UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN

ALUMNI NEWSLETTERISSUE NO. 64, JULY 2014

Dear Alumni & Friends

As I greet you, your campus landscape is a cascade of vibrant red ...the Flamboyant trees are in full bloom! I do hope you enjoy the cover shot of the spectacular Flam-boyant tree located in front of the Cafeteria building. It

is always a joy to be in contact with you, whether it is via newsletters, Skype, face book, twitter, email, or my personal favorite, face to face at alumni gatherings. Your passion for USC is al-ways motivating and rewarding to see. Our of-fice is committed to keeping that passion for your alma mater going, as we continue to de-velop and implement ideas that are diverse, inno-vative, resourceful, and technological.

Since our last communication, I am happy to re-port we have added 639 new alumni from the graduating class of 2014 into our alumni family. Hooray and welcome, once again, to the class of 2014! Recruiting our young alumni into our chap-ters has always been a challenge. That’s why I am excited to announce, that in the class of 2014 are our first group of participants from our Pre-Alumni Club, which was launched in 2000, and which focuses on training current students about the joy and responsibilities of being alumni of USC. Four of the top executive members of the Pre-Alumni Club who graduated from the class of 2014 are: Sharifa Honore, Lavyne Hutchinson,

Cavelle Bellas, and Corey Maxwell. Already they are eager to assist their alma mater in what-ever way they can. We look forward to the en-ergy and involvement of our new alumni.

Since our last communication, we have also lost one of our oldest alumnus, Ps. Paul Ramberose, who passed away at the Mount Hope Medical complex on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the age of 103. Pastor Rambharose remained active in min-istry even in his late adulthood and at the age of 97, could have still been found driving around. I dedicate this newsletter to his legacy of service.

As an alumna of USC, I could not be more proud of the progress and developments of our be-loved University. You have every reason to be proud of your alma mater. In this newsletter you would read about some of the progress being made. I personally salute all who continue to support the work at our “dear old USC”. All of you give valuable impulses and contribute to the innovative power and to the dynamic develop-ment of what is happening on our main campus and six extensions sites. May God continue to bless you, so you can continue to support this grand old school. May you ever be faithful to work and do your best for our dear old USC.

Rachel J. Sealy

FROM THE DIRECTOR

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ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND

USC Alumni Reunion Weekend takes place October 17-19, 2014 on Main Campus. Calling all alumni from the classes of 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, and 2014 to save the date, October 17-18, 2014! Names like Ivan Van Lange, Nita Clements, Donn Greaves, Shirley How-ell, Phyllis Smith, Silton Browne, Marjorie Shillingford, Leon Wilson, Jo-seph Gilbert, Florence Telgt, Vaughn Andrews, Daryl Hinkson, Beres-ford Hunte, Jennifer Parris, Brian Badal, and Floyd Hardy comes quickly to mind. There are many more, but space does not allow. I do hope some of you make it back home for this reunion. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your classmates and the USC family; rediscover what USC means to you and reunite for your reunion! Keep checking the University of the Southern Caribbean Alumni Association Facebook page to hear more about this event in the coming months.

EVENTS

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USC Alumnus Named Amongst World’s Most Influential Scientific Mind

USC alumnus, David Williams (USC '76), has made the list of the World's Most Influential Scien-tific Minds: 2014. The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds: 2014, is a list published by Thomson Reuters of top researchers around the globe who have earned their distinction by publishing the highest num-ber of articles that rank among those most fre-quently cited by fellow re-searchers.

The information is drawn from In Cites Essential Sci-ence Indicators, the world’s leading web-based re-search analytics platform, and Web of Science, the premier web-based platform for scientific and scholarly research. The 2014 list was identi-fied by tabulating citations that were recorded during calendar year 2013 for papers published between 2011 and 2013.

Over three thousand researchers earned the dis-tinction by writing the greatest numbers of re-ports officially designated by Essential Science Indicators as Highly Cited Papers—ranking among the top 1% most cited for their subject

field and year of publication, earning them the mark of exceptional impact. Dr. Williams made the list for works produced in the areas of Psychology/psychiatry and Social Sciences, General.

Dr. Williams is the Florence Sprague Norman and Laura Smart Norman Professor of Public Health

at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Professor of African and Afri-can American Studies and of Sociology at Harvard University. Congratulations to Dr. Williams on his achievement.

ALUMNI SHOWCASE

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USC Alumna appointed Editor of the Journal of Adventist Education

USC alumna, Faith-Ann McGarrell (’91 & ’93), has been appointed Edi-tor of The Journal of Ad-ventist Education, the professional publication for Seventh-day Advent-ist teachers and educa-tional administrators, worldwide. The award-winning Journal is pro-

duced by the General Conference Office of Edu-cation for educators, kindergarten through univer-sity level, in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Most articles are peer-reviewed using a double-blind review process. Faith-Ann is ex-cited about being a part of the distinct, unique publication that provides resources for teachers, administrators, and individuals vested in the mission-focused quality of Adventist education.

McGarrell, who most recently served as the Asso-ciate Professor of Teaching, Learning, and Cur-riculum in the School of Education, Andrews Uni-versity, holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, an MA in English Literature, and a BA in English. In addition to teaching at the university level, McGarrell has published several articles, and presented papers at national and international conferences such as the International Associa-tion for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies, the American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies, and the American Educa-tion Research Association. We wish God’s bless-ings on Dr. McGarrell as she assumes her new role as Editor.

USC Alumna Advances to Bible Boom Finals

USC alumna, Shama Felix (07’), will be rep-resenting the Caribbean Un-ion Conference at the 2014 Bi-

ble Boom chal-lenge at the Inter-American Division (IAD) Youth Congress in Guatemala City on Sabbath August 02, 2014. The Bible Boom competition is the an-nual youth Bible knowledge challenge of the IAD of Seventh-day Adventist that ensures the study of God’s word. We wish Ms. Felix success in this venture.

USC Alumni Return To Serve

Alumni Drs. Mario (04’) and Krystal Philip (04’), have been appointed as full time faculty at the University of the Southern Caribbean in the schools of Theology & Religion, and Science & Technology respectively. Dr. Mario Phillip joined

the USC family in November 2013 and Dr. Krystal Phillip’s first day on the job was June 1, 2014. After graduating from USC with her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Dr. Krystal Phillip went on to complete her Master of Science de-

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gree in the fields of Biodiversity, and Zoology and a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnol-ogy, with a minor in Genetics. Dr. Mario Phillip completed his Master of Arts degree in the fields of Missiology, and Philosophy and completed a PhD in New Testament Biblical Studies, with a mi-nor in the Old Testament. Drs. Mario and Krystal Phillip are thrilled to be serving their alma mater at this time. They said, “We both see being at USC as God's leading. We accept this call from God with humility. Being here offers us a unique opportunity to give back to our alma mater, and to continue the legacy of service and commitment--tenets upon which Adventist educa-tion is built. Most importantly we see our pres-ence here as agents of transformation, entrusted with a mandate to help in fashioning the minds of students to become better citizens of this world, and ultimately the world come”. Together they have a son, Kairós Zoēis Phillip, who is just three months old. We welcome Drs. Mario and Krystal Phillip, and son, to the USC family.

Three USC Alumni Complete MD

USC alumni, Mandique Roach (07’), Kyrstan Hosein (08’), and Jillian John (08’) completed their Doctor of Medicine Degrees in June 2014. All three graduated with Bache-lors of

Science degrees in Biology from USC, however, their post graduate degrees took them on different journeys. Mandique completed her MD at St. Georges Univer-

sity School of Medicine in Grenada, while both Krystan Hosien and Jillian John went on to UWI Mona in Jamaica where they completed their MBBS de-grees. All three testified that the journey was filled with many challenges, but giving up was never an option. Congratulations and success to these young doctors.

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MANDIQUE ROACH

JILLIAN JOHN

KRYSTAN HOSEIN

Alumni Career Services

The office of Alumni Relations is launching its Ca-reer Services program for current students and alumni. This program is intended to help stu-dents and alumni plan, prepare and promote their careers. Beginning September 2014, this office would offer three events annually, which would assist in accomplishing the goals of this program. Events will include Resume Writing Workshops, Mock Interview Days, and Profes-sional Development & Networking Days. Please look out for the announcements regarding these events. We also intend to partner with local and national employers to bring a variety of intern-ships and jobs. Through this program we would also keep alumni updated of currently available job positions at USC and partnering companies. Below is a list of positions currently available at USC. You can visit http://www.usc.edu.tt/human-resources/hr-employment.html for further details on these positions.

• ! MEDICAL DOCTOR

• ! SECURITY OFFICER

• ! ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TOBAGO CAMPUS

• ! BIOLOGY LAB TECHNICIAN - MEDICAL

• ! ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-GE-CAPS

• ! INSTRUCTOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Alumni Teach- In Program

The office of Graduate, Continuing and Profes-sional Studies in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Relations is launching the Alumni Teach-In Program. This program offers alumni the won-derful opportunity to come home to USC or any other Caribbean country to teach a class, pro-vide workshops or seminars while enjoying a brief respite. The University will reimburse the alumnus reasonably within market rates, for on-ward air and ground transportation costs, board and lodging for workshops and seminars. Spe-cial conditions apply. Alumni may plan to offer service at their places of birth origin or national-ity. If you are interested in this program please contact the office of alumni for further details. Our email contact is alumni@usc.edu.tt and our phone contact is 662-2242 ext. 1171-3. You can also contact office of Graduate, Continuing and Professional Studies at 662-2242 ext. 311.

Please visit http://www.usc.edu.tt/alumni-and-friends/alumni-support.html for information on other alumni pro-grams and great ways for you to connect with your university.

ALUMNI MATTERS

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Alumni Giving

The Office of Alumni Relations works to encour-age financial efficiency and effectiveness in or-der to support significant growth of alumni en-gagement and the improvement of the alumni giv-ing rate. We are happy to report we have seen a significant growth in alumni giving to planned pro-jects, scholarships, and research. Funds in TTD received for Period of April –June, 2014 are as follows:

USC is grateful for the financial support offered by the many alumni and friends who partner with us to provide Christian SDA Education.

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STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP USC Alumni Association - $24,000.00USC NA Alumni Association

$18,720.00

Harold Baptiste Scholarship Fund

$18,720.00

DORMITORY FUNDMr. & Mrs. St. Hillarie Mr. & Mrs. Rolston Roberts USC Alumni Association USC NA Alumni AssociationMr. Roy Hoyte & FamilyMr. & Mrs. Holitzia James

2,000.006,000.0015,000.00249,600.006,200.006,000.00

ENDOWMENT FUND Various Faculty & Staff 7,050.00

AUDITORIUM REBUILDINGArima SDA Church (Member donation)

350.00

GEORGE SIMMONS LECTURE SERIESUSCNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

62,400.00

Breaking Ground for New 2000-seat Audito-rium

On June 18, 2014, heavy machines rolled onto USC campus and began breaking ground for the new 2000-seat auditorium which would replace the previous auditorium that was gutted by fire on April 26, 2012. Since the fire, the university family had been holding all major campus activi-ties, including church services, in what had be-come affectionately known as the Tentorium. The Tentorium, which was intended to be used tempo-rarily, was on May 21, 2014, removed. Many alumni and friends have given selflessly towards the re-building of the auditorium pro-ject.. Though there were many efforts to raise the necessary funds for this new facility, the University is still woefully short of the entire amount needed for completion. Dr. Val-ley, in announcing the plans for the rebuilding of the new facility called on the Government to de-

liver on its pledge of support towards the rebuild-ing exercise. Senator the Honorable Fazal Karim, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, during the Commissioning Ceremony of the Timothy Greaves Hall on May 19, 2014, prom-ised to fulfill the pledge which was made to the University two years ago. We continue to solicit your prayers and your financial contributions to-wards the rebuilding of the new auditorium. Nam-ing opportunities are available. You can contact alumni office 662-2242 Ext 1171-3 or alumni@usc.edu.tt to find out more about how you can support.

USC becomes fourth member of high speed education online network TTRENT.

The University of the Southern Caribbean has be-come the fourth member of the Trinidad and To-bago Research and Education Network (TTRENT), a privileged group of local tertiary in-stitutions linked by high speed media and ad-vanced information and communications tech-nologies. This was made official at a formal sign-ing ceremony at the Office of the President on Monday May 26th, 2014. USC is the only private institution that has thus far been included in this initiative by the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training (MTEST). Other members include UWI, COSTAATT and UTT. This connection has resulted in faster internet speeds and provides students the access to vast repositories of infor-mation (text, audio and video) through a single

ALMA MATTERS

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sign-on process. In this networked society, both the capability and efficiency of content delivery to ourstakeholders would be greatly enhanced. Furthermore, research possibilities and cross-institutional collaborations are now endless. We are indeed excited by the prospect of moving a step closer to achieving our strategic objectives in the spheres of character, curriculum, campus, community and capacity development as we seek to be-come a world class Seventh-day Adventist institu-tion.

Conferences and Workshops

USC continues to deliver conferences and work-shops that add to the intellectual and profes-sional development of the local, regional and in-ternational human capital. Collaborating with GC Scored: The Global Center for School Coun-seling Outcome, Research Evaluation & Develop-ment, and Indiana University South Bend Coun-seling & Human Services (CHS) Department, USC will host the GCSCORED Conference: Think-ing Globally, Counseling Locally: Reaching our Children, Youth, and Communities in an Era of Globalization. This conference is to be held June 29-July 01, 2015. The key note speaker is Cirecie A. West-Olatunji who serves as Associate Professor/Academic Program Director of the Counseling Program and Director of the Center for Traumatic Stress Research at the University of Cincinnati. She is also president of the American Counseling Association (ACA). As an internation-

ally recognized speaker, trainer, and author in the area of culture-centered, theory, research, and practice, she has provided consultation and training in Africa, Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, and the Americas. Topics which would be addressed at this conference includes: Risk factors impacting social-emotional development in children, Risk factors impacting academic & career development in children, Counselor edu-cation & training, Research & evaluation in the field of school counseling. This conference is in-tended for psychologists, social workers, chief education officers, student support directors, uni-versity faculty, school administrators, research-ers, mental health workers, religious leaders and youth workers. For more information on this con-ference visit www.usc.edu.tt

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FROM LEFT, DR. CLINTON VALLEY, MR DAVID BAYNES, MR RODNEY RAJKUMAR AND MR GERARD AHEE

CIRECIE A. WEST-OLATUNJI

Fellow alumni, it's excit-ing to see what The Lord is doing at USC. First of all, I am so appreciative of the many alumni who are returning to serve our dear alma mater. We al-ready spoke of the Phil-lips, and to these must be added Dr. and Mrs. Lash-ley, Dr. Kethurah Williams (January 2015) Genne-

vieve Boucaud (October 2014). Next year we will also see the return of Ronnie and Angele Roberts, Dr.Tracey and Kerron Hislop, and Nad-ine Joseph. Capacity development is a key de-velopmental pillar for the University and we are so thankful that The Lord is impressing qualified, dedicated, and energized experts to return to serve.

Another source of great joy relates to another strategic pillar - Campus Development. Over 100 ministers from across the Caribbean Union had the first opportunity to stay in the new Timo-thy S. Greaves Residence Hall when they at-tended the first Pastoral Leadership and Evangel-ism Conference recently (PLEC 2014). Other ministers on the summer MAPTh program are also staying there. The ladies residence hall buildings are also up and will be ready for occu-pancy in January 2015. The University is cur-rently looking for alumni or a sponsor who would wish to have the ladies hall named in their honor.

I would be pleased to personally engage any in-terested party in such a discussion.

Apart from the residence halls, work has started on the new auditorium. This is an act of faith for we do not see the funds, but all indicators were saying to the Administration, and the Board of Trustees that it was time to arise and build. The hope and prayer is that our graduates of 2015 will have their weekend graduation events on campus.

As I close, let me express my appreciation and thanks to our alumni leaders locally and interna-tionally. I must express our thanks to Dr. Vernon Andrews, president of the USC Alumni Associa-tion, who bows out this year. Thanks to our stal-warts who have served with passion and distinc-tion on the North American Alumni Association Executive over the many years - what would USC be without their sterling contributions?

As we look to the future with regards to alumni support, we value the new leadership of USC NAAA President, Dr. Curtis Fox, his team, and the leadership in the various chapters. Together, alumni and the University Administration in con-cert with the Board, faculty and staff have a great opportunity to really take USC "Beyond Excel-lence". I am confident for the future, not only be-cause of those who serve but more importantly, because of Him, whose mission we serve.

Clinton A. Valley, MBA, Ed.D

A FINAL WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

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