Suakoko – A fire broke out at the Rally Hall women’s dormitory on Cuttington University’s Suakoko campus Thursday afternoon, marking the second time the facility has been gutted by flames. The cause of the fire remains unknown, though no injuries or casualties have been reported.
Earlier Thursday, students and dormitory occupants were seen attempting to extinguish the flames. The incident follows a similar fire in 2019 that had caused significant damage to the building.
In response to the earlier fire, the Cuttington University Alumni Association (CUAA) had been working on major renovations to the dormitory. CUAA President Mydea White Simmons led a tour last week showcasing the progress made by the alumni and faculty.
This renovation effort, aimed at improving the dormitory’s living conditions, was part of activities marking the 136th anniversary of Founders’ Day and Homecoming.
The CUAA, along with the Cuttington University Alumni Association in the Americas (CUAAA), raised nearly $50,000 for the project.
This funding helped convert six dormitory rooms into small suites, each with a private bathroom, and included the installation of new roofs and iron bars for enhanced security.
Plans are also in place to build additional bathrooms in the Lower Rally Dormitory during the upcoming July break. Moreover, the association has started constructing four one-bedroom apartments in the Upper Rally section, which had been damaged in a previous fire six years ago.
The Rally Hall Dormitory, built in 1978 by the late President William R. Tolbert, has been a central part of Cuttington University’s history.
White Simmons, who became the CUAA president in 2023, has focused on improving the campus infrastructure to attract more students and enhance campus life. The renovation efforts are part of a broader initiative to modernize the university and improve student living conditions.
White Simmons, recalling her own experience living in Rally Hall in the 1980s, emphasized the need to update the campus for the current generation. “We can’t keep doing things the old way,” she said. “We must make changes to move with the times and improve the dormitory life for students.”
With support from the alumni and the university administration, Rally Hall now has electricity supplied from Nimba County, and solar power has been installed to further improve the facilities.
The CUAA’s continued investments in the university have been vital in modernizing the campus. White Simmons has also expressed her commitment to working with the administration to prioritize additional projects, including the graduate school in Monrovia and the junior college in Margibi County.
Cuttington University President Dr. Romelle A. Horton thanked the alumni for their ongoing support, emphasizing the importance of giving back to their alma mater. “Together, we will continue to make Cuttington great,” he said.
Source: Frontpage Africa
