An outstanding scholar

By Claude Mills, Staff Reporter

Marvin (right) gets word of advice from professor Carl Campbell of the UWI's dept. of History. - Contributed

MARVIN JAMES Campbell is one of those outstanding young men who lights up a room, without being overpowering.
It comes as no surprise that the local Fulbright Interviewing Committee unanimously selected Marvin as one of three Jamaican students to pursue higher studies in the US under the annual Fulbright Graduate Student Programme this year.

Under the scholarship, Marvin receives full funding to pursue a two-year Master of Science (MS) Degree in Structural Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

At a time when the performance of Jamaican students and the quality of educational institutions are under fire, he adheres to the view that it is more about nurture than nature.

"Many of us have become complacent and fail to respond to training by putting out that extra effort," he said.

A civil engineer by training, Marvin has been making an impression since his days at Cornwall College in Montego Bay. He also made the Dean's list every year while studying at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus and graduated in 1998 with First Class Honours.

One lecturer at St. Augustine goes as far as saying that Marvin is "one of the best students I have ever taught".

In the two years since his graduation, Marvin has made his mark as a young professional. His former boss, Chief Engineer at the Jamaica Public Service Company (from which he has been granted study leave) describes him as "a team player with an excellent attitude to work and very good problem solving skills."

In pursuit of further professional development, Campbell has become a member of the Jamaican Institution of Engineers, as well as the American Society of Civil Engineers. Commenting on the role of engineers in Jamaica today, Campbell said he is concerned with investing more time in the future of Jamaica. "One area that needs serious attention is the development of national infrastructure, and that is why I have chosen to specialise in structural engineering and construction management. My specific focus will be on structural analysis as it relates to earthquakes, the effects of lateral loads and so on," he says.

It is not surprising that Marvin identifies the thirst for excellence as his main driving force. "I enjoy everything I do, and I need to be the best I can be in every task I pursue. I especially love to see plans and concepts materialize," he admits.

When asked about the main influences in his life, he promptly responds: "My parents. They always tell me to keep focused, work hard, do my best and to be happy and satisfied."

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