Cuttington Commemorates 2020 Founder’s Day

By Exodus T. Weah
Cuttington University during the weekend commemorated its 2020 Founder’s Day/Home-Coming program, which witnessed a conglomeration of distinct alumnae, staffs, faculty members and students of the University’s three campuses, and well-wishers.
The Founder’s Day/Home-Coming, is a traditional event that marks the official celebration of the foundation of Cuttington University, on February 22, 1889, and is usually celebrated on the 22nd of February each year. This year’s Founder’s Day staged a three-day event, which began on Friday, February 21 and ended on Sunday, February 23, 2020; with a “Thanksgiving Service.”
The University was established in the southeast, specifically Maryland County in 1889 by the Episcopal Church of Liberia. The institution was later relocated in central Liberia in 1949. Since its founding, Cuttington has served and continues to serve in developing the human resource capacity of Liberia for more than one hundred and thirty years now.
The University is named after Mr. Robert Fulton Cutting, a former treasurer of the Board of Missions of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and currently operates three campuses; the Associate Program in Kakata, Margibi County, the Graduate and Professional Studies in Congo Town, Montserrado County, and the Undergraduate School in Suakoko, Bong County, which is the main campus of the University.
This year’s Founder’s Day program/Home-coming, which was organized by the Department of Institutional Advancement, headed by Mr. Chidi Omeze in consultation with the Leadership of Alumni Association; was held under the theme: “FACING THE FUTURE TOGETHER,” is believed to have been one of the best ever; as it was hugely interspersed with exciting activities, such as the traditional “Bonfire,” an official indoor program, Live Band performances, “Social Evening Discussions,” sensational sporting games, Thanksgiving Service, and a farewell program.
During the indoor program, series of remarks were made, some of which were mainly by the President of the CU Alumni Association, Mr. Sampson Tornorlah Varpilah, Dr. Herman B. Browne, President of Cuttington University, Mr. Vivian Jones, as well as other members of the CU Alumni Association.
In their separate remarks, however, they all confronted the current realities and opportunities at the University and reassured Cuttington of their commitment and unwavering support as they all endeavor to “Facing the Future Together.”
They further acknowledged the number of challenges that the University is currently faced with, but assured that those challenges could be converted into great opportunities, depending on how they face the future together.
At the same time, the President of the University, Dr. Herman B. Browne, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the CU Administration to both the CU Alumni Association in the Americas (CUAAA) and the CU Alumni Association back home for their level of interest, commitment and support in helping to keep Cuttington alive and great.
He also lauded the tremendous efforts made by the University’s faculty and staff in continuously projecting the image of Cuttington as the “Citadel of Academic Excellence” in Liberia.
Dr. Browne further emphasized, “As long as each of us continues to develop the energy, interest, and passion for Cuttington, it cannot and will not fall, with God being our helper.”
In a related development, the Guest Preacher for this year’s Founder’s Day Thanksgiving Service , Rev. Fr. G. Nyema Harmon, a Curate of the Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church, admonished the University to continuously cultivate the spirit of ‘togetherness’ and work collaboratively in order to face the future together.
He delivered his inspirational sermon on Sunday, February 23, 2020 during the climax of celebrations marking the University’s 2020 Founder’s Day/Home-Coming program. Commencing his sermon, Rev. Fr. Harmon noted that having been given the opportunity to serve as Guest Preacher for this year’s Home-Coming, the theme itself of the event had already provided him a clue to speak as the scripture approved it.
He, however. concentrated the theme on three key points: upholding the Lord’s; Forgetting about the past and when facing the future, one must look up to the one who allows him/her to face it. The text was taken from Matthew 17:1-9.
Delivering his astute sermon, Rev. Fr. Harmon called on the CU Alumni Association, administrative staff and faculty members of the institution to uphold ideas and rules that will integrate them as they face the future together as an institution. According to him, it is ideas, rules, and policies that keep people together; therefore, everyone who is one way or the other connected to Cuttington must uphold the rules and policies of the University.
He further stressed that in order to face the future together, everybody should forget about the past, especially the negativities, and look forward to a successful future that is ahead. He added, “Even though the future is abstract, but working together can help us realize a successful and promising future.” , he concluded by saying, “Being together is not sufficient unless you have a special purpose, as well as being together in hearts and minds.”