The Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) and Fondation Charles Corm have officially inaugurated the Charles Corm Campus during a ceremony attended by USJ Rector, Prof. Salim Daccache, SJ, members of the Corm family, vice-rectors, deans, directors, and numerous distinguished guests. The event began with the unveiling of the campus and foundation signage, marking a key milestone in the restoration of this historic site.

In his opening address, Mr. Naji Boulos, Marketing and Communications Consultant at USJ, emphasized the symbolic importance of the occasion. As USJ celebrates 150 years of service to Lebanon and the world, he described the inauguration as “a moment of history, emotion, and hope,” with the Corm Campus now serving as a bridge between “the past, present, and future.”

Mr. Boulos further explained that the site inaugurated today once served as the headquarters of Ford Motor Company for the Middle East. Designed in 1928 by visionary businessman and writer Charles Corm, who was born 130 years ago, this building was repurposed as a family residence. This architectural marvel, the first skyscraper in the Middle East, also featured a magnificent 40,000-square-meter garden, right in the heart of Beirut.

Although the building suffered extensive damage during the Lebanese Civil War and was at risk of being lost to history, Mr. Boulos emphasized, “history withstood the blows of pain.” The Corm family, deeply connected to their heritage, chose to restore this exceptional building, giving it new life.

Today, this remarkable building is not only home to the USJ Corm Campus but also serves as the headquarters of Fondation Charles Corm and Maison de l’Ancien, the headquarters of the Federation of USJ Alumni Associations. As Mr. Boulos aptly stated, the space is “a cultural hub that looks toward the future while remaining deeply rooted in history.”

In closing, Mr. Boulos reflected, “This iconic building speaks not only of a family’s legacy but of a people’s enduring ability to rise, rebuild, and keep hope alive.”

For his part, Mr. David Corm, eldest son of Charles Corm, spoke with emotion and pride as he welcomed guests to what he described as “three simultaneous celebrations”: the 150^th anniversary of USJ, the 130^th anniversary of his father’s birth, and the inauguration of the campus. He reaffirmed his family’s commitment to honoring the legacy of Charles Corm, “an exceptional man” whom he described as a writer, a poet, and a visionary entrepreneur.

Mr. Corm reflected on his family’s long-standing ties to the Jesuits, noting that five generations of Corms were educated in Jesuit institutions. The tradition, he recalled, began with his great-great-grandfather Semaan, who tutored the children of Emir Bechir, and continued with his father Charles, who graduated with honors in philosophy.

Reflecting on his father’s remarkable business career, David Corm expressed his admiration for “the extraordinary success of a man of letters in a commercial world, achieved without the technological tools we have today.” At 40, Charles Corm made the bold decision to leave the business world behind and dedicate himself fully to literature and the arts, a choice that many considered daring, even eccentric.

He warmly thanked USJ for honoring his father. “My brother and I are deeply grateful that USJ is honoring our father in this way,” he said, before emotionally reading three stanzas Charles Corm had written in 1911 as a gesture of gratitude to the Jesuit fathers at the end of his studies.

David Corm concluded his remarks with a quote dear to his father’s heart, one he felt compelled to share: “Where there is a will, there is a way. Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone.” He added, “Today, I smile and warmly welcome you to the place he envisioned and created in 1929,” offering a heartfelt tribute to the man and his legacy.

Taking the floor, Prof. Daccache described the inauguration as an exceptional moment where “history, memory, poetry, and the future come together in a single symbolic gesture.” Tying the ceremony to the celebrations of USJ’s 150^th anniversary, he emphasized that naming the campus after Charles Corm was “an act of recognition, loyalty, and vision.”

He reminded the audience that Corm is “not a name be taken lightly,” paying tribute to a man of many dimensions: “a poet, historian, thinker, publisher, entrepreneur, and humanist,” driven by a Lebanese, Eastern, and universal vision. For the Rector, Charles Corm embodies the ideal of USJ, a free spirit, cultivated and deeply rooted in his culture, yet open to the world. He belongs to a generation of intellectuals who helped shape Lebanon’s modern identity, “a Lebanon of dialogue, diversity, and resilience.”

Prof. Daccache emphasized the continuity between Charles Corm’s legacy and the mission of USJ, quoting Corm the writer: “The past is only a prologue, but without it, the future has no voice.” This, he said, highlights how memory nurtures vision. He praised Fondation Charles Corm, represented by David and Hiram Corm, for their commitment to preserving and advancing this heritage.

He also expressed his gratitude for the USJ Alumni Federation, entrusted with becoming “the faithful guardians of the Charles Corm House” and upholding the values of USJ, along with the deep love for Lebanon that inspired Corm. The campus today, with its library, art collections, statues, and the reception hall of Fondation Charles Corm, bears the unmistakable mark of the Corm family’s dedication, particularly that of David, Hiram, and their children, whose personal memories helped shape and enrich the project. As the Rector put it, they are “the living witnesses to a family and national history, now continuing in a renewed form.”

A lover of nature and the landscapes of Beirut, Charles Corm often wrote about cedar trees, vineyards, and fertile soil. In honor of his profound connection with nature, USJ has chosen to preserve a significant portion of the original garden, transforming it into a space for reading, reflection, and poetry.

Prof. Daccache concluded his address with two quotes from the poet. “Lebanon is not a small homeland, it is a great mission,” he recalled, and added, speaking of USJ: “It is more than a university, it is a beacon of civilization.”

To add an artistic touch to the celebration, internationally renowned Lebanese composer and pianist Elie Barrak performed a musical interlude, beginning with “Hymne à l’amour” by Édith Piaf, which captured the essence of the place, followed by “Et maintenant” by Gilbert Bécaud.

The evening concluded with a cocktail reception, where guests gathered in a warm, inspiring atmosphere that truly embodied the spirit of the Charles Corm Campus.

Read also: Inauguration du Campus Charles Corm de l’USJ  

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