Team United Hands Visits USC
By Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer
Team United Hands/FreeD.O.M Clinic team has been getting us into the game! From October 14-21, 2022, the University of the Southern Caribbean hosted Dr. Don Bovell, Mrs. Ann Burnett and Ms. Grace Daley as they prepared for an upcoming mission trip to Trinidad and Tobago in 2023.
The team’s schedule kept a pace that was only outdone by their energy. During this time, in addition to making key connections through several courtesy visits, the team has been touring primary and secondary schools to affirm the gospel message with their unique blend of fun, faith and fitness.
Learn more about United Hands/FreeD.O.M Clinic at: united-hands.org and freedomclinicusa.org
- Published in News
Portraits of Excellence: USC Celebrates Transformative Student Experience
By Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer
The University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) proudly revived its celebrated tradition, “Portraits of Excellence,” after a decade-long hiatus. This event, which is deeply rooted in the university’s mission of transforming ordinary individuals into extraordinary servants of God to humanity, brings together students from diverse territories to showcase their skills and talents while fostering personal and professional growth.
Launched in 2006, Portraits of Excellence has been an integral part of the USC student life experience. It’s a seven-month journey that embodies the holistic mission of the university, combining intellectual, social, physical, and spiritual aspects of learning.
The theme for Portraits of Excellence 2023 was “Rethinking Education: Reframing Realities, Reshaping Opportunities,” emphasizing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education. The event encourages participants to explore a comprehensive approach to education, fostering a well-rounded development of skills and knowledge.
Eight delegates represented their respective countries, including Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago, as they competed in several categories, including Research Presentation, Community Outreach Project, Talent, and Cultural Wear.
Portraits of Excellence 2023 featured a series of smaller events assessed and recorded throughout the seven-month journey, leading to the grand finale Gala Event. During the Gala, scores from the delegates’ pre-Gala presentations, as well as the presentations during the Gala, were tabulated to determine the recipients of Scholarship Awards.
The winners of Portraits of Excellence 2023 were:
- Mr. USC: Jad Isidore
- Ms. USC: Abigail Collins
- First Runners Up: Mr. Kahlan Roach and Ms. Anya Nero
- Best Talent Female: Abigail Collins
- Best Talent Male: Kahlan Roach
- Best Cultural Wear Male: Jounathan Peters
- Best Cultural Wear Female: Monique Lively
- People’s Choice, Congeniality and Research Project: Kahlan Roach
- Best Community Project: Anya Nero
The event was held under the patronage of Mrs. Sharon Clark-Rowley, attorney and wife of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Honorable Keith Rowley, adding prestige and significance to this year’s Portraits of Excellence.
Portraits of Excellence 2023 Sponsors: A Crucial Pillar of Support
USC extends its heartfelt gratitude to the generous sponsors who made Portraits of Excellence 2023 a resounding success. These sponsors played a crucial role in supporting the event’s mission of fostering excellence, personal growth, and holistic development among the USC student community. Their contributions allowed the university to provide a platform for students to showcase their skills and talents while promoting a comprehensive approach to education.
The listed sponsors not only provided financial support but also demonstrated their commitment to promoting excellence in education and personal development. Their contributions allowed USC to reintroduce Portraits of Excellence and ensure that the event lived up to its legacy.
Portraits of Excellence 2023 Sponsors:
- Eastern Group of Companies
- Orville & Phyllis Woolford
- Forward Industries Ltd
- Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited
- ACS Group
- Bakers Flags and Emblems
- Ansa Mobility
- Matvern Limited
- IADPA
- Veldon A Limited
- Glenroy and Associates
- USC Alumni Association – Trinidad Chapter
- M&M Insurance Limited
- Nestle Caribbean
- Executive Office Supplies
- ZM Group of Companies
- Eve Anderson Recruitment
- Laparkan
With the successful revival of Portraits of Excellence 2023, preparations are already underway for Portraits of Excellence 2024. This tradition, deeply embedded in the fabric of the University of the Southern Caribbean, continues to be a platform for students to shine and showcase their excellence while promoting holistic growth and personal development.
- Published in News
USCian Excellence Tops the 2022 Conference of the Economy Debate (COTE)
By Simone Augustus, Corporate Communications Officer
UWI’s annual Conference of the Economic Debate (COTE) addresses important economic concerns confronting Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean in light of the current global context.
The 2022 COTE debate saw the University of the Southern Caribbean represented by Mr. Gershom Byng, Ms. Nyla Nyack and Ms. Chelsea Austin, students of USC’s School of Business & Entrepreneurship (SOBE).
In a stunning display of USCian excellence, the team defeated UWI Roytec in the preliminary round and UWI St. Augustine in the finals to claim the title of the Conference of Economy Debate winners.
Team leader Mr. Byng expressed his excitement about this well deserved reward as a final year student. He also expresses his heartfelt gratitude to the School of Business and Entrepreneurship faculty Dr. Stephen Pilgrim, Mr. Winchester and Ms. Esther Cedeno.
- Published in News, School of Business
Celebrating World Mental Health Day 2022
By Ms. Sadia Moore
On October 10, 2022 the world observed World Mental Health Day, with special focus on the global theme, Mental Health and Well-Being for all a Global Priority. The School of Social Sciences (SSS) at the University of the Southern Caribbean, in recognition of this day, hosted a live programme on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. The programme focused on raising awareness of mental health, and encouraging a culture that supports mental health and well-being at the University of the Southern Caribbean, the community and Trinidad & Tobago. The university believes that such a program will mobilize efforts in support of mental health wellness in the Caribbean region.
The feature presenter was Dr. Samuel Shafe, Medical Director, St. Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital. Specially invited guests who shared a brief message to the audience included, Ms. Ashvini Nath, Manager of the Mental Health Unit at the Ministry of Health and Mrs. Irma Bailey-Reyes, Interim Supervisor, Developmental Assessment & Intervention Unit, Ministry of Education. There were 400 persons watching live virtually and 55 persons attended live, which consisted of students, faculty, staff, and the public.
- Published in News, School of Social Sciences
Remembering the late Dr. Shirley Ann McGarrell
By: Hayden McKenna and Shelley Lyons
The University of the Southern Caribbean deeply mourns the passing of a stalwart supporter of our institution, who in her adult life and fruitful career, was exemplary and consistent in her unalloyed dedication to the cause of Christian education, holistic living, service to others, the love of family and the enabling of righteousness.
Shirley Ann Martinborough was born to Maisey and Gordon Martinborough Snr. in the colony of British Guiana (now the Co-operative Republic of Guyana) on Tuesday, 4th July, 1939.
In 1959, Shirley travelled to Trinidad and Tobago with her brother Gordon Jnr. and her fiancé Roy Israel McGarrell, to study on the campus of Caribbean Union College. This campus was chosen by the indisputable hand of providence to be the storage, which in the fullness of time, would receive the largest deposits of her future professional contributions. At Caribbean Union College, she completed an Associate of Arts Degree in Secretarial Science in 1961.
She returned to British Guiana in 1961 and served as an office secretary at the Guyana Mission of SDA in Georgetown from 1961 to 1963.
On Monday, 25th June, 1962 she married her beloved Roy. This happy union would produce children, Andre (deceased) Fern and Faith-Ann.
From 1963 until 1969, she served as an elementary school teacher at Wismar, Upper Demerara River, and at New Amsterdam, Berbice. Guyana’s national independence in May of 1966 met her as an open-handed patriot serving her country in this noble vocation.
With the introduction of the Bachelor of Theology degree at Caribbean Union College, Shirley’s husband Roy Israel McGarrell enrolled in the first cohort of the programme. Shirley accompanied him to CUC and was asked to serve as the college’s Dean of Women from 1970 to 1972.
The McGarrells returned to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana in 1970 and Shirley McGarrell returned to her former position as an office secretary at the Guyana Mission of Seventh-day Adventists. With the elevation of Pastor Roy McGarrell to the presidency of the Guyana Conference in 1976, Mrs. Shirley McGarrell carried her elegance, grace, and preparedness to the role of first lady and shepherdess of what was then the newest conference in the Caribbean Union, setting the bar very high for all of her successors.
In 1980, amidst a period of great theological turmoil in the global Adventist Church, the McGarrells left Guyana to further their education at Andrews University in Berrien Springs Michigan, USA. There, Shirley completed a Baccalaureate and Master of Arts degree in English, in 1983 and 1985 respectively. On this sojourn at Andrews University, she also had opportunities to use and develop her professional skills. She was privileged to serve in secretarial, tutorial and instructional roles.
In 1988, Mrs. McGarrell returned to Caribbean Union College, where she served as Chairperson of the English Department from 1988 to 1994, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences from 1995 to 1998, Vice President for Academic Administration from 1998 to 2001, Interim President from January 2002 to December 2002, Vice President for Academic Administration from 2003 to 2005 (during which time Caribbean Union College began its transition to university status), and finally as Vice President for General Administration from 2005 until her retirement in 2011. While ascending a creditable flight of accomplishments at CUC/USC, Mrs. McGarrell successfully completed a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Curriculum & Instruction, with an Advanced Cognate in English, in 2000.
Dr. McGarrell’s achievements as a faculty member and administrator at CUC/USC are nothing short of inspiring. They include:
- Establishing Alpha Mu Gamma, the first international chapter of Sigma Tau Delta (the English Honor Society), which she initiated and launched on the island of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Founding the first Writing Center on the campus of Caribbean Union College.
- Being the first woman to serve as Dean, Vice President for Academic Administration, Vice President for General Administration, and (Interim) President.
- Ushering in the early stages of the transition from CUC to USC, during her interim Presidency.
- Setting up various committees to continue the efforts towards the transition of CUC from college to university.
- Chairing the committee that created the present USC School Song and making a significant contribution to the lyrics.
- Teaching: Freshman Composition, Foundations of Curriculum Studies, Linguistics, Literature of the English Bible, Milton, Research Methods, and Thesis Preparation courses and more.
- Serving on and participating in numerous academic committees, accreditation site visits, and boards.
- Developing several short-term projects and successfully completing the refurbishing of the previous auditorium, extending the facilities of the Music room and the Theology Department, and constructing a new Physics laboratory.
- Constituting the Land Committee which developed the proposed layouts for land use and new dormitories on the campus.
- Recognizing the need to make CUC relevant with regard to new teaching, ensuring a new website was developed, with improved Internet access.
For these accomplishments and much more, Dr. Shirley McGarrell has received recognition for outstanding service, which include:
- Being named in Andrews University’s 100 Women of the Century in 2002.
- Having the USC campus wide Future Leaders’ Debate Competition being named in her honour, in 2014 and,
- A Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of the Southern Caribbean on the occasion of its 94th anniversary in 2021.
As a prolific writer, Dr. Shirley McGarrell has authored eight books in the scholarly, devotional, literary and experiential genres including Mouthfuls of Joy for Today, Rivulets of Patience for Today, Capsules of Time for Today, Debate on the Teaching of Literature: A Caribbean Viewpoint, and Awesome God—Little Miss Dolly. Her ruminations also appear in magazines and journals such as the Journal of Adventist Education, Tertiary Thoughts, Christ in the Classroom, and Shepherdess International. Perhaps her greatest labour of love as a writer was her 2010 publication sympathetically titled Living With A Man Named Roy: A Legacy of Love.
Dr. McGarrell was an extraordinary and compassionate teacher and life-model to her students and a standard-bearer to her colleagues. Her interactions with all inevitably left an ineradicable mark. But, to her students, especially her female students, she exemplified refinement and style, always dainty, but detailed and determined. As a lecturer, there was always a spiritual lesson in every class she taught, which has inspired many of her own students, now teachers, to craft their lessons similarly. One student, who is now a faculty member here at USC credits Dr. McGarrell with launching her teaching career and also distinctly remembers Dr. McGarrell asking her to share with her the one wedding present she, the student, really wanted, but did not receive. Of course, Dr. McGarrell bought that wedding gift for her then appreciative student.
Some students, now faculty members here at USC recall she always used green ink to mark their papers, for reasons which they can still only speculate. One of her students tells of a time when, during a lengthy three hour Humanities exam, she stopped the students, sent them to the cafeteria to have dinner, and then allowed them to return to complete their examination. Many of those students were struggling financially and have never forgotten that random act of kindness.
One evening, years ago, the lights went out on campus, just as class was about to start. Students were naturally eager for class to be dismissed. In those days, there was no back-up generator. Dr. Mac, as she was fondly called, told her students to hold on. She went to her office, retrieved a candle, brought it back to class, lit it and taught her class, much to her students’ surprise and amusement.
At other times Dr. Mac would take small groups of students to her home, to have class. Her infectious laughter sometimes surprised her students. And, students recount that she would always pray with them, whenever they visited her office. It was also the stubborn habit of Dr. Mac to end meetings of faculty and staff with everyone holding hands and singing “Bind Us Together” before the closing prayer. For colleagues and students, she modeled Christianity, with finesse, sprinkled with grace and humour. Her academic and administrative prowess, years of committed service, fidelity to duty and exemplary service will never be forgotten.
The USC board of trustees, administrators, faculty members, staff, students and alumni of the join in the celebration of the life and work of the late Dr. Shirley Ann McGarrell.
We express our heartfelt condolences to her husband Dr. Roy Israel McGarrell; their children, Fern Hudson and Faith Ann McGarrell; their son-in-law, Carl Hudson; their daughter-in-law, Grace McGarrell; grandchildren, Safiya Hudson, Stephen Hudson, Marcello McGarrell and Gabrielle McGarrell; her sister Mrs. Dolly Teixeira and brother-in-law Mr. Clement Teixeira, her sister-in-law Mrs. Waveney Martinborough and a host of cousins, nephews and nieces, personal and family friends.
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed arethe dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13.
- Published in Alumni, News, Office of the President
USC appoints Dr. Len Archer Interim Provost
Len Archer, PhD, has been appointed interim Provost at the University of the Southern Caribbean, effective 23rd August, 2022.
Dr. Len Archer holds the title of Professor Emeritus since his retirement in 2020 from AdventHealth University where he served as the Vice-President for Academic Administration and Academic Dean for Undergraduate programs at AdventHealth University for 10 years.
Dr. Archer is a native of Trinidad and Tobago and received his undergraduate degree in Botany and Applied Botany at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
He then completed an M.S. (Biology) at Andrews University and a PhD in Microbiology at Indiana State University. He joined the faculty at Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, now AdventHealth University in 1993. He created the department of Health and Biomedical Sciences and served as the department chair from 2000 to 2011. He has published in the area of Microbiology and presented at national meetings in student retention and student advisement at the American Association of College Registrars and Academic Officers (AACRAO) where he was a member of AACRAO national committees
Dr. Archer has been a nominee for several teaching awards and a recipient of the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2020, Dr. Archer was the recipient of the AdventHealth University Distinguished Service Award. He remains active as a consultant in academic administration, faculty development, and accreditation.
- Published in News
Celebrating Earth Day & World Environment Day 2022 at USC
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.
- Published in News
Caribbean Union Health and Well-being Study
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.
- Published in News
Oakwood University Donates Media Equipment to USC
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.
- Published in News
USC’s President’s XI (Over 50) tops the Scoreboard!
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 4th 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.
- Published in News