UWI names 13 Caribbean and diaspora figures for honorary degrees
Key Points(5)
- The University of the West Indies will confer honorary degrees on 13 distinguished figures from across the Caribbean and diaspora during its 2026 graduation ceremonies, including reggae star Damian Marley, hip-hop pioneer Doug E.
- Fresh and Dominican Olympic champion Thea LaFond.
- The university said this year's honorees are being recognized for contributions spanning music and culture, journalism, sports, diplomacy, medicine, agriculture, law, public service and community development.
- The honorary degrees, approved by the University Council, will be presented during graduation ceremonies across UWI's campuses from Oct.
- At the Five Islands Campus ceremony in Antigua on Oct.
The University of the West Indies will confer honorary degrees on 13 distinguished figures from across the Caribbean and diaspora during its 2026 graduation ceremonies, including reggae star Damian Marley, hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh and Dominican Olympic champion Thea LaFond.
The university said the honorees are being recognized for contributions spanning music, culture, journalism, sports, diplomacy, medicine, agriculture, law, public service and community development.
The honorary degrees, approved by the University Council, will be presented during graduation ceremonies across UWI's campuses from Oct. 10 through Nov. 14.
The celebrations begin at the Five Islands Campus in Antigua on Oct. 10, where Vincentian-born journalist Don Rojas will receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to Caribbean and American media. Rojas has spent five decades working in journalism and civil rights communications, including serving as press secretary to former Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop.
Dominican Olympic champion Thea LaFond will receive a Doctor of Laws for her contribution to sports. LaFond made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics when she won the women's triple jump, securing Dominica's first Olympic medal.
At the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados on Oct. 17, American hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh, known as the “Original Human Beatbox,” will receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to the arts through hip-hop music.
Barbadian church and community leader Rev. Dr. Lucille Onita Baird will also receive a Doctor of Letters for her contributions to the church, community leadership and social commentary.
Three honorees will be recognized at the St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago during ceremonies from Oct. 22-24.
Trinidad and Tobago diplomat Colin Granderson, who spent nearly two decades as CARICOM's assistant secretary-general for foreign and community relations, will receive a Doctor of Laws for his work in diplomacy.
Bahamian surgeon and educator Professor Shaneeta Johnson will receive a Doctor of Science for her contribution to surgical sciences and health care. Johnson became the fourth Black woman to lead a department of surgery in the United States when she became chair of surgery at Meharry Medical College.
Trinidadian agricultural economist and development consultant Winston R. Rudder will receive a Doctor of Science for his contributions to agricultural development, public service, food and sustainable development.
Four Jamaicans will be honored during the Mona Campus graduation ceremonies from Nov. 5-7.
Historian, writer and former government minister Arnold Bertram will receive a Doctor of Laws for his contribution to Caribbean scholarship and public advocacy.
Grammy-winning reggae artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley will receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to culture. Marley has built an internationally successful career blending reggae, dancehall and hip-hop and has also worked to develop Jamaican artists through Ghetto Youths International.
Jamaican cultural practitioner Dawn Robinson-Spence, who has spent more than four decades promoting and preserving Jamaican folk music, dance and traditions, will receive a Doctor of Laws for her contribution to culture.
Attorney and public servant Milton J. Samuda will receive a Doctor of Laws for his contribution to public service, advocacy and administration. His career has included leadership roles spanning business, culture, education and sports.
The graduation season concludes at the Global Campus on Nov. 14, where Antiguan investigative journalist Melvin L. Claxton will receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to journalism. Claxton's career includes work on the Virgin Islands Daily News investigation that won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Vincentian attorney and former government minister René Baptiste will receive a Doctor of Laws for her contributions to governance, law and culture. Baptiste, who has practiced law for nearly five decades, became the first woman from the Vincentian Bar elected to Parliament in 2001 and later served as minister of tourism and culture.
UWI said the honorary degrees continue its longstanding tradition of recognizing people who have made significant contributions to Caribbean life and development.
