By Petrina Francis , Education ReporterABOUT 1,000 graduates of the Northern Caribbean University will say farewell to their alma mater in a three-day ceremony starting August 13 on the university's campus in Manchester.
The graduation exercise will begin on Friday August 13 with a Consecration Service and a Baccalaureate Service on Saturday August 14. The Commencement Service, where graduates receive their certificates, will be held on Sunday August 15.
MAIN ADDRESS
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's Minister of Finance and former Vice-president of the World Bank, will deliver the main address. According to Marjorie Powis, Assistant Director of Public Relations at NCU, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is expected to generate much interest, not only among the graduating class, but also the thousands of parents and specially invited guests.
The Nigerian national graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Harvard University and earned a Ph.D. in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
HONORARY DEGREES
Two persons will receive honorary degrees at NCU's Commencement Service this year. Mr. William E. Clarke, Managing Director of the Bank of Nova Scotia Limited will be conferred with the Doctor of Letters degree for outstanding contribution to the field of banking, while former President of NCU Mr. Lee Herbert Fletcher will receive the Honorary Doctor of Divinity.
Miss Powis told The Gleaner that as a result of ill health, Mr. Fletcher, who lives in Miami, will not be able to travel to Jamaica; so the presentation will be held at a ceremony in Miami a week prior to the ceremony in Jamaica.
