Seven Grenadians Graduated at MSU’s Fall Commencement

TEXAS, December 20, 2010 - Seven Grenadian students earned baccalaureate and masters’ degrees at Midwestern State University’s Commencement Ceremony on December 11. They were among the 35 students from the Caribbean and over 460 in the University to earn degrees.

Stacey Paryag earned a master of public administration degree in health services administration. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the university three years previously.

Kizie Matthew earned a master of science in clinical psychology as of August 2010. She is now employed with the Ministry of Social Development in Grenada.

Emma Victoria Gay of Harvey Vale, Carriacou, drew a standing ovation for earning the highest and most esteemed summa cum laude honors. Gay earned a BBA in Accounting which she dedicated to her mom who is battling cancer.

Sharmin McKenzie graduated with magna cum laude honors and a BBA in finance. She is Grenadian of Guyanese parents residing in Gouyave, St. John.

Renisha James of Mt. Parnassus earned cum laude honors but with a double major in political science and Spanish.

Jelana Folkes of Fontenoy became the third member of her family to earn a degree at Midwestern with a BBA in management.

Paulann Paterson from Grand Roy, who served as the chair of the graduating class, earned a BSW in social work.

All the Grenadian students graduated on time or ahead of schedule.

Over 350 people attended a banquet in honour of the Caribbean graduates. Prominent Dallas-based Jamaican Physician, Dr. Carlton Clarke, delivered the feature address expressing pride in the achievements “the talented children produced in the region.”

“We can’t help but stay in love with this Caribbean programme despite the cost,” said Dr. Robert Clark, vice president. “Once again more than half of them graduated with honours, and three of our six top college graduates are from the Caribbean.”

Almost 200 Grenadian students have earned degrees from Midwestern since 1995 and seventy students are currently enrolled, making it the second largest contingent from the Caribbean.

Fifteen new students from Grenada will be accepted to Midwestern State University in August 2011, and will be part of the almost 1,000 who have been recruited in the 17 year history of the programme. The Government of Grenada provides support to individual students and to the programme in general.

Carriacou's Elisha Ackie celebrates 107 years

NEW YORK, December 20, 2010 - At 107 years, Elisha Ackie is believed to be the oldest surviving Grenadian.

The centenarian, who is from Belair, Carriacou and residing in Brooklyn, New York, was serenaded by members of the Grenadian community including Consul General Derrick James on Saturday.

The Consul General brought birthday greetings and best wishes from the Government of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and also presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a card.

“I bring you happy birthday greetings from all the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique including the Prime Minister and his cabinet and the hope that you would celebrate 10 more,” he told the elder who celebrated her birthday on December 14.

Born in 1903, Elisha Ackie grew up on the sister isle and vividly remembers caring for her family’s cattle.

“She always speaks about the cows and the corn on the plantation,” said Jean Ackie, her only child.

“Doctors have asked me what has kept her living so long and with sharp memory and I say to them fresh fish, okra (ockroo) and callaloo”.

Elisha Ackie, who also received citations from Brooklyn’s Borough President Marty Markowitz among others, has never drank alcohol or smoke.

She enjoys reciting the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd Psalm and her favourite quote “Look at me, I’m up in the air, see I let go both arms, yet I do not fall”.

She is first cousin to former Prime Minister the late Herbert Blaize who died on December 19, 1989.

She arrived in Brooklyn 22 years ago and has been an inspiration to her extended family including eight grandchildren.

The Consul General was accompanied by Jenny Pascal and Michael Bascombe of the Grenada Consulate.

PRIME MINISTER DESCRIBES GRENADIAN INVENTOR AS “A GREAT GRENADIAN,”

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA; WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010 – “A great Grenadian.” That’s the description Prime Minister, Hon. Tillman Thomas gave to Mr. Lennon Mapson, a Grenadian inventor and entrepreneur, who on Tuesday launch a new brand of juices using local fruits.

The Prime Minister told the launch ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Mt. Parnassus, Mapson is an inspiration to all Grenadians who are interested in the development of their country.

“I am proud to be associated with this venture, because it is fully Grenadian. All Grenada should be proud of you and I hope you will be able to create other machinery that will give opportunities for more Grenadian products to be on our supermarket shelves,” the Prime Minister told Mr. Mapson.

The Grenadian leader used the opportunity to challenge students and young people generally, to find ways to utilize technology and their education to expand the prospects for adding value to the island’s raw material.

He pointed to the success of Grenada’s chocolate, manufactured in Hermitage, St. Patrick’s, which last week was named one of the 10 top chocolates in the world by a leading British publication and the global reach of Noelville’s Nutmed products as examples of what can be achieved if the talents and creativity of “our people are properly harnessed”.

“Grenada already has a name for providing high quality products to the world, so we must build on that foundation and move our country forward, together,” he said, adding that his administration will give Grenada’s producers “every support” in supporting the manufacturing and export potential.

The Prime Minister and invitees to the launch of Nature Cool Products were treated to a demonstration of the equipment invented by Mr. Mapson, for the pulping of local fruits. They were also given a taste of the final products to be supplied to the local market.

SOURCE: Office of the Prime Minister