“We Started Apart, Now We Part as One Family”: MEU’s Graduation Weekend Celebrates Unity, Growth, Resilience, and God’s Leading.
Graduation weekend at Middle East University was more than a ceremony—it was a celebration of perseverance, transformation, and God’s faithfulness. Held May 23–25, 2025, the weekend marked the culmination of academic study under uniquely difficult circumstances, honoring a journey shaped by pandemic restrictions, economic hardship, and armed conflict close to home.
The weekend’s events began Friday evening with an intimate consecration service, featuring an encouraging message from Pastor Elbert Kuhn of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He reminded students that God’s plans for their lives are full of promise and hope, urging them to trust in His leading as they step into a new chapter.
The service also included a thoughtful presentation of the graduating class, woven together with interviews featuring juniors, graduates, and faculty. Laughter mingled with tears as students reflected on their time at MEU—the challenges they had overcome, the maturity they had gained, and the deepening faith that has developed along the way.
On Sabbath, the spirit of the weekend continued with the baccalaureate service, where Pastor Kuhn returned with a message centered on choosing a life anchored in God’s enduring truth rather than deceptively attractive options that will not stand the test of time. His words offered both comfort and challenge, echoing the values that have been woven into the MEU experience.
Throughout the weekend graduates spoke gratefully of how MEU’s environment had shaped them. The class chose as their motto, “We started apart, now we part as one family”—a reflection of the deep bonds formed during their years at MEU that facilitated drawing closer to God, and to an understanding of their calling to service in the world.
The weekend culminated with Sunday’s commencement program as graduates, families, faculty, alumni, and honored guests gathered on a carpet of green under a brilliant sky, surrounded by lavender jacaranda trees gently shedding their blossoms—a setting perfectly suited for the joyful milestone.
Following the academic processional and an invocation by Reverend Dr. Edgard Traboulsi, member of Lebanese Parliament, Dr. Carlos Biaggi, president of MEU, welcomed guests to the ceremony.
Lebanese Parliament member, Mr. Elias Hankash, addressed the graduates, drawing from his experience in government, business leadership, and strategic consulting to offer wisdom and sage advice as they step into their professional callings.
Mr. Bassam Abdalla from the Faculty of Business Administration delivered the charge to the graduates, followed by class valedictorian Levi Kack, who responded on behalf of his classmates—in Arabic. His speech proved a testament to both hard work and the unique opportunity MEU offers to international students who study here.
As the golden afternoon faded into evening, fireworks and giant sparklers lit up the sky, and graduates tossed their caps into the air to the festive sounds of a traditional Lebanese zaffeh band. The celebrations concluded with a feast of Lebanese specialties—closing the weekend with the warmth of shared memories and hopeful anticipation for the future.
The class of 2025 leaves MEU equipped not only with knowledge, but with resilience shaped by trial, wisdom born of experience, and a faith that has been deepened through adversity. As they go forward, they carry with them the love of a community and the assurance that wherever God leads, His plans will prevail.
