SUAKOKO, Bong County – Cuttington on Friday and Saturday conferred degrees on over 600 students. The university handed out 266 bachelor’s degrees, 261 masters’ degrees and 50 associate’s degrees.
Three students from the undergraduate level received cash prices for their outstanding academic performance. Speaking at the ceremony, the president of Cuttington University, said: ‘On behalf of Cuttington University, I congratulate each of today’s graduates. We in Cuttington are determined that this University will play its full part in developing graduates who will make a real difference in the world, and will shape the future needs of our society.”
Serving as Commencement Speaker at the eleventh commencement exercise of Cuttington Junior College, former minister of Information, Louise Brown, said amid adversity, graduates should never be afraid of what they are destined to do.
“You must never forget this about yourselves – you have the power to make dreams come true – not only because it’s true but also because it should be guide you in your future endeavors. Yes, each of you, – ordinary you – can really do extraordinary things if you set your minds and hearts to doing it, and are also willing to apply your feet and hands to accomplish.
In his keynote address Saturday’s event, Amb. Brown reflected on how he conquered what he saw as the impossible.
Amb Brown said discipline, resilience and her teachers, and the importance of his faith were all pivotal to his journey from a little boy in Rivercess County to becoming an ambassador of Liberia.
“For too many of us, the power to recreate ourselves is untested and unexplored. We may be unsatisfied with who we are, and yet we are afraid to explore who we can be. Some people never try to find their transformative power. They look to others to try to change them when it is actually within their reach to change themselves. And so, they settle to merely exist without letting themselves truly live,” Amb. Brown said.
Continuing, he added: “And yet, until we actually die, each of us possesses the power to shape his or her future. This, in truth, is the essence of life – it is the richest blessings of our humanity. This is what truly separates us from all other creatures of God. And so, to truly live, is to excite the power that lies within us to be the best life that we can possibly be. When the power of our humanity is awakened – the power given to “go and conquer the earth – it does not matter what gender, religion or tribe you may be, you can never, ever, truly, be the same.”
Amb Brown said it was it was through her belief that he was able to expand on the things in life he deemed important – such as country, family and commitment.
Those beliefs carried her through every time, Amb. Brown said,”For many of you, earning these degrees were mountains to climb. And today, you have proven that you can climb those mountains! And so, after today, why doubt yourself anymore? Why doubt your power to change your reality? If you can move this mountain, you can move any mountain in your life. If you have never trusted yourself, or doubted what you can possibly accomplish, now and always, look back today, and let yourself believe: You have the power to transform your dream into really.”
In closing, Amb. Brown said: “I would like all of us to take a couple of deep breaths and center ourselves in something we trust in. It can be in your faith, or in the self all of you should be proud of.”