The United Methodist University (UMU) has conferred an Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree (Honaris Causa) on His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at its 19th Commencement Convocation, held Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
The conferral of the honorary doctorate degree, according to the administration of the university, is in recognition of President Boakai’s selfless contributions to the development of the country and humanity.
The administration, in its decision, recalled President Boakai’s humble and exemplary lifestyle and humble beginning, both as a student and a public servant.
“Not once did any parent return to complain about unrecorded payments; you proved the experts wrong about self-reared parents; you were well-behaved, courteous and decent; you were never subject to disciplinary actions by the school,” UMU cited.
The administration similarly shrouded its decision in the President’s demonstrated model behavior of honesty and integrity through college and public life, championing anti-corruption values even during the just-ended legislative and presidential elections that brought him to power.
The UMU administration also took pride in the President’s classification that “corruption in all its manifestations brings about underdevelopment and deprivation, and that’s what African leaders should fight against”.
The United Methodist Church has a stake in President Boakai’s education foundation as one of several Liberian statesmen and women who passed through the walls of the famous College of West Africa (CWA). This honorary degree is one of several honors received in the past by the Liberian Leader.
