Liberian Life

D. Elwood Dunn, Ph.D (1972), American University, is the Alfred Walter Negley Professor of Politics Emeritus, Sewanee, University of the South (a University of the Episcopal Church in Tennessee). Dunn published widely on Liberia during his 31 years at Sewanee, including Liberia And The United States During The Cold War, Limits of Reciprocity. Before Sewanee, he served in the government of his native Liberia, becoming the last Minister of State for Presidential Affairs during the First Republic.

[...] 'The memoir is wrapped in the author’s belief, clearly deeply held, that Liberians must emphasize commonality, and stop focusing on the dichotomies of the nation, even as we recognize our differences. Dr. Dunn views commonalty and communality as central to writing true Liberian history and nation-building' [...].'As you read Dunn’s inspiring memoir, the ever hopeful and optimistic theme (even in the face of disappointments and failures regarding Liberia) affects you and leaves an especial meaningful impression. This is definitively his country’s story integrated into his story'.Mohamedu F. Jones, Esq, in The Liberian Observer, published 04/25/2022[...}A Liberian Life[...] is recent history in the form of autobiography. It is his story from birth through its publication, and his country's story from the mid-1070s through the years of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf presidency. It contains thoughtful analyses, evidence-supported findings, and presents his views of the long list of unfinished and unresolved Liberian subjects that are necessary to transform the country and create a sustained nation'Mohamedu F. Jones, Esq, in Liberian Studies Journal, vol. 46.1-2, pp. 148

• PrefaceAcknowledgments1 Introduction2 Early Years My Ancestors3 Early Education4 Post-secondary Education Formation5 Career Initiation One Year at Department of State/19656 Student in France7 From Lyon to Washington, D.C.8 Graduate Student in USA American University9 Seton Hall, 1970–1974 Academic Career Launched10 Marriage in 197111 Government Service Foreign Ministry, 1974–197712 Government Service Executive Mansion, 1977–19801 The April 14 Crisis2 The Brownell Commission3 Cabinet and the Report4 Appointment Minister of State for Presidential Affairs5 Some Policy Issues and Me6 Sole Report as Chairman of the Cabinet7 Envoy to Zimbabwe13 Return Home, April 22, 198014 Uncertainty & Consultancy at Foreign Ministry15 Stint at University of Liberia (June – Dec. 1980)16 Transition back to USA17 Back in the USA – Seeking Permanent Residency18 Sewanee Materialized Summer 198119 Highlights of My Sewanee Career20 Return to Academia21 My Scholarship22 Liberia Engagement, 1981–2012 (and beyond)23 Summary of Academic Career24 Focus on Rebuilding Post Civil War Liberia1 Looking toward Liberia’s Post-Conflict Future2 Rescuing and Preserving Priceless Liberian Records3 Investigating Corruption4 Delivering the National Oration in 20125 The Constitution Review Committee6 National Symbols Review7 Liberia National History Project8 Governance Reform and Vision 203025 The Center for Policy Studies26 Reflections on the Consultancy27 Final Reflections/EpilogueAppendicesAppendix 1 Chronology of Key EventsAppendix 2 Defining the National Purpose of Liberia, a National Oration by D. Elwood Dunn on the 132nd Independence Anniversary of Liberia, July 26, 1979Appendix 3 The University of the South Resolution of AppreciationAppendix 4 Renewing Our National Promise an Address Delivered by D. Elwood Dunn on the Occasion of the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Liberia, Centennail Memorial Pavilion, Monrovia, Republic of Liberia July 26, 2012Appendix 5 Reflections on Research Challenges as the Liberian Studies Association Turns FiftyAppendix 6 Partial List of Articles and Other PublicationsIllustrationsIndex