Liberian President Speaks To Langston Graduates, Signs Agreement

LANGSTON, Okla. (AP) -- The president of Liberia tells Langston University graduates her life story is proof that anyone can achieve their goals if they try hard enough.<br/><br/>Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Saturday, May 12th 2007, 1:59 pm

By: News On 6

LANGSTON, Okla. (AP) -- The president of Liberia tells Langston University graduates her life story is proof that anyone can achieve their goals if they try hard enough.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the first elected female head of state of any nation in Africa. She is the first sitting president of any nation to visit Langston since the school opened in 1897.

She also spoke at the University of Oklahoma in September.

Before her speech, Sirleaf and Langston President JoAnn Haysbert signed a memorandum of understanding, in which Langston will offer a study-abroad program for its students to work with Liberian girls and women and provide scholarships for Liberian students to attend Langston.

Langston, which is known for its goat research, also will assist Liberia's Central Agriculture Research Institute in helping reinvigorate that nation's agriculture sector.