LSA Member Pailey Wins 2023 Pius Adesanmi Book Award
Development, (Dual) Citizenship and Its Discontents in Africa is an account of the Liberian story that brings a fresh analysis to the question of who decides development policy. This book is essential reading for development policy makers and practitioners on how the voices of the diaspora should not be privileged over [...]
Anthology Wins Ruppe Award
FOL won the 2023 Loret Miller Ruppe Award for Outstanding Community Service for publication of our anthology “Never the Same Again: Life, Service, and Friendship in Liberia.”
Thank you for voting for FOL for the Loret Miller Ruppe Award!
If you were able to vote for FOL to receive the Loret Miller Ruppe Award for 2023, we appreciate it! Based on our activities and our anthology, Never the Same Again, we were one of three finalists. We don't know yet who won, but the other two groups included [...]
Call for Abstracts for the Next LSA Conference which will address The Evolution of the Liberian State
January 25th, 2024, is the deadline for abstracts of individual papers, panels, and roundtables on the conference theme: The Evolution of the Liberian State: Transitions and Transformation for the Future. All abstracts should be sent to samwaijohnson@gmail.com and jsb25@cornell.edu The 55th annual LSA conference will be held April 18-20, 2024 at Cornell [...]
Dr. Similih Managwalah Henry Cordor, Chronicler
Henry Condor, former co-editor of the LSA Journal, passed away June 29 in Livonia, Michigan, USA. Born in Voinjama, Lofa County, Dr. Cordor was a scholar, a journalist, an analyst of Liberian politics, and a professor of literature, humanities, and creative writing. He championed the literary works of Liberian writers [...]
Dr. Vernon L. Stone, Archivist, 1944-2023
Dr. Verlon Lloyd Stone passed away suddenly at home in Bloomington, Indiana on 30th May, 2023. He was the founder of the Liberian Collections Project (LCP) at Indiana University, an archive preserving Liberia’s historical and cultural heritage. Verlon started LCP in 2001 to preserve the history of Liberia from the [...]
54TH Annual Liberian Studies Conference
April 27-29, 2023, the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, NC. will host 54th LSA conference with the theme “Repositioning Liberia’s Development: Dynamism, Innovation, and Challenges in the New Millennium”. Book a room reserved for the conference at the DoubleTree Suites in Raleigh - Durham.
Dr. Paul E. Mertens
Dr. Paul E. Mertens, age 88, of St. Paul, passed away on March 19. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 22 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls, 5212 41st Ave S, Minneapolis. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. In 1963, he [...]
Mayonnaise Named for the Blue Lake in Bomi
A new mayonnaise made in Monrovia will reduce imports, boosting Liberia’s gross domestic product and employment. First Lady Clar Marie Weah suggested that the company on Bushrod Island adopt the name of the Blue Lake in Bomi County to promote brand allegiance with Liberians.
Junita Sangare joins FOL Board
With a strong passion for young women’s education and women’s empowerment, Junita Sangare joins the FOL Board as the Membership Committee co-chair.
Prince Manneh
On February 5, 2023, one of Peace Corps Liberia's longest serving staff passed away. Prince Manneh started out as a security guard before the civil war. He returned to Peace Corps Liberia in June of 2009 to become Safety and Security Coordinator and since February, 2014, he had been Safety [...]
Christmas Devil
All over the world Christmas has incorporated local, pre-Christian beliefs. In Monrovia, the dancing devil called Old Man Bayka, or “Old Man Beggar”, is a holiday fixture. Unlike Santa Claus, who gives presents, Old Man Bayka goes from house to house asking for money and gifts. Instead of shiny [...]