Georgetown University recently announced that its new business school building will be named after the two-time prime minister of Lebanon and renowned philanthropist, Rafik B. Hariri, following his donation of $20 million to the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.
The grant will be used to finish construction of the new building – which will begin holding classes in September – as well as to finance two endowed scholarships, one for an undergraduate and one for a graduate student.
"This gift will make a tremendous difference in our ongoing efforts to enhance Georgetown’s global business education programs," said Georgetown president John J. DeGioia. "I am deeply grateful to the Hariri family for their generosity in supporting two of our most important priorities – building and maintaining first-class facilities and providing financial aid for students to study at Georgetown."
In addition to being a self-made billionaire in the construction industry, Hariri served as Lebanese prime minister from 1992 to 1998 and from 2000 to 2004, during which he restored the capital city – Beirut – following its destruction in the country’s 15-year civil war.
He also founded the Hariri Foundation in 1979, which provides funding for Lebanese students to pursue higher education at home and abroad, and also offers health, social and cultural services to those in need.
This was not the first time that Georgetown has honored Hariri – the university awarded him an honorary degree in 1996, calling him "a champion of education and opportunity for the underprivileged."
Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005. The donation was made by his son, Saad Hariri, who graduated from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business in 1992.
"Among the many attributes for which my father, Rafik Hariri, is remembered, his commitment to education and the pursuit of excellence was dearest to his heart," said Saad Hariri.