Stories | Byron Robinson Educational Foundation

Academic Achievers Awarded

November 1, 2013 renaud

The 2013/2014 academic year has been an impressive one as there are 36 more Magna Cum Laude honourees, 24 more Cum Laude honourees while the Honour Roll has expanded to accommodate 94 more names.

Fifty academic scholarships valued at $60,000 each from the Byron Robinson Educational Fund were awarded to outstanding students. Five nursing students received the Dorothea Robinson Nursing Scholarships valued at $60,000 each while the Valena Fraser-Moore Nursing Scholarship valued at $100,000 was awarded to a final year nursing student.

Symposium at NCU

June 20, 2012 renaud

Dr. Trevor Gardner outlined in his address to the Business, Civic and Community leaders, faculty, staff and students of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) that transformation is coming to Mandeville. Northern Caribbean University held its Leaders’ Symposium for Business, Civic and Community residents of Mandeville on Wednesday June 20^th, 2012 in their main auditorium. Dr. Gardner began his opening address with a scriptural context drawn from Numbers 13 vs. 31-“drawing strength and essence from the minority report”. He recounted that he fell love with the town of Mandeville while studying at the Northern Caribbean University many years ago. “Mandeville is a distinguished town; it seeks to bring persons from all heritages. It has a calmness and peace.”

Alumni Luncheon a Delightful Success

June 20, 2012 renaud

“NCU must take steps to build entrepreneurs,” were the words of President-elect, Dr Trevor Gardner, during an inspiring message to an audience of proud Alumni, University Workers, and other special guests and dignitaries at an Alumni Luncheon held on main campus yesterday, Tuesday June 19, 2012. The Luncheon was the first in the series of week-long commemorative activities, which are to be staged to mark his installation on Monday June 25, 2012. He also used the occasion to speak on several pertinent issues concerning the development of the University.

Earlier in the programme, former United Student Movement (USM) President, Mr Robert Miller shared a little of his experiences working with Dr. Gardner. He described him as “an advocate for the rights of the vulnerable” and as a man with “creative ideas”. Additionally, celebrated philanthropist Dr Byron Robinson recalled his West-Indies College experience and how it helped shape his character and introduced him to Jesus.

2011 Byron Robinson Scholarship

December 27, 2011 renaud

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) recognizes the generosity of alumni and friends who have positively impacted the lives of students who are desperately striving to obtain a tertiary education.

For the past thirty years, the Byron Robinson Educational Foundation Inc. has been one of the outstanding beacons of hope for students who have a high academic standard. The scholarships were awarded to students who earned a GPA of 3.0 or above, have a genuine financial need and work to assist with their tuition fees, and demonstrate leadership skills by being active participants in a school, community or church-based organization.

There is More Joy in Giving than Receiving

December 8, 2011 renaud

“There is more joy in giving than there is in receiving.” This was the sentiment shared by a former head girl of Savanna-la-mar High School, Christal-Ann Thompson-Richards, after she presented Northern Caribbean University (NCU) alumni, Dr. and Mrs. Byron Robinson with an original art piece. This presentation occurred during the evening session of Homecoming Weekend 2011 at the NCU gymnatorium in Mandeville. The art piece, Pagoda, named after the yellow pagoda, was done using Acrylic on Canvas, The Biological Sciences major, who currently holds an Associate of Arts degree in Mass Communication, uses her artistic skills as a hobby in order to share her passion, and in this case, gratitude.

“This particular piece was initially for sale, but after receiving the Byron Robinson scholarship, I knew that a thank you letter was not sufficient, hence, this presentation to the Byron Robinson Foundation,” she posited. She continued, “I knew prior to the event that the Robinsons like art, so I decided to present them with this, the only flower piece that I have in my collection.”

Dr. Byron Robinson in expressing gratitude for the gift explained, “The foundation was set up to assist in the growth of our alma mater, NCU, and the many lives she has impacted. We are grateful for this gift, and for Christal-Ann to give us this piece has made an indelible impression on our lives.”

Mrs. Thompson-Richards’ early exposure to the visual arts world came through the insistence of the late Gerald Wray, who was instrumental in the birth of the Art Department at NCU. She has participated in art exhibitions in Manchester and St. James, as well as having some of her pieces on display in the College of Humanities, Behavioural and Social Sciences, and the Communication Studies Department.

Art is a passion for the Westmoreland native, who prides herself in painting, drawing, listening to music, and writing stories and poetry. The Bethel Town Seventh-day Adventist church member excitedly shared, “Whenever a person gets something, the onus is on the recipient to say thank you, as this gratitude goes a far way in showing appreciation.”

“The Byron Robinson Foundation has given a lot to NCU and it was an absolute pleasure and delight to give back just a token of what we as students have received from these gracious people,” she continued. “I know that some students may feel inadequate because they were not able to present the Foundation with any tangible tokens, but the Foundation gave me and other students of their gifts, so I thought it prudent to give back to them of my gift and passion.”

The Byron Robinson Foundation has been a major donor to the University for many years with its most visible gift being the erection of the Robinson Hall, location on the NCU main campus in Mandeville. NCU celebrated its annual Homecoming Weekend on the final weekend in November. The theme for 2011 was, The Tie that Binds and Frees for Service. Mrs. Susan Long-Gordon is currently the director of Alumni Relations, the Office that has direct purview of the Homecoming activities. The Alumni Office is committed to fostering, improving and nurturing the quality of the relationship that links the university to its alumni; this with a view to increasing lasting and mutually beneficial connections.

Photographic Highlights of Alumni Breakfast and Business Meeting

November 30, 2011 renaud

Here is a photographic highlight of the Annual Breakfast and Business Meeting:

Chair of the NCU computer and Information Sciences department, Kenrie Hylton shared a ‘Imagine cup Champions portfolio’ with Dr. Byron Robinson

NCU Recognizes Outstanding Students

October 22, 2011 renaud

Over six-hundred students were honoured at Northern Caribbean University’s (NCU) Honours Convocation Ceremony held at institution’s main campus in Mandeville on October 20, 2011.

During the ceremony, fifty students were awarded the Byron Robinson Educational Foundation (BREF) Scholarship each valued at J$60,000. Interim President, Dr. Daniel Fider said Dr. Byron Robinson was a philanthropist and an industrious alumnus of the University who has been financially assisting needy students for more than 20 years.

Also worthy of note was the announcement of the University’s most outstanding student who earned a GPA of 4.0 – Kirkland Williams, a second year student from the School of Religion and Theology. Amidst the cheer and applause, Provost and Vice President, Academic Administration, Dr. Teran Milford, made another equally delightful announcement – Williams would receive a promissory note of J$50,000 to offset the cost of this his tuition fees.

“I can hardly find the words to explain how I’m feeling at this moment”, said Williams. “Hard work really does yield positive results.”

He added, “It is important to have a goal in mind and to work diligently towards achieving that goal…if you feel like giving up, stay focused and call on God for he will give you the strength to persevere.”

Honours Convocation is an official function held each year at NCU to recognize students who have excelled academically.