 At the ceremony on Friday October 23 there was one particular moment when the SPEC Auditorium exploded. While the ceremonies were all filled with cheers and standing ovations this one was so monumental that it will actually go down in the Campus’ history books.
Samantha and Khellon Roach walked up the ramp to the Graduation platform together. Samantha stepped forward and was received by the Chancellor who tipped his cap to her. After returning the gesture Samantha looked back at Khellon and he joined her on stage in front of the Chancellor. It was only then that the energetic applause erupted as it was announced that Samantha and Khellon would be the first husband and wife in the Campus’ history to be awarded their PhDs not only in the same academic year but also at the same graduation ceremony.
After getting to know the couple it is easy to understand why their relationship can fittingly be described as a UWI kind of love. Their relationship actually got its start on the St. Augustine Campus almost eight years ago when they met during a study group that was being held at the Student Activity Centre (SAC).
Samantha was completing the final year for her BSc in Economics and Khellon ‘invited’ himself to her study group, and as the old saying goes, the rest is history.
 Interestingly, it seems that the development and growth of their personal lives and their relationship was never too far from the University. They both received Masters and Postgraduate certifications from the St. Augustine Campus. They are also both employed in the tertiary education field, with Khellon based at The UWI and Samantha lecturing at COSTAAT.
Even when they weren’t studying at The UWI they were still in sync with each other, having completed an Executive Certificate programme at the same time and both receiving leadership awards together.
To an outsider their kindred journey may sound like a fairy tale that was simply meant to be but the couple emphasizes that none of it would be possible without priorities. When asked to explain further neither hesitated to say “God, Family, Education /Career, in that order.”
Alongside their priorities the couple believes in Ecclesiastes 3: there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. While enrolled in their PhD programmes the couple not only wed but also welcomed their first child, never letting one detract from the other. The validation of their wise words can be seen in their many accomplishments, both professional and personal, over the course of their relationship.
Khellon and Samantha hope that their union would be an example to all and were moved when they saw the waves they had made on social media. With the photos of their time on the Graduation stage shared and re-posted across Twitter and Facebook, the messages of praise came flooding in and they were delighted to see that their achievements were inspiring.
Though not certain as to what may be next for the Roach family they simply hope that whatever they do will contribute to the betterment of the Caribbean society that they call home. Their advice to anyone seeking to achieve success in any aspect of their lives would be to always have the right attitude. Samantha sums up the couple’s advice: “The difference between an obstacle and an opportunity is your attitude toward it.” |
