A Bench That Remembers

Beneath the trees on Beirut campus stands a stone bench, presented by the alumnae of the graduating classes of 1926 through 1934 of the American Junior College for Women (AJCW), now the Lebanese American University (LAU).

AJCW was still in its earliest years when these young women graduated. They were among the first generations to pass through its classrooms, helping lay the foundation for an institution that would go on to educate thousands and grow into LAU.

Nearly a century later, their bench remains a quiet but powerful reminder of that connection. Worn by time yet still standing, it speaks of the friendships they formed, the education they received, and the pride they carried long after graduation.

If these alumnae could speak to us today, perhaps they would say:

“We were among the first to walk these grounds, but we knew we would not be the last. We hoped the education we received would give us the confidence to contribute, serve, and lead; and that future generations would carry this spirit forward.”

They would surely be proud to see how their college has grown: from its modest beginnings in 1924 into LAU, a university that continues to prepare generations of students to make a meaningful difference in Lebanon, the region, and the world.

This bench is not simply a gift from the past. It is a bridge between generations; a lasting expression of gratitude, belonging, and the enduring bond between alumni and their alma mater.