A beloved professor who has given half a century to education and the betterment of several generations of young men and women was among the 50 who were honoured by the University College of the Cayman Islands during its first Awards Banquet recently.

Professor Calvin Bromfield, who taught in Jamaica for 12 years prior to moving to Cayman, is referred to as “the epitome of the liberal arts professor,” and was recognised for “his enormous contribution to the development of the Cayman islands and, in particular, to the deepening of the intellectual life of the University College.”

Reading the citation penned by Acting Dean of Academic Affairs Livingston Smith, Ms. Erica Gordon, Chair of the Arts and Humanities Department, said, “For many, the developers of a society are those who use their considerable resources to build businesses, physical edifices and landmarks. But Prof. Bromfield did no such thing. He built instead a career in the Cayman Islands that spanned some 38 years of developing the mind and shaping the consciousness of the young and not so young. In his almost four decades of teaching mostly English Language and Literature and a variety of other related courses, Professor Bromfield has always been aware of the value and numerous functions of literature.”

The citation also noted that “Professor Calvin knows English and Literature much more than Einstein the theory of relativity. At a moment’s notice, Prof Cal can teach the best of the English poets and writers: Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Milton, Dickinson, Elliot, Shelly, Spenser, as he could Nigeria’s Achebe and Soyinka, or the Caribbean’s Walcott and Naipaul.”

The Awards ceremony also thanked and celebrated members of the faculty and staff who have served with distinction for between ten and thirty years, recognising their longevity of tenure, their dedication and commitment and outstanding contributions.

Prof. Ray Jones, Chair of the Technical, Vocational and Continuing Education, Mrs. Tracey Hargrave, Chair of Maths and Sciences and Mr. Anthony Spencer, Maintenance Officer, were recognised for dedicated service spanning 29, 20 and 21 years, respectively. Dr. Livingston Smith received a pin for 17 years of service.

Those who received awards for serving UCCI for 10 – 14 years included Dr. Kwabena Asamoah, Dr. Belinda Blessitt Vincent, Mr. Mitch Ebanks, Ms. Erica Gordon, Mr. Glen Inanga, Mrs. Lucille Kong, Ms. Annette Murphy, Mr. Christopher Parrett, Ms. Revathy Ravichandran, Dr. Martin Richards, Mrs. Monica Singh-Miller, Mr. Fenslie Smith, Mrs. Sofia Tobutt, Prof. Robert Weishan and Prof. Allan Young,

Other awards recognized faculty and staff for outstanding teaching, customer service, innovation and change and service to the UCCI and Cayman community. Plaques were awarded to several individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to UCCI in the form of scholarships, internships, employment and funding for infrastructure, academic and extra-curricular initiatives.

UCCI President J.A. Roy Bodden, JP used the occasion to thank the faculty and staff, and community partners for their continued support of the University College. “My most profound congratulations goes out to the recipients of awards, especially those being recognised for long service. As we prepare for a new era and new leadership, I implore you to remain conscientious and committed. UCCI will be the kind of institution you want it to be; bear that in mind always,” he said.

The event was attended by Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, Cert. Hon., JP; Hon. Moses Kirkconnell, JP, Deputy Premier and Minister of District Administration, Tourism and Transport; Hon. Ezzard Miller, Leader of the Opposition; Ms. Barbara Conolly, Councillor for Education; Mr. David Wight, Councillor for Sports and Transport and George Town Central MLA Mr. Kenneth Bryan. The event also drew support from other dignitaries, corporate citizens and private individuals.