FINAL SET OF CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATE IN CHEERFUL CEREMONY
MONEAGUE, St Ann; Nov. 20, 2024
More than 80 students from The Moneague College graduated in a warm and upbeat ceremony on Wednesday, November 19, 2024, at the institution in Moneague, St Ann.
They were among the final set of students to graduate from the Class of 2024 Batch, following others who had completed courses in teacher education, through the University of the West Indies; from the Jamaica Theological Seminary and the Caribbean Maritime University. One hundred and eight students qualified to graduate in this group.
(A section of the graduating class)
In a ceremony filled with music, cheers and lofty exhortations, the students received bachelor’s and associate degrees in Environmental Studies, Management Information Systems, Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Administration. There were also associate degrees in Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Psychology and Post Graduate Diplomas in Education.
(Laren Hartley, at right, receiving the Principal’s trophy)
Several Special and Moneague College Awards were presented. * The Richard Mc Gibbon Trophy for Most Outstanding Food and Beverage Management Student — Deniecia Alexander;
* The Winnifred Brown Trophy for Outstanding Academic Performance in Hospitality and Tourism — Matthew McIntosh
*The Sagicor Trophy for Most Outstanding Humanities Student, Nafisa Hayles.
MONEAGUE COLLEGE AWARDS
*For Displaying Values, Dignity, Decorum, and Discipline — Raheem Harris
*Most Outstanding Academic CCCJ Student — Nafisa Hayles
*Principal’s Trophy — Laren Hartley
Master of Ceremonies was Board Chairman Professor John Lindo who reminded graduates that these were changing and challenging times. However, he expressed confidence that the education received at The Moneague would help the graduates “rise to the challenges” of the new world. He said they had been prepared for the world.
Principal of The Moneague College Howard Isaacs referred to the institution’s Strategic Plan 2021-2026 which was aimed at transforming the institution and lifting the academic standards. He said that was happening, and he expressed confidence that The Moneague College would soon receive accreditation from the University Council of Jamaica.
Mr Isaacs said the Strategic Plan was driving steady and impactful growth. He said the Class of 2024, was among the first beneficiaries of the advances based on the Strategic Plan. “From upgraded learning facilities to new programmes, The Moneague College remains dedicated to shaping knowledgeable, globally competitive graduates,” he said.
LIVELY KEYNOTE SPEECH
(Dacia Campbell, right, making a presentation to Keynote speaker Pastor Jermaine Johnson)
Mr Isaacs also thanked former administrators and academic staff and mentioned four who have proceeded on pre-retirement leave since the start of the academic year. They were Sandra Brown, Principal Lecturer and Examinations Director; Marcia Nembhard Head of the Language Department; Roy Hylton, Lecturer in the School of Business, and Leroy Harvey, Vice-Principal of Academics.
Jermaine Johnson, Senior Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Moneague District delivered a down-to-earth, full-of-practical concepts keynote speech. In exhorting the graduates to stand up stand out and not to be followers, he used many anecdotes and present-day speech and practices to make his points. His address was well-received by the graduates.
Valedictorian Nafisa Hayles in speaking of the journey of the graduates mentioned the uncertainties and changes brought on by the period of COVID-19. However, she said, “We learned to support each other and innovate.”
Greetings were delivered by Dr. Tamika Benjamin, Assistant Chief Education Officer Tertiary Unit, Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, and Dr. Donna Powell Wilson, Executive Director, Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica.
Also participating in the ceremony were Vice-Principal Student and Administrative Affairs, Dr Jacqueline Thames and Vice-Principal Academic Affairs, Kenene Senior. Reverend I. Michael Llewellyn, Vice-Chairman, Board of Management did the invocation
.
(The Moneague College Ensemble)
Vice-President of the Guild of Students Ruthan Henry introduced the keynote speaker. The Moneague College Ensemble provided musical interludes.
WATCH AND LISTENT TO THE NOVEL WAY THE GUES SPEAKER ENDED HIS SPEECH
