The graduating students. (Edgardo Lynch photo)
BELAIR–Thirty-five University of St. Martin (USM) students overcame a tumultuous final 2017-2018 school year, with uncertainties as to whether the closed institution would reopen coupled with the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, to graduate with flying colours on Saturday evening.
The ceremony, held at the Belair Community Centre, was themed “Maintaining goals in the midst of adversities” to, amongst other things, reflect the strength and determination of the graduating group.
Of the 35 graduates 11 were from programmes being run by USM in conjunction with University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). The USM at UVI graduates received their Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s degree in Education.
A section of the audience at the graduation ceremony (Edgardo Lynch photo)
An additional student collected her degree in a UVI graduation held in St. Thomas. The remaining graduates included six who obtained their Bachelor’s degree in Education, five received their Associate of Arts degrees in General Liberal Arts; eight their Associate of Arts degrees in Business, one an Associate of Arts degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, one a Certificate in Teaching and three their Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Higher National Certificates (HNC) in hospitality management.
The Academic Achievement Award for the student with the highest grade point average (GPA) went to General Liberal Arts graduate Jahailia Ramkellowan, who had a GPA of 3.63. The Board of Directors Award for the student who gave a great contribution to USM in service went to Bachelor of Education graduate Kiran Manglani and the President’s Award for outstanding performance academically and in extracurricular activities went to Business Administration graduate Parina Lotlikar.
The Outstanding Faculty award went to Education faculty member Juliana Hodge-Shipley, who was voted by students for the award.
The keynote address was delivered by USM alumna St. Maarten-born Judith Edouard, who holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology. Other speakers for the evening included Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) Wycliffe Smith, USM President Antonio Carmona-Baez, USM Dean of Academics Rolinda Carter and UVI President David Hall.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/79708-35-students-beat-odds-to-graduate-from-usm
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