By Bridgett Milton
The Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. John Green, has challenged members of the 22nd graduating class of AME University to remain steadfast despite prevailing challenges in society.
Dr. Green said though there are enormous difficulties faced by Liberians seeking higher education in the country, students should remain steadfast in going for what they want to be successful in life. He noted that academic success requires persistence and determination.
He gave the challenge on Wednesday, November 2nd while delivering the 22nd commencement speech of the AME University held at the Jordan Agriculture Institute in Royesville Township, Montserrado County.
Dr. Green at the same time cautioned the graduates to pursue education and make positive changes in the larger society, something, he said, will inspire the young generation.
Also speaking, the President of the African Methodist Episcopal University, Dr. Alvin E. Attah, announced the establishment of the University’s Agriculture College located in Royesville, Montserrado.
He said the Jordan Agriculture Institute will now play host to the Daniels Adams school of excellence, the College of Agriculture of the AME University and the soon to be established colleges of engineering and medical sciences.
Dr. Attah added that the establishment of the Agriculture College is aimed at bringing to reality the dreams of Liberians interested in pursuing higher education in the discipline.
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The AME University’s President however lauded graduates for braving the storms and enduring the challenges at the university, adding that there are lots more opportunities in the larger world to ensure a better society.
“Today the air is charged and the excitement is unmatched, you are excited and relieved and thrilled because today marks both an ending and a beginning”, Dr. Attah added.
He said graduates have done their work, they have attended countless lectures, debates, research, asked questions and spend endless hours in library and they are more than satisfied with the requirements needed to earn a degree at the AME University, “so we understand the ending part of graduation; it is the beginning that follows the ending that is the challenge.”
He described the occasion as an exciting time for graduates, noting that it is a time of choice and decision but the graduates should remember that they have the opportunity to do better than what they have done.
For her part, the Valedictorian of the 22nd graduating class, Leela Borsay, encouraged her fellow graduates to work hard toward building the world they want to inhabit rather than the one about which they have no enthusiasm.
A total of 579 candidates walked out of the walls of the African Methodist Episcopal University after completion of various fields of study. Editing by Jonathan Browne
