The trustees held their annual Spring Meeting in Boston on May 10. Treasurer Adam Rutledge reported that our budget for 2022 will be slightly higher than 2021. This will permit us to increase the direct support we provide UL from $53,000 to $60,000. UL will also receive $125,000 this year (up from $120,000 in 2021) from their endowment fund which is managed by TDEL.

The trustees agreed to continue focusing our support for the UL library and its computer lab, and also fund two scholarships each year for UL Honors Students.

Finally it was agreed that trustees should resume travel to Liberia to maintain our contacts with UL administration and faculty.

UL President Julius Nelson invited TDEL to participate in a virtual international conference celebrating UL Founder's Day on February 15, the date in 1951 when the University of Liberia was founded from its precursor, Liberia College. TDEL President John Archibald spoke briefly at the opening ceremony and Trustee Charles Newhall participated in a lively discussion on "The University of Liberia: The Road Ahead."

Here are excerpts from Newhall's opening statement:

"TDEL has been committed to promoting higher education in Liberia since we were founded as a Boston, Massachusetts, United States organization in 1850. From the founding of Liberia College to the present, TDEL has raised funds and used those funds to support the leadership and the academic core of what is now the University of Liberia. Our Fearing Funds, for example, have been used to purchase books and materials for the libraries of the University, not the least of which includes the Computer Lab on the Fendall Campus.

"We are dedicated to the future of the University of Liberia. We seek to work collaboratively with President Nelson and his administration to direct funds to the academic core. On our most recent visit, in April 2019, we were excited by the developments at the Computer Lab, by the expansion of library materials and technology and professionalism, and by the various visions of the future of the University we hope to help make possible. Then, and I suspect now, internet access and fiber optic connection are essential across all campuses.

"TDEL is committed to supporting students through our Rodney Armstrong Scholarship program, to the library, as already mentioned, and to our general support of the University and President Nelson.

"One way we can be of help is to connect the University to some resources, potential grants, and contacts in the United States. In the past, we have hosted University of Liberia and national leaders in Boston. In the future, we hope to continue that tradition and those opportunities to support higher education in Liberia.

"In the past, we have facilitated acquiring books for the University and shipping them. In the future, we hope to send both books and to help bring digital materials to the University.

"In the past, we have worked hand-in-hand with presidents of the University, and now and in the future, we rededicate ourselves to working with President Nelson."

Emmet Dennis (center) meeting with TDEL trustees

Dr. Dennis instituted many reforms and improvements at the university which expanded greatly under his leadership. He met often with the TDEL trustees in Boston, and after retiring he became an active member of our Advisory Committee. We will miss him greatly, both for his always sage advice and his warm friendship. May he rest in peace.

Despite the pandemic the University of Liberia has remained open and TDEL continues to support it with annual cash grants. This year we have sent UL $173,000 of which $53,000 is designated for the library, its computer lab and two student scholarships. The additional $120,000 is unrestricted. TDEL maintains a scholarship fund named after our former president Romney Armstrong. This year UL has agreed to our funding two new Honors College students each year.Some who have graduated continue to keep in touch with us. Here are excerpts from their letters:

Our Scholarship Students Write

"I am sincerely honored to have been a recipient of the TDEL scholarship. I will forever be grateful for your generosity which has enabled me to complete my undergraduate degree. With the help of your scholarship fund, my tuition, accomodation, feeding, school materials like text books and pamphlet expenses were covered. Instead of figuring out how to provide for these things, your assistance made it easier for me to focus on my studies. "

"Also, your encouragement and motivational emails served as a beacon of hope throughout my studies. TDEL is more like my family and I appreciate all that you've done for me and everything you're doing for Liberia."

"God richly bless you as you assist many achieve their academic goals in order to become nation builders."

"I am out of words to thank you for your support towards my life. Coming up in an underprivileged family, I did not dream of reaching this far. Today, I am the only person in my family with a bachelor degree because of your support. I am learning and working to become a citizen that Liberia will be proud of - It is all because of your support. Of course, when I return to Liberia, I will join the faculty at the Department of Communication and Media Studies to give back too. It is your support that is making all these positive changes in our lives. Thank you."

John Archibald, Melvin Howard, Calvin Dwuye

John Archibald, Melvin Howard, Calvin Dwuye

TDEL President John Archibald met with Melvin Howard, President of the University of Liberia Alumni Association in the Americas (ULIBAAA) on March 31 in Boston. The two presidents shared information about their respective programs and they discussed coordinating their aid to the university, in particular their scholarship programs. President Howard was accompanied by his colleague Calvin Dwuye who had just returned from a trip to Liberia and was able to brief both presidents on the current situation at the university. It was decided that TDEL and ULIBAAA should invite UL President Ophelia Weeks to visit Boston later this year and meet with the TDEL trustees and UL alumni.

TDEL President John Archibald and Vice President Tania Vitvitsky visited Liberia April 17-22. While in Monrovia they met with UL President Ophelia Weeks, administration officials, faculty, students and alumni. The main purpose of their visit was to review the projects currently funded by TDEL (eg: a computer lab, scholarships, book purchases and staff training) and then determine which projects to continue supporting in 2018-19.

The largest project - a computer lab for the library at the Fendall Campus - was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 19 that was covered by national television. The lab's 75 Dell computers will give students and faculty access to information via the internet and from other sources such as e-Granary. It will also permit UL professors faculty to download their lectures and reading assignments for students to access 24/7. TDEL is continuing its support for the computer lab with grants for purchases of software and equipment.

Archibald and Vitvitsky were particularly interested in visiting the new Fendall Campus which they had last seen under construction nine years ago. The completed complex is most impressive and includes administration offices, classrooms, libraries, laboratories, dormitories and faculty housing. They also visited the nearby site of the new Medical College Campus (under construction) and the completely renovated buildings of the Engineering College.

TDEL plans to send trustees to Liberia each year in order to stay in close contact with the university, and we have invited UL President Weeks and other UL officials to visit us in Boston.

TDEL Trustees Visit Liberia

President Dennis came to Boston October 5 to meet with TDEL trustees and plan future projects. He briefed the trustees on the current state of the university and he thanked TDEL for its continued support for the UL library system. The trustees responded by presenting him with a $100,000 check to fund a new computer lab, by agreeing to continue and expand the Rodney Armstrong Scholarship program for undergraduates, and also voting to fund scholarships for two more library employees at the University of Ghana.

That evening the trustees honored President Dennis, who will be retiring at the end of this year, at a dinner held at the Union Club. The guests included members of MARUL (Mass. Alliance for the Reconstruction of UL) and many friends of President and Mrs. Dennis. To mark the occasion TDEL President John Archibald presented Emmet Dennis with a traditional Boston "Chelsea Clock" (see photo) and he thanked Dennis for effectively guiding TDEL for 8 years with his sage advice and insights. President Dennis in turn praised the trustees for their solid support to the university since it began in 1862 as Liberia College.

Scenes from the event

"​It is with great joy and gladness that UL Libraries learned of the successful achievements of our library staff members, Chuku and Zarthony after their studies in Ghana under the sponsorship of TDEL. We very much appreciate the sound investment made by the Trustees towards strengthening the information - support arm of the educational program of the University of Liberia. The challenge is now ours to justify the confidence reposed in UL Libraries. With trained staff we can now look toward proactive organization of information and research services so needed for a well grounded collegiate educational experience. We are also trusting that the Library Digitization Program remains on track.​"​

Naomi Nyumah and Solomon Marlee

TDEL trustee Mr. Terry Plum traveled in April to Liberia where he met with with university officials and TDEL scholarship recipients.  Mr. Plum paid particular attention to the UL Library which TDEL plans to provide with an enhanced internet connection and a new computer lab. He had several meetings with UL Presdient Emmet Dennis, IT Director Mr. Gardea Jackson and others responsible for the university's information technology program.  Finally, Mr. Plum met with the two recipients of this year's Rodney Armstrong Scholarships: Ms. Naomi Nyumah and Mr. Solomon Marlee.  These scholarships, which are offered annually by TDEL to two top students of Liberia College,  are named in honor of former TDEL President Mr. Rodney Armstrong.

Chuku Zoeduah and Zarthony Nebo

Mr. Plum also visited Accra, Ghana where he conferred with Zarthony Nebo and Chuku Zoeduah, two UL library employees who were receiving advanced training in library science at the University of Ghana (Legon) on scholarships funded by TDEL. Their training was focused on ways to make effective use of the internet and new technology upon their return to UL.

TDEL has given the University of Liberia $100,000 in 2016 to purchase computers for its library and provide internet access for faculty and students. This gift continues TDEL’s focus on the university’s library; in prior years TDEL has provided the UL library with books, furniture, and office equipment, and funded a long-term strategic plan. Connecting the UL library system to the internet will make it possible for students and faculty to access websites and data banks at other universities.

TDEL has decided to continue funding scholarships for UL Library employees to study library science at the University of Ghana. The first two students, Zarthony Nebo and Chuku Zoeduah, successfully completed their programs and returned to UL in August 2016. TDEL plans to send two more library employees to Ghana in 2017. The purpose of this program is to prepare the UL library for the introduction of the internet and computers.

TDEL gives two scholarships annually to students of Liberia College, the university's undergraduate humanities department. This program was started in 2014 and is named after TDEL's former president Rodney Armstrong. TDEL is currently funding three scholarships, and this number will increase to five in 2017. The program depends on tax-deductible contributions from the public, and $1,000 will support one student for the academic year.