Congratulations to the Class of 2021
Message from the Minister
The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, M.P.
Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training
I am pleased to congratulate the 2021 Graduating Class of The Bahamas Baptist University College. This is indeed a special celebration, as it is the end reward of sustained determination and self-discipline as you charted the course for your professional careers. Your theme, “Resilience in Times of Crisis” speaks to the challenging nature of pursuing your academic journey in a most difficult time in our lives; and for this, I wholeheartedly salute you.
Graduates as you weather the economic and social crises during this unprecedented period; your successful pursuit of academic empowerment is absolute preparation for excellence in or out of turbulent times.
Class of 2021, although you are small in number, know that you can make a significant impact in this country and indeed the world. Among you there is potential for world-class educators, computer information system specialists, public administrators, accountants, business managers and owners. Your resilience and commitment to achieving your goals during this globally challenging time, is a positive indication of the rest of your professional journey.
As you move on to the next phase, I implore you to remain humble, and to work at all times with a spirit of excellence. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Putting on this mindset allows for growth and productivity; and at the same time, it inspires others to become all that they can be.
Graduates, our country’s future is in your hands. As professionals, my charge to you is to set goals and devise strategies to accomplish them.
I commend President Juliett Reid and the faculty of The Bahamas Baptist University College for continued commitment to ensuring that students pursuing tertiary studies receive an exemplary education, and that they are equipped for the global stage.
To the class of 2021, I again extend congratulations to you.
God bless!
Message from the Bahamas Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention President
Lloyd C. Smith Ph.D., J.P.
President – Bahamas Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention
We are living in a time of change and adaptation. To function effectively in our present time a new way of thinking should be adopted. Our conventional norms have changed, and we find ourselves in a new paradigm. This present generation must evolve with scientific and technological advancements.
As presiding President of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, I applaud you the Graduating Class of Two Thousand and Twenty-one (2021) for your resilience. Your resilience, the capacity for you to recover quickly from difficulties has placed you in a position to fulfill your destiny. Keep reaching for your goals, keep adapting, and keep changing whenever necessary to remain resilient.
The Executive Board of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention and I, congratulate you the class of Two Thousand and Twenty-One (2021) on your achievement. You are proof that the Bahamas Baptist University College continues its Legacy of Excellence.
Message from the President
Dr. Juliett V. Reid, Ed.D, MBA, B.Ed, Dip.Ed, CAGS
President – Bahamas Baptist University College
It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome: To Graduates, Families, Friends, Faculty, Staff and Administrators. Thank you for joining our Virtual Graduation Celebrations
Graduates, you have achieved your academic goals, earning credentials that set you apart from others, and achieving this despite the challenges and evolving changes brought on by the pandemic. Your resilience and persistence have brought you here today. Again Congratulations! Your future is filled with great opportunities, and you are more than prepared to embrace them.
It was such a pleasure to have shared these years with you and watched the growth and progress. Our instructors, staff, students’ leadership and the entire college community join me in expressing our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for new accomplishments as you continue Life’s journey.
Throughout your time at the college, you received support from a number of people who cared about you and your future. ( Parents, loved ones, significant others, employers, the college community, and the Ministry of Education/tuition assistance program.), Today, they join me in honoring your achievements.
You are now among the graduates that BBUC has consistently provided with an excellent education INDEED, A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE. YOU NOW JOIN COUNTLESS OTHERS as proud graduates of this University- College. We wish for you continuous success in all your undertakings.
Graduates go forward and Continue to Make your Mark
Again Congratulations.
Message from the Vice President of Academic Affairs
Mrs. Vernette Ferdinand
Vice President, Academic Affairs, Provost
Graduates, sincere congratulations!
Your achievement of this milestone, notwithstanding the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, exemplifies the courage, passion, strength of character and perseverance of the BBUC student who can remain committed to personal ambitions while focusing on the tenets and goals of your respective Schools and the College.
It is important, rather critical, that as you move forward, you maintain the same strength, resilience and thirst for knowledge along life’s challenging, but assuredly rewarding path.
As you advance in your careers, let your ethics and integrity become a beacon for others in need of encouragement and support to achieve their dreams.
The College family is very proud of each of you! Fortified with your education and the skills you have developed, we are certain that you are prepared for any challenge that may arise. We expect that you will excel in your personal and professional lives and definitely look forward to receiving news about these accomplishments!
Best wishes!
Messages from the Deans
Janet McCalla
Dean – School of Business & Information Systems
Graduation Message
It is with joy I join in celebrating the achievements of all our graduates. It was Walt Disney who said, “All our dreams can come true… if we have the courage to pursue it.” In truth and in fact dreaming about something is very easy, but in reality it is difficult to make dreams come true. However, you had the courage to jump over the hurdles, and to overcome the obstacles you encountered during your time at BBUC. It took hard work to reach where you are today, so be proud of yourselves and bask in the joy of achieving your goals. I know for some, sometimes the journey looked impossible, but you did it. Congratulations!
Now that you have completed your studies, you may be asking yourself “what’s next?” I know you all will do the best of wherever life takes you, so explore and make a mark in the Business and technological fields. In doing this, you will bring about changes that can make this world a better place. So, as you start your new adventure I wish you all the best. Once again Congratulations.
Dr. Virginia Romer
Dean – College of Education & Professional Studies
“The man who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after.”
Newton D. Baker
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you on completing this milestone in your educational pursuit. You have steered your course and have done well, today completing your college degree. Indeed you started from the bottom and have moved up the steps of the ladder trying to reach the top. However, never be fooled for one moment in believing you have arrived; in essence you made it to the end. Rather, realize that you have only completed a phase in your education and life journey with many more phases to go. Hence, I direct you to my opening quote. Educating one’s self is an ongoing process. Whether you choose to further your learning through formal education or not, I admonish you to never stop reading, never stop questioning, never stop wanting to know more.
It is my hope that each of you has planted seeds of dreams and it is your goal to make them realities. Take each dream one at a time starting from the bottom as you work at making it come true. Upon doing so, envision a new dream to go after. As you live your life, there should always be new dreams that you will seek to achieve. There will be difficulty ahead as things will get tough, but it is at these times that you must remember that there is no limitation on what you can do, only the limits that you put on yourself. Accept your limitations and continue to strive for success.
In the words of Langston Hughes, “Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” I encourage you to hold fast to your dreams and put God first in everything you do, for it is through Him that you can start from the bottom and reach the top in making your dreams and goals, realities.
Congratulations and best wishes to all of you from the School of Education.
Ervin Dixon
Dean – School of Social Sciences
Agnes Gilbert
Dean – Natural Sciences
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations
Life is full of struggles, and we put several efforts to make it better and entertaining. We try daily to accomplish some previously set goals and get something new. When any such effort gets successful and ensures fruit-full results, we surely deserve to be appreciated and congratulated.
On behalf of the school of Natural Sciences, we are incredibly proud of your achievement and accomplishment.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Once again Congratulations
Presenting the Candidates from the School of Business & Information Systems
Shacara A. Paul
La’Paige S. Tynes
Mario J. Gibson
Marsha Seymour
Nahshan K. Fernander
Jacklyn J. Frazer
Shefford Missick
Presenting the Candidates from the School of Social Sciences
Gerrad C. Ferguson
Indera S. Gardiner
Presenting the Candidates from the College of Education & Professional Studies
Rajiv J. Brown
Lakeisha A. Moss
Joanne L. Anyane
Travia C. Farrington
Marline Louis
Degree Conferral
Associate of Arts Degree Graduates
Mario Gibson
A.A. in Business Management
Valedictorian
***Distinction
President’s Award
School of Business & Information Technology Award
“The direction in which education starts a man, will determine his future life.” – Plato
“When you’re in pursuit of a goal, the distance shouldn’t matter. Because, whether it’s inch by inch, feet by feet or mile by mile, as long as you’re moving forward consistently, you will reach your goal. So enjoy the journey!”
Shacara A. Paul
A.A. in Accounting
*Honours
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” – Marian Wright Edelman
La’Paige S. Tynes
A.A. in Accounting
**Credit
“They can never take what’s inside your head. No matter the prejudice you may face, your knowledge can never be taken away…” -grammy (Kathleen Ferguson)
Marsha Seymour
A.A. in Business Management
“The beautiful thing about education is that no one can take it away from you” – B.B. King
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. ‘” — Jeremiah 29:11
Today, I give thanks to thank all the wonderful people that supported me throughout my studies.
I am so lucky to have such great family, friends and colleagues in my life.
It is my prayer that you always remember that you are making a difference in someone’s life. No matter how big or small. I encourage you to always believe in yourself always and your ability to make an impact and to create change. To all the graduates, today is a momentous event for all of us, we’ve put a lot of work into what we’ve achieved today.
Therefore, today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want!
“A positive mindset brings positive things.”
Graduates of the class of 2021, Congratulations!
Nahshan K. Fernander
A.A. in Human Resource Management
**Credit
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” – Martin Luther King
Jacklyn Frazer
A.A. in Human Resource Management
**Credit
“A man’s mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions.” Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Shefford Missick
A.A. in Computer Information Systems
**Credit
“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”
― Nelson Mandela
Gerrad C. Ferguson
A.A. in Law & Criminal Justice
*Honours
“The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.” ― Thomas Paine
Indera Gardiner
A.A. in Public Administration
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
Rajiv Brown
A.A. in Primary Education
“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.”
― Oscar Wilde
Lakeisha Moss
A.A. in Primary Education
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” ― Mark Twain
Bachelor of Education Degrees
Joanne L. Anyane
B.Ed in Primary Education
Salutatorian
**Credit
Dean’s Award,
Rev. Dr. Charles W. Saunders Educator’s Award
College of Education & Professional Studies Award
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ― Nelson Mandela
Travia C. Farrington
B.Ed in Primary Education
**Credit
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
Marline Louis
B.Ed in Primary Education
**Credit
“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” – Confucius
Honours, Credit & Distinction Classification
At graduation, there are three grades of honours that are bestowed on graduates earning an academic degree from The Bahamas Baptist University College:
***Distinction – these graduates earn a cumulative grade point average from 3.67 to 4.00.
**Credit – these graduates earn a cumulative grade point average from 3.33 to 3.66.
*Honours – these graduates earn a cumulative grade point average from 3.00 to 3.32.
Congratulatory Messages
Travia C. Farrington
Mario Gibson
” The tassel was worth the hassle…may the wisdom of God remain in you. With love and pride, congratulations on your achievement.”
From: Crystal Gibson – Wife
“It was said that, we should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance, they have traveled from the point where they started. This is just the first achievement of your journey, Congratulations!”
From: Marco Gibson – Brother
Marsha Seymour
“We are so very PROUD of you; We know that Mom, Dad and Rob, would’ve also been PROUD of you. You’ve worked so hard for this day and with God’s grace, you did it! Oftentimes, many may dream, some even try, but ONLY a few actually achieve it. You were determined to succeed, despite numerous challenges along the way, you NEVER give up. Through God’s continued grace and mercies, you have overcome and today we your sibling are so ecstatic and overjoyed for you and your accomplishment. We are elated to be a part of this grand time in your life and to share in the excitement of your graduation day. We are so very honoured to share in this moment with you!” As we know firsthand the many sacrifices you’ve made to achieve this goal; Yet, you have made it possible to dream big and reach your goals.
It is our prayer that you continue to do amazing things in life.
“Congratulations on your well-deserved success.”
“With joy and love today and always, WE wish you the best.
From: Siblings and Nieces
Marsha,
I wish to congratulate you on your great academic achievement! You have finally finished the race and now it’s time to continue to soar! Enjoy this special moment, because you have put in the hard work and made the sacrifices necessary to get you to this moment! I know it was not easy for you, but you did what you had to and it paid off! I am extremely proud of you for staying the course to accomplish your ultimate goal during some of the most trying and difficult times in your personal and family life. You are a go-getter, disciplined, focused, dedicated and a hard worker. Continue to soar and may God continue to bless you. Congratulations once again on your upcoming graduation!
From Howard R. Johnson
Lakeisha Moss
. You strive for greatness every single day and fall short at no corners of success, you endure heartache and pain while being victorious on your goals. As your big brother, I’m proud, I’m elated, I’m overwhelmed with your journey to obtain your degree and I want you to continue being the light so your student may one day want to walk in your footsteps and become the model of excellence that you are
.To my sister, the strongest person I know:
I love you
Shefford Missick
Congratulations Shefford, all of your hard work has paid off. I am proud to see this day of celebration finally come for you, my son. Congratulations once again and I wish you the best with all of your future endeavours.
Yours truly,
Rosemary Missick.
Dear Shefford,
I was very happy to hear that you graduated from college. It is a proud moment for the family for you to graduate with a degree in Computer Information System (CIS). I know that our sister Shekira, and father who is watching over you from Heaven, is extremely proud.
I can genuinely say that you deserve to graduate at the top of your class. I have seen how much work and effort you have put in your studies and I am overjoyed that you are now reaping the fruits of your labour. I sincerely hope that you would do well in your career.
Congratulations!
Best regards,
Carmen Williams
Shacara A. Paul
Shacara, you have been an absolute inspiration in my life. I have watched you strive every step of the way to accomplish this great academic achievement. Your passion and dedication have not been in vain. This is the fruit of your consistent hard work and diligence however this is just a milestone along your journey. I am proud of you beyond words, I love you, continue to press towards the mark, towards success, towards your goals.
From: Shannon Wells
Congratulations go out to our wonderful smart and intelligent daughter, job well done and remember this the sky is the limit we love you and continue to do well.
From Your mother and stepfather
La’Paige S. Tynes
From your aunt/mother Monique Ferguson
From Naomi Tynes