Liberia: “The University of Liberia’s Renaissance,”

University of Liberia Founder’s Day International Conference
Official Statement
February 15, 2022

Delivered by:

Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, Jr.
President, University of Liberia
Professor, Moral Philosophy and Ethics, Liberia College (College of Social Science and Humanities)

His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President, Republic of Liberia and Visitor of the University
Madam Clar Marie Weah, First Lady, Republic of Liberia
Honorable Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, Vice President, Republic of Liberia
Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President, Republic of Liberia
Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, Former Vice President, Republic of Liberia
Honorable Dr. Bhofah Chamber, Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
Honorable Albert Chie, President Pro-Tempore and Members of the Liberian Senate
His Honor Francis S. Korkpor, Chief Justice, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia and Members of the Judiciary
The Dean and Members of the Cabinet
The Chief of Staff and Gallant Men and Women of the Armed Forces of Liberia and other members of the security apparatus
Excellency, the Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Heads of International Organizations
Heads of Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations and Youth/Student Groups
Officiating Prelates and Clergy, and Heads and members of Religious Institutions
Chiefs, Elders and Traditional Leaders
Heads of Educational Institutions and University of Liberia Family
Members of the Fourth Estate
Distinguished Guests; Fellow Liberians
Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me at this time to welcome each and every one of you to this historic 71st Founder’s Day of this Flagship State University, THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA, “Lux in Tenebris”, and the birthplace of multidisciplinary leaders.

This Founder’s Day is historical because it is the first of its kind in the existence of the University.

I would like to extend sincerest thanks and my profound gratitude to the UL Founder’s Day International Planning Committee for the great job they have done over the last two months, and especially the last few weeks in organizing this conference.
My sincerest gratitude extends to the effective UL Board of Trustees for efficiently and successfully working along with the UL Administration in the governance of our Flagship University. I thank you ever so much.

My thanks and appreciation also goes to H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia and Visitor of the University for the tremendous support to the University of Liberia.
As you are aware, the Government of Liberia is commemorating the two hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the free Black Americans on January 7, 1822, in what is now called Liberia. A number of events are scheduled throughout the year in recognition of this Bicentennial. As part of the programs marking these events, the University of Liberia, the nation’s Flagship University, has earmarked an event, UL Founder’s Day International Conference on February 15 that date in 1951, when the University of Liberia was founded from its precursor, Liberia College.

The University of Liberia, formerly Liberia College, was chartered and established by an Act of Legislature of the Republic of Liberia on February 15, 195, to prepare the nation’s clergymen and statesmen. The National University, among other goals, sought to become a “center of learning with high academic standards which are dedicated to the pursuit, promotion, and dissemination of knowledge with emphasis on practical knowledge which is immediately useful to economic, social and cultural development needs.”

The University of Liberia has, as its heritage, the significant education contributions of Liberia College. The efforts to establish Liberia College were led by Simon Greenleaf, the Harvard College law professor who drafted Liberia’s independence constitution of 1847. Underlying his efforts was the belief that “the Republic of Liberia ought to have within itself the means of educating its citizens for all duties of public and private life.” In 1848, Joseph Tracy, Secretary of the Massachusetts Colonization Society, wrote, “a few gentlemen of Monrovia have a project under consideration which, if successfully executed, may have very important consequences. It is the establishment of a well-endowed college or university in Liberia.” As a result, Liberia College was incorporated by an Act of the Legislature of the Republic of Liberia in December 1851. The cornerstone for the first building of the College, financed by The Trustees of Donations for Education in Liberia (TDEL), was laid on January 25, 1858. On January 23, 1862, the former President of Liberia, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, was inaugurated as its first president. With Former President Roberts, Revs. Alexander Cromwell and Edward Wilmot Blyden, and seven students, Liberia College opened in February 1863.

Since it was established in 1951, Fifteen (15) persons have served as president of the University of Liberia. The Fifteen include two Americans, Dr. J. Max Bond (1951-1954) and Dr. Kermit C. King (1955-1958), and Thirteen Liberians, two of whom were female (Dr. Mary Antoinette Brown-Sherman and Dr. Ophelia Inez Weeks). Like those after them, the two Americans brought enlightened leadership to the University, setting on course the foundation building processes of the Institution for which they remain credited. Given the cultural differences and other orientations at the time, there were inclinations that Liberians with the relevant qualifications would be preferred to assume the leadership of the University going forward. Beginning with Dr. Rocheforte L. Weeks (April 6, 1959 through 1971), a total of thirteen (13) Liberians, have since been appointed to the Presidency of the University of Liberia.

The University of Liberia (UL), the Flagship University of the Nation, has an enrollment of approximately 18,282 students, 753 faculty members (389 full-time and 364 part-time), 1,196 staff on four campuses including Fendall, Medical, David A. Straz-Sinje, and Capitol Hill. The University is focused primarily on:

1. Restoring integrity and civility
2. Faculty and staff development
3. Curricular transformation & restoration of the libraries and laboratories
4. Developing an IT infrastructure including digitization of student records.
5. Development of the 5,800 acres land for a state-of-the-art University Smart City.
6. Resource mobilization and income generation for the University of Liberia through LUX Investment Corporation
   External institutional collaborations have been established as a means of complementing the Government of Liberia’s (GOL) support for academic programs development and infrastructural development.

As we commemorate our founding of seventy-one years by hosting this two-day international conference at the Ministerial Complex in Oldest Congo Town, outside of Monrovia, on February 15 and 16, 2022, under the styled “The University of Liberia’s Renaissance,” it is expected, as it is seen today, to bring together UL’s faculty, staff, and students, along with Liberians from all walks of life, senior policymakers, government officials, as well as dignitaries and academics from abroad and the sub-region to deliberate on those fascinating topics.

Let me recognize our guests from the University of Sierra Leone, and others from the sub-region as well as officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) who are in attendance.

The hybrid conference also forms part of the year-long activities of the 2022 National Bicentennial Commemoration, which was officially launched on February 14, 2022, under the theme: “The Year of the Return”. The UL chairs the History Sub-Committee of the 2022 National Bicentennial.

Several presentations are expected to be made during the two-day conference, including a presentation titled, “the Deed for Monrovia,” by Dr. C. Patrick Burrowes. Dr. Burrowes will discuss this historic document with an international panel of scholars and a global audience. Several Liberian and international luminaries will take the stage to discuss the Liberian economy, including Hon. Samuel D. Tweah, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, and Ms. Rosa G. Rios, Former Secretary, US Department of Treasury, amongst others.

This Founder’s Day will certainly recall memories of Liberia College, the precursor of the University of Liberia, and look at its history, its challenges, and prospects within the context of the University Renaissance during the two-day international conference as well as the immense contributions the University has made towards Liberia’s social and economic developments

One of the overarching goals of the conference is to position the University of Liberia, as the nation’s highest institution of learning to deliver on the promise of quality and affordable education for its ever-growing young population.
The UL will also use this occasion to reinvent itself for prevailing challenges and the future of higher education.
I cherish the hope that we will have a wonderful and successful convention.

As you have come, let us celebrate the “LUX IN TENEBRIS,” the “Light in Darkness.” As we brighten the light.
In Mission with a Vision.
Thank you.