NCU ALUMNI CHAPTER CAYMAN (ACKy)

16 September 2015

The formal inauguration of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Alumni Association Cayman Chapter took place on Saturday (12 September), when 48 members were inducted, while some ten others are currently scheduled for the November General Meeting.  A key goal of the organization is to contribute to the development of members and the Cayman community.    

     The inaugural service taking place at Kings Church was facilitated by that church’s minister, Pastor Jeff Jefferson, who is also Chaplain for the NCU Alumni Chapter Cayman (ACKy). Pastor Ivor Harry, the chapter’s VP for Educational & Religious Affairs, and the Education Director for the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (CIC SDA), was director for the service.  The theme for the service was “For Service in this Life.”

     The Alumni Director of NCU’s Department of Alumni Relations, Mrs. Susan Long-Gordon, officiated in the induction ceremony. NCU, located in Mandeville, Jamaica, is a liberal arts university owned jointly by the Adventist churches in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, and The Turks and Caicos Islands.

     Two alumni were honoured at the service for their commitment to service in the Cayman Islands: Mrs. Shirlene Henriques, a former Grand Cayman nursing administrator, and Mrs. Georgia Isaacs, who currently serves as a nurse on Cayman Brac. Amidst many other majors offered, the institution’s nursing programme is regarded as among the best regionally and many nurses working in health care facilities in Cayman.

     Special greetings were brought by Dr. the Hon. Linford Pierson, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, recognized during the service as a distinguished alumnus of NCU, and Pastor Shian O’Connor, President of the CIC SDA. Both President O’Connor and Dr. Pierson were inducted as members and Dr. Pierson is slated to join the chapter’s executive committee.  

      Mrs. Long-Gordon delivered a short message in recognition of the Chapter’s formation, as well as greetings from NCU’s President Trevor Gardner.

       Ms Patricia Ebanks, President of the Cayman Chapter, outlined the goals of the organisation. These include community and member education and training; scholarships to Cayman’s youth; and gifts to support NCU’s work. She urged the new members to commit themselves to helping Cayman’s youth “become the best they can be.” 

     The Cayman Chapter caters not only to alumni of NCU but also to all friends and supporters of NCU. The next general meeting to which members are invited is scheduled for 19 November.  Interested persons may visit the website, www.NCUCaymanAlumni.com/, for further information.   

     The Adventist church in the Cayman Islands is said to be one of the fastest growing, with a membership of some 4,500 throughout the three islands.

Photo caption: ACKy President Patricia Ebanks pins CICSDA President Shian O'Connor.

(For photos of event, please visit Photo allery)

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