Cuttington University
Cuttington University seal
Motto	Sancte et Sapiente (Latin)
Motto in English	"With Holiness and Wisdom"
Type	Private
Established	1889; 135 years ago (1889)
Location	Suacoco , Bong County , Liberia 7°02′24″N 9°33′15″W / 7.040000°N 9.554167°W / 7.040000; -9.554167
Campus	Suakoko, Kakata, Monrovia
Affiliations	Episcopal Church of the United States
Website	cu.edu.lr

Cuttington University is a private university in Suacoco, Liberia. Founded in 1889 as Cuttington College by the Episcopal Church of the United States (ECUSA), it is the oldest private, coeducational, four-year, degree-granting institution in sub-Saharan Africa.^[1]

History

In 1887, Robert Fulton Cutting, treasurer of the ECUSA, donated $5,000 to an Episcopalian bishop in Liberia for the establishment of a school for teaching Liberian children — regardless of ethnicity — about industry and agriculture.^[2] The university was finally established in 1889 by Samuel David Ferguson in Cape Palmas, where it remained until 1929. Named Cuttington College when it opened, M. P. Keda Valentine served as the first principal followed by Samuel Taylor.^[2] Among the first private colleges in the West African region, the school was seen as a college for Liberia's elite.^[3] Some of the earliest graduates included "two chief justices of the Liberian Supreme Court and three associate justices, one minister of education and many civil servants".

In 1948, the college moved to Suacoco in Bong County, 120 miles north of Liberia's capital of Monrovia. Prior to the First Liberian Civil War, 45% of government officials were alumni of the college.^[3] In the wake of the 1980 military coup, the college continued to be favoured with government assistance, as the Ministry of Action for Development and Progress provided approximately $1.5 million for the college's 1981-1982 budget.^[4] During the First Liberian Civil War from 1989 to 1996, the school was looted and the structures were damaged and the campus used as a training facility for militias.^[3] From 1990 to 1997, the school operated only at an office in the U.S. state of Virginia.^[3] In 1998, the now Cuttington University College re-opened with a class of 103 students.^[3]

The college has now reopened for the third time in its history (the second founding at its current location was in 1948), after a lengthy period of civil conflict. On August 15, 2004, 117 students graduated on the war-ravaged campus in various disciplines, with the highest number of graduates being in nursing.

War damage

On February 5, 2004, the President of Cuttington, Dr. Henrique F. Tokpa met his son Captain Matthew J. Denkyan of the U.S. Army, who was assigned to Liberia as a military observer. They were part of an inspection team who toured the partially renovated facilities which had been damaged by looters during the war:

The Dunbar Building, which houses the office of Registrar; bookstore and a few classrooms had been de-roofed and heavy and repeated rain storms had damaged the ceiling, roofing frame and nearly all of the books that had been previously donated by the County College of Morris in Randolph, New Jersey, USA.
The AFRICANA Museum is in similar condition to the Dunbar Building (zinc and ceiling material have been removed by looters and the roofing timbers had been exposed to the weather and only the concrete walls and rafters remained in place.
The Tubman Library had sustained less structural damage, but extensive looting and on site destruction of books and facilities has taken place there.
The Seth C. Edwards cafeteria has been partially de-roofed and some of the roofing timbers had collapsed.
A grass fire had destroyed a building that had been built by the Lutheran Church as the guest house for commuting professors. The fire had created extensive cracks in the structure and will have to be demolished. The cause of the grass fire is unknown, during the dry Harmattan season grass fires are common, but due to the war they burned out of control.
The newly constructed Power House which was constructed with a USAID and ASHA grant is relatively intact although looters entered the building, less damage was done.The current president of the Cuttington University is Dr. Romelle Horton the institution 13th president.

Details

Cuttington University is located 120 miles north of Monrovia in Suacoco, Bong County

Cuttington University is the oldest private, coeducational, four-year, degree-granting institution in sub-Saharan Africa.^[1] It issues degrees in the liberal arts and a number of technical studies. It has educated generations of leaders for the nation of Liberia and West Africa. Its roots lie deep within the history of the nation, the relationship between Liberia and the United States, and the Episcopal Church.

Currently, the school is attempting to find sponsors who will help to improve its communications with the world. Since the end of the war, regular telephone, electricity, and internet services have been restored. The campus also runs its own water treatment facility. At present, a volunteer web site is maintained remotely in the United States. The Cuttington University public radio and television stations resumed broadcasts in January 2010.

The campus, 120 miles from Monrovia, includes only a single-story white structure.^[3] These are set among rolling hills and cotton trees as well as rice paddies and the native tropical plants.^[3] Next to campus is the school's affiliated hospital, Phebe Hospital.^[3] Cuttington is a member of the Association of African Universities.^[5]

Notable people

Dessaline Harris, Supreme Court justice^[6]
Roosevelt Jayjay, faculty member; Minister of Mines, GOL^[7]
Harry Moniba, former Vice President of Liberia
Roselyn Nugba-Ballah, Liberia's first recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal^[8]
James A. A. Pierre (1929), Attorney General and Chief Justice of Liberia
Wilton Sankawulo, faculty member and author^[9]^[10]
Jewel Taylor, Vice President of Liberia; former First Lady of Liberia

References

External links

Universities in Liberia

Universities in Liberia
Bong County	Cuttington University
Margibi County	Booker Washington Institute
Maryland County	Tubman University
Montserrado County	Starz University African Methodist Episcopal University Stella Maris Polytechnic United Methodist University University of Liberia
Category Commons List

Association of African Universities

Association of African Universities
Algeria	Algiers 1 University Constantine 1 University Oran 1 University Université Badji Mokhtar d'Annaba Université des sciences et de la technologie d'Oran Université Des Sciences Islamiques University of Ouargla University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene
Angola	Agostinho Neto University
Benin	African University For Cooperative Development Edexcel University Poma International Business University Université de Parakou University of Abomey-Calavi
Botswana	Botho University Botswana Accountancy College Botswana International University of Science and Technology Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources New Era College Of Arts, Science And Technology University of Botswana
Burkina Faso	Institut International d'Ingénierie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement Institut Supérieur d’Informatique et de Gestion L'Université Aube Nouvelle Nazi Boni University University of Ouagadougou
Burundi	École normale supérieure de Bujumbura University of Burundi
Cameroon	Ecole Nationale Superieure Des Travaux Publics De Yaoundé Institut Universitaire du Golfe de Guinée Maflekumen Higher Institute Of Health Sciences Pan African Institute for Development – West Africa University of Bamenda University of Buea University of Douala University of Dschang University of Maroua University of Ngaoundéré University of Yaoundé I
Cape Verde	Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde
Central African Republic	EUCLID University of Bangui
Chad	University of N'Djamena
Republic of the Congo	Marien Ngouabi University
Cote D'Ivoire	Agitel - Formation École nationale supérieure de statistique et d'économie appliquée Institut universitaire d'Abidjan International University of Grand-Bassam Pigier Côte d'Ivoire Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny Université Nangui-Abrogoua Université Pelefero Gon Coulibaly Université Tertiaire et Technologique LOKO
Democractic Republic of the Congo	Catholic University of Bukavu Université catholique du Congo Université Loyola du Congo Université Simon Kimbangu University of Kinshasa University of Kisangani University of Lubumbashi
Egypt	Ain Shams University Al-Azhar University Alexandria Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology Alexandria University Benha University Cairo University Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology Egyptian e-Learning University Helwan University Mansoura University Matrouh University Menoufia University Minya University Misr University for Science and Technology October 6 University Pharos University in Alexandria South Valley University Suez Canal University Tanta University The American University in Cairo The British University in Egypt University of Sadat City Zagazig University
Eritrea	University of Asmara
Eswatini	University of Eswatini
Ethiopia	Addis Ababa Science and Technology University Addis Ababa University Bule Hora University Ethiopian Civil Service University Haramaya University Hawassa University Jimma University Mekelle University St. Mary's University Wollega University
Gabon	Omar Bongo University Université Des Sciences & Techniques De Masuku
Ghana	Accra Institute of Technology Accra Technical University African University College of Communications All Nations University Ashesi University Bluecrest University College Central University Dominion University College George Grant University of Mines and Technology Ghana Institute of Languages Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Koforidua Technical University Kumasi Technical University Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Methodist University College Ghana Pentecost University Presbyterian University College Radford University College Regent University College of Science and Technology Regional Maritime University University for Development Studies University of Cape Coast University of Education, Winneba University of Energy and Natural Resources University of Ghana University of Health and Allied Sciences University of Professional Studies University of Media, Arts and Communication Valley View University Wisconsin International University College Zenith University College
Kenya	African Virtual University Catholic University of Eastern Africa Daystar University Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Egerton University International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kenyatta University Maseno University Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Moi University Mount Kenya University Multimedia University of Kenya South Eastern Kenya University Strathmore University Umma University University of Eldoret University of Nairobi
Lesotho	National University of Lesotho
Liberia	Cuttington University Stella Maris Polytechnic University United Methodist University
Libya	Al Asmarya University for Islamic Sciences Al Zawiya University Misurata University Sabha University University of Al-Jabal Al Gharbi University of Benghazi University of Tripoli
Madagascar	University of Antsiranana University of Antananarivo University of Fianarantosoa University of Mahajanga University of Toamasina University of Toliara
Malawi	DMI-St. John the Baptist University Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Malawi University of Science and Technology UNICAF University of Malawi
Mali	University of Bamako
Mauritania	University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya
Mauritius	Open University of Mauritius University of Mauritius University of Technology, Mauritius
Morocco	Mohammed First University Mohammed V University University of al-Qarawiyyin
Mozambique	Catholic University of Mozambique Eduardo Mondlane University Maputo University Zambeze University
Namibia	International University of Management Namibia University of Science and Technology University of Namibia
Niger	Abdou Moumouni University Higher Institute of Mining, Industry and Geology Maryam Abacha American University Niger
Nigeria	Abia State University Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Adamawa State University Ahmadu Bello University Al-Hikmah University Babcock University Bayero University Bells University of Technology Bowen University Crawford University Delta State University, Abraka Ebonyi State University Federal University of Technology, Minna Federal University of Technology, Owerri Federal University of Technology, Yola Gombe State University Kogi State University Kwara State University Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Michael Okpara University of Agriculture National Open University of Nigeria Niger Delta University Nnamdi Azikiwe University Osun State University Pan-Atlantic University Redeemer's University Rivers State University University of Abuja University of Africa University of Agriculture, Abeokuta University of Agriculture, Makurdi University of Benin University of Calabar University of Ibadan University of Ilorin University of Lagos University of Port Harcourt University of Uyo Usman Dan Fodio University
Rwanda	Université Nationale du Rwanda
Sierra Leone	Njala University University of Sierra Leone
Somalia	Benadir University East Africa University Puntland State University
South Africa	Cape Peninsula University of Technology Central University of Technology Council on Higher Education Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University North-West University Rhodes University University of Cape Town University of Fort Hare University of Johannesburg University of KwaZulu-Natal University of the Free State University of Limpopo University of Pretoria University of South Africa University of Stellenbosch University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand University of Venda University of Zululand Walter Sisulu University
South Sudan	University of Juba
Sudan	El Imam El Mahdi University National College for Medical and Technical Studies Omdurman Ahlia University Red Sea University University of Bakht er Ruda University of Dalanj University of Science and Technology
Tanzania	Ardhi University Muslim University of Morogoro Mzumbe University St. Augustine University of Tanzania The Open University of Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam Zanzibar University
The Gambia	University of the Gambia
Togo	Université de Kara Université de Lomé
Uganda	Busitema University Uganda Christian University Uganda Management Institute Uganda Martyrs University
Zambia	Cavendish University Copperbelt University Mulungushi University University of Lusaka College University of Zambia Zambian Open University
Zimbabwe	Africa University Bindura University of Science Education Chinhoyi University of Technology Great Zimbabwe University Harare Institute of Technology Lupane State University Midlands State University National University of Science and Technology University of Zimbabwe Women’s University in Africa Zimbabwe Open University

Authority control databases