Front row (from left): Graduates Jamila Ruan, Allison Stanford, Nichelle Smith, Stephanie Horsford, Arianny Espinosa and Lea-Ann Brown, who all obtained their USM Associate of Arts degree in General Liberal Arts. Back row left is Esther Jean Louis, who obtained her UVI Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.
CAY HILL–Eighteen persons are now armed with their degrees after graduating in University of St. Martin’s (USM’s) 25th Commencement Exercise held at the Belair Community Centre on Saturday evening.
The 18 degree recipients include six who obtained their USM Associate of Arts in General Liberal Arts, three who obtained their USM Associate of Arts in Hospitality and Tourism Management, two who earned their Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Higher National Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management, one who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from USM, five who earned their University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, one who earned a UVI Master of Arts in School Counselling and Guidance, and two who obtained their UVI Certificate in Secondary Education.
The USM degrees were conferred by USM President Dr. Antonio Carmona Baez and Dean Dr. Rolinda Carter, while the UVI degrees were conferred by President Dr. David Hall and graduate programme and academic affairs Associate Provost Dr. Linda Thomas.
The Board of Directors’ Award was presented to Kharl Oliver for his contribution in service to the university. The President’s Award was presented to Allison Stanford for her performance academically as well as in extra-curricular activities. Arianny Espinoa received the Academic Achievement Award for completing with the highest grade point average (GPA) of 3.71 at USM.
Hall presented awards to Amy Arrindell for scoring best in class in the graduate programme with a GPA of 3.97 and Victoria Nelson for scoring best in class in the undergraduate programme with a GPA of 3.89
Sharon Freiburg won the outstanding faculty award which was voted by the class of 2019 anonymously.
USM Foundation President Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet opened the ceremony. Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) Wycliffe Smith addressed graduates and guests.
Nichele Smith represented her fellow graduates as the class speaker.
USM Alumna Dr. Hanisha Besant was keynote speaker. Besant completed her PhD degree in communication this past May. Her previous degrees include an MBA, a BSc in psychology she received at Regent University, Virginia, and an Associate of Arts in General Liberal Arts which she received at USM.
USM and UVI alumna Alexandria Stanford inducted the graduates in the Alumni Association. USM Alumna and current instructor Dorothy Richardson performed as the mistress of ceremonies.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/88977-18-graduate-from-usm-and-uvi
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