For Release Upon Receipt - March 11, 2024
UWI
The UWI, Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Monday, March 11, 2024— "Marcia Erskine was an integral member of The UWI family. Her sudden demise is an immeasurable loss." These were among some of the sentiments expressed by colleagues upon hearing of the unexpected passing of Marcia Erskine, a Trinidadian-born UWI alumna and public relations maven.
At the time of her passing, on March 6, 2024, she was the managing director of her Kingston-based agency, Marcia Erskine and Associates, and a communication consultant to The UWI Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
An award-winning communicator for over 30 years, she held a distinguished career in both journalism and public relations in the private and public sectors.
Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Erskine leveraged her experience, expertise, and network as an editor and a columnist for several newspapers, magazines, and journals in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and internationally to support numerous high-profile activities for the University’s Regional Headquarters for close to two decades.
Honouring Mrs. Erskine's invaluable contributions, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI said, “on behalf of the entire University of the West Indies community and in particular the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, I offer heartfelt expressions of condolences. Marcia was the consummate professional who accomplished all that she did with grace, charm, efficiency, and seeming effortless ease. She was cherished by us all here at The UWI Regional Headquarters, and across the campuses. Marcia Erskine certainly left a distinct mark on both her profession and the institutions with which she collaborated. Her professionalism was exceptional, and her unique flair greatly enriched all that she undertook. She will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched."
Condolences are extended on behalf of the regional university to Marcia’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
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About The University of the West Indies
The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development, residing at the center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 75 years.
From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.
The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.
Learn more at www.uwi.edu
Marketing and Communications Department