TU-LCF $100,000USD Symbolic Handshake The William V.S. Tubman Univer- sity (TU) and Lonestar Cell Foun- dation (LCF) have had a symbolic handshake on November 4, 2013, for a One Hundred Thousand United States (100,000.00) project. According to the Corporate Execu- tive of Lonestar Cell Communica- tion MTN, Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh, Lonestar Cell is commit- ted to the educational needs of Liberians. As such the corporation will do everything in its power to lift Liberia and Liberians. Rev. Dr. Bropleh said LCF is com- mitting $100,000.00USD towards the TU-LCF ICT Collaborative Initiative. The partnership in- cludes the setting up of a modern ICT Lab and a Resource Center that will be fully digitized by LCF with state of the art equipment with high speed internet connec- tivity through I-connect. The Re- source center will serve as space for free internet access for both students and the Community of Harper. It will also serve as a train- ing center for high school students and teachers in the use of ICT for research purposes. The Acting President of Tubman University Dr. Elizabeth Q.E. Carbajosa thanked Lonestar Cell Foundation for the gesture. She said the initiative will help TU fulfill its mission of providing quality services that transform the lives of individuals for wor- thy services. She extended special thanks to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Rev. Rita Townsend for leading the initiative to engage Lonestar Cell Foundation as a strategic part- ner . Inside This Issue TU-LCF $100,000 USD Symbolic Hand shake TU Signs MOU with Top Asian Universi- ties Sen. Ballout Brings Top Diplomat to TU TU Signs MOU with Top Asian Universi- ties Dr. Laurence Bro- pleh Mesmerizes TU Students & Faculty Pictorial of the Speakers’ Bureau TU Holds First Cap- ping & Badging Cere- mony Pictorial of the Cap- ping & Badging Cere- mony TU-LCF Certificates 16 in ICT Director Grimes Vis- its Several Universi- ties in the US A Tribute to the Late Cecelia Jones- Browne Volume II, Issue 5 Transformation for Worthy Service L –R, Dr. Carbajosa in a symbolic $100k handshake with Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh
Transcript
TU-LCF $100,000USD Symbolic Handshake
The William V.S. Tubman Univer-
sity (TU) and Lonestar Cell Foun-
dation (LCF) have had a symbolic
handshake on November 4, 2013,
for a One Hundred Thousand
United States (100,000.00) project.
According to the Corporate Execu-
tive of Lonestar Cell Communica-
tion MTN, Rev. Dr. Laurence K.
Bropleh, Lonestar Cell is commit-
ted to the educational needs of
Liberians. As such the corporation
will do everything in its power to
lift Liberia and Liberians.
Rev. Dr. Bropleh said LCF is com-
mitting $100,000.00USD towards
the TU-LCF ICT Collaborative
Initiative. The partnership in-
cludes the setting up of a modern
ICT Lab and a Resource Center
that will be fully digitized by LCF
with state of the art equipment
with high speed internet connec-
tivity through I-connect. The Re-
source center will serve as space
for free internet access for both
students and the Community of
Harper. It will also serve as a train-
ing center for high school students
and teachers in the use of ICT for
research purposes.
The Acting President of Tubman University Dr. Elizabeth Q.E. Carbajosa thanked Lonestar Cell Foundation for the gesture. She said the initiative will help TU fulfill its mission of providing quality services that transform the lives of individuals for wor-thy services. She extended special thanks to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Rev. Rita Townsend for leading the initiative to engage Lonestar Cell Foundation as a strategic part-ner .
Inside This Issue
TU-LCF $100,000
USD Symbolic Hand
shake
TU Signs MOU with
Top Asian Universi-
ties
Sen. Ballout Brings
Top Diplomat to TU
TU Signs MOU with
Top Asian Universi-
ties
Dr. Laurence Bro-
pleh Mesmerizes TU
Students & Faculty
Pictorial of the
Speakers’ Bureau
TU Holds First Cap-
ping & Badging Cere-
mony
Pictorial of the Cap-
ping & Badging Cere-
mony
TU-LCF Certificates
16 in ICT
Director Grimes Vis-
its Several Universi-
ties in the US
A Tribute to the Late
Cecelia Jones-
Browne
Volume II, Issue 5
Transformation for Worthy Service
L –R, Dr. Carbajosa in a symbolic $100k handshake with Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh
The Executive Assistant to the President of the William V.S.Tubman University (TU), Mr. Johnny C. Woods Jr. has revealed to TU Times that the University has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with three top Asian Uni-versities. The Universities include the Sais International University and Dalian Neusoft University of Information both located in China and the Institute of Business Management of Pakistan. The MOUs which were signed on TU’s behalf by Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, President of TU and witnessed by the Dean of International Education, Barba-ra Simmons, JD, will give TU students the opportunity to study abroad and gain international experience.
According to Executive Assistant Woods, the MOU with Dalian Neusoft University of Information includes the es-tablishment of a joint five-year program in software engineering which incorporates a stay of 2 ½ yrs in each institu-tion by students of both TU and Dalian; and the provision of scholarship for students enrolled in the program. Neusoft Institution of Information is a private university with campuses in Dalian, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, China. This institution specializes in information technology and is a joint venture of Neusoft Group and Dalian Software Park Co. Ltd.
“Whereas that signed with Sais International University involves the donation of scholarships to five students of TU to study at Sais with no cost to TU”, Mr. Woods added. Sais International University is a private university affiliated to Zhengzhou University in Henan Province, China. It was founded in 1998 by Mr. Shawn Chen, head of SAIS Group as a small business trade school. It is the first American university in Central China.
Mr. Woods also explained that the MOU signed with the Institute of Business management of Pakistan involves part-nership on the development of a program in entrepreneur partnership with TU. The institute is a University located in Karachi, Pakistan. It is composed of four colleges. According to the 2012 ranking issued by the Higher Education of Pakistan, it was ranked at the 3rd position of Business Universities in Pakistan. The institution also publishes the coun-try’s only business research journal, the Pakistan Business Review.
The MOUs were signed in Zhenzhou, China September , 2013.
Page 2
TU Signs MOU with Top Asian Universities
Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, President of TU
The first ever South African Am-bassador to be resident in Liberia, H.E. Masilo E. Mabeta has paid a courtesy visit to Tubman Universi-ty (TU) on August 23, 2013. Ac-companied by his wife and son, Amb. Mabeta, was in the County as guest of the Maryland’s Senator John Ballout Jr. In his introducto-ry remarks at the dinner held in honor of the Ambassador by the Tubman University’s President’s Council, Senator Ballout said that he has personally invited the Am-bassador and his wife to explore possibilities for partnership in the area of Health, Education, Agricul-ture and future investment in Maryland’s economy by South African Entrepreneurs . The Sena-tor also disclosed that Mrs. Mabeta who has over 25 years of experi-ence in Higher Education was also looking for the possibility of giving a helping hand to the youth of Maryland, most especially in the area of education. In conclusion, Senator Ballout described TU as the most strategic invention any-one could invest into and at the same time strongly recommended TU as a strategic partner for any future intervention by South Afri-ca in the education sector.
For her part, the President of the Tubman University, Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, welcomed the Am-bassador and family, Senator Ballout, and Superintendent Naza-rene Brewer Tubman to the Uni-versity and extended appreciation to Senator Ballout for including the University in the itinerary of the Ambassador’s visit to the coun-ty. She then outlined some of the achievements, challenges, and major projects of the University including the Cavalla Village inte-
grated program and Grow Our Own Scholarship Program (GOOS), etc. In her elaboration about the GOOS program, the President disclosed that the Uni-versity had provided scholarships to nine of its staff to attend gradu-ate programs in Nigeria and Libe-ria and further said that TU is also looking for the opportunity to explore partnerships with South African Universities that will allow GOOS beneficiaries to enroll in South African Universi-ties not as international students but as nationals. This, she said would give the GOOS beneficiar-ies same tuition payments and opportunities as South African nationals. Tubman University “Grow-Our-Own Scholarship Program (GOOS)”, was estab-lished to allow deserving employ-ees to attain their educational goals, meet their professional development objectives, and suc-ceed in their careers. In addition, the program will enable employees to take advantage of opportunities for continuing professional devel-opment, and to serve as a tool to
improve recruitment and subse-quent retention of qualified facul-ty and professional staff.
In response, Amb. Mabeta said that the University located at the very south east tip of Liberia was an opportunity for young people to realize their potential. He then cautioned faculty members to be committed in their profession and the University to enshrine in its academic programs, courses that will prepare students as well as local government officials as Libe-ria moves towards decentralization of state power. Without promises, the Ambassador concluded by saying that his embassy will ex-plore the possibility of reflecting TU in the Liberia- South Africa relations. This he said will pave the way towards a partnership between TU and a South African University.
Page 3
Volume II, Issue 5
Senator Ballout Brings Top Diplomat to TU
Senator John A. Ballout
Tubman University “Grow-
Our-Own Scholarship Pro-
gram (GOOS)”, was estab-
lished to allow deserving
employees to attain their
educational goals, meet their
professional development
objectives, and succeed in
their careers.
Amb. & Mrs. Masilo Mabeta
Page 4
The campus of the William V.S. Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County was a panorama of intellectual
display on November 4, 2013 when Rev. Dr. Laurence Bropleh, Corporate Affairs Executive, Lonestar Cell Foun-
dation, addressed the prestigious Speakers’ Bureau at the University.
The Speakers’ Bureau is a platform designed by the Department of Public and Media Relations of the William V.S.
Tubman University. It is aimed at bringing to the University and community qualified speakers with a message of
relevance to evoke a positive change.
Greeting the students, staff, faculty as well as local government officials, Rev. Dr. Bropleh said that he was elated, yet humbled by the invitation extended him to serve as a guest speaker at the Speakers’ Bureau. This he continued “marks yet another defining moment in the annals of Tubman University, a great and noble institution that stands tall in Southeastern Liberia as a Leader in the impartation of quality education.”
Speaking on the theme “Attitudinal transformation: the nexus for better Leadership and Decision Making.” Rev. Dr. Bropleh said, “in order for us Liberians to make better decisions that will see Liberia rise to the occasion, we must now change our minds and attitudes. Even though Liberia is better off than what it used to be in our recent history, I’m still of the hope that this Nation is yet to be what it is supposed to be.” He therefore challenged his audience that the task of making Liberia great rests on their shoulders because when each Liberian strives for great-ness, Liberia will become great.
Speaking of diverseness and diversity, the Charismatic Speaker said, religious, cultural and ethnic divisiveness had
wrecked our nation because we were yet to understand that diversity is not divisiveness. He then added that though
we are all different in nature, morphologies, in voices and attitudes; something which makes us diverse, but amidst
our diversities, we must co-exist as a people.
He meanwhile called upon his audience and the nation to begin to dream of a different kind of leadership in Libe-ria; hence leaders with changed minds and attitudes. “You see as leaders, it is not your decision to judge those whom you serve, rather it must be the exercising of your intentional will to guide and respect those whom you lead and appreciating those whose works have hugely impacted the larger facet of your organization, your institution and by extension your country. We as Liberians must begin to appreciate selfless leadership that reverberates the interest of humanity” Rev. Dr. Bropleh strongly added.
He then said that Liberia is at a critical and defining juncture as 2014 and 2017 election activities inch near. “Liberia needs selfless leaders who will allow national interest and the general good of the majority populace to prevail against personal aggrandizement” Rev. Dr. Bropleh strongly told his applauding audience.
He also told his audience to remember that “getting old is mandatory but growing up is optional”. Liberia is the oldest independent African Nation, and then asked the question “has Liberia grown up?”
In the midst of battle cries and unstoppable applauses, Rev. Dr. Bropleh said that if Liberia must grow up; it takes Liberians to make it work. He powerfully noted “it only takes collectivism or the inclusivity of every Liberian in breathing a breath of change; we must never desert it, we must uphold it forever and ensure that this sweet land of liberty remains ours.” He then said that Liberians must in joy and gladness begin to shout with unity of hearts the freedom of a race benighted.
The Prelate-Corporate Executive challenged the students and faculty not to accept mediocrity , and instead should aspire towards excellence and greatness through self believability and reverence for God. The well voiced United Methodist clergyman inspired his audience by his soul and mind touching speech amidst standing ovations and approbations.
Rev. Dr. Laurence Bropleh Mesmerizes TU’s Students & Faculty
The Speaker’s
Bureau aspires to present inspiring
messages for positive change by providing high level speakers
who will inspire Tub-man University and the community to
reach the pinnacle of their purpose
through educational and inspirational
messages that evoke a positive response.
Rev. Dr. Bropleh
Page 5
Volume II, Issue 5
Pictorial View of the Speakers’ Bureau
TU Holds First Capping & Badging Ceremony
Page 6
Arriving as they marched up the stairs of the Harper City Hall, the nurses-to-be of the College of Health Sciences (CHS) at the William V.S. Tubman University (WVSTU), solemnly entered the auditorium. The ceremony observed all the seriousness due their noble, life-saving profession. Smartly attired in their yellow and white uniforms, the students represented unity and dignity following the flags of Tubman University thence, that of the College of Health Sciences. They sang the song, “God Has Smiled on Me”, to the accompaniment of Mr. Joe P. Davis on the keyboards. Assisted by Mr. Prince Morris as photographer, the CHS Nursing students processed to their assigned seats while the platform guests and audience appreciated the organization and procession. One could even see the platform guests singing along. Wearing their yellow and white tops, white bottoms, white socks and black shoes, the nurses-to-be arrived at their seats in perfect formation, evidence of their careful program planning.
Welcome remarks were presented by Ms. Iona Thomas-Connor, Chair of the Nursing Department. She presented 35 men and women to be recipients of Nurses’ badges and caps. She welcomed and thanked family members for supporting the students. Chair Thomas-Connor also served as Mistress of Ceremony for the pro-gram.
Mr. Mulbah Tokpah recognized the collaborations of the WVSTU-CHS with the JJ Dossen Memorial Hospital, Cavalla Rubber Corporation, Catholic Health Cen-ter, Cavalla Government Hospital. Mr. Phillip Davis, faculty of the CHS, presented 35 students to be capped and badged. Ms. Patricia Jackson, Nursing Director of the JJ Dossen Hospital induced the Candle Lighting portion of the program. She urged the incoming nurses to be passionate for the nursing profession which has great value, as evidenced by the pledge that was later committed. She gave the acronym of the CAP to be worn by the female nurses as C is for Christ, A means around, and P is for the patient, meaning, Christ is around the patient in the form of the nurse, therefore show love to the patient. The male nursing students re-ceived the badges on the sleeve. All nurses-to-be recited the pledged as enumerated by Ms. Willimai Weetol-Genrnyon, faculty of CHS. Holding the lighted candle in their left hand while raising their right hand, they committed to the Nightingale Pledge.
The newly capped and badged nurses-to-be were presented to the President of Tubman University, and to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The student nurses then performed a musical selection to honor the occasion. They filed to their seats with their candles lit as they ended the selection. Cheering parents and well-wishers could not contain themselves and began showering the nurses-to-be with flowers as they took their seats. One could sense the pride, enjoyment, and sense of accomplishment thus far, on the faces of the CHS faculty and Chair of the Nursing Program.
Ms. Esther Scere introduced the guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Soney Comfort Lake, Director of Nursing Services as the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Referral Hospital in Tapittah, Nimba County. Rev. Dr. Lake spoke of the challenges in field of nursing as she spoke on the theme, “Providing Quality Care through A Quality Educa-tion”. She spoke of seeing changes in the procedures and habits of senior nurses. She queried where is the passionate, compassionate care while responding to pa-tients? She quoted the Nurses’ Ode, written by a Liberian, evoking a thunderous clap response from the audience. She encouraged the incoming nurses to further their education in other specialties in nursing, including administration. Expertise in chronic medical management is needed as clients live longer. Research, she advocated, helps nurses to grow, impacting health care systems. She admonished them to continue their education, while requesting Tubman University to embrace new technologies and establish a residency program so that students are able to enhance their learning. Saving lives, good customer service skills, a positive attitude, will make the patients of these nurses-to-be feel more secure. She reminded the recipients that the caps and badges received symbolized their profession. Rev. Dr. Soney Lake urged the incoming nurses to care for the sick, injured, and dying, in the practice of nursing as Florence Nightingale intended. She ended by looking forward to having some of the honored students join her at the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Referral Hospital.
For Special Remarks, Mr. Maurice Copeland, Sr. spoke on behalf of parents by expressing thanks to the Government of Liberia for bringing an institute as Tubman University to the County. A representative of the Director from the midwifery program in Zwedru urged the students not to seek wealth, or just uniforms, but rather to be compassionate and prioritize patient care. He urged them to seek qualifications rather than a fast-track career. Dr. Francis of the JJ Dossen Memorial Hospital in Harper thanked the WVSTU-CHS and anticipates having nurses from among them as members of the JJ Dossen Hospital. Harper City Mayor, Regina Sampson encouraged students to let their lights shine, as their profession is a calling. “Bravo to TU and HE Ellen Johnson Sir leaf, for the University that was once only a technical college”, she said.
Dr. Lucky Ehigiator, inaugural and only Dean of the WVSTU College of Health Sciences, received a roaring applause as he reached the podium. He said this is the third of this type of program in this part of the world. He believes that the incoming nurses will pursue their profession, having been prepared with quality and excellent instruction and skills. Dr. Elizabeth Q. E. Carbajosa, Vice President for Academic Affairs congratulated the 35 nursing students. She said, “This is just the beginning of a long, challenging journey”. She emphasized serving in excellence, and urged them to respond to the national goals of Liberia to build capacity in the health care profession.
In Closing Remarks, Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, TU’s President, reflected on the years of the University since its meager beginning in 2009, remembering how the students have persevered to get thus far. She cautioned them to continue and looks forward to shaking their hands as they receive their Baccalaureate signifying their having attained knowledge, skill-sets, but importantly, attitude. She urged them to anticipate their patients’ needs. She gave her expectation that these nurses-to-be, represent not only themselves, their families, but that they represent the William V.S. Tubman University! One could feel the sincerity of expression of heartfelt thanks in the realization of the dreams of TU.
Nurse Alice Pency, a faculty of CHS, gave the Vote of Thanks. She said “the occasion reflects the dynamic leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell”. She mentioned that TU is positioning itself to respond to the needs in the society such as preventing child and infant mortality, malnutrition, etc. Nurses Alice Pency and Willimai Weetol-Genrnyon, both recently joined TU’s College of Health Sciences, after having obtained their Master degrees as recipients of TU’s Grow Our Own Program, TU’s self-help design to build its human capacity.
The program ended to the cheers of everyone as photographers struggled to straddle chairs to capture the moment with the best photos.
As many celebrated the day, the larger anticipation looked to 31 May 2014 – TU’s first graduation. What a day that will be!!
“This is just the
beginning of a long,
challenging
journey”, Dr.
Elizabeth Q. E.
Carbajosa, Vice
President for
Academic Affairs.
Page 7
Volume II, Issue 5
Pictorial of the Capping and Badging Ceremony
Page 8
TU-LCF Certificates 16 in ICT
The William V.S. Tubman University (TU) and Lonestar Cell Foundation (LCF) have completed the training and certifications of 16 students and faculty as Trainers of Trainers (TOT) through its ICT Collaborative Initiative. Speaking during the certifica-tion program, the Vice Presi-dent for Institutional Ad-vancement Rev. Rita Town-send said the program was as a result of intense negotiations between Tubman University through the Division of Insti-tutional Advancement and Lonestar Cell Foundation through its Corporate Affairs.
She expressed profound thanks to Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh for ensuring the program is a success. Rev. Townsend intoned that the TU student trainees will serve as trainers for 10th grade stu-dents from Cape Palmas High School while the TU’s Faculty trainees will serve as trainers for other faculty members. The students went through a six month rigorous training provided by Sahara Technolo-gy Solutions.
The Corporate Executive of Lonestar Cell MTN, Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh ex-pressed satisfaction with the training exercise.
He thanked the implementing partner, Sahara Technology Solution, headed by one of Liberia’s proponent in the ICT Industry, Darren Wil-kins, for successfully imple-menting the initiative. Rev. Dr. Bropleh expressed hope that the trainees will use the knowledge acquired for the advancement of Tubman Uni-versity, the Southeast and Li-beria and for their own bene-fit.
Also speaking during the certi-fication program was the chief executive officer of Sahara Technology Solution, Darren Wilkins. Mr. Wilkins ex-pressed thanks to Lonestar Cell Foundation for affording the people of the Southeast the opportunity to acquire ICT knowledge.
He commended the trainees for the level of enthusiasm and interest they have shown throughout the train-ing process.
Mr. Wilkins said he was proud for his firm to have been chosen as the imple-menting partner for the pro-ject. In two separate remarks two representative of the trainees, Ms. Annie Sleweon, a student trainee and Mr. Kayibanda Doe, a faculty of Tubman Universi-ty expressed thanks to Lonestar Cell Foundation and Tubman University for the opportunity afforded them to acquire knowledge in ICT. They expressed their readiness to transfer the knowledge gained to their peers.
Certificated Trainees pose with TU & LCF Staff
Page 9
Volume II, Issue 5
Director Grimes visits several universities in the United States
The Director of Career Planning & Placement, Benoni Tarr Grimes, recently met with his counterparts Career Services professionals or prac-titioners at several leading universi-ties in the United States of America.
According to a report submitted by his office, Mr. Grimes met with the Career Development professional at Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology and Clayton States University in Atlanta, GA as well as the University of Minnesota in Min-neapolis, MN and Pierre View Uni-versity in Huston, Texas.
Mr. Grimes said visits came as a re-sult of a professional social network-ing site, LinkedIn, where he began to interact with Career Services pro-fessionals and practitioners around the world and in the United States.
At Emory University he met with Anne Kocurek, Director of Career Counseling and Pamela Brown, Sen-ior Director of the BBA CMC Em-ployer Relation at Emory University; at Clayton State University in Clay-ton County, Georgia. While in Georgia, he also met and held talks with Mrs. Bridgette McDonald, Di-rector of the Career Service Center. Mr. Grimes also travelled to Minne-sota where he visited the Minneap-olis campus of the University of Minnesota and met with Mr. Paul Timmins, Director of Career service and Sarah Wolfs, Career Coordina-tor of the College of Education and Human Development.
The discussions at the various uni-versities centered on what they as Career Services practitioners could do to support each other in ensuring students success as it relates to Ca-reer Services. They then invited Mr. Grimes to become member of the National Career Development Asso-ciation (NCDA.org) and National Association of Career Employer (NACE). He said he and his colleagues agreed
to maintain a program-to-program
relationship and over time it could
move into a relationship between
their respective universities and insti-
tutions. They also agreed to keep in
contact and share ideas and re-
sources from time to time.
At Georgia Institute of Technolo-gy Mr. Grimes attended a three day workshop on Best Practices in Human Resources Management and Career Development. He also participated in a Career oppor-tunity and Job Fair at Clayton State University. While in the US, Mr. Grimes was also invited by Minnesota and Georgia Branches of Maryland County Association the two organ-izations which he gracefully accept-ed and addressed them. At the forum in Minnesota, a Mary-lander, Ms. Beatrice Rue who is RN in Minnesota, donated an as-sortment of nursing books to be used by the students of the Col-lege of Heath Sciences.
Director Grimes (in the middle) poses with his colleagues at Emory
Tribute to the Memory of the late Mrs. Cecelia Jones Browne
Page 10
I wish to use this occasion to express my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Stephen Browne and the bereaved Jones and Browne families. Howbeit, I refuse to accept the fact that Cecelia has passed away. Cecelia was like a daughter to me. Because of the proximity, being next door to her office, she stopped by all the time to check on me. If there was a vehicle going to town, she would come over to inform me and find out if I needed a ride. If I had some clerical work to do, she was the consultant I touched base with. She was always there for me. When she needed advice on anything, she came over and shared it with me. Indeed, she will greatly be missed!
I recall our last conversation before I left for the US. She had some Liberian home-made pepper-sauce which she was trying to send to her husband. She was looking forward to the birth of the baby and to one day reunite with him when he completes his studies in Nigeria. As I sit and reflect, I am still puzzled about her sudden departure from this Earth. Till this day, I am traumatized and hurt; and can say so for many who interacted with her in one way another. To my TU family and others; let us take solace in the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ when he said and as recorded in John 11:25: “I am resurrection and I am life, whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he dies”. I have the faith that Cecelia is not dead, she is resting in the arms of the Lord, waiting for that great resurrection morning. She was a believer and had faith in Christ.
It is not often that a life comes along upon which a community gets attached and then there is a sudden good bye, you don’t expect. Yes, Cecelia in her quiet way made her mark and imprint on some of our minds. Her ever smiling face, joy to assist, soft but effective voice, and her kind heart to serve everyone, will be truly missed.
Linda Ellis (1996) in her poem The Dash, said:
“…For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.”
As she spent her dash, Cecelia had many unique qualities; She was a dedicated wife, an affectionate mother, a compassionate family member, and a trusted friend.
Cecelia had the gifts of hospitality and generosity. She made everyone to feel welcomed with her warmth and friendliness. She made strangers to feel welcomed into her office and home; and rendered special assistance, favors and services to anyone who approached her.
As a Secretary by profession, Cecelia indelible mark of excellence is stamped on the faces and in the hearts of all our students, faculty, administrators and staff. Excel-lence was her hallmark and she emphasized discipline, hard work and good character.
During this difficult period of great loss and grief, on behalf of myself and the Office of Career Planning & Placement of the William V S Tubman University, I wish to express profound condolences to her husband, Stephen; children, the bereaved family, Dr. Colleen Clay, faculty and students of the College of Education, and the entire TU community.
The late Cecelia now finds eternal rest with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom she served faithfully in her sojourn on earth and is reunited with her beloved
relatives and love ones who went before her and to be with the Lord.
During this difficult period, please permit me to use an excerpt from William Cullen Bryant in his Thanatopsis which states:
“So live, that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan which moves to that mysterious realm where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scourged by his dungeon; but, sustain'd and soothed by an unfaltering trust, ap-proach thy grave, Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.”
Good bye Cecelia, Good bye, see you in the sweet by and by on that great resurrection morning; Rest Cecelia, and May light perpetual shine upon you. It is my prayer
that your soul, and the souls of all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
“TELL me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!— For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem.
Henry Wadsward Longfellow in The Psalm of Life said:
Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul,”
