UCC HONOUREES
Honourary Doctorates

UCC believes that recognising individuals who perform exceptionally in their respective fields is paramount.

Over the years, the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean has conferred a number of highly distinguished persons who have contributed significantly to the development of Jamaica with honorary doctorates.


Prof. Errol Morrison, 2012

Former President of University of Technology, Jamaica (UTECH)
Awarded: Doctor of Laws, LLD, Honoris Causa.

Being the first recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree presented by UCC, Professor Morrison was recognized for his role as an educator and for his extensive pioneering research in diabetes and advancing the understanding of the disease.

Under his leadership at UTECH, access and quality have grown in tandem, improving the lives of thousands of students who now have a greater number of options for higher learning.


Bruce Bowen, 2013

Former President & CEO of ScotiaBank Group Jamaica
Awarded: Doctor of Laws, LLD, Honoris Causa.

Bruce Bowen has had an accomplished banking career spanning two decades and several countries. At the time of his honouring, he served as president and CEO of ScotiaBank Group Jamaica Limited since November 1, 2008.

During his tenure Mr. Bowen exhibited impressive leadership of the ScotiaBank Jamaica Foundation, which has done tremendous social outreach, particularly in the areas of health and education.


Dr. Henry Lowe, 2014

Executive Chairman, Environmental Health Foundation
Awarded: Doctor of Science & Innovation, Honoris Causa.

Dr. Henry Lowe, a scientist who specializes in medicinal chemistry, has contributed approximately 50 years in the fields of science and technology, energy, the environment, wellness and health sciences nationally, regionally and internationally.

As a result of his outstanding work in these areas he has earned several awards nationally and regionally, including the Commander of the Order of Distinction in 1982. He has also served on several public and private sector boards. Dr. Lowe is not only recognized as one of the regions outstanding  scientists but also public servant, author, educator and successful entrepreneur.


Richard Byles, 2016

Former President & CEO of Sagicor Group
Awarded: 
Doctor of Business, Honoris Causa

Under Mr. Byles' leadership since 2004, the Group has evolved through a series of acquisitions  including Pan Caribbean Investments Limited and First Life Insurance Company Limited in 2004, the Blue Cross Jamaica health insurance portfolio in 2009, and in 2014, the banking operations of RBC Jamaica.

Mr. Byles holds a BSc. in Economics from the University of the West Indies and a MSc. in National Development from the University of Bradford, England.


Gary Hendrickson, 2017

Chairman and CEO of Continental Baking Company
Awarded: 
Doctor of Business, Honoris Causa

Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson is the Chairman and CEO of Continental Baking Co Ltd and Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St Lucia. Educated at Jamaica College, Miami Military Academy and Fordham University. Mr. Hendrickson currently sits on the Boards of Rainforest Seafoods, The King’s House Foundation, The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, The Bank of Jamaica and the EXIM Bank.

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, 2018

Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Awarded: Doctor of Public Policy, Honoris Causa

Congresswoman Dr. Yvette Diane Clarke is a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives from New York. A Brooklyn native and proud of her Jamaican heritage, she succeeded her pioneering mother, former City Council Member Dr. Una S. T. Clarke, making them the first mother-daughter succession in the history of the City Council.

As an activist, a community organizer and now as a legislator, Congresswoman Clarke’s boldness, compassion and love for the people has allowed her to become an effective leader and an outspoken advocate on numerous issues of great importance to her constituents.

As the representative of the Ninth Congressional District of New York, she has dedicated herself to continuing the legacy of excellence established by the late Honorable Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman and Caribbean American elected to Congress.

Honourable Dorothy Pine-McLarty, 2019

Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Jamaica
Awarded: Doctor of Business Administration, Honoris Causa

Honourable Dorothy Pine-McLarty has been practising law for some 50 years and is today a consultant at Myers, Fletcher & Gordon, where she previously retired from partnership. She served as head of the firm’s Property Department from 1992 to 1995, Managing Partner of the London offices from 1995 to 1998 and was admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in 1995.

Hon. Pine-McLarty was awarded the Order of Jamaica in October 2007 for outstanding public service and received the Gleaner Company Honour Award for Public Service in 2016.

Marlene Street Forrest, 2020

Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange 
Awarded 2020: Doctor of Public Policy, Honoris Causa

Marlene Street Forrest blazed a trail of firsts and extraordinary achievements for Jamaica in the complex and intricate world of stock market exchanges.

Under her stewardship the Jamaica Stock Exchange became demutualized and the US denominated market and Junior Market launched. In 2016 she was conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander Class in recognition of her outstanding leadership in the growth of the JSE.

Honourable Gordon Arthur Cyril “Butch” Stewart, 2021

Founder, Sandals Resorts, Jamaica Observer, ATL Group
Awarded 2021: Doctor of Business Administration, Honoris Causa (Posthumously)

Hotelier, businessman, entrepreneur, he was founder/owner and chairman of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, and their parent company Sandals Resorts International as well as the ATL Group and its subsidiaries, Appliance Traders and the Jamaica Observer - influential entities on the Jamaican business landscape.

“Butch” as he was affectionately called by all, was a visionary and dynamic leader whose pioneering influence led to the advancement of the hospitality industry in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Leighton McKnight, 2022

Territory Leader, PwC Jamaica
Awarded 2022: Doctor of Business Administration, Honoris Causa

Chartered Account Leighton McKnight, CD, is the Territory Leader for PwC Jamaica and also PwC Caribbean's leader for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion . He leads the regional consumer and industrial, products and Services (/CIPS) Industry sector, is an Assurance Partner responsible for a number of key audit clients and is also the firm's Markets Leader He serves on a number of private and public sector boards.

Hon. Godfrey Dyer, 2022

Chairman, Tourism Enhancement Fund
Awarded 2022: Doctor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Honoris Causa

Hon. Godfrey Dyer, OJ, is a celebrated hotelier and Chair of several tourism bodies including the Tourism Enhancement Fund and a Distinguished Governor of the Kiwanis Movement in the Eastern Caribbean and Canada. He has been involved in a range of entrepreneurial pursuits including the Wexford Court Hotel, Hot 102 Radio Station and Co- Founder of Sumfest. He holds the national award - Order of Jamaica- for exceptional contribution for tourism.

Dr. Sandra Reid, 2022

Deputy Dean, The University of the West Indies
Awarded 2022: Doctor of Health Care Management, Honoris Causa

Dr. Sandra Reid, Deputy Dean for clinical programmes, and Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine, is a specialist in clinical service and research and has published widely on related topics. Since 2003 she has directed the Caribbean Institute on Addictive Disorders, which has trained over 2,500 Caribbean professionals and paraprofessionals in addictive disorders.

Tricia Bailey

Dr. Trisha Bailey, 2023

CEO/Philanthropist/ Real Estate Mogul
Awarded: Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa

Dr. Tricia M. Bailey has proven herself to be the epitome of the word entrepreneur. Her gritty background and her diligent journey make her no stranger to success. She was the first to graduate college in her family when she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut. She would then attain a master’s degree in business administration, and a doctorate in management in organizational leadership. Since then, her serial entrepreneurial track has furthered her life and the lives of more than 50,000 individuals.

Governor Wes Moore

Gov. Wes Moore, 2023

Governor, State of Maryland
Awarded: Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa

Wes Moore has distinguished himself as the first Black Governor in the State of Maryland’s 246- year history and only the fifth African American Governor to serve in the entire history of the United States. As the 63 rd Governor of Maryland, he is the highest ranking public official of a state with a population of over 6.1M people.

 

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