Cuttington University matriculated over 260 freshmen students and 471 senior students, who were properly attired in their normal black gown, watched on.
The matriculation ceremony is meant to officially welcome freshmen students at Cuttington. As per its normal protocol, the event began on Saturday evening, November 23, 2019 with the traditional “Bon-fire Night” and was subsequently climaxed the following day with an intercessory church service at the Samuel D. Ferguson Hall situated on the University’s main campus in Suakoko.
However, this year’s matriculation has proven to be a very different one, owing to the number of freshmen students amounting to about 260 and a total amount of 471 senior students, coupled with parents, guardians, friends and well-wishers who graced the occasion.
Serving as guest-preacher of the 2019 Matriculation of Cuttington University, Rev. Eric S. Gbogar, the General Overseer of the Love Center Ministries Inc., spoke on the theme: “Nation and Vision.” In his inspiring and astute sermon, Rev. Gbogar challenged students of CU, prospective graduates and freshmen to cultivate the attitude of a visionary.
He believes that the students can only transform their communities and environments positively if they focus on where they are going and what will get them there.
Rev. Gbogar however related his sermon to the present-day realities confronting Liberian students, as he linked this situation with a biblical scripture from the Holy Bible; books of Jeremiah 23:1-6 and St. Luke 23:33-43.
The guest-preacher further admonished the students to be engaged in things that will positively impact their lives in particular and their communities in general. According to him, there are a number of issues currently confronting most Liberian students that require positive minds to change, if we as a nation and people should move in the right direction.
In conclusion of his sermon, Rev. Gbogar expressed his gratitude to the administration of Cuttington University for giving him the opportunity once again to share with students of Cuttington the words of God, which he said is the only way that people would be constantly reminded about those things that they need to do to add meaningful and values to their lives.
In remarks, Dr. Herman Browne, also urged students of the institution, especially the freshmen students to prioritize their studies and not be carried away by the social life of the campus.
He said even though another dimension of their being on the campus is to build relationships along with intellect; the main reason why they are at Cuttington is to learn.
The CU President emphasized that when it comes to the issues of grades, punctuality, attendance and presenting assignments in time, the faculty and deans are very strict; therefore, students of the institution should develop more interest in their studies.
The oath of affirmation was administered by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, admitting incoming freshmen students into the university, a segment of the event which ultimately portrayed the “lighting of the candles” by the freshmen students.