Author: Dave V. Cassie, EdD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences

The University of the Southern Caribbean held a simple tree planting activity to commemorate Earth Day & World Environment Day 2022 under the themes “Invest in Our Plant” and “Only One Earth” respectively. The tree planting activity took place on July 14, 2022 on a small mound overlooking the recreation field between the Maracas SDA Primary School and the La Realista Building on the main campus, Maracas, St. Joseph. Seedlings were donated by WASA’s Adopt the River Program which included fruit trees as well as wood trees. In the photo, below a small party of officials were gathered to plant a Five Finger tree as a ceremonial gesture to highlight the events as well as mark the further collaboration of WASA’s Adopt the River Program and School of Sciences, Technology & Allied Health on a river project in the coming academic year.  

WASA’s Adopt the River Program has been associated with the School of Sciences, Technology & Allied Health since 2020 just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and participated in the Science Week 2020 Symposium: Water & Climate Change. Due to the many restrictions related to the pandemic there has been limited engagement over the last two years but it is hoped that in the new academic year 2022_2023 that a river project will be initiated involving the community stakeholders, students and faculty and staff of USC. Certainly this is an investment for the future of the Maracas Valley, the country and the planet as a whole.

Author: Caribbean Union Health and Well-being Study (CHWBS)

The Caribbean Union Family Life, Health, and Women, Children and Adolescents Ministries departments, the University of the Southern Caribbean, Loma Linda University, Johns Hopkins University and Oakwood University have teamed up to conduct the Caribbean Union Health and Well-being Study (CHWBS). This is a ground-breaking study of the adult Seventh-day Adventist population in the Caribbean Union focusing majorly on mental health, family, and women issues.

A section of the study focuses specifically on Pastors. The findings from the study will be used to provide data driven ministry initiatives to improve the health and well-being of our members in the Caribbean Union and provide invaluable information on the experiences related to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19). The study is fully endorsed and supported by the Caribbean Union Conference Executive Committee.

By Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer

The longstanding relationship President Colwick Wilson holds with Oakwood University (OU) has proved invaluable to USC’s department of Integrated Marketing & Communications (IMC). 

During USC’s graduation activities for the Class of 2022, the IMC team greatly benefited from the assistance, expertise and training provided by Dr. Dwyane Cheddar. Dr. Dwyane Cheddar is the Director of the Oakwood University Broadcasting Network (OUBN), and an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Oakwood University. 

Coming out of this visit Dr. Cheddar has committed to work with USC to develop a certificate programme in media production to be offered in 2023.

As USC’s relationship with OU continues to grow, the IMC team has further benefited through the donation of media production equipment. Oakwood University has gifted computer and camera equipment valued at over USD$8,500. This invaluable contribution includes:

• 1 Mac Pro Computer
• 1 Canon XA55 Video Camera

Oakwood has changed out their video cameras at their campus and has confirmed a further contribution to IMC of additional seven video cameras they once used. These cameras are great condition and are currently being services in the US, after which they will be shipped to USC.

Contributed By: Le-Roy Pierre, Director, Sport & Physical Education Department (SPED)

Cricket, lovely cricket! It was a great match.

Captain Coppin won the toss and put Maracas Cricketing Legends in to bat. They had a poor start to their innings as the President’s XI bowlers maintained a steady line and length with wickets falling at regular intervals. At the end of the allotted seven overs, the Legends were able to muster a competitive total of 56 runs for the loss of 4 wickets giving the President’s XI 57 to win.

In comes the President’s XI and in just the second over lost their first wicket. However, sensible barring from Robert Solomon who made 28 not out steady the batting. As the President’s XI got closer to the score of wickets began to fall including that of the President who was run out forcing a run.

At the end of the 7 overs scores were tied at 56 forcing a super over. The President’s XI had the first go at the crease with captain Coppin and Victor Timothy taking the crease. To the dismay of Maracas Legends, Captain Coppin sent the first two deliveries for mighty sixes followed up by a single. In the 4^th ball Timothy was out for a duck. Carl Solomon came in and made a single leaving the Legends a competitive score of 15 runs to win.

The over was entrusted to the elder of the Solomon’s brothers – Carl. He did not disappoint. He restricted the scoring effort of the legends to two runs for the loss two wickets. The Legends conceded defeat. President’s XI over 50 cricket team taking home the challenge trophy with the man of the match trophy going to Carl Solomon.

Both trophies were donated by Dr. Colwick M. Wilson.

By Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer

Ms. Ebony Williams, Accounting major and member of the USC Netball Team, represented Trinidad & Tobago in under-23 netball at the inaugural Caribbean Games held from June 29 – July 3, 2022 in Guadeloupe.

Given the role of Vice Captain for the competition, Ms. Williams led the Trinidad and Tobago under-23 Netball team to fourth place. Ms. Williams has also represented USC at TSATT’s intervarsity leagues and the Courts Allsectors National competition.

The SPED and USC would like to take this opportunity to spotlight this outstanding student.

We raise our hats to Ms. Ebony Williams as she continues USC’s legacy of excellence!

At around 8:00pm on Thursday 21^st July 2022), the nominating committee at the Seventeenth Quinquennial Session of the Caribbean Union Conference, returned to the USC Auditorium with its first partial report of the session. A President of the CARU was nominated. It was the incumbent, Dr. Kern Tobias. The secretary of the nominating committee, Chaplain Rachel Sealy, under the watchful eyes of Inter-American Division President Dr. Elie Henry, read the recommendation of the committee for the approval of the plenary meeting of delegates. The recommendation was voted and Dr. Tobias and his wife Mrs. Linda Tobias were invited to the podium for presentation and acceptance.

In his brief and sober response, Dr. Tobias shared that he and his wife were both born in the little village of Mason Hall Tobago and were prepared for service by Christian education because their parents believed in it. He further shared that between his wife and himself, are eighty-eight years of denominational service in the teaching and pastoral ministries respectively. He said that his passion is to serve God and His people.

Counter-balancing his elation at the privilege of another opportunity to serve, Dr. Tobias candidly exposed his future plans for valediction by serving notice that if he is called upon to serve another term beyond this new quinquennium, his answer would be no, “I know when I should say goodbye” he said.

Hailing the workers of the CARU as “exceptional, talented, professional and proficient”, Dr. Tobias accepts this new call to lead the union with excitement. He promises to give his best, his all to the Master.

In a second partial report later in the evening, the nominating committee recommended incumbents Pastors Johnson Frederick and Bertie Henry to again serve in the positions of Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the CARU respectively. These recommendations were also voted by the plenary meeting of delegates.

You can follow the public activities of the Seventeenth Quinquennial Session of the Caribbean Union Conference on the CARU YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=caribbean+union+conference+live+stream

On the afternoon into the evening of Wednesday 20^th July, 2022, the constituency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Caribbean commenced the Seventeenth Quinquennial Session of the Caribbean Union Conference (CARU). The session – delayed for one year by the most trenchant phases of the pandemic – was convened as an in-person gathering of denominational leaders, delegates, members, specially invited guests and friends of the church. It returned to a familiar place, the main campus of the University of the Southern Caribbean. This time however, the new, fully completed University Auditorium is the well-appointed epicenter of the important business meetings and worship experiences of the session.

The President of the University of the Southern Caribbean Dr. Colwick Wilson was at hand to welcome all attendees to the campus. The attendees represent a significant cross-section of the leaders and influentials of the church in the meso-hemispheric field.   The President of the Inter-American Division of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists (IAD), Dr. Elie Henry and other members of the IAD leadership team, that would supervise the session; leaders of other union fields of the IAD as observers, leaders and workers of all of the conferences and missions of the CARU and its institutions – many of them as delegates – are the key participants of the three days of business meetings that will end on Friday.

The opening ceremony which began at 3:30 in the afternoon, secured as its feature speaker, the first citizen of the host country, Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. In her address Her Excellency commended the work of the church, particularly noting the ways in which it has made progress in re-orienting its approaches to serving humanity in the face of the pandemic with the attendant disruptions and miseries it has visited upon us. She observed that the church, like many other organizations had to quickly find “new ways of doing old business.” Her Excellency advanced the view that, “in the midst of disaster, people tend to look to the church for guidance reassurance and support” and “for some, the church was the sole source of comfort and direction when all seemed lost.” She further described the church as a “pillar of strength in society” that shapes and transforms lives through its outreach and fellowship and as “a touchstone for social and moral values” that is “called to lead by example.”  “The church (Her Excellency said), must stand ready, willing and able to serve tirelessly, diligently and sincerely no matter the circumstances.” She concluded by wishing the Caribbean Union constituency a “fruitful, powerful and transformative meeting”.

Her Excellency’s address perfectly anticipated the sermon that IAD President Dr. Elie Henry presented when his turn at the podium came. Basing his sermon on Psalm 100, the power idea of his appeal was for the church, its institutions and its members to serve the Lord with gladness. He warned against the hubris of truth-possession and enjoined that “we have to open ourselves to others in humility and love. Quoting from the pen of inspiration, Dr. Henry encouraged his congregation that we should let our daily prayer be: “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” (Ellen G White Steps to Christ p.70).

Dr. Henry shared, and briefly but helpfully explained the three pillars of the IAD’s current strategic plan as evangelism, education and service to community and made the case that passionately and lovingly seeking the interests of others, and sharing truth with love is what serving the Lord with gladness should looks like. Describing service as a synonym of life, Dr Henry layered-on that the way we praise God must be manifest in the how we serve Him and the “least of these” that our God so readily identifies himself with.

Harvard University professor, Dr. David Williams, an illustrious alumnus in whom USC is well pleased, will be the main devotional speaker at this union session. The public activities of the Seventeenth Quinquennial Session of the Caribbean Union Conference can be followed on the Caribbean Union Conference’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=caribbean+union+conference

Author: Ms. Shelley Lyons, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Language & Communication

From your first encounter, you are bound to be enamored by her quiet and genteel goodwill, and his wit, passion and humour.

Drs. Sandy and Jean Kissoon-Singh are a son and daughter of the Trinbago soil, who have decided to give back to their birth country, as they believe their birth place has given much to them. Dr. Jean, as she may be affectionately called, to distinguish her from her similarly doctored spouse, resides in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Sandy, lives with his wife, in their residence. The couple has decided to give generously to the University of the Southern Caribbean, but only after earnest prayer.

Noteworthy, is the fact that the winsome couple, have no direct links to USC, and no apparent S.D.A. ties. Yet, they have been inspired to munificently donate, firstly one sum and then a second, to the School of Education and Humanities. Education for them requires excellence, and they would like all prospective teachers to be well trained and come to believe that all children can learn.

To them, USC owes gratitude for their freewill gifts and furthermore their willingness to assist in sharing their wealth of experience and training to advance the university’s vision.

The University of the Southern Caribbean was happy to join the list of corporate sponsors for Tour de Toco 2022. Our university found common ground with the core values and raison d’être of the Peddlers Cycling Club which according to its president, USC alumnus Mr. Brian Scotland, centres around the pursuit of wellness trough the enjoyment of the outdoors and the benefits of non-competitive exercise.

Formed in April of 2020 early in the throes of the first COVID-19 lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago, the club that was some time in planning had to abandon great plans for an official launch in Tobago opting instead – without fanfare to begin a weekly schedule of Sunday morning rides. With most other cycling clubs on the country favouring Saturday morning rides, Scotland, a Seventh-day Adventist, found it difficult to pursue his hobby with existing clubs. He and a few other like-minded cyclists –  many of whom had some connection to the University of the Southern Caribbean as alumni, current and former faculty or staff – founded Peddlers Cycling Club.

As a leisure and fitness oriented organization, the club continues to attract a diverse membership, committed to non-competitive self-improvement and achieving health and fitness goals in a morally uplifting environment. The growth of in the influence of the club in the local cycling fraternity is evidenced by the growth in subscription to its events. The first major tour event of the club, a Mount Hope to Mayaro Ride was held in November of 2021. It attracted 53 participants. Tour de Toco, held just over a week ago attracted 121 participants – a growth of almost 130 percent. The club is now a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation and the President of the federation, Ms. Rowena Williams, was on hand on May 29^th to bring greetings and declare the start of the first annual Tour de Toco.

In its short life to date, the club has also impacted the national and regional community through it charity work which has included offering material relief to victims of natural disasters including floods in Trinidad and Tobago and catastrophic volcanic ash falls in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There are future plans for more and greater proactive community involvement.

Cyclists can look forward to the 2022 edition of the Mount Hope to Mayaro Ride later this year and a ‘Ridecation’ in Dominica in 2023. The itinerary of the latter will include two rides around the nature island of the Caribbean and targeted community activities aimed at improving the quality of life of disadvantaged children and the elderly.

Peddlers Cycling Club can be followed on Facebook and Instagram.