Delivering a powerful and deeply reflective commencement keynote address, Dr. Deborah Rose, President of the Helping Africa Foundation (HAF), challenged graduates of United Methodist University (UMU) to embrace education as a transformative bridge to global citizenship and human connection.
Speaking at the university’s 21st commencement convocation on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Dr. Rose captivated the audience with personal stories, philosophical insights, and a strong call for interdisciplinary learning, cultural understanding, and lifelong curiosity.
Quoting author Thornton Wilder, she defined education as “the bridge a person crosses from the self-enclosed, self-favoring life into a consciousness of the entire community of humankind,” urging the Class of 2025 to move beyond individual ambition toward collective responsibility.
Drawing from her own life journey, Dr. Rose highlighted the importance of language and cultural immersion, recounting her early exposure to French and Spanish, and a formative student exchange experience in Constitución, Chile.
That experience, she said, reshaped her worldview and reinforced the value of humility, adaptability, and global awareness. She emphasized that learning multiple languages broadens perspective, noting that “each one embeds a different worldview,” while encouraging young people to embrace diversity and cross-cultural engagement.
Dr. Rose also underscored the value of interdisciplinary education, reflecting on her academic experiences at institutions including the University of Wisconsin and Yale University. She advocated for a liberal arts education, describing it as essential in navigating today’s fast-changing, technology-driven world.
Citing a Talmudic teaching, she reminded graduates that true understanding comes not only from teachers but from peers and students, stressing the importance of collaboration and continuous learning.
Her address resonated strongly with UMU’s student-centered philosophy, which focuses on nurturing well-rounded individuals prepared to serve both national and global communities. However, Dr. Rose encouraged graduates to remain open-minded, adaptable, and committed to lifelong learning, reminding them that education is not merely a personal achievement but a tool for building a more just, peaceful, and interconnected world.
For his part, the Resident Bishop of the United Methodist Church, Samuel J. Quire Jr., praised the graduates for persevering through challenges, calling their academic journey a testament to faith and determination.
He reminded them that success should not be measured by wealth or status, but by the impact they make in their communities. “Do not destroy the system so you can survive. Fix it, strengthen it, and let your life be defined by the lives you uplift,” the bishop cautioned.
The ceremony brought together university leadership, faculty, families, and dignitaries to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class, marking another milestone in UMU’s mission to develop future leaders for Liberia and beyond.
