SUAKOKO, Bong County — Liberia’s Vice President, Jeremiah Kpan Koung Sr., has urged the graduating Class of 2026 at Cuttington University to look beyond academic qualifications and embrace lives defined by integrity, responsibility, and selfless service, emphasizing that true success is measured not by degrees alone but by the impact individuals make on society.
Delivering the keynote address during the university’s 64th Commencement Convocation on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Cuttington University’s main campus in Suakoko, Bong County, Vice President Koung encouraged graduates to become ethical leaders, responsible citizens, and agents of national transformation.
Speaking under the theme, “Beyond the Degree: Character, Responsibility and Service,” the Vice President described the occasion as both a celebration and a personal homecoming, reflecting on his years as a student at Cuttington University and the role the institution played in shaping his values and leadership philosophy.
“It is good to be home,” Koung told the gathering. “This is the place that helped shape my character. It taught me responsibility and instilled in me the conviction that service is the highest expression of our call to humanity.”
Recalling his student years, Koung reflected on memorable experiences, including chapel services, spirited student leadership debates, matriculation bonfires, and social gatherings at the university’s student center. According to him, those experiences embodied the institution’s enduring motto, Sancte et Sapiente—meaning “Holy and Wise.”
Addressing the graduates, the Vice President stressed that while academic degrees can create opportunities, they are only the beginning of a much longer journey toward meaningful achievement.
“Your degree may open doors, but it is your character that will keep those doors open,” Koung declared. “Your degree may help you secure a position, but it is your sense of responsibility that will determine how far you go. Your commitment to service will ultimately define your legacy.”
Drawing from his own life experiences, Koung shared a deeply personal account of growing up in poverty between Grand Bassa and Nimba counties. He recounted how financial hardship forced him to postpone his university education after graduating from high school in 2001.
As the eldest son in his family, he said he accepted the responsibility of helping to support his younger siblings before pursuing his own educational ambitions. Beginning at the age of 12, Koung explained that he sold cane juice, gasoline, medicines, and other goods to contribute to his family’s livelihood.
Despite eventually achieving financial stability through business, he said he understood that education remained one of the greatest investments anyone could make. Determined to fulfill his academic aspirations, Koung enrolled at Cuttington University in 2006 and financed his own education.
While studying at the university, fellow students encouraged him to seek leadership responsibilities, ultimately leading to his election as president of his graduating class.
According to the Vice President, that experience fundamentally changed his understanding of leadership and public service.
“It taught me that leadership is not about titles; leadership is about service,” he said. “Confidence grows when responsibility is accepted.”
Koung explained that the leadership skills and confidence he developed during his years at Cuttington became the foundation of his public service career. He later served two terms as Representative for Nimba County, was subsequently elected Senator, and now serves as Vice President of Liberia under the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.
Encouraging the graduates to remain resilient, Koung reminded them that some of life’s greatest contributions often occur without public recognition or immediate reward.
“There will be moments when nobody applauds you or notices your sacrifices,” he told the graduates. “In those moments, your character will speak louder than your credentials.”
The Vice President also challenged members of the graduating class to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation rather than depending solely on government employment. He emphasized that strengthening Liberia’s private sector remains a key national priority in addressing unemployment and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
“As someone who came from the private sector, I am honored to work alongside President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., whose vision is to build Liberian entrepreneurs capable of driving private sector growth,” Koung said. “Begin thinking about business ideas and make the most of the opportunities our government is creating.”
He encouraged graduates to use their education, creativity, and determination to establish businesses, generate employment opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s economic development.
Concluding his address, Vice President Koung urged the graduates to move confidently into the next chapter of their lives with integrity, discipline, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.
“Go forward knowing that the future of Liberia is brighter because of you,” he said as he congratulated the Class of 2026 on reaching a significant milestone in their academic journey.
The 64th Commencement Convocation attracted a large gathering of government officials, university administrators, faculty members, alumni, parents, students, and distinguished guests, all of whom joined in celebrating the achievements of Cuttington University’s graduating Class of 2026.
The ceremony not only marked the successful completion of years of academic study but also served as a call for a new generation of Liberian graduates to lead with character, embrace responsibility, and dedicate themselves to building a stronger, more prosperous nation through service and innovation.
