Former Prime Minister or The Bahamas Hubert Ingraham speaking the UWI) St. Augustine Campus graduation ceremonies on Friday, October 26.
AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago, October 27, 2018 — Former Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham was one of four “distinguished persons” who were awarded honorary degrees by the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus during graduation ceremonies held on Friday, October 26.
Mr. Ingraham, who was Prime Minister of The Bahamas from 1992 to 2002 and from 2007–2012, was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree (LLD) for “his work as a politician,” according to a UWI press release on the graduation ceremonies, held from October 25 – 27.
In his remarks, Mr. Ingraham told graduates the degree “is only an indication to the world that you have the capacity to acquire certain knowledge.”
“It’s up to you to demonstrate what attaining that degree means,” Mr. Ingraham said. “Learning plus performance is the foundation of success.”
The former Bahamas Prime Minister noted that he “learned early that public service was the most satisfactory endeavor.”
“My greatest satisfaction in life has come from small incremental successes that I have been able to make life better for more and more Bahamians,” Mr. Ingraham said.
Other noted individuals receiving honorary decrees included Ms. Paula Lucie-Smith of Trinidad and Tobago for her contributions as a teacher, advocate and pioneer – LLD; Professor Dermot Kelleher from Ireland for his work in research and medicine – DSC; and Mr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul from Guyana for his achievements in the sport of cricket – LLD.
UWI had also planned to confer the honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Winston Bailey, the legendary Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian, also known as “the Mighty Shadow”, who died on Tuesday, October23, at the age of 77 following a stroke.
“Mr. Bailey was scheduled to be conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa for his contributions as a musical composer at the morning Graduation Ceremony, this Saturday 27 October, 2018 at The UWI St. Augustine,” the UWI press release stated. “Earlier this year, the award was offered to Mr. Bailey and he graciously accepted the University’s offer for the conferral of the degree. As such, the honorary degree will be presented at Saturday’s ceremony, in special tribute.”
In expressing condolences, Campus Principal, Professor Brian Copeland said, “The country has lost yet another super creative citizen, one who re-energized the calypso and soca world with his unique rhythms, nicely woven into his cleverly crafted commentaries on so many aspects of life and living. I was proud to have witnessed his historic entry into the local arena in 1974 – his timing could not have been better. I am so very sad and disappointed that he passed before he could collect his Honorary Doctorate scroll himself on Saturday. May he rest in peace.”
