The University of the West Indies (Florida Chapter) P.O. Box , Coconut Creek, Florida

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1 Message from the President, Dr. Carmen Nicholas Dear Fellow UWI Graduates and Friends: This note comes with a very special thank you for supporting the recent UWI 70 th Anniversary Fete. You not only purchased tickets, you came out and celebrated in fine style our alma mater s 70 th year of existence. With your support, the association was able to make a profit which will be used for scholarships to help students attend UWI that have limited resources. The Executive Board has already decided to make this an annual event, and with our success this year, we will certainly have a more grandiose event next year. Our 70 th Anniversary celebrations will continue later this year, on September 22, 2018 with the Pelican Award Luncheon. There are so many pelicans doing wonderful things in our community, and this is our opportunity to shine a spotlight on them. Take a moment and look at the flyer on page 2, make a mental note of the date, and let us all plan to be there. The Director of Alumni affairs at UWI, Ms. Celia Davidson Francis will be attending. I would also like to draw your attention to the information on our two major scholarships: Ron & Miriam White Scholarship for which the second award of $1,000 will be given this September 2018; and the Margaret Barrett Memorial Scholarship that will be awarded for the first time this Fall Please read the information on both scholarships and most important, how you can contribute to these scholarships through the association s website () Ronald & Miriam Scholarship To honor the outstanding contribution of Miriam and Ronald White to the Florida Chapter of the University of the West Indies Alumni Association, and to assist with the financial needs of a full-time student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of the West Indies, the Ronald and Miriam White Scholarship Fund was stared in 2016 by Miriam and Ronald White. To date, one onethousand-dollar ($1,000) scholarship has been awarded ( ) and the committee has already approved the awarding of the second $1,000 scholarship for academic year. The scholarship is renewable for up to 2 years depending on financial needs and satisfactory academic performance minimum GPA 3.0. However, renewal is not automatic and the scholarship holder is expected to reapply. Margaret Barrett Memorial Scholarship The late Margaret Barrett dedicated a large part of her life doing voluntary work that helped individuals in meaningful ways. In the last 15 years of her life, she channeled much of her efforts through Jamaican alumni associations in South Florida including her alma mater, the University of the West Indies. Her efforts assisted individuals who sought to better themselves through education, with many of these individuals attending the University of the West Indies. The Margaret Barrett Memorial Scholarship was created by the Florida Chapter of the University of the West Indies Alumni Association (UWIAA, Florida) to honor Margaret Barrett s service and dedication to education. UWIAA, Florida views this scholarship as a meaningful way to honor someone that made an outstanding contribution to the community by supporting educational initiatives This scholarship will provide financial support to a full-time student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of the West Indies in the Faculty of Social Sciences; and hopefully, encourage, inspire, and nurture academic excellence in UWI students. The amount of the award will be $1,000 annually. You can use the Paypal link that is found on the UWI Florida Chapter s website ( to contribute to the scholarship funds. Please remember our fundraising All Alumni Walkathon on December 1, 2018 (Page 5) July 28, Annual General Meeting & Social A venue has been secured for the referenced meeting of July 28, 12:00 noon. It is the clubhouse that serves residents of Banyan Lakes, the community in which I live. The address is: Banyan Lakes Homeowners Association Clubhouse 6050 Clubhouse Drive, Tamarac, FL Please read about UWI graduate Florida Judge Renatha Francis on Page 2, look at the fete pictures on pages 3-4, and reread about former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson s US$100,000 donation to UWI. Carmen Nicholas, PhD President, UWIAAFL July 2018 Sandra Schrouder & Rupert Rhodd (Editors) 1

2 UWI ALUMNA, JUDGE RENATHA S. FRANCIS APPOINTED TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT The Hon. Judge Renatha S. Francis has been appointed to the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial District serving Miami-Dade County, Florida. She is one of only three black women of the 123 judges currently serving Miami- Dade County. She is a graduate of The UWI and her promotion holds special importance for the Caribbean Bar Association in Florida and the wider Caribbean community, who are currently celebrating June as National Caribbean- American Heritage Month. She is a Caribbean immigrant who has contributed greatly to American society. July 2018 Sandra Schrouder & Rupert Rhodd (Editors) 2

3 PICTURES FROM OUR MEMORABLE JUNE 16, TH ANNIVERSARY FETE. July 2018 Sandra Schrouder & Rupert Rhodd (Editors) 3

4 July 2018 Sandra Schrouder & Rupert Rhodd (Editors) 4

5 July 2018 Sandra Schrouder & Rupert Rhodd (Editors) 5

6 US$100,000 FROM P. J. PATTERSON TO LAUNCH SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT THE UWI May 14, 2018 Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mr. P.J. Patterson has donated US$100,000 to establish an endowment fund towards scholarships and bursaries for students at the Mona Campus of The University of the West Indies (The UWI). The announcement of the fund was made on April 24, 2018, at the University s Regional Headquarters in Jamaica during a handover ceremony for a collection of reports, speeches and other works also contributed by Mr. Patterson to The UWI Mona Library Endowment Fund. The donor will be able to add to the initial investment of US$100,000 at any time and the fund will exist in perpetuity. Interest/investment earned will assist with funding tuition and hall fees for needy and deserving students at the Mona Campus Chancellor Hall, and also promote exchange and regional integration among undergraduate students by allowing them to study at another campus of The UWI for a specific period. Photo Caption: (L-R) The Most Honourable P. J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Mrs Andrea McNish, Bursar of The UWI and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, with the symbolic cheque for US$100,000 to launch the P.J. Patterson Endowment Fund at The UWI on April 24, July 2018 Sandra Schrouder & Rupert Rhodd (Editors) 6

7 July 2018 Sandra Schrouder & Rupert Rhodd (Editors) 7