of peaceful demonstrations that led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after 30 years of control. Hariri was more to his people than a political symbol. In 1979, he established the Hariri Foundation, which has since sponsored more than 34,000 Lebanese students at home and abroad, established schools, and made numerous contributions to higher education. Hariri’s son, Saad Hariri, followed him into the family business, politics, and the foundation’s support of education. The 1992 alumnus of Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business gave a $20 million gift to honor both his father and alma mater and to help complete the new building. Fahad Hariri, Rafik Hariri’s youngest son, attended the
Fahad Hariri and Dean George Daly
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Phil Humnicky
Saad Hariri and portrait of Rafik B. Hariri
Simone McDonough, Phil Vasta, and a newly unveiled portrait of Robert E. McDonough
Phil Humnicky
Hariri believed in the power of education as a resource to improve the lives of people in his homeland. Born in 1944 to a family of modest means, Hariri built his fortune as a contractor and entrepreneur. He turned his attention to helping his country during the 15-year civil war in Lebanon, and he helped lay the groundwork for the Taif Accord that began the peace process in 1989. He also is credited with helping rebuild Beirut after the war. Hariri served as prime minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998, and again from 2000 to 2004. When he was assassinated by an explosion in his motorcade on Feb. 14, 2005, the Lebanese people were outraged. Hariri’s death sparked the Cedar Revolution, a series
dedication. “[My father] believed that education would help unlock the talents and abilities of his countrymen, and that this outpouring of positive energy would help to repair the damage that years of war and violence inflicted on his beloved Lebanon,” he said. “Rafik Hariri’s belief in education was an act of faith in all that is good and constructive in mankind.” Hariri took a global perspective on education, and Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia hopes the building that bears Hariri’s name will inspire a similar perspective in students. “This building will provide a world-class home for our school of business,” DeGioia said. “It will help us continue our transition into a truly global university, and it will help ensure that our students are fully prepared to become capable and compassionate citizens and leaders.”
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The building itself is as impressive as the efforts that made it possible, Steers said. “It’s the exterior that to me makes a strong and clear statement about the McDonough School of Business. The Healyesque stone on the south wing speaks to Georgetown’s historic traditions and values. The brick on the north wing is the connection to Leavey [Center], which is where our students hang out today. And the glass core challenges us to be leading edge, outward looking, and global in our perspectives.” Alumni and other advisers worked closely with architect Goody Clancy and contractor Whiting-Turner to achieve those results, and the function was just as important as the form. The building features: n 179,000 square feet, with five stories and a two-level parking garage; n 15 conference rooms; n 11 interview rooms and space msb.georgetown.edu