"One UWI, One Alumni Family"
The UWI 2023 Graduation Season sees 14 Honorary Graduates and over 7,500 new regional graduates joining the UWI Alumni Family.
The annual tradition of conferring honorary degrees, which coincides this year with the regional university’s 75th jubilee celebrations, commemorated the outstanding contributions made by these individuals to their communities and the wider society. The honorees joined hundreds of students across the Five Islands, Cave Hill, St Augustine, Mona, and Global (formerly Open Campus) campuses who graduated and marked the end of their studies.
The UWI's graduation ceremonies held across the five campuses welcomed all those of the Class of 2023 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as the Honorary Graduates who were recognized for their contributions.
FIVE ISLANDS CAMPUS, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Honorary Graduand: Sir Leroy ‘King Short Shirt’ Emanuel
Valedictorian: Ms. Kendra Thomas – Bachelor of Education (First Class Honours)
CAVE HILL CAMPUS, BARBADOS
Honorary Graduands
- Ian Hickling
- Alison Hinds
- Trisha Tannis
AUGUSTINE CAMPUS, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Honorary Graduands
- Baroness Floella Benjamin, OM, DBE, DL
- Heather Headley
- Lawrence Scott
MONA CAMPUS, JAMAICA
Valedictorians:
- Aundrene Cameron – Faculty of Law,
- Jamar Grant – Faculty of Humanities and Education
- Sadieka Smith – Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Charm Evans – Faculty of Social Sciences (MSBM)
Honorary Graduands:
- Her Excellency Ambassador Audrey Marks and – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD)
- The late Honourable Lascelles Chin – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (posthumous)
- Ms. Rachel Manley – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
- Professor Dale Abel – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc)
- Hugh Beres Hammond OJ – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
UWI GLOBAL CAMPUS (FORMERLY OPEN CAMPUS)
Honorary Graduands
- Monsignor Hon. Dr Patrick ‘Paba’ Anthony, SLC
- The Right Honourable Dame Janet Gwennett Bostwick, CB, DBE
Honorary Graduate Dr. Rachel Manley, in highlighting The UWI's 75th Anniversary in addressing the new graduates noted that: " In these insecure times in our world, where truth lies precariously in the balance – this institution has survived; a landmark on the mind of all who learned here – guiding us with the certainty of who we are and the truth of what we know, a compass for us not to lose our way. It’s here at this collective fulcrum that our imagination and curiosity is fed not just by research and learning, but also through a communion of gathered cultures and experiences - -- these things you, the graduating class, imbibed while here and will carry with you all your lives into the wider world."
This year’s ceremonies were carded for October 7 to November 11, and 2023 marked a double celebration—witnessing yet another graduating class advance to make an impact in our Caribbean society, and the achievement of our 75th anniversary themed, ROOTED.READY.RISING.
As we commemorate this jubilee milestone, we reflect on our foundation—rooted in the Caribbean; we stand ready to confront present and future challenges and opportunities, rising as a beacon of empowerment to our communities through the delivery of world class education services.
Congratulations to all our graduates and welcome to the UWI Alumni Family.
"One UWI, One Alumni Family"
