Philanthropy
“Philanthropy has always been at the core of my belief system and has defined my mission in many ways.”
Gilbert and Rose-Marie
Gilbert
and Rose-Marie
Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury's Legacy: A Major Gift to the Lebanese American University School of Nursing and School of Medicine
Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury's Legacy: A Major Gift to the Lebanese American University School of Nursing and School of Medicine
In keeping with their commitment to health education and in demonstration of their devotion to their home country of Lebanon, in 2008 Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury gave a generous gift to the Lebanese American University to support LAU’s first School of Nursing, named the Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing. The new nursing school which will become part of the new medical school is named in honor of Gilbert’s mother.
In announcing the Nursing School and the Chagoury’s gift, University President Joseph G. Jabbra said: “The Lebanese American University is proud to be the recipient of Mr. Chagoury’s generous donations, and will remain committed to promoting quality American education,” He went on to say “The Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing will help LAU students become future doctors and nurses that will serve Lebanon and the region.”
The Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine at LAU
The Gilbert and Rose-Marie
Chagoury School of Medicine at LAU
In August of 2008, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for what will become the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Marie Chagoury School of Medicine at the Lebanese American University. The University President Jabbra, the Minister of Public Health Mohammad Khalife, Ambassador and Mrs. Chagoury and Founding Dean Kamal Badr were all there to shovel the school’s cornerstone into place. Within the cornerstone is a time capsule containing contemporary documents and photographs.
The new medical school is part of a dynamic collaboration with HMI, which is a non-profit division of Harvard Medical School whose mission is to extend the school’s tradition of excellence in clinical medicine, medical education and biomedical research through partnering with other medical institutions around the world.
The dean of the LAU medical school, Dr. Kamal Badr said, “The Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine will represent a major qualitative boost to health care in Lebanon. The school will infuse society with increasing numbers of graduates trained in the best tradition of American medicine.”
The LAU School of Medicine is envisioned as a state-of-the-art educational structure boasting world-class facilities supported by a range of technology. The 12,500 metre, $18 million complex is designed to reflect LAU’s forward looking curriculum and innovative character. Ambassador Chagoury said: “I am proud to be associated with the establishment of one of the finest schools of medicine to be found anywhere”.
Gilbert Chagoury
and Philanthropy
As an expression of their gratitude for their good fortune in life Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury love to give generously to causes they believe in. The Chagoury’s are now internationally known for their philanthropy.
International Scholarship Programs
Each year Gilbert and Rose-Marie fund scholarships to support the higher education dreams of young people at both the undergraduate and post-graduate degree level. They have funded international affairs scholarships at Ivy League schools in the US as well as a variety of undergraduate degrees in the US.
Generous support for Miziara, Lebanon
Always committed to the welfare of his Lebanese community, Gilbert Chagoury loves to support the health, education and infrastructure in Miziara, Lebanon.
After donating substantial funds towards infrastructure development in the village, the main square was renamed the Ramez Chagoury Square in honor of Gilbert’s father. To promote educational development within the village, Gilbert has created a foundation which funds several educational scholarships.
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
One of Gilbert and Rose-Marie’s favorite charities is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee, USA, founded by Danny Thomas, an American of Lebanese descent. St. Jude is a non-fee hospital, which takes a holistic approach to the treatment of leukemia and other cancers affecting children.
It is today the foremost internationally recognized institution for its pioneering research of childhood cancer and its treatment program involving patients and their families.
Support of the Fine Arts
Gilbert is an avid lover of the arts in general and became a benefactor to the Louvre Museum in Paris.
He donated a famous 16th century six-part tapestry, sewn with gold and silver threads representing sea divinities, which was commissioned in Paris for Colbert de Seignelay, then Secretary of State for the Navy. By purchasing the piece, Gilbert ensured this national treasure did not leave France.
In September 2000, the Louvre Museum dedicated the “Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury Gallery” to display these tapestries.
In 2002, Gilbert made another significant contribution to the Louvre. He acquisition of an exquisite pair of pink-ground Sèvres vases that formerly graced the Palais Bourbon under the reign of Louis XVI.
On 22nd February, 2007, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury received the Gold Medal of Honour bestowed upon major donors by the Ministry of Culture and Communication Paris for helping to restore the famous Richelieu Aisle at the Louvre Museum.