In addition to a presentation by President Emmet Dennis, various participants will discuss the historical connections between America and Liberia; details of the SSU-University of Liberia partnership; and SSU’s global thrusts in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Four students and a faculty member who recently returned from a two-week study abroad trip at the Liberian institution will be recognized.  Dennis, a native Liberian, served in administrative and academic positions at Rutgers University in New Jersey before returning to his homeland in 2007 to serve on the University of Liberia’s board of trustees. He was later tapped by Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to become president of the oldest degree granting university in West Africa.

Also scheduled to address the audience is Honorary Consul General for the Republic of Liberia to the State of Georgia Cynthia Blandford, who has been involved in efforts to rebuild the country since the end of Liberia’s 14-year civil conflict in 2003. Blandford provided leadership for the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Georgia Ports Authority and the National Port Authority of Liberia where a ceremony was held in Savannah, Ga., four years ago. In 2009, Blandford launched the University Consortium for Liberia (UCL), which provides a framework for colleges, universities and other academic-related organizations involved in Liberia to network, exchange information and collaborate on global initiatives and projects. SSU is one of 20 institutional members of the UCL.