MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL CHAIRLADY

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL CHAIRLADY - RENA SMITH-JARRETT

Welcome to the Ricks Institute Alumni Association-USA (RIAA-USA, Inc.) Website! I greet you on behalf of the Officers and Members of RIAA-USA, Inc! In 1989, RIAA-USA, Inc. was established to provide support to our Alma Mater, Ricks Institute (Ricks), a leading Liberian Baptist Missionary and Education Convention school located in Virginia, Liberia. Ricks has educated thousands of young men and women through its boarding and day school programs.  Since our inception, RIAA-USA, Inc. has provided enormous support to Ricks through donations.  It is in this tradition of giving back to Ricks, that I share with you the vision of my administration that spans October 2020 to September 2022.

THE RICKS CLINIC RESTORATION

Since the Ricks Clinic was constructed in the 1960s, no major renovation has been done to the clinic.  The goal of this flagship project is twofold: renovate and update the physical structure of the clinic and elevate it to a modern state-of-the-art facility that will serve the students and staff of Ricks, and the communities in its environs. This project is expected to be completed by mid-2022.

ADOPT-A-STUDENT PROGRAM   

This is another flagship project of our administration.  The Adopt-a-Student Program will provide financial assistance to students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend Ricks. This program focuses on a need-based approach to assist students by providing tuition, room, and board for students who are not currently enrolled at Ricks. We have already identified some students who fall in this category.  Individuals or families who would like to participate in the Adopt-a-Student Program can find information under the “Sponsor a Child” tab on this site.

MEMORIAL AND REGULAR SCHOLARSHIPS

Another way to support students at Ricks is through a memorial scholarship or regular scholarship. Under this program, you can establish a scholarship in honor or memory of a loved one– maybe a family member, a teacher, or a friend.  These scholarships allow you the flexibility to develop your own qualification guidelines – you tell us what you want, we establish the scholarship at your request. Our Scholarship Team stands ready to assist you in establishing a scholarship of your choice! 

THE STEM PROGRAM  

The STEM program aims to train students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  It will supplement and consolidate the current Mathematics and Science curricula with Technology and Engineering instruction and experience. The STEM Program is currently under development. 

THE ENDOWMENT FUND: 

RIAA, USA, Inc recently established a long-term investment account that will lead to the establishment of The Endowment Fund. The Endowment Fund is established to ensure RIAA,USA, Inc can continue to support Ricks Institute in significant ways long into the future. 

THE EXCHANGE PROGRAM:   

Our exchange program that will recruit RIAA professionals, retirees, and friends of Ricks in all fields to volunteer at Ricks to improve the academic and agriculture programs. These volunteer events will be for three to six months at a time. Once established, the STEM Program will also benefit from the exchange program.  

OUTREACH TO DRAGONS:  

The Dragon Outreach Program is designed to ensure that all members of RIAA feel a relevant part of our community. Through our Dragon Outreach Program, we connect with the alumni classes, the sick and shut-in, elderly, and all members of the Association.

COLLABORATION WITH RIAA-LIBERIA:   

We have developed a strong and sustained partnership with Ricks Institute Alumni Association-Liberia (RIAA-Liberia), our sister organization for alumni residing in Liberia.    Both RIAA USA and RIAA Liberia are represented on the Ricks Institute Board of Trustee (BoT).  Serving on the BoT is an important part of enabling our vision for Ricks.  RIAA, USA, Inc has made significant financial, physical, and in-kind donations to Ricks; serving on the BoT allows our voices to be heard and allows us to make an impact on matters of governance of Ricks Institute. We will continue to find ways to make our relationship with RIAA-Liberia more meaningful as we work together for the greater good of Ricks Institute.

FINALLY,

As we continue to advance our vision for RIAA-USA and Ricks Institute, we ask your support! Please go to our gift catalog to identify and act on ways in which you can support us. Thank you, and remember – we are “not for self, but for others.”