News Story
Over 400 Students graduate in USC's first in-person graduation since the Pandemic
Published | 7 July 2022
The University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) held its 89th Graduation Exercises on June 26th, 2022, during which 465 students were presented with degrees and awards.
The University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) held its 89th Graduation Exercises on June 26th, 2022, during which 465 students were presented with degrees and awards. This graduation was held in the new USC Auditorium which was dedicated last year. It was the first graduation of USC’s President, Dr Colwick Wilson.
According to the University communications office, this was a “return to the traditional graduation". This year, the University offered its Graduation 2022 Mobile App which offered details on how to access our virtual and in-person events during this grand weekend of celebration. The USC Graduation is a weekend affair and consisted of several services. The Consecration Service was a virtual service that was held on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 7:00 pm featuring Ps Jamal Blackman District Pastor of the East Caribbean Conference. The Baccalaureate Service was held on Sabbath June 25, 2022, at the USC Auditorium and the audience was blessed by the word shared by Dr Leslie Pollard, President, Oakwood University. The Sabbath evening was the traditional Evening of Tributes, this year held as a virtual event.
Under the Theme “Soaring to Higher Heights Toward the Winds of Success!” the Graduation exercises showcased all the pomp and ceremony grown to be loved by the USC Community; the intermittent heavy and light showers did not dampen the spirit of graduating students or their families and friends. The Pandemic protocols in Trinidad still have an enforced public mask mandate so all graduating students, attendees and staff were required to be fully masked. There was lots of photo session, and some noted this may have resulted in the program running for over 3.5 hours.
A visibly beaming Board Chairman, CARU President Dr Kern Tobias welcome all to “the auspicious event…our first in-person graduation since the Pandemic and we give God praise and thanks and we ask everyone for a very special round of applause” and welcomed all on behalf of the Board of Trustees. In his address, the University President reminded the audience that ‘it was a pleasure to be back at the USC after graduating from the institution 39 years ago and since that eventful day of my life, this was my first graduation on the campus”.
The Commencement Speaker, the Dr the Honorable Nyan Elizabeth Gadsby-Doll, Minister of Education of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, and Member of Parliament for the St. Ann's East Constituency. In her address, Dr Gadsby-Dolly reminded listeners of the story of the fabled Icarus and bible characters Solomon and Peter who all succumbed to the ‘tragedy of success’. She reminded graduands that the ‘God who orchestrated your circumstances and brought you this far’ can guide you but your choices will determine if your story ends as Icarus, Solomon or Peter, or a life lived in service like Jesus.
Degrees were presented to graduating students from all five schools, with the largest group being the 126 students earning BS in Nursing. The University’s graduation exercises can be viewed on USC’s YouTube channel. USC is one of the oldest tertiary institutions in the Southern Caribbean and prides itself on offering a holistic education. Visit USC online for more program details.
