On July 15, 2026, the François S. Bassil Auditorium at the Innovation and Sports Campus (CIS) hosted one of the most emotional events in university life: the annual Honor and Merit Medal Ceremony of Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ). In the presence of their loved ones, colleagues, and University officials, forty-five members of the University community were honored for their loyalty, commitment, and many years of service to USJ.

The honor medals were presented to faculty members retiring after many years dedicated to passing on their knowledge and guiding generations of students. The merit medals, for their part, recognized staff members who had completed more than 30 years of service at the University.

Opening the ceremony, the Secretary-General of USJ, Prof. Nadine Riachi Haddad, recalled the special place these occasions hold in the life of the University. “There are particularly moving moments in the life of an institution,” she stressed, referring to those moments when USJ takes the time to pay tribute to those who have devoted a significant part of their lives to it.

Addressing the 14 professors and 31 staff members gathered for the occasion, she expressed, on behalf of USJ, profound gratitude for the time, dedication, and commitment they had devoted to the University. Each of them, in their discipline or role, contributed to its excellence. “To all of you, our deepest gratitude and merit,” she concluded.

Taking the floor next, the Rector of USJ, Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, chose to speak simply, offering, in his own words, “a very brief message, but one from the heart.”

He shared that the role of Rector exposes him daily to the files, responsibilities, and difficulties involved in leading a large institution. But beyond the challenges, he explained, it allows him, above all, to meet those who bring the University to life, often with a discretion and generosity that go unnoticed.

The Rector stressed that USJ’s true wealth lies in this shared spirit of service, in the courage and loyalty of its professors and staff, which have enabled the University to overcome crises without ever abandoning its mission. He spoke of the many encounters that had marked him since his arrival, with members of the community expressing a profound attachment to this home, which, over the years, had become an essential part of their lives.

According to him, the decades pass, but the conviction remains intact that the project carried by USJ is one “worth dedicating oneself to” and one that gives meaning to a professional life. It is this loyalty, nurtured through years of teaching, research, administrative work, or technical support, that the University wished to celebrate through this ceremony.

On behalf of the entire USJ family, Prof. Boëdec expressed his gratitude to each of those honored, recalling that while professional paths may sometimes take a new direction, the ties forged with the University remain. In the face of the challenges awaiting the institution, he expressed his conviction that USJ will always be able to count on their attachment and support.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of the distinctions.

The honor medals were awarded to the following professors: Rima Mawad, Amale Moukarzel Damien, Marie-Antoinette Ghostine Airut, Nicole Ballouz Baker, Fadi Chalfoun, Dany Ghosn Dagher, Alain Hakim, Marie-Gabrielle Ghorra Hindi, Marlène Khalil Abou Jaoudé, Diane Hajjar Ghorayeb, Roula El Murr Ojeimi, Rose Rocca Farah, Nada Kfoury Khoury, and Maria Habib.

The merit medals were awarded to the following staff members: Carine El Boustany Sawaya, Tania Khanati, Salma Khoury Noujaim, Hoda Ghanem Nammour, Ghada Habib, Souad El Hajj Moussa Féghali, Nabiha Rhayem El Khawand, Jacqueline Ballouz, Zeinab Dib Malli, Amale El Ghraichy Abi Ezz, Thérèse Khairallah Ghanem, Nadine Haddad, Maryam Wehbé Karati, Rima El Hout, Mountaha Allawy Tannoury, Rola Copti Germanos, Mona Dabahy, Charifé Mallah, Issam Khneisser, Layla Ahmad Saleh Ibrahim, Ziad Hlais, Halimeh Mariam Yaghi, Badri Moghames, Hatem El Dali, Abdellah Hussein, Souad Hajjar, Nawal Merhej Tanios, Sami El Khawand, Nada El Hajj Ghandour, Christine Omeira Wazen, and Nada Kabbouche Chidiac.

Each medal presentation was preceded by an introduction, read by Ms. Nadine Riachi Haddad, retracing the recipient’s journey at USJ and highlighting the mark they had left on the University through their contributions and achievements.

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Speeches delivered on the occasion of the presentation of the Honor and Merit Medals to professors

Speeches delivered on the occasion of the presentation of the Honor and Merit Medals to staff members

Also read: Cérémonie de remise des médailles d’honneur et de mérite - 2026