MONROVIA – On the day of the University of Liberia 105th Commencement Convocation held on Wednesday in Fendall, a female report for LUX FM, University of Liberia Radio quietly made history of her own by winning the “Philip N. Wesseh Excellence Journalism Award”. She is Inez Mardea Reeves. She was selected due to her practice of quality journalism, unwavering for the truth and performed exceptionally during the academic year 2025-2026.
Another Liberia media expert and instructor, Mr. Frank B. Sainworla was selected from among two thousand faculty members at the University of Liberia, as the winner of the “Most Outstanding Adjunct Instructor” of the Year 2025-2026. He teaches at the Department of Communication and Media Studies and serves as Acting Coordinator of the Joe W. Mulbah Center of Journalism and Public Relations.
Miss. Goodness M. Sart, the second dux with the second highest academic CGPA 3.826, Summa Cum Laude at the top of the 105th graduating class( 1,700 graduates) of the University of Liberia for 2025 won three major honors including the “Most Outstanding Academic Excellence Award”, “Academic Star Award”, and the :Most Outstanding Thesis Defender and Presenter” at the Sawyer College. Scholar Sart earned BA degree in Communication and media Studies. Miss. Dedded Morris, a physically challenged graduate with BA in Sociology was named the “Most Determined Graduate of the 105th class” of the institution.
The award will officially be presented to the two Liberian Journalists, Ms. Reeves and Mr. Sainworla on March 3, 2025 during the Amos C. Sawyer annual Academic Recognition and honoring Program. Both journalists were selected by a panel of professional media experts and Professors at the nation’s flagship university from among several journalists, media practitioners and faculty members in the institution.
Unlike the Adjunct Faculty award was selection was restricted to the University of Liberia campus, the Philip N. Wesseh’s award extended beyond the University of Liberia campus to Monrovia and its environs. The Philip N. Wesseh Excellence Journalism Award established by the University of Liberia through the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities honors and recognizes outstanding journalist at the University community.
Presenting awards and honors during the Tuesday’s 105th graduation convocation of UL, the Dean of Sawyer College, Prof. Dr. Josephus M. Gray it was an incredible honor and privilege to name Inez Mardea Reeves as the first female to win the prestigious award. Dr. Gray told the audience that the award deeply speaks to the depth of his heart because it was it is always great to honor the contributions and legacy of the late Philip N. Wesseh, the icon of Liberia journalism. Dr. Gray is one of hundreds of journalists natured into professional journalism by Atty. Wesseh (PNW) prior to his death.
According to Professor Gray, the prestigious award which honors and recognizes quality journalist was establishment in 2022 in memory of an illustrious Liberian and an icon of Print Journalism in Liberia, Mr. Philip N. Wesseh.
The late Atty. Wesseh was an alumnus and a part-time instructor of the Department of Mass Communication now Department of Communication and Media Studies, Amos C Sawyer College, University of Liberia where he earned BA degree in Mass Communication in 2002 and a LLB degree in Law. He practiced as a professional journalist for over 40 unbroken years and rose from reporter to managing editor.
The PNW excellence journalism award is intended to uphold the legacy of an illustrious journalist and an icon of Print Journalism in Africa, particularly Liberia. One way of remembering PNW, an illustrious Liberian who impacts have practically changed millions of people and preserving his legacy is through the establishment of an award. Philip meant so much to the University of Liberia. He was a GOOD man, a man with a great heart of service; the late Philip N. Wesseh has left a great stamp in the hearts of many persons.
The College will on Wednesday, conferred BA and BSW degrees on 170 candidates, 96 males and 74 females with 3 in English, 17 in Communication and Media Studies, 13 in Demography, 2 in Geography, 5 in Political Science, 20 in Social Work and 110 in Sociology, respectively. Miss Goodness Sart of the Department of Communication and Media Studies came in. second place above the 1,700 plus candidates of the 105th graduating class. She earned CGPA 3.826, Summa Cum Laude.
Since 1862, the College has traditionally served students pursuing a full, four-year undergraduate bachelor’s degrees in the most exceedingly respected professional academic disciplines. The College has emerged as a center of instruction for undergraduate students in humanities and social sciences education.
