, as well as lovers anxiously waiting for their beloved ones.
When I arrived at AUB for the first time, I sat on one of those benches near Bliss building waiting to meet someone special. To my left, a cat settled there comfortably, grooming herself in the warm sunlight. To my right, a girl with sleek black hair and smoky eyeshadow was reading a book, while nearby, a guy with his eyes closed was listening to music. Many students were enjoying the warm sun in Green Oval, chatting, and laughing. One student was lying down on his back while covering his face. Another student was petting a cat. Each one occupied their own little world.
As we wandered through the campus, I couldn’t help but notice the small plaques adorning some of the benches around campus. Each plaque bore a heartfelt message, perhaps a tribute to a cherished memory or a beloved one. Some of those plaques held significant messages for the coming generations, or just appreciation. For many couples at AUB, their bench holds cherished romantic memories. I recall sitting on a bench with a plaque which reads: “We meet people, for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.” I realized this bench belongs to Najib and May Mikati, an AUB couple.
In 2001, the AUB President’s Club initiated a campaign with the goal of offering AUB’s benches for adoption. This idea gained widespread support, with many individuals enthusiastically participating by adopting benches and leaving behind heartfelt messages. More than 80 benches have been adopted as part of the club’s very successful Bench Campaign. According to “Views of Lifetime”, Hayat Salam-Liebich was the first to adopt an AUB bench. Upon her father’s passing, Salam-Liebich felt a strong desire to honor his memory in a way that she knew he would appreciate.
One of the most popular benches belongs to the couple Andre L. Dirlik and Rajaa M. Ghandour which reads “Courted here, AUB 1958-1961”. Dirlik explains, in “Views of Lifetime”, that he spent most of his memorable years on that bench with his wife. Prompted by their desire to express appreciation and support for AUB’s mission to provide educational and health services to Lebanon and the region, Elias Boulos and his wife Adriane contributed to the Bench Campaign. He expressed hope that his contribution would assist the university in fulfilling its role as a leading educational institution in the region.
While most inscriptions on AUB benches contain personal messages, “Views of a lifetime” explored the few exceptions. For example, Dr. Francois Bassil, chairman of the Byblos Bank, opted to place a different kind of message on an AUB bench which reads “Lubnan ya’tamid alaykum” and translates to “Lebanon depends on you”. When asked to elaborate on the statement, Bassil explained that it was directed towards the students sitting on the bench “I mean that the future of Lebanon depends on them, on the next generation. Lebanon depends on their loyalty, their honesty, and their hard work.” With this inscription, he left a profound message for future generations to contemplate.
For every story there is an ending. Not every story associated with these benches carries a happy ending. Some benches carry poignant narratives. For instance, Nadim Dimechkieh, Nabil Nassar, and John Waterbury dedicated a bench in memory of Zena Tadmoury and Jihad Al-Farr, AUB students who were tragically killed during the Lebanese civil war when a nearby shell explosion rocked the campus.
Despite the efforts and contributions made towards the bench adoption campaign, there remain several benches scattered across the campus that have not yet found someone to adopt them. These empty benches stand as silent witnesses to the passing of time, patiently waiting for someone to provide them with the care and attention they deserve. Each of these unclaimed benches holds the potential to become a cherished spot for reflection, connection, and memories. Who knows? Perhaps you or I could be the next adopter in the future!
Reference:
- AUB Website: “Views of a Lifetime” MainGate Fall 2004