DR EARL Carr, Jamaica's Ambassador to Japan, returns to his alma mater, Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, Manchester, to deliver the keynote address at this year's graduation ceremony to be held on Sunday, August 10.
Dr Carr, who graduated from this institution in 1962, has led a distinguished 26-year career in the foreign service. His postings included non-resident ambassador to the Republics of Korea, China and Indonesia; non-resident high commissioner to the Federation of Malaysia and the Republic of Singapore; and deputy chief of mission at Jamaica's embassy in Washington. He also represented Jamaica at the United Nations in New York, USA.
Ambassador Carr will address some 800 students who have successfully completed programmes ranging from certificate to doctoral levels at NCU. The university is a liberal arts institution operated and fully funded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Formerly West Indies College, NCU has a current enrollment in excess of 4,500 students.
During Sunday's graduation service NCU president, Dr Herbert Thompson will confer two honorary degrees. Edna Parchment, a retired educator, will receive the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, while Silas McKinney, a Bahamian-born minister of religion, will receive the Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.
Additionally, the NCU president will present medallions for outstanding service to the university to Dr Gilbert Allen, Custos of Manchester and his wife Georgia who is a member of the NCU board of governors.
The University's graduation exercise, traditionally takes place over three days. The ceremonies begin on Friday evening with a consecration service in the gymnatorium, which will be addressed by Yvonne Bignall, a professional trainer and insurance consultant. A baccalaureate service will be held the following morning, with the keynote speaker being Peter Joseph, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor from the Bahamas.
