Students lauded for excellence
16 October 2021
The Cave Hill Campus granted more than 65 scholarships, as well as awards and prizes for the latest cohort who excelled in academics and sports in the past year, at the 18
th Annual Student Awards and Recognition ceremony held on June 1.
The assistance was facilitated in part through financial contributions from members of the corporate community, alumni, non-governmental organisations, well-wishers and other stakeholders. It will help cover tuition, food, books, transportation costs, amenity fees and other charges for students pursuing studies in a range of disciplines at the Campus.
The ceremony, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, was held virtually this year in keeping with the health protocols. Principal, Professor the Most Honourable Eudine Barriteau, commended students for remaining steadfast in their pursuit of a first class university education despite having to adjust to online teaching and learning amid wider societal displacement resulting from COVID-19.
She noted that the situation was even more difficult for students from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who continue to deal with the fallout from the eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano.
“You have faced up to challenges that none of your predecessors ever had to confront. Surely, you attained the same grades and other scholarly, sporting, artistic or other prerequisites to gain your awards but you did so amid a COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted normal living, challenged your physical health and mental wellbeing, while requiring you to maintain a high threshold of academic discipline.
“It forced you to find innovative ways to study and socialise as you aimed for that higher education qualification to help you achieve your dream. In spite of these daunting challenges, you met the academic criteria required of you to be today’s proud recipient of your award,” she said.
She advised students not see themselves as victims of any adverse economic times nor be distracted by the turmoil of job losses, business closures and threatened livelihoods which the pandemic has wrought.
“I am well aware that it is not an easy undertaking to stay on the path to educational advancement in circumstances where food and shelter might be a preeminent preoccupation. However, as a Campus we have shown the value of ‘toughing it out’. From you, unprecedented resilience might be required,” she stated, while appealing for more Cave Hill alumni to assist students who are experiencing financial hardship.
Professor Barriteau, who will be demitting office next month, told the online audience that she was also proud of the Campus’ performance, which has remained in good financial health despite weathering a number of economic storms.
“The campus’ wellbeing, when measured by the composite financial index by which higher education institutions are adjudged, gives us a score of more than double what is deemed a healthy marking. This in spite of our having weathered some of the most turbulent economic times.”
Guest speaker Apostle Jackie Watson delivered a message of inspiration that focused on entrepreneurial and service excellence. The business owner, mentor and author urged students to step out of the box rather than try to fit in with everyone else. She also encouraged them to try to positively change the lives of everyone they come into contact with.
Return to all news