Honorary Graduand, Mr Edward Kent
Doctor of Laws (LLD)

To all of you I can say that at the age of 13 our Headmaster told the class, “Boys! You can learn something from everyone you meet. The man who sweeps the street knows more about sweeping streets than you do: the man who delivers the coal knows more about delivering coals than you do!

That has been a guiding principle in my life and although my academic career was cut short, I have gleaned a great deal of information from kind friends and acquaintances. I was never ashamed to gather the crumbs from the rich man's table.

You are the people whom God has sent to provide the guidance and inspiration that your years of training have equipped you to provide.

On my small island there is a saying that when God can't come he does send. I believe that he has sent you to guide and encourage those farmers who thirst for knowledge and guidance.

In the words of the late President John F Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you! Ask what you can do for your country!”

The preceding is an excerpt of Mr. Edward Kent's address to graduates of the Faculties of Science & Agriculture and Medical Sciences on November 2, 2007. Mr. Edward Kent was awarded the Doctor of Laws (LLD), Honoris Causa for his sterling contributions to agricultural management and cattle-breeding.

In his citation, he is described as a “multi-talented agriculturalist, estate manager, historian and philanthropist” with a “talent for life, a nurturing stewardship that has refined theory and practice in Caribbean farming and modeled mentorship.”

Mr. Edward Kent, who holds the position of Historian at the Carriacou History Society and Museum, is currently engaged in writing about his research and plans to continue to be an academic resource for agriculture.

Honorary Graduand, Mrs Vera Baney
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)

I had my fair share of hardships. My life has been, and still is, a life of challenges and adversity. I feel that the subject of adversity is what I am best qualified to speak to you about...

As young women and young men you will certainly be confronted with adversity and challenges in many aspects of your lives. You cannot say that they are too difficult when you face them. As educated people you owe it to yourself to try your utmost to overcome these difficulties. You have been prepared with the basics to go out into the world and make your mark. To do anything well will not be easy. Whatever you attempt, do it to the best of your ability and pursue it with a passion. You live in an exciting age and you are a select group of people. Quite unlike my situation, you have opportunities. Many of you are privileged. Your education empowers you to explore, and to go much further. Your journey is now beginning and the sky is the limit. Only one thing I would ask of you. Don't try to do it all in one year. Having myself risen from being a house maid, to an outstanding clay artist and now to a Doctor of Letters, I know that every one of you is capable of distinguishing yourself with something outstanding and special. Your parents and this University will be proud of each and every one of you. Go for it and God be with you.

The preceding is an excerpt of Mrs. Vera Baney’s words of advice to graduates of the Faculties of Engineering and Law on November 3, 2007. Mrs. Vera Baney was awarded the Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Honoris Causa for her outstanding contribution in the field of sculpture and pottery.

Honorary Graduand, Justice Desiree Patricia Bernard
Doctor of Laws (LLD)

In a highly competitive working environment only the committed and motivated survive...Your upward mobility will depend in large measure on your capacity for hard work with dedication to duty being the vehicle which will propel you to the finishing line way ahead of others. Let excellence be the mantra which you repeat and concentrate on at all times. Never be satisfied with being just better than your colleagues or breaking even. You must be the best; there is no place in this world for mediocrity. Unfortunately too many are just content to accept jobs with attractive salaries, but with no prospects for further intellectual development. The qualification you earned today should be just a stepping stone for further personal career advancement. Regard it as the beginning of your achievements, and not the end.

However, in climbing up the ladder of self-improvement, be mindful that you do not sacrifice such time-honoured virtues as honesty and integrity on the altar of speedy acquisition of wealth and self-gratification with the end justifying the means.

Be trail-blazers; be enterprising; open paths which no one has traversed before; conceptualise ideas which are innovative, and in doing so do not be deterred by the adverse criticism of others; persevere, and do not be daunted by setbacks; they are only bumps along the road which you have to surmount, and which are designed to test your faith and strengthen your resolve. Follow your dreams and make them a reality. Steadfastness, determination and belief in yourself will lead inevitably to the achievement of your lifelong ambitions.

The excerpt above is from Justice Bernard’s address at the Faculty of Social Sciences’ graduation on November 3, 2007. She was awarded the Doctor of Laws (LLD), Honoris Causa for her outstanding contributions to the legal profession.

Honorary Graduand, Ms Camini Marajh
Doctor of Letters (DLitt)

Trinidadian journalist Camini Marajh received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) on November 3, 2007 for her contribution to the field of journalism. The following is an excerpt from her citation.

As a rookie reporter in 1982, Camini Marajh conducted archival research, dug for background material, and retrieved documents from scattered offices, laying the foundation for the investigative work for which she would later be known. Soon, armed with training in feature writing at the International Institute of Journalism in Berlin (1986), she began to cover general news, elections, financial and health care news, crime and court.

Over the decade from 1990 to 2000, Camini Marajh acted in a variety of positions. She became Assistant News Editor but also executed temporary assignments as Sunday Express Editor, Business Editor and Foreign News Editor, gathering wide journalistic experience. Most significantly, she operated as Senior Investigative Reporter in relation to such controversial issues as political corruption, financial impropriety and crises in the health care system. Since 2000, as Investigations Editor, she has written on crime and national security, justice, health, politics, environment and education. She has also functioned as staff writing coach, working out strategies for investigative reporting. Most tellingly, however, she has addressed herself to the most sensitive issues with heart-stopping directness.

Her version of journalism requires meticulous and irresistible probing, and intrepid reporting...Her persistent competence has been acknowledged in no less than 13 Awards for Media Excellence, including Best Investigative Reporter and Journalist of the Year.