ZWEDRU, Grand Gedeh County —Grand Gedeh University celebrated its 8th Commencement Convocation on Saturday, October 17 as President Dr. Eric Z. M. Gbotoe delivered a triumphant address, highlighting the institution’s turnaround and outlining ambitious plans for the future.
By Franklin Doloquee
In an emotion-packed ceremony held on the university’s main campus, Dr. Gbotoe welcomed dignitaries including guest speaker Mohammed Ali, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), members of the University Board of Trustees, local and national government officials, religious leaders, development partners, faculty, staff and families of the graduates.
The graduating class of 2025/2026 — 57 students — received Associate Degrees, making it the institution’s last associate degree as they embarked on full degree programs beginning 2026 upward in front of a capacity crowd that included chiefs, elders and representatives of sister universities.
From bleak beginnings to visible progress
Dr. Gbotoe opened his address with gratitude to Almighty God and traced the university’s rapid transformation since his administration assumed leadership.
He said the institution had been “in name, but not in substance” when they took over, citing lack of internet connectivity, dilapidated buildings and an undersized, poorly equipped health sciences simulation lab that failed to meet modern training needs.
“Students were learning in isolation, cut off from the global knowledge economy,” Dr. Gbotoe said, painting an urgent picture of conditions that he said were “far below the minimum standard conducive for learning.”
Major upgrades and digital leap
The President said the university has since closed the digital divide by installing free, high-speed campus-wide Wi‑Fi, enabling students and faculty to access online research, e-learning resources and global academic networks.
He said the US$9 Million Support from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Government toward the University will be used for instructional development.
He described classrooms and libraries increasingly alive with digital research and collaborative projects.
On physical infrastructure, Dr. Gbotoe reported comprehensive renovations to the College of Health Sciences and a full reconstruction and expansion of the Simulation Laboratory.
Now described as a “state-of-the-art learning center,” the lab has been outfitted with modern equipment and teaching aids he said meet international standards.
“Partnerships with government agencies and the diaspora have been central to this progress,” he told the audience.
He also announced that the Liberia Board for Nursing and Midwifery will conduct an accreditation visit on October 26–27, signaling institutional recognition of the improvements to health training.
Investing in faculty and academic quality
Dr. Gbotoe emphasized investments in human capital, noting that infrastructure without qualified faculty is insufficient.
He said the university sponsored 14 instructional staff to pursue Master’s Degrees at Cuttington University and that five senior faculty members are currently enrolled in PhD Programs at reputable institutions overseas and elsewhere in Africa.
He described these staff as crucial to elevating the school’s academic profile on return.
Support from government and partners
The President publicly thanked high-level national supporters whose contributions accelerated the campus transformation.
He singled out Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung for his pivotal role in advancing construction of a modern Student Center now nearing completion.
He also acknowledged support from the Director General of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, Amos Tweh, and the Director General of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE).
Dr. Gbotoe praised Grand Gedeh natives living abroad for initiating construction of a multi-purpose sports complex on campus, calling the diaspora’s involvement “a patriotic gesture” that strengthens university life and community ties.
A transformational pledge: US$9 million infrastructure fund
The highlight of the address was Dr. Gbotoe’s announcement of a major national investment: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has approved a US$9 million infrastructure fund for Grand Gedeh University. Dr. Gbotoe said the funding will catalyze a “massive” transformation of the campus landscape over the next year, ushering in “a new era of construction never before seen in the history of this institution.”
Charge to graduates
Addressing the 57 members of the graduating class, Dr. Gbotoe urged them to be agents of change: “You are the light of Grand Gedeh University. As our motto says, you must go and be ‘Light to the Southeast.’’
He called on them to become job creators, ambassadors of integrity and leaders in service to county and country.
Recognition and closing
Dr. Gbotoe closed by thanking the Board of Trustees for approving reforms and for granting his administration room to innovate.
He offered a blessing over the university and the nation, saying, “May God bless Grand Gedeh University, may God bless Grand Gedeh County, and may God bless the Republic of Liberia.”
Ceremony atmosphere and community response
Attendees described the convocation as uplifting and hopeful.
Local officials and families praised the president’s steady progress and expressed optimism about the US$9 million fund. The graduates, many of whom are the first in their families to earn university degrees, wore bright academic regalia and received warm applause as they crossed the stage.
Several parents broke into joyful tears during the presentation of degrees, while faculty members milled around the renovated grounds discussing the academic improvements and pending accreditation visit.
What’s next
With immediate priorities on completing the Student Center, preparing for the nursing and midwifery accreditation and deploying the US$9 million infrastructure fund, university leaders say the next 12 months will focus on expanding academic programs, improving student services and continuing faculty development to meet national and international standards.