Navigate through the website that showcases people and pivotal moments marking AUB history from 1866 to 2016
Our 150th anniversary slogan is We Make History; we honor AUB History Makers through the ages
150 Fun Facts

The first open-air commencement at AUB was held after a 10-year hiatus on August 14, 1990.

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Professor William A. West (1909-1980), Robert Haldane West's son for whom West Hall is named, was a long-time AUB chemistry professor and an avid botanist. Starting in the mid-1960s, he worked with Mohammad Abu Abass Hajj, AUB's chief gardener, to help transform the campus into the horticultural showpiece…

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Professor William A. West (1909-1980), Robert Haldane West's son for whom West Hall is named, was a long-time AUB chemistry professor and an avid botanist. Starting in the mid-1960s, he worked with Mohammad Abu Abass Hajj, AUB's chief gardener, to help transform the campus into the horticultural showpiece that it is today.  

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In 1867, Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Bliss set sail on the "Sultana." They boarded the 60-foot schooner in Boston and 57 days later arrived in Beirut.

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On September 3, 2012 Lebanese Law 174 banning smoking in indoor public places was officially implemented. AUB was instrumental in creating this important public health initiative.

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In 2011, AUB had 2,026 registered students who identified themselves as non-Lebanese. Over 65 nations were represented, with the top 10 countries of origin being: 1) United Stated, 2) Syria, 3) Jordan, 4) Canada, 5) Palestine, 6) France 7) Saud Arabia, 8) Australia, 9) United Kingdom, and 10)…

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In 2011, AUB had 2,026 registered students who identified themselves as non-Lebanese. Over 65 nations were represented, with the top 10 countries of origin being: 1) United Stated, 2) Syria, 3) Jordan, 4) Canada, 5) Palestine, 6) France 7) Saud Arabia, 8) Australia, 9) United Kingdom, and 10) Iraq.

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In 2014, AUB's library collaborated with libraries from the United States to establish a digital library of more than 10,000 Arabic volumes

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The annual AUB Job Fair is the largest university job fair in the region. 

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The tram in Beirut used to run on Bliss Street and drop students off at both the Main Gate and Penrose Gate.

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The very first student protest in the Arab World took place at AUB in response to the “Lewis Affair” when Professor Edwin Lewis mentioned Charles Darwin in a commencement speech. This led to faculty resignations, student suspensions and the imposition of a Declaration of Principles on AUB faculty.…

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The very first student protest in the Arab World took place at AUB in response to the “Lewis Affair” when Professor Edwin Lewis mentioned Charles Darwin in a commencement speech. This led to faculty resignations, student suspensions and the imposition of a Declaration of Principles on AUB faculty. Reverberations were felt in intellectual circles throughout the Arab World. 

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In 1914, soon-to-be President Bayard Dodge married Mary William Bliss, the granddaughter of AUB founder Daniel Bliss, thus uniting two of AUB’s foundational families. 

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