On March 4, 2020, members of the AUN Community gathered to bid farewell to out-gone Assistant Vice President of the New Foundation School (NFS), Reginald T. Braggs.
The Foundation is a target-specific program for the Chibok Education Initiative for some schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants in 2014 but later freed from captivity.
Braggs, who bowed out recently, had joined AUN in 2012 and was later selected by former President Margee Ensign to lead the NFS as the Assistant Vice President of Foundation Programs & Community Engagement.
In emotion-laden speeches and poems, colleagues, students, and friends described Mr. Braggs as a passionate leader with an emulation-worthy service and commitment. He was also described as a deeply spiritual man who loves God, and as a man with a receptive ambiance that cannot be ignored.
President Dekle, who opened the floodgate of encomiums for the disengaging AVP, described him as a colleague, friend, and confidant, thanking AUN for the platform on which their (his and her) paths crossed.
Citing Braggs’s invaluable contributions at AUN through the Honor Society Jazz Night, his sportsmanship, AUN 101 (First-year Experience Seminar) and lots more, Dr. Dekle noted that his time at AUN touched and changed many lives, especially those of the New Foundation schoolgirls…. "What you have woven into our lives at AUN is permanent, and all of us are the better for it."
In their farewell notes, students of the Foundation described Mr. Braggs as a leader, teacher, and father, assuring him they would never forget the important life lessons he instilled in them. One of them, Martha, thanked him for building a strong foundation in her.
”Learning in NFS will never be the same without you, and I will remember to treat people with the same kindness I received from you," said Maryam, who was indisposed but sent an impassioned note to the send-forth.
In his equally emotional remarks, Mr. Braggs said he was supposed to be at AUN for only eight months which grew to almost eight years. "AUN has a way of growing in you. I have imbibed its philosophy for development and to help humankind which resonates with my spirit.”
He added that as well as the infrastructure of a beautiful campus, he was highly impressed by the unselfishness of staff, students and faculty, in their passion to serve the community, and improve the lives of people around them.
Mr. Braggs was given a service plaque for his contributions to AUN, and as “the founding father of the New Foundation School”.
Mr. Braggs took up the role of a Mentor/Motivator to the girls of the New Foundation School. At various times, Mr. Braggs, a former US naval officer, taught in the School of Business & Entrepreneurship, served as faculty advisor, and much more. He will be greatly missed.
The entire AUN community is thankful to him for his commitment and many contributions to the Learning Community.
Reported by Togor Passa