Students from the University of Liberia, the nation’s flagship institution of higher learning, honored the esteemed Professor Dr. Elliott Wreh-Wilson, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., on Monday, June 8, 2026. This recognition was facilitated by the leadership of the Amos C. Sawyer College Student uniform body, acknowledging Dr. Wreh-Wilson’s over 30 years of dedication to the university. His exceptional contributions as an educator and mentor, including his tireless service on various committees and advocacy for academic excellence, have significantly enhanced the mission of Amos C. Sawyer College and the broader university community.
In appreciation of Dr. Wreh-Wilson’s outstanding contributions and unwavering support for student growth and academic excellence, the students presented him with a gown and certificate. This recognition included a detailed citation that highlighted his brilliance and scholarly achievements. Student Grace Tawoe from the Department of Communication and Media Studies read the citation during the Dr. Amos C. Sawyer Academic Lecture Series held on June 8, 2026, at the Thelma E. Duncan Sawyer Faculty Lounge on the University of Liberia Fendall Campus. The event was a tremendous success.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. D. Elliott Wreh-Wilson, captivated the audience with his insightful remarks regarding Dr. Sawyer’s life, work, vision, and contributions. Amidst enthusiastic applause from students, faculty members, well-wishers, and staff, Dr. Wreh-Wilson addressed the ongoing protests and disruptions affecting the university’s normal operations. He encouraged students to resolve issues and concerns through peaceful means rather than violence, reminding them of Dr. Sawyer’s consistent advocacy for peaceful problem-solving approaches.
Outstanding students from various colleges, including Sawyer College, the Engineering College, the Science College, the Agriculture College, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Education, showcased their remarkable academic skills and knowledge, reflecting the bright future of Liberian scholars.
The academic forum, hosted by the Amos C. Sawyer College Student Association in collaboration with the college’s administrative team, plays a crucial role in honoring Dr. Sawyer’s enduring legacy as a distinguished educator, political scientist, and statesman.
The students delivered impressive performances and engaged in profound intellectual discussions, filling the university community with pride. A heartfelt thank you is extended to all the talented scholars who showcased their abilities and contributed to the event’s success. In expressing appreciation for the honor bestowed upon Dr. Wreh-Wilson, the Dean of Amos C. Sawyer College and Doyen of Deans at the University of Liberia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Josephus M. Gray described the ceremony as a special day. He noted that the honoree dedicated decades of his life to shaping minds, advancing knowledge, and inspiring generations—not for recognition, but for the sheer love of learning and teaching.
“Distinguished guests, members of the university community, student body, and Dr. Sawyer’s family, friends, and well-wishers—it is my great privilege to seek your special attention as we carry out this special recognition task to honor someone who dedicated decades of his life and energies to shaping minds, advancing knowledge, and inspiring generations. While we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Dr. Amos C. Sawyer, we concurrently honor this great teacher who has been a valued member of our university community.”
Dr. Gray continued: “Professor Dr. D. Elliott Wreh-Wilson, former teaching assistant and instructor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Liberia; former chair of the Philosophy Department at Edinboro University, Pennsylvania; former Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cuttington University; former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tubman University; Emeritus Professor at Edinboro University; former President of William V.S. Tubman University in Harper City, Maryland County; and now Professor of Philosophy at the University of Liberia.”
CITATION FOR THE HONOR OF
Professor D. Elliott Wreh-Wilson, BA, MA, Ph.D.
Read by Student Grace Tawoe of the Department of Communication and Media Studies
As a young man, our distinguished honoree and esteemed Professor, Dr. Elliott Wreh-Wilson, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., devoted over 30 years to the University of Liberia, the nation’s premier institution of higher learning, from 1978 to the present. From 1978 to 1980, he served with unwavering dedication as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Philosophy, gaining invaluable insights and experience under the guidance of Dr. Wollor Topor and Dr. Amos C. Sawyer.
This recognition is a testament to your exemplary service and unwavering commitment to students. Your groundbreaking support for their thesis and research has left an indelible mark on Amos C. Sawyer College and the University of Liberia as a whole. In acknowledgment of your outstanding contributions to our institution and your dedication to advancing knowledge in your field, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your years of hard work and the inspiration you have provided to both faculty and students. You have excelled not only as an exceptional educator but also as a mentor.
Furthermore, your tireless service on various committees, your leadership in initiatives, and your advocacy for programs have significantly strengthened the mission of Amos C. Sawyer College. You have been a beacon of wisdom, encouragement, and integrity—qualities that have profoundly impacted our academic community.
These moments remind us that true greatness in education is measured not merely by knowledge shared, but by the lives touched. You have taught and inspired thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to make meaningful contributions in their respective fields.
In his quest for excellence in education, our distinguished professor journeyed to the United States, where he earned an M.A. in 1981 from the prestigious Boston College, a Jesuit institution in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. After completing his Master’s degree, he returned to the University as an instructor.
As a dedicated educator, our professor has taught at numerous universities in the United States, notably at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, where he retired in 2013 and was later honored as an emeritus professor in 2015. With nearly 42 years of teaching experience in both Liberia and the USA, he has also held the position of Chair of the Philosophy Department at Edinboro University.
Recognized for his exceptional contributions to education and service to the nation, our professor was selected from over 50 candidates to become President of William V.S. Tubman University in Harper City, Maryland County, where he introduced transformative programs that continue to leave a lasting impact. Like the University of Liberia, Tubman University is funded by the government of Liberia. His resignation from Tubman University became a blessing for the Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities, formerly Liberia College and the University of Liberia, where he had previously served as a teaching assistant and instructor.
Upon learning of his resignation, our dynamic and results-oriented Dean, Associate Professor Josephus Moses Gray, Ph.D., reached out to invite him to rejoin the University of Liberia as a full professor through the esteemed Amos C. Sawyer College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Before his presidency at Tubman University, he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cuttington University and later as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tubman University.
Our professor embodies the essence of scholarship and has profoundly influenced the lives of countless students in his philosophy classes, covering topics such as Ethics, Logic, Metaphysics, and Business Ethics, as well as teaching in the Graduate Program in Education. Reflecting on your personal connection with candidates in the Thelma E. Duncan Sawyer Faculty Lounge, we recall your unwavering commitment to excellence during their thesis defenses. Your presence has been a source of inspiration for all who have passed through that space.
Given these remarkable accomplishments, we wholeheartedly believe that honoring you is a fitting recognition of your dedication and significant impact on our students, faculty, and the broader university community. Let us express our deepest gratitude and warmest congratulations to Professor D. Elliott Wreh-Wilson, Ph.D., as we honor him with resounding applause.