Scores of persons turned out on Saturday 9th April, at the Teachers Resource Centre, to appreciate and honor the work of the late Julian R. Harrigan, a former Representative and Resident Tutor of the University of the West Indies. He also served as a Permanent Secretary in the Anguilla Public Service, and as a Youth and Community Activist, Cultural Activist and Musician.
The event was a collaboration between the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Anguilla and the Steering Committee of the UWI Alumni Association – Anguilla Chapter – and will continue on an annual basis as a fundraiser towards the Julian R. Harrigan Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund was launched to coincide with Julian’s birthday, April 11th. Students enrolled at the UWI Open Campus Anguilla pursuing studies in Social Work, Youth Development Work or Public Administration Studies will be able to access the Scholarship Fund.
The Honourable Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, briefly recounted his experiences as Mr. Harrigan’s 5ht form teacher at the Valley Secondary School and went on to say he was a very enthusiastic and motivated man who tried “to have a positive impact on Anguilla… [Julian’s] children may not understand how significant a role he played in the social development of Anguilla”.
The Department of Youth and Culture, in collaboration with the Anguilla National Youth Council, Anguilla Youth Ambassadors Corps and the Youth Parliament, collectively pledged US $500 towards the Fund. Programme Officer with responsibility for Youth, Ms. Joleyne Robin, said: “The amount being pledged is in recognition of Mr. Harrigan’s service to youth development in Anguilla and his service to the overall development of the Anguilla National Youth Council”. Throughout the night several persons also made pledges including the Harrigan Family.
The night was filled with activities including performances by the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre, the Anguilla Choral Circle, Ebenezer Youth Choir( in which Mr. Harrigan was involved) and a special rendition of ‘You raise me up’ by Aaron Harrigan, his son.
UWI Post Master General, Mrs. Jacqueline Bryan-Niles, and Calvert Carty reflected on their time with Mr. Harrigan while Mr. Colville Petty (OBE) gave a brief history of his life on earth. He noted: “Mr. Harrigan was deeply committed to the success of the UWI on Anguilla and Played a key role in the establishment of a physical site for the University’s local operations”. On April 12 2000, the UWI Open Campus Anguilla at Pope Hill was commissioned under the direction and leadership of the late Julian R. Harrigan.
The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque highlighting Mr. Harrigan’s 18 years with the University of the West Indies. The plaque will be a permanent fixture displayed at the UWI Open Campus Anguilla Site. Also recognized at the ceremony were Mrs. Oronica Hughes for her twenty-five years of service at the UWI on Anguilla and Clerical Assistant, Mrs. Arlene Browne-Richardson. Mrs. Meridith Gumbs was also acknowledged as the first graduate of the UWI distance programme facilitated by Mr. Harrigan. In her response, she lauded the programme; noting the positive impact that Mr. Harrigan had on her academic life and encouraged others to take advantage of this affordable opportunity.
Manager of the UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming- Banks who chaired the night’s proceedings, called on all UWI graduates across Anguilla to show their “Pelican Pride” and contribute to the Fund. The Brown Pelican, a bird found all over the Caribbean which is renowned as a traditional symbol of piety, rests gracefully at the crest of the UWI Coat of Arms.
As Pelicans, UWI Alumni are charged with the task of nurturing, and being a friend of, the youth.
