The American University of Nigeria (AUN) officially welcomed its newest students at the Spring 2025 Pledge Ceremony on January 27, 2025, at the university’s campus. The event marked a significant milestone as freshmen embarked on their academic journey, pledging to uphold excellence, service, and leadership as core values of the AUN community.
Delivering his speech, AUN President Prof. DeWayne Frazier stressed the transformative power of education in shaping individuals and societies. “This pledge ceremony is not just the beginning of your studies,” he told the students. “It is a commitment to your future, filled with possibilities, challenges, and opportunities for growth and service.”
President Frazier paid tribute to AUN’s founder, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, sharing the inspiring story of how his humble beginnings in Jada, Adamawa State, and early exposure to education through the American Peace Corps, led him to establish AUN, the first American university that provides American-style education in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In his remarks, Prof. Paul Vita, the provost of the University welcomed both the new students, new faculty, and the returning faculty, celebrating AUN’s reputation as a center of academic excellence and innovation. He praised the dedication of AUN’s faculty, describing them as not just educators and researchers but mentors committed to shaping future leaders.
“Our faculty are here to challenge you to think critically, to innovate, and to push the boundaries of knowledge,” Prof. Vita stated. “You are joining an academic community that will support and inspire you every step of the way.”
The Spring 2025 Pledge Ceremony marked the beginning of an enriching academic journey at AUN. As the new students embark on this path, they do so with the assurance that the AUN community stands ready to nurture and guide them toward making a lasting impact on their communities and the world.
Reported by John Abah