Thursday, October 7, 2010

Senegal President Visits SUU

Southern Utah University and President Michael T. Benson had the distinct honor of welcoming President Abdoulaye Wade of the Republic of Senegal to Utah, Cedar City and SUU.
President Wade and his delegation were graciously hosted at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City on Saturday, September 25, by SUU alumnus and former Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt. Sunday, September 26, the delegation flew to Cedar City and were welcomed at the Cedar City Regional Airport by city and university officials.

President Wade visited Kolob Canyon, engaged in a discussion with the SUU Construction Management Department on cost-effective housing options for Senegal, and enjoyed dinner at President Benson's home. That evening, at a special convocation ceremony in the Gilbert Great Hall, President Wade spoke to an over-flow audience and received the degree of Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa.Abdoulaye Wade was elected as Senegal's third president in 2000, ending 40 years of one-party rule in his nation. He has transformed Senegal into a model democracy and accomplishment in Africa. President Wade has built thousands of miles of roads, a string of rural university campuses and hundreds of kindergartens throughout his country. He has also championed the widespread mechanization of agriculture and the institution of free-market reforms and literacy, public health, antipoverty measures and has fought corruption. Working for the continental concord and world unity, he has changed the face of Africa and instilled pride and cohesiveness throughout the continent.

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