Monrovia, Liberia – The President of the University of Liberia (UL), Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, has urged all stakeholders to unite in realizing the university’s vision through a shared spirit and collective endeavor.
Despite being abroad, Dr. Maparyan joined the UL community in commemorating the institution’s 74th Founder’s Day on Monday, February 17, 2025, by delivering a powerful video message designed to inspire togetherness.
The University of Liberia, formerly known as Liberia College, originally marked its 74th Founder’s Day on Saturday, February 15, 2025. However, because the date fell on a weekend this year, the official celebration was held on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the University’s Capitol Hill Campus under the theme “The Future Starts Now.”
Founded on February 15, 1951, as a successor to Liberia College, the institution has celebrated its Founder’s Day annually as a reminder of its origins and as a call to look forward.
Dr. Maparyan emphasized that while the day provided an opportunity to reflect on the university’s storied past, it also calls on the UL community to engage in discussions about the future. “This is the time for the UL family to envision a noble and dynamic future for our institution and to begin realizing that vision with unity and collective effort,” she said. “I invite you to join me in the coming weeks and months as we talk about UL’s future.”
During the celebration, Dr. William Ezra Allen, Director of the Center for Diaspora and Migration Studies at UL, delivered the keynote address. He recounted the university’s beginnings, noting, “Our primary goal was to provide education for the youth—the leaders of tomorrow.” Dr. Allen further explained that the university’s work must evolve to meet global challenges, adding, “The University of Liberia will develop new curricula to address emerging demands, though we recognize that this progress comes with corresponding costs. This is the challenge we face.”
Earlier in the program, Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Officer-in-Charge, underscored the institution’s resilience. “We remain impenetrable—a beacon of hope and a light in the darkness for the Republic of Liberia,” she declared. “We have trained leaders who have shaped Liberia and even other parts of Africa. Now, I urge the UL family to creatively envision the future of our institution and work together to achieve it.”
The panel discussion featured insights from three prominent members of the UL community including Mr. Kwame Clement, Founder and President/Dean of the Liberia School of Law, Dr. Sonnie Rose Kesselly, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture and Forestry and Ms. Jessica A. Morris, a current student and alumna of St. Teresa Convent Catholic School
The 74th Founder’s Day celebration not only honored the university’s rich heritage but also set the stage for future progress, reaffirming a commitment to a dynamic and united vision for the University of Liberia.
