24 November 2007
The African Methodist Episcopal University has conferred Bachelor degrees on more than 400 graduates at the institute's 8th commencement convocation held Friday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Degrees conferred covered various disciplines including Religious Education, Political Science, Mass Communication, Economics, Accounting and Business Administration.
Delivering the commencement convocation, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf urged graduates to pursue excellence in whatever they do.
The attainment of excellence and greatness, the President said, requires the capacity to exercise self-control in every undertaken.
The President observed that often, passions, left unchecked and unregulated, overwhelm individuals and their reason and capacity to achieve excellence and greatness.
For one to be excellent and great, the Liberian leader said, individuals must learn and practice the virtue of empathy and avoid the vices of hate and racism, envy and bigotry.
"To attain excellence and greatness, the President said, 'we must individually and collectively work to positively impact our communities and our societies right here, beginning now."
The President reminded the graduates of the challenges Liberia faces in the rebuilding process, challenges which require that they give their best. She urged the graduates to be willing to make sacrifices to achieve their goals, adding nothing come easy.
President Johnson Sirleaf called on the graduates to join in government's reconstruction and development efforts with a new attitude of patriotism, hard work, perseverance and sacrifice.
"I appeal to you to bring your best to the table and join in restoring Liberia to its true potential. You are our leaders of tomorrow, our hope for the future. We want to use your strengths, your creative minds for national renewal. This will add meaning and impetus to our process," the Liberian leader noted.
During the occasion, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University, Rev. David Daniels, announced the setting up of a scholarship program in honor of the Liberian President.
Rev. Daniels said the annual scholarship, will be awarded to any deserving female student who exhibits leadership skills, to pursue undergraduate studies at the institution.
An honorary doctorate degree was also conferred on the President by the University during Friday's Convocation.
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