Having a lively discussion at the Excelsior Community Coillege 30th Anniversary Awards Dinner are (from left) Amina Blackwood-Meeks; Dahlia Repole, the college's principal; Cynthia Powell, widow of the college's founder Dr. Wesley Powell and Morin Seymour, chairman of the college's committee of managemen. The dinner was held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston last Thursday night. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
PAST STUDENTS of Excelsior Community College rolled back the years at the association's 30th anniversary banquet.
All around the walls of the Hilton Kingston Hotel ballroom, pictures of EXED's past and present glory were unveiled. From the land where the Mountain View campus now stands, green and yellow, or should I say gold, were the obvious colours for this gathering.
JAMAICAN CLASSICS
From an initial group of 500 students and four programmes on offer, EEXD has grown to over 2,000 students who can choose from 40 programmes. The present Performing Arts group acquitted themselves well, to nods and applause of approval from the alumni. The entertainment got to fever pitch when distinguished alumnus Harold Davis performed some timeless Jamaican classics. He crooned such hits as On The Beach, Puppet On A String, before ending with his now legendary version of The Lord's Prayer.
When choosing a guest speaker for these kind of functions, it's nice to get a member of the family. You know, someone who can associate with all the old students' jokes and crack a few of them him or herself. So step forward Earl Jarrett, Jamaica National's managing director.
Jarrett spoke glowingly about his time at the institution; rating the training he received as excellent. He was adamant that this schooling had prepared him for life. He spoke highly of the teaching staff for preparing their pupils to take their place in society. He lauded the vision of founder Dr. the Hon. Wesley Powell who wanted to meet the needs of the student body.
THE GLOBAL MARKET
He opined that his alma mater is being challenged to teach people skills to compete in the global market. He looked at the imminent Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and cited that, with the opportunities this entity would present, students had to be competent.
To round off the evening, individuals were presented with long service awards and 'special awards' for board of management members, retirees and others.
D.K.
