American University Confers Honorary Doctorate Degree on Ambassador Barnes
Photo Credit: IT/Public Affairs Bureau- MFA
The Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the United States of America has conferred an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree on Mr. Milton Nathaniel Barnes, Liberian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and Canada. Ambassador Barnes is one of the University alumni.
The President of Rider University, Dr. Mordechai Rozanski, in presenting Ambassador Barnes to the Board of Trustees for the conferring of the Honorary Doctorate, cited several laudable accomplishments of the Liberian envoy. The ceremony took place on Friday, May 15, 2009.
He stated, “Believing that your country truly needed a new style of leader far removed from traditional politicians, you decided to run for president of Liberia in 2005. You founded a new political party, the Liberia Destiny Party, and claimed the party’s nomination.
He said: Although you did not win, you contributed to the success of the first democratically elected female president of an African nation by supporting the eventual winner, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, during the subsequent runoff election.” Dr. Rozanski further noted Ambassador Barnes’ initiative in establishing the Liberian Diaspora Advisory Board, “for the purpose of effectively engaging Liberians residing in America to help tackle Liberia’s poverty reduction strategy.”
In response Ambassador Barnes stated how honored and humbled he was about the gesture of his alma mater. In his address to the Graduating Class of 2009, Ambassador Barnes challenged the graduates to ponder the simple yet profound question, “What is the meaning of life?” Barnes told the class that he personally found purpose to his life in service to others.
He admonished, “Never pursue anything because of what you can get out of it. Rather, pursue it because of what you can contribute to it. And, the rest will follow.”
Many attending the graduation ceremonies, including a Liberian family who was present to support a young family member who was graduating, expressed their pride in having their ambassador so honored and in witnessing the renewal of their country within the world community.
Ambassador Barnes enrolled at Rider University in 1975 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1977, before obtaining an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance and Banking at Pace University in New York City in 1979.