Fendall Campus, University of Liberia, June 15, 2025 | The University of Liberia (UL) has held the first annual Amos C. Sawyer Public Lecture Series, an initiative aimed at nurturing, developing, and sustaining an academic community of researchers, scholars, and academics at the University of Liberia and beyond.
Convened by the Amos Claudius Sawyer Educational Foundation (ACSEF), the first annual lecture program was held on Friday, June 13, 2025, on the UL Fendall Campus in Louisiana, Montserrado County.
The forum, to be housed in the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Liberia, will provide a platform and framework for accomplished and illustrious scholars, academics, and statesmen with rich knowledge in various fields of study to address the university community on a wide range of issues that cover life, works, and visions.
During the first annual lecture program, Prof. Dr. Agnes Reeves Taylor, UL Vice President for Academic Affairs and Officer-in-Charge, on behalf of the President of the President of the University of Liberia Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan extended a warm welcome to all those attending the program to honor a great man, the late Dr. Amos C. Sawyer.
“We’re very grateful. And I say to the Sawyer Foundation and the Sawyer family, we are grateful that you agreed to house this lecture series in our university. Thank you so much for that,” Dr. Taylor noted. The UL Vice President indicated that the legacy of Dr. Sawyer will live on.
The late Dr. Sawyer was a Liberian statesman, a former Interim President, and a renowned political scientist and professor who taught at the University of Liberia.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Amb Dew Tuan-Wleh Mayson, a comrade of the late Dr. Sawyer and a notable Liberian diplomat and businessman opined that the ACSEF will set the pace for carrying forward the virtues and legacy of Dr. Sawyer.
“I know that one can only live once. But if you live once, and you live well, once is enough. And Sawyer lived well, he lived right. And it is for this reason that we continue to be optimistic. Although probably we are prone to weep, because of the situation. I know that whenever the heroes and sheroes of our people are listed, Sawyer’s name will be in a place of honor,” said Amb. Mayson.
He explained that Dr. Sawyer was one of those rare individuals who was both intelligent and honest, two qualities that are rarely found in any one individual but are also indispensable for leadership and direction.
According to Prof. Amb. Mayson, Philosophers have only interpreted the world in different ways, and so Dr. Sawyer decided that his education would not just be used to interpret and analyze the world in this and that way, but more importantly, to change the world.
Dr. Josephus Gray, Dean of the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities said the forum centers around the dreams and the inspirations of the father of the college, Dr. Sawyer.
“Beyond that, the Amos C. Sawyer Lecture Series is to foster a positive academic environment that enhances qualitative learning and teaching, research innovations, and promote institutional image globally,” Dr. Gray explained.
He noted that students and faculty aim to change the current narrative of the University of Liberia by reflecting on the life, the works, and the visions of their professor, statesman, Professor Dr. Amos C. Sawyer.
Dr. Gray stated that they seek to do this by engaging in positive change and academic spirit and fostering an environment of collaborations and interactions that offer students an opportunity to develop their communication skills and research skills and make positive contributions to the development of great nations.
“The Sawyer Foundation and the Board of Directors have been very supportive of the positive transformation and development of the ACS College in several aspects, ranging from scholarship to the provisions of educational material and office supplies,” said Dr. Gray.
The wife of the late Dr. Sawyer, Mrs. Thelma E. Duncan Sawyer said she was proud of being a part of the Amos C. Sawyer College at the University, thanking the UL Administration.
“And I promise you that with the help of the Board of Directors, and the people on this stage, our family and friends, we at the [Amos C.] Sawyer Educational Foundation will do everything we can to give back to this school, to this college,” she pledged.
She appreciated the University for finding a space for the Foundation to give a reading room.
“And learn from some of the things that will be around. May you use his books wisely. Please do not tear the sheet out if you want to read, because you want to do some work,” she admonished students.
