THE USA-There is an adage which says: “Give a man his flower, while he is alive then when he is dead”. That was the case with the outgoing President of the University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas (ULIBAAA), Mr. Melvin D. Howard. He was praised for the significant progress made in the association under his stewardship.
In 2016, former students and graduates of the University of Liberia met in the City of Philadelphia, for the sole purpose of revitalizing the University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas.
During that important convention, new corp of officers, headed by Mr. Howard, were elected and inducted into office to steer the affairs of ULIBAAA for a-five year term.
He also served as Chairperson for the University of Liberia Alumni Associations Global Leadership Team, comprising leaders from the University of Liberia Alumni Associations in the United States, Liberia, Nigeria and Europe.
At a well-attended colorful ceremony held in the United States, Mr. Howard was praised for re-awakening the spirit of the University of Liberia Alumni Association across the US and other parts, making it more functional, including expansion of the Association membership from about forty to over two-thousand across the US, with the establishing of seven active chapters in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey and Delaware.
He was also lauded for increasing the Association‘s revenue from US$1,900.00 in 2016 to over US$125,000.00 in 2021.
According to a recent dispatch , his leadership, in collaboration with its parent body, the Alumni Association of the University of Liberia (AAUL), presented to the UL modern desktop computers, projectors, printers, microscopes, test tubes and laboratory scales, laboratory gowns and other equipment, as well as Biology, Chemistry, Law Books and Engineering Magazine, among others.
The dispatch said, under the leadership of Mr. Howard, the ULIBAAA was able to strengthen ties with the University of Liberia Alumni Association in Liberia, Nigeria, the ones in Europe, the Trustee of Donations for Education in Liberia, the Massachusetts Alliance for Restoration of the University of Liberia, the University of Liberia Alumni Chorus including the Cuttington University Alumni Association.
In an effort to ensure a peaceful learning atmosphere at the state-owned highest learning institution, Mr. Howard’s Leadership was constantly engaging both the UL Administration and student body concerning students’ protests on campuses, to continue the smooth learning condition.
Meanwhile, in his farewell speech, Mr. Howard reiterated the motto of the Alumni Association “Time to Give Back”.
He stated: “As I am leaving office today, I remain more committed to lead the effort in engaging partners and stakeholders to assist the UL, and calling on all former students and graduates of the institution across the world to join the effort in given back to our beloved Alma mater, the Nation’s premier University, Lux in Tenebris”.
Mr. Howard extended a special thanks and appreciation to the President, Administration, Board of Trustee of the University of Liberia and Officers and members of AAUL for the cordial working relationship during his tenure, as National President for the UL Alumni Association in the Americas.
He also extended thanks and appreciation to the President and members of the Trustee of Donations for Education in Liberia TDEL, for the numerous financial contributions to Alumni Association’s programs during the past five-years.
Mr. Howard named some of the TDEL’s support as the scholarship fund drive, Launching of the Association’s multi-purpose recreation building project, Shipment cost for the quick impact items to the University of Liberia.
