Gannon hosted its first visitor through the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows Program of the Council of Independent Colleges during October. Robin Renee Sanders, Ph.D., the former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and the Republic of the Congo, came to campus to interact with and hold open discussions with the students and community members of Erie.
While in Erie, Sanders visited local high school students and community organizations. At the University, she attended several classes and held workshops and public lectures, including "The US-Africa Relationship: Its Elements and Why It's Important" and "The Uli Women of Nigeria.” There were many students, faculty, staff and community members who attended these public addresses, where they were also able to engage in a Q&A session with Sanders herself. She discussed topics such as the stereotypes that African countries face, and delved into how these are proven wrong by their growing populations and the ideal location they are providing to large corporations and businesses because of this vast number of consumers.
Sanders also held a book signing for her recently published book, "The Legendary Uli Women of Nigeria," that follows eight Nigerian women as they try to preserve the meanings of their endangered sign, symbol and motif system called Uli.
The guest of the University and Gannon’s Honors Program expressed her gratitude in being able to come to Gannon University and share her story, as well as hear the stories of the students she met during her time here.