As part of the third fundraising concert under the initiative For the Future of Lebanon and Its Youth, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) welcomed renowned composer, singer, and songwriter Marwan Khoury to its Main Campus on June 15, 2025, for a mesmerizing performance in support of students’ financial aid.
The highly anticipated concert was held in the presence of NDU President Fr. Bechara Khoury; Dr. Antoine Farhat, Vice President for University Advancement; Dr. Michel El Hayek, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Minister of Information Dr. Paul Morcos; Julie Mourad, Cultural Affairs Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut; H.E. former Minister and Chairperson of NDU’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Ziyad Baroud; Elie Beaino, President of the Union of Municipalities of Keserwan-Ftouh; Elie Saber, Head of Zouk Mosbeh Municipality; Nada Koussa, Miss Lebanon 2024 and NDU alumna; Elie Hanna, Head of the NDU Alumni Association; along with artistic, cultural, and media figures, and NDU faculty, staff, and students who came to support this cause.
“Our University has always believed that culture is not a luxury, nor is art something secondary,” began Fr. Khoury in his opening remarks. “After all, how can the mind strive for excellence without experiencing beauty? We believe that our students are not shaped by lectures and books alone, but also through music, words, images, dialogue, and the spaces that allow them to create, engage, and grow.” He concluded by thanking Marwan Khoury and the supportive audience, inviting them to enjoy an evening of serenity and beauty through Marwan’s melodies and lyrics.
The artist was visibly moved when he received a commemorative gift from Fr. Khoury on behalf of NDU: a depiction of the face of the Blessed Virgin Mary crafted from the words of NDU’s anthem, written by the iconic poet and writer Saeed Akl and composed by the legendary musician Elias Rahbani. “I am honored to be here tonight for such a worthy cause,” said Khoury, for whom the Blessed Virgin Mary holds personal significance. “I am genuinely grateful to Father President and NDU for building this bridge between art and education.”
Delighting a full house, Khoury opened the concert with his popular track Ya Rab, which had the entire audience singing along. He went on to perform 18 more songs, including hits like Kel el Asayid, Albi Da’, and Baadak Ya Hawa, as well as songs he had written or composed for other artists such as Maa’oul and Ghmartini Bi Lotfik. Accompanied by a large ensemble of talented musicians, Khoury occasionally played his own compositions on the piano, adding even more charm to the evening. The humble artist’s appreciation of his fans pushed him to join them, chanting together as they cheered him even more.
After Majida El Roumi and Hiba Tawaji, Marwan Khoury was another inspired choice, embodying Lebanon’s identity: a culturally and artistically rich heritage, and a strong belief in the future of our country. With the success of this third concert, NDU remains committed to gathering a full crowd each year for the future of its students, Lebanon, and all its youth.