What Happens To The Spirit Of “Alumnism?” The Case Of The University Of Liberia

By Alumnus Philip N. Wesseh (PNW)”

Last Friday was a difficult time for me as I was faced with attending three events that were very important to me. The first was the funeral of one of my old man in New Kru Town, the late retired colonel Thomas Teah Freeman, commonly known as “dead body freeman,” a nickname given him because he was an embalmer. It was a household name in the Borough. The next was the parade of the Alumni Association of the University of Liberia and the last event was the Alumni Day Program on the main campus of the institution on Capitol Hill

Because the funeral and the parade were set for the same time, I decided to forego the parade to attend the funeral which took place at the colossal St. Thomas Episcopal Chapel in New Kru Town. It was well attended with the presence of representatives of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), which paid a tribute by the spokesperson of the Defense Ministry, Mr. Sam Collins, recognizing the contributions of this retired soldier described as a “gallant man.”

As a result of forgoing the parade, I did not attend the indoor program of the association. The deceased’s godson Cllr. Oswald Natu Tweh of the Tweh, Pierre Associates Law firm, hailed the good human relations of the deceased. He said he was someone who was admired by everyone he came in contact with because he had the ability and skills of invoking laughter whenever he met people of different age groups.

However, as it is said that “man is a social being,” I attended the entertainment aspect of the alumni day on the campus. I decided on this which was the zenith of the day, not because of the pomp and pageantry, but as a time to “see old friends and classmates.”

For my part, I saw some of my former students, when I was a part time instructor in the Mass Communication Department. Some of them referred to me as “PROF,”a name I always rejected but unacceptably some of them still do that. On the campus, we interacted, exchanged pleasantries, hugged and shook hands, which is a common tradition whenever Liberians meet.

Frankly, this piece is not to recount the activities that took place last Friday, but to express regret and disappointment how some of us who graduated from schools, especially the University of Liberia, which we commonly referred to as LUX IN TERNEBRIS (Light In darkness) have not shown interest in the activities of the Alumni Association.

Etymologically, the word alumni comes from the Latin word which simply means a graduate or former student of an institution. For example, I am a former student of the former William V.S. Tubman Elementary School in Point Four of the late disciplinarian, Clara Havens, and a graduate of the New Kru Town Elementary School, where I completed the sixth grade.

It is not a hyperbole to say that the University of Liberia, as the nation’s largest and oldest institution of learning has produced more graduates and former students than any other higher institution of learning in the country. Disappointingly, many of those who gained from the fountain of this great institution, which marks 100 years of existence, this year, have not shown interest to the activities of the alumni association. However, let me commend the few, including its present president James
Davis, who has been keeping to torch burning.

Whenever I hear about the former schools’ alumni associations having an event, I always try to identify, being fully aware that this is one of the ways of giving back to one’s Alma Mater. More importantly, I believe that the assemblage of graduates or former students is not only for the fun, but one gets to know of opportunities for either scholarships or employment. This is how I got my employment with The DAILY OBSERVER as a cub reporter, responsible for covering events in the Borough, later, I extended it to West Point and other areas.

I say this because of experience. I recall during a meeting of the Alumni Association of the D. Twe High School, one of our colleagues, Gabriel Williams, who was then in the employ of the newspaper, informed of a vacancy for a reporter in new Kru town. It was then I applied in April 1983, after which I was accepted as a cub reporter and later climbed up the ladder to the position of NEWS EDITOR until the civil war. I am sure that there are others who share similar experience of such opportunities from a former schoolmate or classmate.

As I said earlier, the gathering of graduates and former schoolmates, it is not just about funs or conviviality, but as a way of giving back. This is one of the reasons why I admire the Booker Washington Institute Alumni Association in Kakata. I have followed with interest the activities of that institution’s association, especially after the civil conflict for its smooth running. The association has been a fulcrum for the post-war existence of the school. Let me also recognize the efforts of members of the Cuttington University Alumni Association.

Can one imagine if the University of Liberia graduates or former students who are in numbers decide to pay attention to the needs of their Alma Mater, much would be achieved? These graduates or former students are not just those in the country, but those in the diaspora. If high school graduates live BW Harris and Cathedral High graduates in the diaspora can look back, I believe UL graduates or former students can also look back. This is a challenge to the preset leadership, who I believe can deliver the good.

Even though I missed the indoor program of the Alumni Day, I was told that an alumnae, former student activist, Lucia Massalee-Yallah, who spoke at the occasion, made my day for her message. In her message, on the topic “Keep The Light Shining In Darkness,”
Madam Yallah noted that if the University is about to celebrate its 100 graduation ceremony, that means, the institution has graduated thousands of professionals who she said have provided and continue to provide the best services to the government, the business community, the private sector and the world over.

The former Deputy Gender Minister then asked “where are the thousands and thousands that have walked through the halls of this great University?”, emphasizing that the UL needs them more than ever before, as they as alumni of the University need to organize and continue to build an effective association that is second to none.

“The association has an important role to play in making sure that the UL achieves its all-important 2030, as a reputable institutions depends on good results, cool sexual activities, healthy environment and investment, as such, factors which require support, encouragement as well as bringing strength and expansion to any institution reputation and progress is an effective Alumni Association (AA),” Alumna Yallah explained.

Additionally, she said “with a strong AA, members feel obliged and honored to return a favor and success they acquired while at their Alma Mater, as the Alma Mater gets the benefits and starts growing unanimous, both academically, administratively and spiritually at the national and international level.”
Alumna Yallah noted that due to the limited help from alumna toward the association and numerous challenges confronting the AA, they are finding it very difficult to give back to the UL, while at the same time urged the AAUL members and the soon-to-be alumna to always remember their past for the growth of the country.
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Also yesterday during a thanksgiving service by the association at the Trinity Cathedral on Broad Street, the Rector of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Camp Johnson Road, Michael Tuan Sie, Jr. expressed similar concern of how many graduates and former students of the school behave towards the Alumni Association. He likened this to the story of the 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus and that only one returned to express “gratitude.”
Indeed, whatever might have been the setback, I still see light at the end of the tunnel that the Alumni Association of the University would rise to expectation. Unarguably, this school has produced men and women, some of whom are in the high echelon of society.

As graduates or former students we have a responsibility to look back. As it is said, we should not forget the “”bridge that crossed us.” At 100 years, let this rekindle in us a renewed sense of belonging and giving to our Alma Mater.

Yes, as the “light in darkness,” let us continue to illuminate for success. Let our light so shine before men that they may see your good work and glorify your Father who is in heaven; let the knowledge acquired over the years be used to move the country from backwaters to prosperity. Let us cultivate that spirit of “ALUMNISM.”

As the Methodists would say, we have a charge keep. Let us keep it for our Alma Mater. Also, as the speaker said, “let’s Keep The Light Shining In Darkness,”

I Rest My Case.

NB: the word, “ALUMNISM,” is my creation to mean the spirit of giving back to one’s Alma Mater.