The Cuttington University Alumni Association (CUAA) is improving residential life at the Suakoko campus in Bong County by renovating the Rally Hall women’s dormitory, which was gutted in a fire in 2019.
CUAA President Mydea White Simmons gave alum members and faculty a tour of the renovation project over the weekend during activities marking the 136th anniversary of Founders’ Day and Homecoming. The celebration, which focused on the theme ‘’Making Cuttington Visible,’’ included an indoor program at Epiphany Hally, sports, a bonfire, a church service, and recreation and entertainment at Kpatawee Waterfalls.
The three-day weekend, February 21-23, attracted more than 250 people.
The CUAA and the Cuttington Alumni Association in the Americas (CUAAA) have made significant strides in the renovation, raising nearly US$50,000 to convert six dormitory rooms into small suites, each featuring a private bathroom and two two-bedroom apartments. During the July break, the association plans to build six more bathrooms in the Lower Rally Dormitory. The renovation also included a new roof and the installation of iron bars.
Additionally, CUAA has commenced the construction of four one-bedroom apartments in the portion of Upper Rally that was damaged in a fire six years ago. This progress is a testament to the association’s commitment to improving the university’s facilities.
The Rally Hall Dormitory, a significant part of our university’s history, was built in 1978 by the late President William R. Tolbert.
When she took over the association’s helm in 2023, White Simmons said she wanted to give the campus a facelift to attract more students to Cuttington. After the completion of Rally Hall, the association plans to build six bathrooms in Harris Hall, one of the boys’ dormitories.
She said the improvements are part of an effort to make Cuttington visible through innovation, modernization, and “giving back to improve the living conditions of students, which will improve the learning conditions.”
The lack of electricity, adequate living spaces, and other amenities deterred students from living on campus, causing the university to lose the camaraderie of boarding school life and learning together, key elements that set Cuttington apart from other institutions of higher learning.
“Cuttington was losing the closeness of living together, which reduces the learning environment,” she said. “We wanted to improve the dorm life so that people can move back on campus. We hope the generation after us will do something better.’
White Simmons recalled living in Rally Hall as a student in the 1980s, where students shared a communal bathroom. Her goal is to bring Cuttington into the 21st Century.
“We can’t keep doing things in an old way,” she said. “To move with the times, we must make changes. We are in a different century and different generation. We want to improve dormitory life for students.’
The refurbished dormitory is now equipped with electricity from Nimba. The alumni and the university’s administration have also invested in solar.
“We have done a lot to improve life on campus,” White Simmons said.
White Simmons said she and her team will continue to work with CU President Dr. Romelle A. Horton and her administration to prioritize projects at the Suakoko campus, the graduate school in Monrovia, and the junior college in Margibi County.
She also urged alumni members worldwide to support their alma mater to ensure the success of our university.
Cuttington’s President, Dr. Remel Horton, thanked the CU alums for their continued support of the university.
“The alumni association never forget where they came from. It is about giving back. The alum association of this great university is always giving back. Together, we will continue to make Cuttington great.”
