Graduates and Friends of The University of The West Indies on Anguilla gathered at the historic Ebenezer Methodist Chapel in the Valley and online for a Service of Thanksgiving in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of The University on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
Officiants for the Service included Pelicans, Reverends Vincia Celestine, E. Dunstan Richardson and Lindsay K. Richardson of the Methodist Church and Reverend Canon Reid Simon of the Anglican Church, who delivered the sermon. Pastor Philip Gumbs of the Church of God – Holiness offered the prayers of intercession and thanksgiving. Also in attendance and representing the Anglican Church were ardent Alumni, retired Bishop of the North East Caribbean and Aruba, The Right Reverend Leroy Errol Brooks and Mrs. Rosena Brooks.
The Honourable Premier of Anguilla, Dr. Ellis L. Webster brought greetings on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla. Past President of The UWI Alumni Association – Anguilla Chapter and member of The UWI Open Campus Council, Mr. Stanley E. Reid presented the overview of The UWI, while Mrs. Stella Horsford from The Cave Hill Class of 1974 provided highlights of the work of The UWI on Anguilla.
Also participating in the Service were Manager of The UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories (BOTS), Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, who delivered the welcome remarks and Dr. Michelle Queeley, the first Doctoral graduate from The UWI Open Campus Anguilla, who read the Old Testament lesson.
Music for the Service was provided by Mr. Lennox Vanterpool, Mr. Sanford Richardson and Master Kenya Warner, as well as The Church of God – Holiness Singers and The UWI Open Campus Anguilla Singers. During the evening an offering of EC$1,387.20 was collected in support of the Julian R. Harrigan Memorial Scholarship Fund at The UWI Open Campus Anguilla.
The UWI Open Campus Anguilla has expressed its appreciation to the Ebenezer Methodist Church for hosting and broadcasting the Service. Thanks have also been extended to those who attended and/or shared in the Service, including the local media.
Anguilla launched the University’s Diamond Jubilee Year with the observance of UWI Day on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Events included radio and social media programmes and a Press Statement from Her Excellency the Governor, Ms. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam. Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam also hosted the Manager of The UWI Open Campus BOTS on January 6, 2023. Her Excellency also highlighted the Anniversary at a special reception on January 9th to mark the opening of the Law Year 2023 and the visit of the Chief Justice Dame Dr. Janice M. Pereira and the Court of Appeal Judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the majority of whom are UWI Alumni.
Also on the calendar for the year-long celebrations on Anguilla, is the Alumni Awards 2023, which will be hosted by The UWI Alumni Association Anguilla Chapter in April. The UWI Graduates are being encouraged to continue to show their “Pelican Pride” and share their UWI memories and experiences on social and other media as well as on the Anniversary website, www.uwi.edu/75 throughout the year.
