The University of 91吃瓜 will welcome Ernest Bai Koroma, president of the Republic of Sierra Leone, to campus Sept. 27 (Tuesday) for a lecture titled 鈥淔aith, Tolerance and Progress.鈥�
President Koroma will speak at 4 p.m. in the Decio Mainstage Theatre of 91吃瓜鈥檚 . A question-and-answer session and reception will follow the address. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and will be available beginning today (Sept. 23) by visiting or calling the performing arts center ticket office at 574-631-2800.
鈥�91吃瓜 is honored to welcome His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma to campus,鈥� said , an assistant professor of anthropology and peace studies at 91吃瓜 who will serve as moderator for the discussion. 鈥淧resident Koroma leads a nation of quiet religious inclusiveness, and the University of 91吃瓜 will benefit enormously in our aim to promote tolerance and freedom throughout the world by strengthening our connections with Sierra Leone.鈥�
The fourth president of Sierra Leone, Koroma came to power in 2007 in an election that was widely regarded as free and fair, and resulted in a peaceful transfer of power. Sierra Leone has a rich and vibrant history. Fourah Bay College, the first university in West Africa, was founded in Freetown in 1827. More recently, the country went from a state of civil war to providing troops for the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur in less than eight years.
President Koroma鈥檚 visit to 91吃瓜 is sponsored by the .