A Legacy of Love: The Nadia Abdo Endowed Scholarship

Every named scholarship begins the same way: with a story and a decision to gift education to a stranger. In the case of the Nadia Abdo Endowed Scholarship, it is the story of Zaki ’48 and Leila Abdo, two resilient immigrants to the United States, who found each other an ocean away from home. Born in 1921 into a prosperous family in Jaffa, Zaki moved to Egypt, graduated from The American University in Cairo in 1948, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. After completing his master’s, Zaki became a translator and spokesman for the Yemeni consulate at the United Nations in New York City. He crossed paths with Leila, who had arrived from Germany with little more than determination and an unshakeable sense of self. Together, they built a life that was both practical and generous. After leaving the Yemeni consulate, Zaki and Leila threw themselves into creating their own businesses. From acquiring apartment buildings in Brooklyn to opening a Middle Eastern bakery that drew in the neighborhood, they never wavered in their commitment to service, quietly improving the lives of many, as remembered by their friend Nasreen Kakli. 

Their daughter Nadia inherited this legacy of independence and drive. After earning a BA from Wellesley College and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, she joined General Electric and made it clear she wanted no shortcuts. Then, six months into her marriage, tragedy struck: a bicycle accident took Nadia far too soon, leaving her parents with the most profound grief.

What does a parent do with such grief? Zaki and Leila turned it into purpose. They made the decision to honor their daughter’s life and support Palestinian students in financial need, establishing the Nadia Abdo Endowed Scholarship at AUC.

Among the first to carry Nadia’s memory forward is AUC student Linda Abu Rezeq, who arrived in Egypt from Gaza with her family after their home was bombed. She came not only to start over but also to care for a young cousin who had lost his parents and suffered serious injuries. She was barely out of high school.

What stands out about Linda is not just what she has been through, but the resilience she has shown and the clear vision she has for her future. “Even in the darkest moments, I promised myself that I would rebuild my life, succeed in my education and create a future where my family and I could feel safe and hopeful again.”

Linda wants to study computer engineering, with a focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. She speaks about her family's sacrifices with a quiet resolve, paying tribute to their giving and support. "Receiving the Nadia Abdo scholarship represents a valuable opportunity for me to continue my education, support my family in the future, and help ease the burden they have carried," she said. On campus, she has found something, a community that holds her. "The people and staff are incredibly supportive," she said, "which makes you feel guided and cared for rather than lost or alone."

She also wants to pay it forward, even before she graduates. Having spent years searching for opportunities and reliable guidance, she understands how overwhelming that can feel. "I want to help people in every way I can," she said, "because I was once in their place and truly understand the feelings and challenges that they are going through."

AUC student Mohammed Zakout came to Egypt under similarly unimaginable circumstances, displaced multiple times during the war, surviving multiple near-death experiences and watching his mother receive a stage 4 cancer diagnosis upon their arrival to Cairo. He completed his final two years of high school entirely through self-study, without a classroom or a teacher, and passed with excellent grades.

Zakout remembers that what kept him motivated was the realization that “education is the only solid ground I could stand on when everything else felt unstable. While the circumstances around me were chaotic, my studies were the one thing I could control; they gave me a sense of purpose and a reason to look toward tomorrow.”

At AUC, he is studying accounting, with plans for a CFA, a CPA, a master's degree like his older brother and sister, and eventually a role in a global financial organization. His ambition comes from a strong belief in the difference one person can make in their community. "Nations are rebuilt by refined minds," he said. "I want to evolve intellectually because I know that a change in my character and thinking will eventually ripple out to my community. I didn't just want to survive the war; I wanted to prepare myself to lead and heal my society once it was over."

What surprised Zakout most about AUC was its breadth, the liberal arts system and the interdisciplinary possibilities. He added, "Coming from a challenging background, I was amazed by the immense diversity on campus and the wealth of cultural and dorm activities. Participating in events like the dorms' football tournament was a highlight for me, as it allowed me to connect with others through my passion for sports.”

Through the Nadia Abdo Endowed Scholarship, Zakout hopes to be part of the generation that turns education into sustainable solutions, “providing hope and opportunities for others who have endured similar hardships and proving that through knowledge, we can rebuild our future.”

At its heart, this scholarship reflects resilience and hope in the pursuit of education. As Zakout put it, “Receiving the Nadia Abdo scholarship is a life-altering opportunity that represents my path to resilience. Having emerged from the hardships of war, I realized that while everything else can be taken away, my education is the only asset I can truly own and use to rebuild my life.”