Timeliness of honours
published: Monday | November 18, 2002
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WISH to congratulate the management of University of the West Indies who has seen it fit to honour musician, Mr. Ernest Ranglin, O.D, with an Honorary Doctorate degree, for his outstanding contribution to the musical fraternity.
This is indeed, a good and admirable work by the university. However, I have a difficulty with the timing of this award. We need to stop giving out awards to hard- working individuals when they are "over the hill" or on their death bed.
I want to suggest that once outstanding Jamaicans are cited as potential awardees, they should be given the awards while they are up and very active in their chosen field. In so doing the public at large is given the opportunity to be more respectful and appreciative of the works of these individuals.
Nevertheless, as the saying goes "it is better late than never", so, well done UWI's management. I hope that you will continue recognising outstanding individuals as you always have. Only that you need to be much "earlier out off your starting blocks" for the sake of the awardees.
