American Club Opened at University of Yaounde I

Cultural Affairs Officer in purple stands with the Vice Dean of Research and Cooperation, Dr. Jospeh Elong, and members of the American Club’s Executive Board. [USEYde Photo]

Members of the University of Yaounde I American Club. [USEYdé Photo]

Students, faculty, and staff at the University of Yaounde I Faculty of Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences inaugurated the first Club of American Studies on January 11, 2011.  The purpose of the club is to bring together a group of students across disciplines to discuss U.S. culture, politics, and history outside of the classroom.  The club is organized by an Executive Board and meets once a month to view films, listen to speakers, read American prose and literature, and examine the similarities between the United States and Cameroon.

The inauguration was spearheaded by university faculty members who completed exchanges such as the Fulbright and Humphrey programs in the United States.  The Vice Dean of Research and Cooperation, Dr. Joseph Gabriel Elong, attended the event and received roaring applause when he stated that not only was he proud of the club’s objectives but also hoped to be a member!

The U.S. Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Assistant, Gerald Chilla, and the Cultural Affairs Officer, Mignon Turner were also in attendance. Mrs. Turner gave opening remarks and encouraged the students to learn and debate American values such  democracy, freedom, capitalism, and equality.  She also highlighted the historical  movements which shaped America’s constitution and its government and society.

During the inauguration, club members recited the U.S. National Anthem as well as poems such as “I,Too, Sing America,” by Langston Hughes and “The Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost.