NCU alumni show love at homecoming banquet
· The GleanerIT WAS an evening of class and nostalgia as alumni and friends of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) converged on the red carpet for the Centennial Banquet and Recognition Awards, held at Golf View Hotel on the night of November 9, under the theme, ‘Preserving the Legacy … 100 Years and Beyond’.
The master of ceremonies, Fae Ellington, executed the right balance of eloquence and entertainment as she guided the evening’s proceedings. Against this vibrant backdrop, special alumni were recognised and awarded. Appeals for funding to benefit the university were also well received.
Among the awardees for the evening was Canada’s Juno Award Winner 2024, Kevin ‘K-Anthony’ Fowler, who got his voice and music training from NCU. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in music and his associate of arts degree in mass communication from the institution. He credits NCU for giving him solid social, musical and spiritual foundations that have proven useful in his professional career.
Other alumni recognised were Dr Shelly Bowen – medical/health professional; Robert Miller – parliamentarian; Basillia Barnaby-Cuff – social media influencer and founder of Jamaica’s Sterling Gospel Awards; Dr Rodney Palmer – minister of religion; Donmayne Gyles – president and chief executive officer of Andrews Memorial Hospital; Omar Fennel – president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and founder of the company 876get.
Alumni were recognised for their contributions to the development of the institution over the years, and several people received medallions. However, special presentations were made to the following alumni in the categories stated below:
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• Loyalty and Sacrificial Effort: The Shields Family, with 17 members once being students of the university.
• Legacy and Heritage: The Scavella Family, with at least three generations of family members having attended the university.
• Forever Friends: Two sets of friends were mentioned. Peter Campbell Jr (who died a few days before the event) and Carl Henry – both of whom also shared the same birthday. The other set of friends were the first nursing degree graduates of NCU – the Big Six – Judith Clayton-Gomez, Leonarda Dowdie-McKenzie, Sonia Kennedy-Brown, Shirlene McLean-Henriques, Beverley McPherson and Beverley Tai-Binger.
• Long and Lasting Love: Two couples who met on campus were recognised. The first couple was Dennis Dempster, age 102 years, and his wife, Norma (nee Douse) Dempster. Drs Byron and Dorothea Robinson were also recognised. They have been married for 57 years.
The love of alumni for Northern Caribbean University was demonstrated beyond words with the announcements by the president of the NCU Alumni Federation International, Harold ‘Harry’ Clayton that the federation had raised US$40,000 so far and that its goal was to raise US$100,000. At the event, alumni started digging deep in their pockets to demonstrate their love for NCU.
The Alumni Federation president also announced:
• The allocation of US$15,000 towards student scholarships, obtainable through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid; US$13,000 towards a generator for the gymnatorium and towards the continued renovation of the Student Lounge; and US$15,000 towards the resourcing of special events and hospitality assistance for Student Loan Bureau recipients with the interest of their student loans if they apply for the same.
• The intention to source three laptops for the Office of Corporate Communication, Marketing and Public Relations to provide more resources for university marketing
• The federation is soliciting US$5,000 towards the university’s cybersecurity systems.
The generosity continued with announcements from the Carnegie Foundation for Cancer Research Lecture, the Byron Robinson Educational Foundation, and the NCU International Development Foundation (NCUIDF). The Carnegie Foundation pledged CAD$15,000 towards the acquisition of equipment for the fitness gym. The Byron Robinson Educational Foundation pledged US$20,000 to the university. The NCUIDF pledged US$20,000 towards renovation of the dormitories.
University President, Professor Lincoln Edwards, in his remarks, mentioned that the university was existing in a very competitive environment with other tertiary institutions. However, he was convinced that, with the continued help and support of stakeholders like the Seventh-day Adventist Church and alumni, the university was destined to succeed.
The banquet hall glowed in gentle lights as fabrics of blue and white hung subtly from the ceilings with a decorative embrace of delight and romance. Reunion hugs, sophisticated laughs and chatters of joy and anticipation filled the air. Fashion statements were a combination of contemporary and yesteryear. With band music, cabaret and other musical performances, the evening was filled with engagement, relaxation and charm. It was also a historically educational evening as Pastor Derek Bignall and his production crew and cast presented his 40-minute musical production titled Reflections and Celebration of Alma Mater.