Dominican Students Excel at Monroe College for St. Lucia Campus Graduates 2020
Monroe College, the New York-based institution offering Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs from its campus in Saint Lucia, held its Annual Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at the Sandals Grande, Beach Resort and Spa (Pigeon Island, Gros Islet) for local graduates.
Two separate ceremonies were held to allow for proper social distancing of all participants. Due to pandemic-related quarantine requirements for visitors to the island, Monroe College President Marc Jerome led the ceremony virtually from New York, while local campus administrators, faculty, and staff joined the 86 graduates in person. In addition to students from Saint Lucia, the graduating class included students from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines.
Among the graduates were several students from Dominica who had attended Monroe’s campuses in New York and St. Lucia, who graduated top of their programme: Chriscelar C. Sylvester, Melinda D. Austrie, Marissa Thomas, Amanda M. Xavier, Edona Jno. Baptiste, Sherma Lyn Toussaint, Nigel Peters, David R. Thornhill and Kervin George.
Summa Cum Laude (Highest Latin honors)
Marissa graduated with a perfect 4.00 Grade Point Average (GPA). “Expectations in life should not be that everything be handed to you, but with perseverance, hard work and determination you are able to accomplish what you work towards. Within my one (1) year and eight (8) months of attending Monroe college to earn my bachelor’s degree, I did not expect a perfect road, because I knew challenges were ahead, but boy, was I surprised! Sleepless nights, starting an assignment and trying to figure out the next step, being tired from my day job but keeping at it to meet deadlines that determined if I proceed to the next course or not. If it was not for the guidance of the Almighty Father who heard my daily prayers and made a way, the strong support system of my mom, sister and close friends, I would not be here today. This journey has made me stronger than I thought. As these “pot holes” were my stepping stones to portray my true potential, which included being on the President’s list for all 5 semesters and graduating with the highest-grade point average of 4.0 and with academic excellence.”
“School is not solely about books and being able to retain information but when you are passionate about something you will ensure you go the extra mile. My passion and keen interest to see a change in the justice system and persons receiving justice has encouraged me to expand my knowledge and be able to play a pivotal role in developing the system and reducing rates of recidivist especially among youths. One’s past should also not determine their future as I am a true testimony that a small village girl with humble beginnings, strict disciplines and not having access to what some consider the “finer things” in life, can be educated too and this was one of my main drives to show the world that not having all your needs met in your young days should not determine how far you can get in life. These humble upbringings have allowed me to appreciate the fruits of my labour because they did not come easy, these accomplishments were not just handed but attained through the diligent application, hard work and prayers. My journey has thought me that no matter what life throws at you, you need to keep going. Hence the reason that I was able to balance a full-time job while being a full-time online student because, in all my pursuits, I strive for excellence.”
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