Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal. April 4, 2022 — The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Open Campus joins the nation of St Kitts and Nevis in mourning the passing of His Excellency Ambassador Vance Amory.
His Excellency Amory was a founding member of Nevis' Concerned Citizens Movement Party. He served as member of the Nevis Island Assembly from 1987 to 2017; member of the National Assembly from 1989 to 2020; Premier of Nevis 1992 to 2006 and 2013 to 2017; and senior Minister in the Federal Government from 2015 to 2020. At the time of his passing, HE Amory was an Ambassador in the Office of the Prime Minister.
In 1967, Ambassador Amory entered the world of work as a teacher at the Charlestown Secondary School. He pursued baccalaureate studies in Economics and History at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and graduated in 1973. After graduating from The UWI at the age of 28, His Excellency continued his teaching career and became the youngest Headmaster of the Charlestown Secondary School. He served as the Extra-Mural Representative for The UWI between 1974 to 1977.
Over the years, Ambassador Amory has volunteered with various youth and sports groups. He was an avid sportsman. He served as a representative of the Nevis Cricket Team 1966 to 1983; founding President of the Nevis Football Association 1974; founding President of the Nevis Amateur Athletic Association 1974; and President of the Nevis Cricket Association 1986. He played cricket for the Leeward Islands, Combined Islands, and the West Indies Board President's XI teams. He was known for his elegant batting style.
Ambassador Amory was a strong supporter of The UWI and regularly attended public lectures and other events hosted by the St Kitts and Nevis Open Campus Country Site. His last event at The UWI was in August 2021, when he served as guest speaker at the St Kitts and Nevis UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) Global Giving and Pelican Award ceremony, where he reminisced on his experience at The UWI. Open Campus Principal Dr Francis Severin, in reacting to the news of Ambassador Amory’s passing, poignantly reflected, “I do recall his feature address at last August's St Kitts and Nevis UWIAA Global Giving and Pelican Award ceremony. It was not only illuminating, but also captivating with some humour added to it.” He added, “His biographical profile imparts a consummate and dedicated public servant who fully embraced his quality UWI education for the greater good of the greater number. We are all tremendously indebted to him.”
The UWI Open Campus Leadership Team extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of His Excellency Ambassador Amory. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
