Open eLetter To: Senator J. Gble-Bo Brown/Chair/Maryland Legislative Caucus Subject: Request To Reject Dr. Elliott Wreh Wilson’s Appointment As President Of The William V. S. Tubman University

Open eLetter

To: Senator J. Gble-Bo Brown/Chair/Maryland Legislative Caucus

Subject: Request To Reject Dr. Elliott Wreh Wilson’s Appointment As President Of The William V. S. Tubman University

March 20, 2018

Dear Senator Brown,

Please allow us to congratulate you on your recent election by your colleagues to the position of Chair of The Maryland Legislative Caucus. It becomes our ardent hope and prayer that this time around, our Caucus will be of more help than before. So we wish you the best in your difficult yet challenging task! We are available at your convenience when you need us.

This letter constitutes an expression of our extreme distaste and displeasure with the current appointment of Dr. Elliott Wreh Wilson as President of The William V. S. Tubman University in Harper City, Maryland County, Liberia. As your constituents and social justice advocates, we appeal to you and your colleagues to reject the appointment on grounds a President of the University should be selected through a more constructive means and less of the dictator-like approach that seemingly is visible thus far. The Liberian Legislature, through a Charter which is an Act of Legislature, gives the Board of The University the exclusive Authority to appoint a President of the University to be confirmed by the President of the Republic. That’s the Law!

Moreover Sir, the person who will serve as President of The Tubman University is bound to be violent-free with a reputation beyond reproach.  

It is with this consideration, we believe and are undoubtedly convinced, the newly appointed President of Tubman University, Dr. Elliott-Wreh Wilson, doesn’t fit the category. Take for example, last year (2017), he physically attacked another professor, Dr. Mauve Gardiner in the presence of students and other employees of the University. Dr. Gardiner was defenseless. As a Policy procedure, the University Administration investigated the matter; found Dr. Wilson guilty and suspended him for three months without pay. His peers at the University initially proposed his immediate dismissal due to the gravity of the offense. But through interventions and “familyhood,” the University reduced the penalty to suspension. Consequent of the penalty he received, he departed the University for Cuttington where he remained for less than three months up to his appointment as President of the very University that suspended him. We are not sure if the suspension is been lifted.

It is our belief and suspicion, Mr. Chairman, that, when Dr. Wilson takes office as President of the University, besides his violent record, he will surely retaliate against his peers at the University who suspended him including Dr. Gardiner who was victim of his physical assault. The reason is obvious!

It is in view of this violent attitude aforementioned, we strongly and unambiguously believe that Dr. Wilson cannot lead this University. Please keep in mind, this University is new and it represents a promise to Maryland, the Southeast and the Republic. Consequent of that, as custodians, all of us are duty bound to protect and guide the Institution.

The methods and tactics Dr. Elliott applied in his interpersonal relationships over the years at the University as a Faculty member with some staff of the University and the larger community are despicable and contemptible. His violent actions and statements both on Campus and in the community these few yeast past, demeaned and relegated the University to a secondary position. So he lost our faith and support for him to lead the University.

Recommendations:

1.     The University Board must find another candidate through its hiring process for the vacant post;

2.     But if Dr. Elliott must be President of the University by any means, then he must first openly apologize to Dr. Gardiner plus attend and graduate Anger Management classes at a reputable institution before he can have a shot to any advertisement of the post as a candidate.

3.     No one should impose him on the University or it is a recipe set to detour the path of scholarship.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, we ask you and your colleagues to please submit our plea and deepest concerns to President Weah to withdraw the appointment respectful of the foundation of the democratic society in which we live. Constantly shifting priorities and visions leave universities adrift. If we want to avoid governance disasters, we need to be systematic and democratic about choosing our leaders.

“It is far better for the truth to tear OUR flesh to pieces, then for OUR souls to wander through darkness in eternal damnation.”

Thank you. We look forward to your response. Be well and Peace!

Respectfully,

T. Gbuo-Mle Bedell/Chair

Maryland Concerned Citizens Action Committee (MCCAC)

Pyongyang, Reevy Street

Harper City, Maryland, Liberia

Cell: +231.886.920.151/880.226.56