Service of Thanksgiving Starts Series of Events as College Encouraged to Demonstrate Theme Through Actions
MONEAGUE, St Ann; September 16, 2026
The Moneague College began celebrating its 70th anniversary at its main campus in Moneague, St Ann, on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
A thanksgiving service marked the start of a series of 70th-anniversary events over the academic year 2026/27.
Pastor Dr Patricia Holness, former head of the Registrar General Department, was the guest preacher at the service attended by faculty, staff, students, community members, education stakeholders and supporters of The Moneague.
(Pastor Patricia Holness Guest Preacher)
Pastor Holness gave an upbeat sermon encouraging thankfulness to God and faith in him. She said 70 years was commendable, pointing out that the bible suggested that was a lifetime. In her message in the Gloria Johnson Hall, she called on the college community to recommit themselves to God.
(Principal Howard Isaacs, expressing thanks for the landmark)
Mrs Johnson, the former principal after whom the hall was named, was there too, among guests at the first celebratory event.
She is one of eight principals to serve the college since it opened in 1956.
(Bringing greetings, Dr Tamika Benjamin, Assistant Chief Education Officer MOESYI, and MP Dr Kenneth Russell)
.Current Principal Howard Isaacs, who took up the mantle in 2005, is the longest serving. He praised those who had gone before him and had helped chart the path from Moneague being a teachers college to becoming an institutionally accredited multi-disciplinary institution with three campuses. In addition to the main campus, the others are in Galina, St Mary and Linstead, St Catherine.
Mr Isaacs said: Our anniversary theme ‘moving forward with renewed resilience, passion and commitment’ must now be demonstrated through our actions. It calls us to improve the quality and efficiency of our services, strengthen accountability, modernize our systems, maintain safe and welcoming campuses and respond more effectively to the needs of our students and other stakeholders.”
Among those saluting The Moneague on its 70th anniversary were MP for South East St Ann, Dr Kenneth Russell, and Dr Tamika Benjamin, Assistant Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.
Current Chairman Ambassador Aloun Ndombet Assamba sent apologies for her absence. In her message, she said, “Our greatest responsibility is to safeguard and advance the values of excellence, integrity, and service and respect that have sustained this institution throughout the years.”
(Students doing a selection at the service)
The service was held jointly with the Discipleship and Restoration Ministries, whose pastor, Dwight Simms delivered the opening prayer. Rev I. Michael Llewellyn chaired the programme.
The Thanksgiving Service came two days after the death of the longest-serving Chairman, Leon Gordon, who was praised for his leadership of integrity, hard work, and vision at the institution.
( A section of students in prayer during the service)
On the calendar of events to celebrate the college’s 70th Anniversary will be the Leon Gordon Lecture & Open Day, March 16, 2027. That comes during an intense week of activities, Moneague College Week, March 15-20, and includes Alumni Day, Quality Assurance Day, the 70th Anniversary Concert, and the college’s Festival Queen Competition.
Before those, though, celebratory activities continue this month, with the 70th Anniversary 5K run on September 27, and the Culture Fest on October 6.
The celebration will close in June 2027 with Homecoming weekend, June 17-20, and a Grand Gala and Recognition ceremony, June 19.
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