Ms. Izetta Jones Howe has been named the DUX of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law graduating class, marking a historic milestone at the University of Liberia’s 105th commencement convocation.
Ms. Howe, who also serves as the President of the Law Students Association and the President of the Federation of African Law Students, did not ascend to this pinnacle alone. In a heartfelt reflection on her journey, she dedicated her success to the memory of her late mother, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Jones, and celebrated the extraordinary sacrifice of her sister, Lucia Jones.
“This honor is dedicated to my late mom, and it is mostly to be celebrated for my selfless sister Lucia Jones and my kids,” Ms. Howe shared. “Because of this degree, my sister took my children and chose to work a single job in the USA to care for them. Lucia Jones, you are the best auntie and the real MVP.”
Ms. Howe also acknowledged the collective effort that propelled her to success, praising her study group, the “OPTIMIST,” which she described as the most enviable for their shared determination and positive results.
“This would not have been achieved without my immediate supervisor, Mr. Dimangmo Giddings, who allowed me the time to acquire such knowledge; my business partner Royal; my church; and the rest of my friends and families,” she added. “Hats off to all of you for the overwhelming support.”
In a message of inspiration and faith, Ms. Howe encouraged others to pursue excellence against all odds. “You can still be a leader and a legend academically,” she affirmed. “The God of time that has rewarded me will surely reward all of you.”
Ms. Howe concluded with a powerful declaration of resilience and purpose, embodying the spirit of her journey: “Tough Queen for a big reason. #createtoinspire”
The Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law is the legal education institution of the University of Liberia, located in Monrovia, Liberia. Founded in 1951, it is the only law school in the West African nation and is publicly supported. The school is named in honor of Louis Arthur Grimes, a former Chief Justice of the Liberian Supreme Court. It offers a three-year program leading to the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree.
Liberia College, the precursor to the University of Liberia, was founded in 1862. The University of Liberia was formally established by an act of the national legislature in 1951.[1] In the same legislation, the legislature created the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and Government, although classes did not commence immediately. Joseph Rudolph Grimes, who later served as Liberian Secretary of State, founded the school, naming it after his father, the late Chief Justice Louis Arthur Grimes.
Joseph R. Grimes also served as the law school’s first dean.[3] Instruction finally began in 1954. In 1956, Anthony Barclay succeeded Grimes as dean. He led the institution until 1961, when the school temporarily closed after having conferred a total of 21 law degrees.
The school reopened in September 1962 under the deanship of former Attorney General Joseph W. Garber, with an initial enrollment of 20 students.
By 1963, the program, which held only afternoon and evening classes, was supported by two full-time instructors and six part-time faculty members.[4] During this period, the law school was housed in J. J. Roberts Hall. Tuition was set at $27 per term, and the library contained approximately 500 volumes.
The school launched the Liberian Law Journal, a law review, in 1965.[5] By 1966, the institution had grown to 49 students enrolled in either full-time or part-time programs, supported by a faculty of 13.
This group oversaw both the students and the semi-annual publication of the *Liberian Law Journal. Approximately half of the professors were visiting academics, including some from the United States Peace Corps. Like the broader university, the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law has been forced to close on multiple occasions due to periods of civil unrest, notably in 1979, 1984, and 1990.[7]
In the post-conflict era, the school received international support to rebuild its capacity. In May 2005, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) donated US$17,000, along with computers and legal textbooks.[9] The American Bar Association funded renovation projects at the law school in 2007. That same year, in April, the school participated in an international moot court competition held in neighboring Sierra Leone, marking its return to the regional academic stage.
