Recently retired Director of Social Security Dr. Timothy Hodge has been speaking with The Anguillian about his May 12, 2022 graduation ceremonies at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), St. Thomas. He completed the Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change (CLIC) PhD programme on August 10, 2021. He explained the symbolism of the two stoles he wore as part of his graduation regalia, as well as the substance of his study. Speaking firstly of the UVI Kente stole, he stated that for many years, UVI students have been graduating wearing stoles made from Kente cloth from Ghana – indeed he had worn one when he graduated with a BA from UVI in 1992 – and many students at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and primary schools in Anguilla also graduate wearing Kente stoles nowadays. Kente cloth is one of the most famous and desired African fabrics which represents the history, philosophy, oral literature, religious beliefs, political thought and aesthetic principles of life, and it has been embraced by the African diaspora, particularly in graduation ceremonies. Each stole’s pattern has a meaning. The UVI stole’s pattern is “babadua” in the Akan language – a strong tree, depicting strength and resilience. Its colours each hold symbolism: golden yellow = the value of our people, green = the wealth of our land, red = the sacrifice of ancestors/passion, and black = union with ancestors/spiritual awareness. The Golden Stool, symbol of the throne of the Ashanti king and representing power, is displayed on the UVI stole, signifying the graduate’s role as a leader pursuing greatness. The open-ended threads at the bottom of the stole represents future potential – a statement that this milestone is not one’s final achievement, for the graduate’s story is still being told, and he/she must pass on their knowledge.
Dr. Hodge explained that in addition to what the UVI stole symbolizes, he wanted to represent his “awesome PhD journey” in a separate stole. He therefore meticulously researched and designed a second one which was inspired by his love of country, the substance of his dissertation, and his study of Adinkra symbols during his visit to Ghana in 2019, “The Year of the Return”. The Adinkra symbols are evocative messages conveying traditional wisdom, philosophies, and ideas or aspects of life or the environment. On his right side, from top to bottom, the Adinkra symbols on the stole represented Creativity, Leadership, Innovation, Change, and Knowledge – the CLIC PhD programme. On his left side, the symbols represented the findings of his PhD dissertation. From top to bottom, the symbols were the Three Dolphins of the Anguilla flag representing Strength and Endurance, the Adinkra symbol ‘Aya’ for Strength and Endurance, the Adinkra symbol for cooperation and interdependence (help me and let me help you) – the spirit of Jollification amongst the Anguillian people, the Adinkra symbol ‘Sankofa’ (return and get it), and the map of the Island of Anguilla. According to Dr. Hodge, the stole’s two sides describe the entire structure and substance of his PhD journey, learning from the past and using that knowledge to build for the future. The stole was made in the turquoise and white colours of the Anguilla flag by Ms. Florence Guishard, and the symbols were printed by Mr. Mackie Thomas, with the flag’s orange dolphins matching the creativity symbol’s shape and colour. He described this stole, taken together with the UVI Kente stole, as his “Emaa Da”, which translated from the Akan means “novel creativity and knowledge from experience”, words which so profoundly encapsulate his PhD study.
Dr. Hodge’s dissertation was entitled “Retrospective and Prospective Examinations of Climate Creation for National Creativity and Innovation”. It discussed the dimensions of Climate (not to be confused with weather conditions but meaning the environment in which creativity occurs) and the factors which affect the Climate and thereby enhance or inhibit creativity and innovation. The study further discussed the roles of ‘Islandness’ and Leadership. It explored, with a purposefully chosen sample of persons in Anguilla, their perceptions of the conditions which were necessary for creativity in the island in the past, as evidenced by the 1967 Anguilla Revolution, and which would be necessary for creativity and innovation there in the future. It showed that Anguilla’s Islandness has generated substantial Challenges which demanded community Involvement and Leadership, and also fashioned certain characteristics among the Anguillian people. It demonstrated that the Anguilla Revolution was truly National Creativity, in which the Community collaborated within a Climate which encouraged and facilitated Creative Change to build a new Country. Indeed, the study found that the Anguilla Revolution absolutely validates Creativity Studies pioneer Frank Barron’s 1955 statement that, if applied to Anguilla, would read, “Some of Anguilla’s attributes, as a tiny social entity: freedom of expression and movement, lack of fear of dissent and contradiction, a willingness to break with custom, a spirit of play as well as of dedication to work, and purpose on a grand scale, were the psychological conditions which made Anguillian society creative and even revolutionary”. The study established the necessity for continuous creativity and innovation in Anguilla, and unequivocally stated that leadership must create and nurture a climate that facilitates creativity and innovation if Anguilla is to survive and thrive in the future.
The two stoles were proudly worn by Dr. Hodge as the very first graduate to walk across the stage, where he was hooded by Dr. James Maddirala, Director of the PhD programme, and presented his diploma by Dr. David Hall, UVI President. Also present and beaming with pride were his mother Mrs. Olive Hodge, his wife Josette, his four daughters Dr. Timarah Hodge, Joya, Jordia and Timoya, as well as other family members, colleagues, and friends.
The Anguillian congratulates Dr. Hodge on his academic achievements and his graduation.
