Mr Jerry Medford, President of the St Augustine Chapter of the UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) and board member of the UWI Development and Endowment Fund (UWIDEF) passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022. He was described as a pioneer and trailblazer who devoted a large part of his professional life to the promotion and advancement of the work of the local and regional Alumni Association.
“Jerry served the association in several capacities, including that of President, Treasurer and member of the chapter,” wrote the Executive of the UWIAA Trinidad and Tobago Chapter in a tribute to the late leader. “He also served as University Alumnus Representative for two terms on the University Council, the UWI’s highest governing body, and on several campus special committees.”
In this position, he was responsible for the introduction of several initiatives. “Jerry,” the tribute stated, “had a clear vision of the role of the Alumni Association within the university structure.”
Mr Medford was a registered engineer in Trinidad and Tobago, and a fellow and past president of The Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT). He was also a member of The American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineers Without Borders, the Project Management Institute, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Caribbean Branch). Additionally, he served as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a Member of The Society of Construction Law (UK).
The UWIAA Trinidad and Tobago Chapter highlighted his role as a member of the university’s Development and Endowment Fund for many years, saying “his rich legacy of service to the UWI alumni community, will certainly be remembered and forever treasured.”
In his capacity as the President of the St Augustine Chapter of the UWI Alumni Association, Mr Medford was a regular participant in campus activities, such as the annual graduation and matriculation ceremonies.
“He is fondly remembered for his work as hall supervisor and as UWI advocate – assisting with the fundraising activities for student bursaries,” said a statement from UWI St Augustine.
Mr Medford also served as a member of UWI St Augustine’s Audit Committee, the Board of Weldfab (Barbados) Ltd, and the Laventille-based NGO We Say YES (Youth Entrepreneurship for Self-Empowerment) Organisation. He was the Registrar to the Board of Engineering of Trinidad and Tobago (BOETT), and has represented BOETT at The UWI St Augustine’s Faculty of Engineering accreditation exercises.
“In spite of his many commitments,” said the UWIAA Executive in Trinidad and Tobago, “Jerry remained a devoted family man to his wife, Cheryl, and daughters, Melissa and Alana. We thank them for sharing him with us over the years, and our prayers are with them during this difficult period.”
They added that, “Jerry Medford was an unwavering UWI advocate and a true Caribbean citizen. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
