MONROVIA – Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia (UL), has called on alumni to support their alma mater, and one of the university’s most celebrated classes has answered that call. The UL Golden Class of 2001 has pledged US $10,000 to improve bathroom facilities at the Capitol Hill Campus, a donation that will fund reserve water equipment and supplies for the multi-bathroom complex located between the Center for Population Studies and Tubman Hall.
Last week, representatives of the Golden Class met with Dr. Maparyan to formalize their pledge, highlighting the class’s continued commitment to the university. President Maparyan has made alumni engagement a priority, emphasizing the importance of strengthening UL through support from former students.
The alumni group was led by Hon. Boima Kamara, Director General at the West African Monetary Agency, who also served as president of the Golden Class of 2001. “The bathrooms work, but there isn’t a consistent water supply – that’s something we can fix,” said Roseline Hunter-Konneh, a UL instructor and member of the Golden Class.
Fellow classmate and UL full-time lecturer Richard Walker explained that the donation will cover the purchase of polytanks and other essential supplies to ensure a steady water supply to the campus bathrooms. The Golden Class earned its nickname as the “Jubilee Class” after graduating during UL’s 50th Commencement Convocation, marking a golden milestone in the university’s history.
Walker, who serves as Secretary General of the alumni group, noted that the class comprises about 500 students, many of whom have gone on to hold prominent positions, including two Finance Ministers, a Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, lawmakers, and university lecturers. “In our connection, this class, fortunately, has put up some very prominent personalities,” he said.
The Golden Class has a long history of giving back to UL. In 2001, they funded a welcome sign on the Capitol Hill Campus, and individual members have contributed to various university projects over the years. Their most ambitious initiative is the planned UL e-library, a landmark project for which fundraising is ongoing.
“But in the interim, we decided that while we mobilize resources for the e-library, which is capital intensive, we should do something of immediate impact,” Walker said. The bathroom project, therefore, addresses one of the university’s most urgent infrastructure needs and provides tangible benefits to students and staff.
During the meeting, President Maparyan expressed her gratitude to the Golden Class, noting that their generous donation sets a high standard for other alumni groups to emulate. The contribution underscores the importance of alumni support in maintaining and improving the facilities and services that make UL a leading institution of higher learning in Liberia.
By investing in practical improvements like water supply for essential facilities, the Golden Class of 2001 demonstrates how alumni can play a pivotal role in enhancing the learning environment and promoting the welfare of current and future students.
