May 2009


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Days after the Fifth Summit of the Americas, and against a canvas of flaming red, burnt orange, earthy ochre and flamboyant yellows inspired by the First Nations, the earliest known inhabitants of the Americas, Professor Rex Nettleford received the Chancellor’s Medal, amid drums, dance, steel and song in a ceremony hosted by UWI Chancellor Sir George Alleyne.

Honoured for an immeasurable contribution to cultural development in the Caribbean region, rofessor Nettleford sat front and centre in the St ugustine Campus’ newest facility, named Daaga Auditorium, smiling as Pat Bishop’s Lydian Singers enchanted with voice and Allan Balfour entranced with movement.

“If there is one person who completely embodies The University of the West Indies, that person is Rex,” said Professor Clement Sankat, Pro Vice Chancellor and St Augustine Campus Principal, as he welcomed the guests at the memorable occasion.

Professor Nettleford’s soft-spoken successor, Professor E. Nigel Harris shared personal reflections on his own interaction with the legacy of Nettleford, one of the region’s leaders in the performing arts and an international cultural icon.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the UWI presence over the past six decades has provided for the region tremendous intellectual depth, productive skills of talent and sophistication, with our rich North Atlantic neighbours being decided beneficiaries of that output.”

It was a glowing night of tribute to Professor Rex Nettleford as he received the Chancellor’s medal from The University of the West Indies Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne. As we feature some photographs taken by Valdez Brooks of the celebratory event, we would also like to share some excerpts from Prof Nettleford’s acceptance speech.

“The sixty-year collective investment in our human resources has provided dividends not always as bountiful as one would wish but which have remarkably been at hand to meet many of the challenges which building a nation and shaping a society demand.”

“It is people who decide on trade, aid, healthcare,social development and foreign relations, not summits.”

“Paradox of paradoxes: while countries like Cuba and the Dominican Republic are anxious to join us, a number of us are aching to disengage.”

“But it is the education which the likes of us received at the University of the West Indies which has driven so many of us to innovative initiatives and to serious investigation of the complex nature of our cultural diversity and the dynamic cross-roads civilization it engenders.”

“For the real resources of our regional university lie in the people who teach, conduct research and reach out to the wider society which it was set up to serve.”