Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor-General Emerita, Delivered Keynote Address
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Monroe University, the New York-based institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs from its campus in Castries, held its annual Commencement on Sunday for local graduates.
In addition to students from Saint Lucia, the graduating class included students from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. One student from each country proudly carried their nation’s flag as part of the opening processional.
The joyful event took place at the Royalton St. Lucia Resort & Spa Auditorium in Gros Islet. Monroe University senior administrators joined local campus administration, faculty, and staff, as well as special dignitaries, at the graduation ceremony, which recognized and celebrated the academic achievements of 127 students in the Saint Lucia campus Class of 2024.
Saint Lucia campus staff member Jarvis Alexis served as Grand Marshal for the opening processional. The invocation was given by Monsignor Michel Francis, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Castries. Among those offering welcoming remarks to the graduates and their guests were President Marc Jerome; Senior Vice President Dr. Alex Ephrem; and Augustus Small, Dean of Administration for the Saint Lucia campus.
“Commencement was a wonderful celebration of our Saint Lucia students and their families who supported them on their academic journey to become university graduates,” said Marc Jerome, president of Monroe University. “I cannot wait to see what our talented, accomplished Class of 2024 accomplishes next in their careers. My warmest congratulations to them all!”
This year saw the first Associate degrees conferred on the Saint Lucia campus. The University has a wonderful program in place in partnership with The Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training that enables students at the Saint Lucia Sports Academy to pursue an Associate degree in Sports Management at Monroe with tuition funding support from the University and the Government.
Graduates were honored to have The Honorable Shawn Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology & Vocational Training, join them at Commencement. He shared a wonderful congratulatory message on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia.
Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor-General Emerita, spoke next, giving a beautiful inspiring keynote address that was met with great applause.
Dr. Sonia Alexander, Dean of Academics in Saint Lucia, announced students earning academic awards. Dr. Jacinth Coultman, Vice President for Academic Technology & General Education, proudly presented the graduates to Dr. Ephrem for the formal conferring of degrees.
The University community was joined at Commencement by a number of special guests and dignitaries, including His Excellency, Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, the Acting Governor General and his wife, Mrs. Charles; the Honorable Shawn Audrey Edward, Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology & Vocational Training; Her Excellency, Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy, former Governor General Emerita; Mr. Agostos Degazon, Cabinet Secretary; Monsignor Michel Francis, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Castries; Her Excellency, Elma-Jean Issac, Ambassador to CARICOM and the OECS; His Excellency, Mr. Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan); Mr. Kendall Khodra, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; Mr. Vern Garde, Acting Commissioner of Police; and Mr. Kerwin Albert, Acting Director of Corrections, Bordelais Correctional Facility, among others.
In addition to students from Saint Lucia, the graduating class included students from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. One student from each country proudly carried their nation’s flag as part of the opening processional.
Nearly 1,600 students have earned their degree through Monroe University’s Saint Lucia campus since its establishment in 2007. The campus, located on Vide Boutielle Highway in Castries, offers students a broad array of degree programs through its Schools of Allied Health Professions, Business and Accounting, Criminal and Social Justice, Hospitality Management, and Information Technology. The University had also operated the International Hospitality Training Institute in partnership with the Saint Lucian government to prepare local residents for entry-level hospitality positions with cruise ships, hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
ABOUT MONROE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1933, Monroe University is a recognized leader in urban and international education. The University is proud of its innovative programs to increase college access, affordability, and completion outcomes, especially among first-generation students, and for the national recognition it receives for its strong impact on graduates’ social mobility.
Programs are offered through Schools of Allied Health Professions, Business and Accounting, Criminal and Social Justice, Education, Hospitality Management, Information Technology, and Nursing, as well as through its King Graduate School. Liberal arts and continuing education programs are also available. For more information and admissions criteria, please visit http://www.monroeu.edu.
Media Contact
Jacqueline Ruegger, Monroe University, 9147406455, jruegger@monroecollege.edu, www.monroeu.edu
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SOURCE Monroe University
