17th April 2012
Dear Mr. Banks
I had to leave the island shortly after the Anguilla College Week festivities and the President’s Installation Ceremony, so I am just now reading your rather complimentary and flattering column dated 6th April 2012, regarding that week. Thank you for the compliments.
Regarding paragraph five of your article, I wish to make clear one point. The contribution made by Mrs. Dawn Reid to the establishment of the Community College Development Unit is undeniable. As you correctly pointed out, Mrs. Dawn Reid, as Project Leader, along with her team comprising Ms. Sharon Richardson and Ms Bernice Edwards, made an indelible mark on the development of the College.
Throughout the history of the Board, it has recognized the sterling contribution made to the College by Mrs Reid. As a matter of fact, her work with Mrs. Crichlow-Earle, Director of the Hospitality Institute inBarbadosand one of our founding Board members, in establishing the Hospitality Unit here is greatly recognised. On several occasions, formally and informally, the Board has given credit to, and thanked, Mrs. Reid profusely for the work she did. Both Mrs Reid and her husband, the Deputy Governor, have been invited to all functions organised by theAnguillaCommunity College. On occasions, Mrs Reid has been asked to participate as well. The present Minister of Education, like the former Minister of the said position, also thanked Mrs. Reid and her team by name on various occasions. At the recent Installation Ceremony, our present Minister of Education devoted part of his speech to describing the good work done by Mrs Reid and her team. Additionally, at the same event, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks in her speech, on behalf of the lecturers and the students, gave high praise for Mrs Reid and her team.
Indeed, Mrs Reid did make the case for the institutionalization of tertiary education and brought the project from concept to reality. The Board of Governors worked with Mrs. Reid almost on a weekly basis up until the selection of the President. There is nothing “casual” when the Board mentions Mrs. Reid and her team. Therefore, for the record, we also afford her “the highest acknowledgement for her pioneering work”. Here too, we acknowledge the contribution you, as former Minister of Finance, made. We are certain you recall the meeting the Board had with you when you finally “got it” and even in the face of fierce competition, for financial support for other more traditional social sector projects, you made our case.
Our website is in its infancy and is therefore a work in progress. The history regarding theAnguillaCommunity Collegefrom “concept to reality” is still being recorded. It will be published on the website in due course. It must be noted that Mrs. Reid continues to contribute to the work of theAnguillaCommunity Collegein her capacity as Education Planner.
Sincerely,
Rhona Richardson-Roydon
Chairperson, Board of Governors
