Insight. Fall 1995 vol. 3, no. 1

Newsletter of the H. L. Stoutt Community College

Fall 1995

Vol. 3, Number 1

H.L.S.C.C. Bids Farewell to Founder

Dr. John I. Goodlad visits H.L.S.C.C. H.L.S.C.C. Participates in Caribbean Regional Council for Adult Education First Miss H.L.S.C.C. Pageant Student Affairs Dept. Formed College Acquires Sloop The Board of Governors, Executive Officers, Administrators, faculty, students and staff of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, joined the territory and the Caribbean region in mourning the sudden passing on May 14, 1995 of its founding Chairman the Hon. Hamilton Lavity Stoutt.

For several days all flags flew at half-mast in memory of the College's founder and the nation's foremost leader who served his country for some 40 years as an elected representative - a record unsurpassed in the Caribbean.

Both at the State Funeral for the late Chief Minister on May 24, and the Second H.L.S.C.C. Graduation Exercises weeks later, tributes poured from every comer of the social, political and academic world in honour of the outstanding life and commitment of 'The Chief.

The H.L.S.C.C. family eulogised its founder's indomitable spirit and his unwavering dream of "the establishment of an institution of tertiary education which would address the human resource needs of the British Virgin Islands."

This issue of INSIGHT is dedicated to his vision and the continued articulation of his dream.•

PRESIDENT'S

MESSAGE

Since the last issue of the INSIGHT, the British Virgin Islands has experienced a number of events that have caused individuals and institutions to readjust their operations. In February there was the general election which resulted in a Council with mixed representation District representatives and Territorial Representatives. Just as the territory was coming to grips with this new Legislature, the Chief Minister, Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt died suddenly in office. The events that followed his death in May brought unity in national affairs and attracted international attention. In this climate the new Chief Minister, Hon. R.T. 0' Neal was appointed.

During the following four months the territory moved on its course responding to the challenges of the day. The people of the territory began adjusting their lives to the vicissitudes of territorial affairs. In the midst of this readjustment hurricanes Luis and

Marilyn whipped, destroyed, cleansed and revitalized the territory.

Although the physical damage was not catastrophic the psychological effects which have not been assessed territorially were bound to have disruptive effects in the lives of many individuals. All of us shared in the losses of relatives and friends in the U.S. Virgin Islands and our southerly neighbours of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and St. Martin and hope that the rebuilding process will not be too painful.

The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College reaches out particularly to the University of the Virgin Islands and the Antigua State College both members of ACT! (Association of Caribbean Territory Institutions).

This was the environment in which the Fall semester began. Many of our students needed special attention and as the semester progressed adjustments have been made to meet individuals and groups needs. This issue of the INSIGHT is a testimony to the various struggles during this semester. I hope that all the readers will have a peaceful Christmas and a challenging, successful and fruitful New Year. •

REFLECTIONS A Tribute to H. Lavity Stoutt

by Sonia O'Neal

Chief Minister, H. Lavity Stoutt thrived on opportunity. He welcomed each as an "auspicious occasion." So many mornings his black sedan would

speed past me along the West End road, racing towards Road Town. I would often wonder why he declined the comfortable, convenient government residence in Road Town, to bump over the jagged, winding, coastal, half hour drive to work. But then again, if the vista of Long Bay ever greeted you, you know well, how its serenity could grasp your soul.

Chief retreated daily to this scenic splendor, "God's handiwork" as he would call it, for the inspiration and instruction he felt no human could give him. And so, he allowed his native village to suckle and nourish him through the political battles of unbroken national leadership for 38 years.

He was affectionately and respectfully called Chief, H.L. or Laveettee. He was a man of the soil. A landscaper by trade and a business manager by practice. Canadian, Major A.D. Watts was his mentor as a young man. He had worked for Watts for 15 years and was successively promoted to manage Watts' distribution business. In 1957 when he took his first political position, he was still employed by Watts.

He told his landscaping friend, Nathaniel Isaacs, "Natty, Ole boy, lots of what I know and learnt in life Watts taught me. He told me to invest in my family'S education."

So H.L. educated all 6 of his children. Watts encouraged him to read more than he did. This reading he lately admitted to Nat, helped to shape him as a person and prepared him for the difficult times that politics later brought.

Watts, he said, advised him in problem solving techniques and introduced him to landscaping design techniques.

"He was the first person that gave me a chance to prove that I could do something,," Elihu Rhymer remember him saying in praise of Watts.

"People are my business," Chief would echo in many public addresses.

He loved his country and his people.

"He had a gift for making each person continued on page 3

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(Reflections) continued from page 2

feel special," reflects Vernon Malone, Commissioner of Police. "I used to meet with him and the Governor on Monday mornings to discuss issues of security. I studied his ways. He seemed a well-read person. Whenever I mentioned an authority, he grasped the idea."

He was a master strategist skilled in the art of negotiating technique. His policy was good 'positioning'. He understood human psychology. He never forced an issue. He would push forward his point and then pull back, with full sensitivity and composure, never imposing his view abrasively.

He invited and respected the other person's view even when it differed from his own. He actually disarmed opposition with courtesy, without forfeiting his own position. It was admirable to watch him angle and win. The old adage says 'divide and conquer." Lavity practiced 'embrace and conquer'. "Lavity was made for politics, and politics was made for Lavity" says Elihu Rhymer. Reverend Watty once marvelled to Elihu, after Chief had personally introduced him to all his fellow Methodist brethren at their homes in the first district, that "that man is made completely of the stuff of people." He loved people. He motivated people.

to progress, study the progressive" he would challenge his office staff, according to his permanent secretary, Lorna Smith. He predicated his entire life's work - political leadership - on the principle of replacing ignorance and innocence with education and expertise. "My people perish for a lack of knowledge" he would often quote from the Holy Scripture.

From 1967 when he was appointed the first BVI Chief Minister, he aspired towards the goal of professional nationhood. This idea did not project political independence. It seemed restricted to individual and national autonomy.

"I am a recipient of his commitment to education" admits Robert Mathavious, Director of Financial Services. This offshore banking industry registers 140,000 companies compiling $55 billion in deposits. The BVI is also the only British dependent territory in the region where the offshore banking institution is autonomously conducted by the locally elected government.

The U.K. conducts all others "I remember," Robert shared, when the Chief Minister visited us at the old BVI secondary school. He urged our class to pass the exams. He said if we passed and qualified for university entrance, he would award us

"Lavity's greatest achievement as a government

leader was in the field of

education" sums up the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal, BVI Chief Minister and Chairman of the H.L. Stoutt Community College. His government advanced an educational system that incorporates pre-primary, primary, secondary, technical, adult and tertiary education and scholarship. "What Lavity wanted most was to see most of his people get an education. He was keenly interested in enabling the workforce to improve themselves, and have an institution to prepare them to be better equipped to fake advantage of opportunities."

H.L. disdained ignorance. He saw it as an oppressor to man's God-given liberty. He, himself, overcame this bondage through reading, travel and interaction with experts. "If you want

SPEECH INSTRUCTOR, SANDRA WALTERS-MALONE INTERVIEWS THE HON. H.L. STOUTT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF H.L.S.C.C. Within 27 years, H.L. had so modernized the BVl's education system that it produced its first major group of national technocrats and administrators. Almost every foot department and agency is headed by a BVIslander. Among them are Chief Medical Officer, Chief Education Officer, Director of Electricity, Director of Tourism, Director of Financial Services, Commissioner of Police, Attorney General, Financial Secretary, Head of Social Security, Head of Public Works, Head of Town Planning, Head of Fisheries, Water and Sewerage etc.

scholarships." In 1967, six students went on scholarships abroad. In 1992, 121 were sent overseas. In 1990 the BVI opened its own Community College and in 1995 it registered over 400 students.

Chief had foresight. He had a vision for modernizing the BV1 through educating its citizens. He would often quote wise King Solomon's proverb.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." In 1968 he had orchestrated the transition of the BVI school system from a selective and limiting secondary unit to a comprehensive continued on page 4

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(Reflections) continuedfrompage

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secondary institution.

Chief Education Officer, Elroy Turnbull, points out that "the political and philosophical mission embodied in the ministerial system of government has empowered BVlslanders to respond directly to the challenge of providing education for all its people. This focus on access and equity in education has in tum contributed significantly to the development of the BVI over the last 25 years. Elroy, another beneficiary of the scholarship programme H.L. helped pioneer, admired the Chiefs patriotism.

Charles Wheatley, President of the H. L.S. Community College, remembers working under his entire government.

"He entered office in 1957 and I began teaching in 1955, some of those years in his district, West End." His philosophy was the empowerment of people to be able to manage their own affairs, to be masters and not servants in their own domain." This view, Mr. Wheatley says, is embedded in the mission of the Community College, which the BVI Executive Council named in Mr. Stoutt's honour.

Attorney General, Dancia Penn reminisced happily on Chiefs engaging sense of humor. She tells of a time when they had been hosted for lunch at Port Purcell by a cruiseship captain aboard his ship. Now the Port looks across the bay offering a full harbour view of Road Town. The captain asked H.L., "to what do you attribute your long tenure in politics?"

In a flash, pointing through the cabin window across to Road Town, H.L. commanded, "Look at that! Road Town!"

He paused to allow the captain to take in the picture of the thriving development.

Then, he concluded, "plus I've learnt that one enemy is one too many."

"Lavity always delivered," remarked, Omar Hodge, his fellow legislator and once.

Deputy Chief Minister.

"Regardless to what, Lavity loved his people and his country. He took the people seriously. They gave him their mandate and he fulfilled it. We had our differences but we agreed to let

them go and focus on doing the people business - leadership. He was a great man. He was a great leader."

Lorna Smith, Chiefs Permanent Secretary for a combined 10 years, stared at the sea with luminous eyes from her opulent office in the new million dollar administrative complex.

She whispered, "the most amazing memory about the Chief Minister was his great faith in people - in me.

After my illness in 1992, he took me back. He was compassionate. His success was a result of his faith in people. His greatest investment was in people and in the education of his people."

The Chief Minister did not see the BVI as a Third World country. He ranked us among the developed nations. "If you can't do something well, don't do it at all" he would say.

He felt that since the 1960s when he personally negotiated· our first exchequer loan, (without the backing of the U.K.), that the BVI was therefore ready for autonomy, politically and economically.

Above all, Chief claimed that each major development came from a divine vision from which he drew the courage to face all opposition.

our friend and colleague, Miranda Stoutt-Thompson, former head of the Business Department of HLSCC. A dedicated worker, Miranda would always strive to be one step ahead so that she could with confidence face the many challenges through life.

MRS. MIRANDA THOMPSON A devout Christian, her strong principles were reflected through her work and her daily contact with her co-workers. This and other attributes made her loved and respected by all around her. We shall miss her ready smile and cherish her memory and her contribution to H.L.S.C.C. May she rest in God's love. +

HON. EILEENE PARSONS

Through all the political challenges and changes that saw the BVI develop from a subsistence agricultural economy to a leading tourism and financial market, the Chief voiced a strong religious faith. He had told his friend Nat that he never did anything without the Master.

That vision of success is the abundant legacy left to H.L.S.C.C. and the British Virgin Islands by the Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt. His successor, the Hon. R. T. O'Neal has no doubt that "if he were to speak to us now, he would say, as he always did, "Make use of every opportunity afforded you by your Community College." +

IN MEMORIAM

BON. EILEENE PARSONS H.L.S.C.C.'s first ever Registrar and Bursar, Mrs. Eileene Parsons has been elected to the 13th Legislature of the British Virgin Islands.v The Hon. Eileene Parsons who campaigned as an independent at-large candidate in the territory's historic general elections in February, was one of two women to be first elected to council.

H.L.S.C.C. wishes Hon. Parsons the very best in her new office. +

In March of this year with deep sorrow, we bade our final farewell to

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PROFILES NEW FACULTY MEMBERS

MR. DEBERIO ALEXIS Head, Business Department Mr. Alexis, a native of Trinidad, is the new Senior Instructor/Head of the Business Studies Department.

He brings to the institution twenty (20) years of business experience gained primarily from the areas of banking and investment where he operated at the middle management and senior management levels. Prior to joining the institution Mr. Alexis lectured in the faculty of business at the Caribbean Union College, Trinidad.

returned to Tortola, the home of her heart. The new Director of Student Affairs earned a B.S. in Psychology and M.Ed. with concentration in Student Personnel Services from Texas Christian University.

She hopes to finish the few remaining hours and complete the requirements for the Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at the University of North Texas.

Most recently, Ms. Baker was Director of Scholarships and Student Financial Aid at Texas Christian University where she managed a $27,000,000 student aid programme.

A strong desire to participate in the life of the community and the opportunity to be in close proximity to her family, motivated her to return to Tortola. She hopes to make a positive contribution to the continuing growth and development of the College.

Cincinnati. He has been a department head (University of Cincinnati) and Associate Dean (Cincinnati and San Jose State) in the College of Engineering at these institutions.

He has published widely and is . internationally known for his research on the elevated temperature properties of materials, the joining of materials, and innovations in engineering education. In 1992 he was selected to be a Fellow of ASMI (formerly the American Society for Metals) for his contributions to the field of materials science.

Dr. Challenger is the head of the Technical and Vocational Studies Department and teaches the GCE Advanced Level Physics at the College.

He enjoys sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, woodworking, wine & beer making, gardening, theater, classic automobile restoration, travel, and reading.

Mr. Alexis holds a B.Sc. (Hon) Degree in Economics, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of the W.I., St. Agustine, Trinidad.

The new Head of Business studies hopes to forge a mutually beneficial relationship between the College and the business community while endeavouring' to further enhance the business programmes at the institution.

MISS. EMMA BAKER Director, Student Affairs Although she grew up and was educated in many different places, Emma Baker is happy to have

DR. KENNETH CHALLENGER Head, Technical & Vocational Department Dr. Challenger studied materials science and engineering at the University of Cincinnati where he earned the BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees.

He worked in the specialty of metal industry for a few years following the BS degree and then returned to graduate school.

Following graduate school, he worked for the General Electric Company (from 1971 to 1977) at the Advanced Nuclear Reactor Division in San Jose, CA. In 1977 he decided to leave industry and become a university professor.

Since then he has been on the staff of Stanford University, San Jose State University, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the University of

MRS. MARLON DIXON Instructor, Computer Studies Mrs. Marlon Dixon was born raised and educated in Jamaica.

She commenced her career in computing in 1988 when she pursued a two (2) year diploma course in Computer Studies at the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST) in Jamaica.

She recently attained her B.Sc. in Computer & Management at the same institution.

Mrs. Dixon has worked in the area of programming and training (teaching) for the past four (4) years having taught at the Institute of Computer and Business Technology (ICBI) and at May Pen High School both located in Jamaica. continued on page 5

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(Profiles) continued from page 6

Her future goal is to obtain her masters degree while here in the B.V.I., in order to better prepare herself for her chosen profession.

Mrs. Dixon is happy to be a part of the H.L.S.C.C. family and looks forward to playing her part in fulfilling the objective of the College.

He taught concurrently at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA as a mathematics instructor for two years.

He has also spent the last three summers teaching for the Veteran's Math and Science Initiative in Arcata, CA. His last teaching position before coming to HLSCC was at University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, as a mathematics instructor.

founding Chairman, the late Hon. H. L. Stoutt.

My service here is dedicated to his memory and to my people."

MS. HANSRAJI RAMNARINE (ASHA) Lab Technician/Assistant Instructor

MR. MARC GRIFFITH Data Analyst/Assistant Instructor Marc Griffith was born in Guyana, and received his secondary education in the Eastern Caribbean. In 1987, he moved to England and obtained a BTEC National Diploma in Computer Studies and a BSc Honours Degree in Computer Science from Coventry University.

After graduating he moved to the B.V.1. and was employed as a Customer Service Engineer by Rancal Information Systems for a year, before moving to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to assume duties as Data Analyst! Assistant Instructor.

Mr. Lapp was born and raised in Northern California. He received his B.A. in Mathematics and his M.S. in Mathematical Modeling from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. Mr. Lapp spent five years as a teaching associate at Humboldt State.

MR. JAMES LAPP Instructor/Math Department

DR. ESMERALDA O'NEAL Head, Language, Literature & Communications Dept.

Dr. O'Neal, a Virgin Gordian, holds a BA in English, Summa Cum Laude (University of the Virgin Islands), a MA in Linguistics and Modern English Language and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Nottingham, England. She earned the Teacher's Certificate from Leeward Island Teachers Training College, Antigua and the Advanced Diploma in Educational Studies from Institute of Education, Cambridge.

She considers her pOSItIOn at H.L.S.C.c. as yet another opportunity to serve in education, after teaching in the primary and secondary schools for over twenty five years. She has also tutored for freshman and sophomore English courses at University of the Virgin Islands and EFL students at Notthingham.

She currently serves on the editorial committee of the Notthingham Linguistic Circular, the Primary Schools Language Curriculum Committee, and the Primary Five Language Committee. Her academic interests are children's fiction, systemic linguistics, the narrative, and Caribbean Literature.

In Dr. O'Neal's view, "It is an honour to be able to participate in that which was but one of the dreams of the

Miss. Ramnarine is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. She graduated in 1993 from the University of the West Indies with a Physics Major from the faculty of Natural Sciences.

She taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Trinidad and enjoyed this experience tremendously.

Miss Ramnarine came to Tortola in February 1995 and started working at the College in September 1995.

For the short time she's been here, she has only praises for this institution, its students and staff.

MRS. PATRICIA VINCENT Instructor/Language, Literature & Communications Department Mrs. Patricia Vincent was born in New Delhi, India. She holds a Master of Arts degree in English, and a Diploma in Education (U.W.!.).

She has worked in several countries such continued on page 7

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(Profiles) continued from page 6

as India, Sierra Leone (West Africa), Jamaica, Barbados and now in the British Virgin Islands where she is an English Instructor at the H.L.S.C.C. Her last teaching post was at the Polytechnic University, of Jamaica where she lectured in English, Supervision and Psychology, Management for the past nine (9) years.

Wright State University team held meetings and discussions with education officials and practitioners.

The visiting team also held roundtable discussions with the WSU M.Ed. students, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College faculty, and some thirty British Virgin Islands public and private school principals.

Mrs. Vincent enjoys Sports of all types, especially swimming.

Her other interests are drama, speech and lending a helping hand to anyone who comes to her for guidance .•

EMINENT EDUCATOR, DR. JOHN I. GOODLAD VISITS H.L.S.C.C. During the week January 16 -25, 1995, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College hosted renowned educator, Dr. John I. Goodlad, and a team of faculty from the College of Education and Human Services, Wright State University (WSU), for a series of workshops at the Community College.

While here, Dr. Goodlad and the

DR. JOHN L GOODLAD The highlight of the week was a formal public lecture by Professor Goodlad on "The Moral Mission of Teaching", delivered on the evening of January 16, 1995, to an audience of some 200 persons in the Atrium of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Paraquita Bay Campus, Tortola. In his lecture, Dr. Goodlad addressed the moral dimensions of enculturating the young into society,

of ensuring access to worthwhile knowledge for all, of the stewardship of schools, and of pedagogy.

Dr Goodlad holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and honorary doctorates from 14 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. He has taught at all grade levels and in a variety of institutions, including a one-room rural school in Canada. He is currently Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Educational Renewal at the University of Washington in Seattle and President of the independent Institute for Educational Inquiry. His most recent book is Educational Renewal: Better Teachers, Better Schools (l994).

A number of distinguished guests from other institutions of higher learning within the region attended the Goodlad lecture: Dr. Orville Kean, President of the University of the Virgin Islands; Dr. Pearl Varlack, Professor of Education, University of the Virgin Islands; and Dr. Winston King, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (Barbados). +

THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN THE BVI Both the graduate (Masters Degree) class of local educators and a distinguished panel of BVI educational leaders addressed significant issues in Education in late September.

Charles Wheatley, President of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Bryan Penn, BVI permanent Secretary for Education and Elroy Turnbull, BVI Chief Education Officer and class members were asked to dream about how education in the BVI would be made better over the next 5 to 10 years.

This identification and consideration of possible goals is similar to the USA's, 50 governors and congress having set forth eight continued on page 8

Mr. Bryan Penn, BVI Permanent Secretary for Education

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(Future Ed.) continuedfrompage

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goals for the improvement of their schools. Among the BVI needs which received mention were the following:

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Provision of a full spectrum of services for all students, including those with special needs Expansion of the amount and quality of parent, business, and local community partnerships with schools Use of solid research as a basis for improved curriculum development and teacher training Improvement in the passing rate of our students Work to maintain the unique BVI culture but also recognize and value the diverse cultures of those who live and work in the BVI

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Provision of quality teaching materials and technology for all teachers and students

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Development of a highly selfmotivated student body with high moral standards.

Mr. Penn stressed the strong place of research in achieving these types of goals. Mr. Turnbull emphasized that the previous goals of human development and curriculum development still need much attention and called for the political will by the people to bring these about. Mr. Wheatley placed these ideas in an historical context and urged specific attention to the development of leadership skills.

Dr. James K. Uphoff, Professor and Chair of the Department of Teacher ~ducation at Wright State University In Dayton, Ohio, with the direct help of Dr. John Wright, Academic Dean at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, arranged for the panel to meet with his class, EDL 714 "Issues and Trends in Educational Leadership." Dr. Uphoff expressed much pleasure in the open and substantial discussion which followed the panel presentation. +

CARIBBEAN REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADULT EDUCATION (CARCAE) The Caribbean Regional Council for Adult Education (CARCAE) convened April 23, 1995 and successfully concluded its Fifth General Assembly at the Jamaica Grande Hotel, Ocho Rios, on April 28 1995. ' In keeping with its theme "Strengthening the Family through Adult Education", the Assembly produced eleven modules of a Draft Manual, "Infusing Family Values into all aspects of Adult Education."

The modules were entitled: Managing Gender Roles at home and in the work place Help youths maximise their potential Coping in dysfunctional families Coping with the Aging process Budgeting: Time Management Budgeting: Money Management Generating income through selfemployment Long-Term Financial Planning Conflict Management Team Building: At home, at work, in class and elsewhere Literacy and Numeracy The Assembly also elected a new 12member Executive.

The new Executive is as follows: Honorary President, Prof. Samuel Small Guyana; Chairman, Mr. Renford Shirley, Jamaica; 1 st Vice Chairman, Leon Faneyte, Curacao; 2nd Vice Chairman, Romeo Sae, Martinique; Ex. Secretary/Treasurer, Nelcia Robinson, St. Vincent; Assoc.

Sec/Treasurer, Ijahyna Christian, Anguilla; Member at Large, Dr. Claudia Harvery, TrinidadITobago.

Executive Members: Alice FahieCallwood, BVIlTortola; Mr. Lascelles Lewis, Jamaica; Mrs. Anita Morton St. Kitts; Mr. Michael Rudder' Barbados; Immediate Past President' Mr. Adrie Williams, Curacao; Ex~

Officio/CARlCOM Dr. Carol Bishop, Guyana.

Insti.tutions and agencies addressing the Issue of Adult LiteracylNumeracy are invited to contact Mrs. Alice Callwood at H.L.S.C.C. for further information. +

HLSCC PARTICIPATES IN READING WEEK

Mr. Deberio Alexis (Head, Business Department), Dr. William Bowie (Head, Natural Science), and Dr. Kenneth Challenger (Head, Technical and Vocational Department) met in October with teachers at the British Virgin Islands High School and exchanged ideas about the teaching of reading in the content areas.

T~e success of this venture has given birth to the idea of conducting further workshops in this and other areas.

Plans are already underway for a 1996 workshop which will involve College faculty and teachers of all secondary schools in the British Virgin Islands.

Additionally, a contingent of Teacher Education students, and instructors of the Language and Primary Education Departments attended the organizational meeting of the B.V.I. Reading Council which will be affiliated with the International Reading Association.

"Meet the Author" sessions were also presented by Dr. Almein E. O'Neal, Head of the Language Department; Jamal Smith, A'Level Student and Pat Turnbull, part-time English Instructor.

Dr. O'Neal, author of Let's Take a Dip, a collection of children's stories presented at the Althea Scatliff; Primary School. Jamal Smith, read to students of the Ivan Dawson Primary School from his upcoming collection Tears of a Young Poet. Pat Turnbull who recently retired as Head of the ' continued on page 9

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(Reading Week) continued/rom page 8

Department of Language, Literature and Communication after serving in that capacity since the College's inception, shared readings with students of the Enid Scatliffe PrePrimary School, the Ivan Dawson Primary School and the B.Y.1. High School. She is the author of Rugged Vessels and editor of INSIGHT. Reading Week is organised annually

by The Department of Education & Culture. +

NATURAL SCIENCES FACULTY MEMBER AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS UN FELLOWSHIP Senior Lecturer Lianna Jarecki has been awarded a United Nations Fellowship to participate in the 19th UNEPIUNESCOIBMU International Postgraduate Course in Environmental Management for Developing Countries. Ms. Jarecki has been granted leave from HLSCC to participate in this course during the Spring '96 term at Dresden University of Technology (Germany).

The course will concentrate on a variety of environmental issues of particular concern to developing

countries: environment and development; ecology; scope of environmental management; environmental policy; nature conservation and protection of biodiversity; climate change and atmospheric pollution; water management; cleaner production and waste management; tropical forestry, agriculture and soil management; environmental impact and risk assessment; tourism and the environment; and environmental education.

Upon her return to the College, Ms. Jarecki will be armed with environmental strategies for further course and symposia development.

Already known regionally for its innovative offerings in environmental studies, the College will benefit greatly from her new experiences. +

SUMMER WORKSHOPS Through its community outreach programmes H.L.S.C.C. continued its popular summer workshops, offering this year courses in art, food preservation, winemaking and library studies. Workshop achievement is outlined below:

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A group of budding artists recognizably on their way to greater things - drawing and painting with skills they never thought they could acquire so rapidly, and confidence now developed to display their pieces of which they can really be proud.

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A group of business and other persons who can now tum their surplus fruits and vegetables into good quality wines fit for the table on special occasions and for market.

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A group of persons who have now mastered the skills and techniques of professionally preserving foods, with special emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables. have decided to work together to hone their acquired skills to produce and market only top quality produce.

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A group of library personnel who are now able to render improved assistance to users to their libraries as a result of attending the Seminar for library workers

With similar seminars/workshops held every year, H.L.S.C.C. endeavours to make its contributions to the development of marketable skills in a variety of non-traditional areas. +

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FOUNDING CHAIRMAN, HON. H.L. STOUTT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF H.L.S.C.C.

ROWS OF MOURNERS BID FAREWELL TO THE LATE BVI CHIEF MINISTER AND FOUNDING CHAIRMAN OF H.L.S.C.c., HON. H.L. STOUTT AT

STATE FUNERAL

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FLASHBACK

H.L.S.CC GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOUNDER, HON. H.L. STOUTT FLANKED BY BOARD OF GOVERNORS

FORMER HEAD OF H.L.S.c.c. 's BUSINESS DEPT., THE LATE MRS. MIRANDA STOUTT-THOMPSON CHATS WITH PERM. SECRETARY TO THE CHIEF MINISTER, MRS. LORNA SMITH; FORMER CHIEF MINISTER AND FOUNDER, THE LATE HON. H.L. STOUTT; FRIEND OF H.L.S.C.c., MR. RICHARD BRANSON; AND PRESIDENT CHARLES WHEATLEY.

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AMONG THE FIRST GROUP OF STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM THE TEACHER EDUCATION (AA) PROGRAMME ARE LETITIA LEONNARD, VIOLA HAZEL, BERINIECE MOLYNEAUX, WADE TOBIN AND UNICY DANIEL

PRESIDENT WHEATLEY CROWNS MISS H.L.S.c.c. '95, SHERMA NICHOLAS

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RESOURCE

CENTER (OUTSIDE)

RESOURCE CENTER (INSIDE)

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MARINE TECHNICAL COURSES OFFERED The Applied Marine Science and Technology Programme offers hands on training in a variety of marine fields. Recent courses in Marine Electrical Systems, Marine Plumbing and Marine Refrigeration have all been well attended.

All courses contain theoretical and technical information presented in classrooms at the College. These sessions are than followed by practical experience in workshops and aboard yachts. Local marine businesses have been very supportive of the programmes by offering technical assistance as well as workshop training. Recent classes have been held at the Moorings Marina, BVI Marine Management at Nanny Cay and Parts and Power at Wickhams Cay. Access to charter yachts rounds out the training in most courses. Future courses are planned on marine diesel engines, outboard motors, marine welding and more. +

COLLEGE ACQUIRES SLOOP One of only three in existence, the B.V.1.

Sloop Moonbeam was purchased by the College this past June. Built by Mr. Watson White of Anegada, Moonbeam has traditional lines and is a real beauty under sail.

She was constructed entirely of wood (some local) and launched in 1988.

With an overall length just exceeding 20 feet, Moonbeam can easily accomodate four people for an adventure under sail. Originally used

MARINE TECHNOLOGY for fishing, Moonbeam is totally open below deck and has three large opening deck batches.

Initially anchored in Fat Hogs Bay, Moonbeam was moved into the Hodges Creek area following Hurricane Luis. She shall remain in Hodges Creek temporarily until a permanent mooring or dock becomes available in Paraquita Bay. Plans call for Moonbeam to be used as a teaching laboratory. Courses in sailing, seamanship and boat maintenance will make use of this traditional sailing craft, and of course the historical aspect cannot be overlooked. Moonbeam represents a part of BVI history. A part of the traditional seafaring history that is rapidly fading away. We're working hard at H.L.S.C.C. to preserve and promote this heritage. +

ENVIRONMENTS THEBVI

STUDENTS AT WORK Beginning with an introduction to weather and geology, the class proceeds to learn about earthquakes, volcanoes and hurricanes. Following a general introduction, the course takes an in-depth look at the different environments such as wet forests, coastal scrub habitats, mangroves and coral reefs. In addition to learning what plants and animals are called, students see how they live.

A series of field trips, on weekends, explores each habitat in detail. Trees, birds and lizards are identified in the field. At times, live specimens are brought into the laboratory for further study.

On one field trip, live scorpions, tarantulas, spiders and termites were collected. At the end of the course students are introduced to the marine habitats. Snorkeling along Tortola shorelines and a boat trip to offshore reefs are a highlight of the course. +

OF

Students enrolled in Biology 104, Environments of the BVI, get to see first hand how natural systems operate. The course is intended to introduce the students to the various terrestrial and marine habitats found locally.

14

H.L.S.C.C. PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT CONTINUES

ANEGADA ROCK IGUANA ON GUANA ISLAND This semester's lecture series started with a poignant description of the Anegada iguana's plight against

competing livestock by Dr. Numi Goodyear, of the University of Rhode Island and The Conservation Agency,

USA. This lecture drew over 40 concerned members of our community, including His Excellency Governor McKilligin and Attorney General Dancia Penn.

Other highlights of the lecture series included a talk on social, economic, and religious issues in environmental management by Nicolas Drayton, Director of the National Parks; Trust, a visit by Jorge Saliva; Ph.D. ornithologist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Puerto Rico; a detailed overview of hypersaline pond ecology in the BVI as shown by results of a year-long study, by Lianna Jarecki of the H.L.S.C.C., and a second spectacular photographic performance by Jim and Odile Scheiner, of Rainbow Visions, highlighting the natural beauty of the British Virgin Islands. +

CARIBBEAN FLAMINGOS ON ANEGADA (See Story, Pg. 16)

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THIRD ANNUAL

GUANA ISLAND SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM The third annual Guana Island Science Symposium was held in the HLSCC conference room, on October 17, 1995 More than one hundred people attended the event which was filmed by the BVI Government Information Service and an independent film crew from New York.

This symposium featured five speakers, including David Grimaldi, who is famous for being one of the first to isolate genetic material from millions-of-years-old amber fossils.

Topics ranged from fossilized DNA and the scientific basis for the movie "Jurassic Park" to sea bird conservation and spider biology.

Intermission and refreshments stimulated lively informal discussions.

Each October, Guana Islands hosts a group of biologists led by Dr. James Lazell. The group has often involved local people and students in their research of the islands flora and fauna.

This year, an independent film crew, led by Gary Keys, of New York, filmed the work of these scientists over the course of two weeks with the intent of making a documentary on the Guana Island science program.

The documentary filming included interviews and filming of science students Tessa Smith (Conservation and Fisheries) and Darryl Sookram (National Parks Trust) while collecting data from Guana's salt pond. Communications student Zoe Walcott was involved in the behindthe-scene film making .•

REGIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS In its continuing efforts to remain abreast of regional scientific matters and to introduce the Caribbean scientific community to its newest member, the Natural Science Department participated in the 2i" Meeting of the Association of Marine

CLIVE PETROVIC (L) AND BILL BOWIE (R) ATSCIENITFICMEEITNGUW Laboratories of the Caribbean held at the Maclean Marine Science Center, University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), June 3-6, 1995. In addition to papers presented by Ms. Lianna Jarecki, senior lecturer ("Seasonal Changes in Hypersaline Pond Fauna in the British Virgin Islands") and Mr. Clive Petrovic, co-ordinator of Marine Studies ("Distribution and High Density Aggregation of Queen Conch in the British Virgin Islands"), a poster was displayed by Dr. William T. Bowie, senior lecturer and Department head outlining the Department's academic programmes.

These presentations were enthusiastically received by the meeting's participants, who included faculty and scientists from regional and international universities and marine laboratories.

Additionally, a paper by Ms. Jarecki ("Linking Research and Education: Activities of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, BVI") was submitted for publication in the proceedings of the First World

Conference of Environmental Education held in Caracas, Venezuela, July 25-30. The paper focused on the Department's numerous activities in the environmental education field: research programmes by scientists world-wide have been effectively linked both to public outreach activities=-via open lectures and symposia--and to formal teaching activities=-via seminars and shortcourses .•

FLAMINGOS HATCH ONANEGADA The weekend of May 20 saw a significant landmark in world conservation efforts. The Caribbean flamingos, transplanted to Anegada four years ago, reproduced in the wild for the first time. Caribbean continued of page 17

16

(Flamangos) continued from page 16

flamingos were once native to the BVI . but were hunted to extinction in the 1930's. They are now endangered world-wide, and that weekend in May was the first time in more than sixty years that wild flamingos were born in the BVI. In fact, it is the first time that an endangered species has been transplanted into a new area and has become completely naturalized.

Flamingos live in hypersaline (salt) ponds, which are harsh and poorly understood habitats.

These ponds concentrate salt and can be up to 10 times as salty as the sea. Though they are often misunderstood and even considered wastelands by some, these ponds are biologically productive arid unique. They are an abundant and characteristic ecosystem of the Virgin Islands. In fact, no other island state in the Caribbean has so many hypersaline ponds in so little area as the BVI. These ponds are also the subject of intensive study by Lianna .

Jarecki, of the Natural Sciences Department. The majestic Anegada flamingos chose an extremely remote area on the east end of the island to raise their five fluffy white chicks.

Those chicks are now flying and becoming rosy pink, like their parents.

The great event of their birth holds the promise that the BVI may once again be home to thousands of these great pink birds in the years to come .•

PROFESSIONAL NECROPSIES PERFORMED AT HLSCC On Saturday, September 16, five Pigmy killer whales stranded after Hurricane Marilyn, were found in Trellis Bay, Beef Island. These small black whales are deep-water species that occur world-wide, but are very rarely sighted. In fact, the event of their stranding in Trellis Bay is the second sighting ever recorded in the Caribbean.

Despite efforts by volunteers to keep the whales afloat and breathing while they recovered from being thrown on the Conch Shell Point reef during the storm, three of the whales died Saturday night. The remaining two had mostly recovered by mid-day Sunday and were towed to deep water north of Great Camano, where they were released. The three casualties were frozen overnight until a professional study of their death could be undertaken.

On Monday, September, 18, Antonio Mignucci Giannoni, president of the Caribbean Stranding Network in San Juan, flew to Tortola to perform necropsies on the whales. This was a rare opportunity for Mr. Giannoni, as very little is known about the biology of Pygmy killer whales. Mr. Giannoni is completing a Ph.D. at the University of Puerto Rico· on whale mortality, and these were the first of this species he had seen.

The necropsies of all three whales were performed in the Abattoir Building on the college campus. Mr. Giannoni spoke at length on whale physiology and general biology while many college students, faculty, and others looked on. Students of Biology at HLSCC assisted in the dissections, which lasted well into the evening.

Samples of parasites and tissues were preserved for further analysis at UPR, while the skeletons were cleaned for bone preparations. One of these skeletons is now in the possession of HLSCC, though it needs to be reassembled for display. Additionally, much of the necropsy was videotaped, and the tape is available at the college .•

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE The Learning Resource Centre which was housed in the Vanterpool Building on Main Street, Road Town has now moved to the Paraquita Bay Campus. As a result of this change in location, the library is being used extensively by students, faculty and staff. However, the use by community

members has declined since moving to Paraquita Bay. The library hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

We continue to be grateful for the contributions of community members, visitors and well wishers. Among our doners are:

Mrs. Ann Landers GCI Groups - New York Miss Ruth Thomas Mr. Joe Hardwick Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Turnbull Mr. A.E. Figueredo Mrs. Gladys Christopher Knight Prof. Stanley Johnson Mr. Robert Mactavious Dr. William Mueller Mr. Michael Garbary Dr. Steve Fossum Dr. James Buergermeister Dr. Charles Sorensen Dr. George Nelson Special thanks to the law firm O'Neal Webster O'Neal Myers, Fletcher and Gordon for their generous donation ·of a book truck for use in the library.

We continue to accept donations for the expansion of our facilities and we appeal to friends to donate generously to assist the college in accomplishing mission.

We are in the process of setting up an area in the library in memory of our Founding Chairman, the late Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt. Upon its completion the community will be welcomed to view the display.

More good news is that we will soon be connected to the Internet and computers will be available to students to research their own information.

We are eagerly looking forward to our permanent structure where we will be able to house our language lab, students' common room, auditorium, and seminar rooms .•

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BUSINESS DEPARTMENT This department is charged with the responsibility of providing students with first class instruction and training in all aspects of business relevant to the needs of the fast growing and demanding business community of the B.V.!. Our emphasis would be to not only prepare individuals to take up jobs in the business world but also to retool those who have already been exposed, providing them with innovative ways of assessing and managing their business environment and their daily activities.

Additionally, the programmes are geared towards enhancing participants' understanding of the dynamics of the International Business Corporations, and the local, regional and international financial and economic environments which impact on all our affairs.

At the same time the college will continue to play its part in the creation of an awareness of the need for the establishment of a> robust Small Business Development with inputs from both the college and successful small entrepreneurs from the B. V.1.

Indeed it is hoped that in the not too

distant future the College will be able to play a pivotal role in the establishment of a small Business Development Centre in the BVI, providing continuing education and training in this area which is critical to our sustained economic growth.

Our course offerings in. the areas of computer applications for Business, Marketing, Economics, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Law, Corporate Administration, Office Administration, Business Administration and Small Business Management, reflect positively on our commitment to ensuring that we conduct a comprehensive education programme relevant to our community's needs.

Our harnessing of highly experienced and qualified human resources to assist

in

the

delivery

of

the

programmes will continue to be pursued very aggressively.

Our commitment to the growth and development of quality education and training for the B.V.1. is also reflected in our continued linkage with external Universities such as Wright State University, Hocking College, University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and University of the West Indies (UWI). In the case of Wright State University, an MBA programme is currently underway involving our local practitioners who have first degrees. Also, an agreement has recently been signed between H.L.S.C.C. and UWI for the establishment of a Centre for Management Development in the BVI. The implications of these initiatives for Management Development in the BVI are very obvious.•

STUDENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College has a new Department of Student Affairs headed by Emma Baker.

The purpose of this new endeavor is to complement the academic activities of the college by providing additional services for students.

Individuals who would like assistance or information regarding areas such as student government, college planning, student activities, personal difficulties, time management, study skills development, and the like are encouraged to visit the Student Affairs Office. Everyone is welcomed to come by to visit or sample the goods in the candy dish!

A goal of the Department of Student Affairs is to positively affect the growth and development of students at HLSCC. To that end, we hope you enjoy the following poem.

Come to the edge.

We might fall.

Come to the edge.

It's too high!

COME TO THE EDGE! So they came

and he pushed . and they flew .

--Author Unknown Come fly with us at HLSCC! •

H.L.S.C.C. TV PROGRAMME The HLSCC will soon have its own programme hosted by a group of enthusiastic students.

The TV programme will target young people (in or out of school). Government's Department of Information and Public Relations will produce the show S.L.A.M. which is scheduled to begin airing during the Spring Semester.

Advisors Karl Dawson and Director of Student Affairs Emma Baker have been assisting in coordinating the programme.

"S.L.A.M. hopes to live up to its acronym - Stretching our Lives and Minds - by ensuring that our young people are educated about issues confronting our everyday lives," says co-host, Jamal Smith .•

HRM STUDENTS ATTEND CHIC '95 The Hospitality Studies Department took a step overseas in June as the department's head, Karl Dawson and students Dawn Alexander, Suzanne Fonseca, Jurine George and Denise Prince-Peters attended the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC) at the exclusive EI Conquistador Hotel in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The conference is the major annual meeting of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), the premier private sector tourism organisation in the region. The CHA has nearly one thousand members and the College's Hospitality programme is now included in that number.

CHIC '95 allowed students to broaden their horizon by interacting continued on page 19

18

(CHIC '95) continued from page 18

with local and regional players in the industry. Students attended seminars and general sessions that dealt with topics affecting the industry, such as the state of the airline industry, global and regional tourism trends, human resource development and the industry and marketing trends. The trade show that accompanied the conference also was of extreme interest to the students as they were able to view the products of the top suppliers to the industry.

hot Caribbean performers such as Spice of Barbados.

BREGADO FLAX VISITORS

The trip was made possible partially through fundraising events such as car washes, a walk-a-thon and catering services.

Contributions were also made by Little Dix Bay Hotel, The Moorings, Sugar Mill Hotel, Peter Island Hotel, BVI Aquatic Hotel, Village Cay Marina, MB's Ice and H.L.S.C.C .•

H. Lavity Stoutt Community College played host to 51 students and five faculty and staff members from the Bregado Flax Educational Centre on November 2, 1995.

The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Form students visited the College during their Career Week.

While they were on campus, the group had the opportunity to interact with a variety of faculty, staff and students; tour the facilities; and eat lunch in the cafeteria. The students were very enthusiastic and several of their inquiries suggested their interest in soon joining the H.L.S.C.C. family.

The conference was not all business though, and the students valued the opportunity to be on the spot to support the BVI's silver medal winning culinary team. A member of that team was Mervyn Lennard who now lends his expertise to food production courses in the programme.

The students were also present when Peter Island's Wilford Stoutt won the Supervisor of the Year award for the entire Caribbean region. Of course not to be missed were the sumptuous banquets and parties which featured

We hope to one day welcome some of these same individuals as new H.L.S.C.C. students. +

FIRST H.L.S.C.C. PAGEANT

MISS H.L.S.c.c. PAGEANT '95 On July 29, 1995 The H.L.S.C.C. hosted it s first ever Miss H.L.S.C.C. Pageant at the Sir Briercliffe Hall.

The event was well attended and definitely a great success.

The Winners and awards were as follows: Gabrielle Sookram, Miss Congeniality; Karen LeBlanc, Miss Photogenic; Charisma Christopher, First Runner Up, Miss Poise, Miss

Popularity, Best Evening Gown and Best Talent.

Sherma Nicholas was selected as the first ever Ambassador for the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

Miss Nicholas was also the recipient of the Best Ambassadorial Presentation, Miss Intellect, and Most Cooperative awards.

The H.L.S.C.C. Pageant Organizing Committee is encouraging both male and female students between the ages of 17-27 to participate in the upcoming 1996 pageant. Application forms can be obtained from Miss Alesia Hamm, H.L.S.C.c.

(Administration Office) or Ms. Maduro at the Continuing Education Department (Main Street). +

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INSIGHT H. Lavity Stoutt Community College P.O. Box 3097

Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands Tel: (809) 494-4994 Fax: (809) 494-4996 Printed by Bolo's Hi-Tech Printery