Director of the UWI Open Campus Country Sites (OCCS), Dr. Francis Severin presided over the first local Recognition of Graduates Ceremony for Graduates from the UWI Open Campus Anguilla Site on Wednesday, 4th November.
A large gathering including family, friends, Government and Education Officials, UWI Alumni and other supporters witnessed the historic ceremony in honour of the Class of 2015 at La Vue in South Hill. In her welcome remarks, Manager for the UWI British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, pointed out that while local Recognition Ceremonies cannot replace the University’s formal Graduation Ceremonies, they allow graduates to publicly share their accomplishments with family and friends in their home country. “As such, we are proud to celebrate and honour you today,” she said, “because it is particularly special to be honoured in your own country.”
In congratulating the Graduates, Dr. Severin said that he was pleased to be on Anguilla for the historic event, which served to acknowledge their diligence, determination, self-sacrifice and spirit of deferred gratification. “You have performed very well without causing any lasting or irreparable gap or hiatus in your personal and professional lives,” he said. “People who have never had to study while conducting the myriad responsibilities of life may not fully appreciate the power of your discipline and resolve and, by that very fact, the magnitude of your accomplishments. The Recognition of Graduates ceremony is therefore a community and civic demonstration of the culmination of intellectual and academic persistence and conscientiousness, not to mention the outcome of multi- tasking,” the Director told the Graduates.
UWI Alumna and Attorney-at-Law, Mrs. Keesha Carty delivered the feature address. She applauded the tenacity of the Graduates and challenged them to continue to shine, and like the University of the West Indies itself, continue to climb towards higher heights. “Your journey is now beginning. On this level, your horizons have expanded and with each endeavour, they will broaden. You have equipped yourselves with the necessary tools to ensure that your climb is successful, profitable and fulfilling. Choose wisely, tread carefully and temper your journey with humility and gratitude,” the local lawyer told the new Graduates.
The response on behalf of the Graduates was given by Mrs. Beverley Thompson (Bachelor of Science Management Studies -First Class Honours), while Ms. Latoya Scarbro (Certificate in Human Resource Management) delivered the vote of thanks.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
