Dr Karl Dawson, outgoing President of the HLSCC, speaking to the graduating class. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson

Some 194 students graduated from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Thursday June 9, 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson

Female graduates outnumbered males 119 to 55, acccording to statistics provided of the graduating class of 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson

A proud moment for all of the graduating class of 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson

It was a long procession of mostly female graduands. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson

Class of 2016 Valedictorian Alandell Williams. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson

PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI - Outgoing President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Dr Karl Dawson challenged the 2016 graduating class to be part of the solution to the territory and not a part of the problem and urged them to contribute to the college’s Annual Fund.

He was on Thursday evening June 9, 2016 speaking at the 23rd Graduation ceremony of the college founded by the late former Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt in the early 90s.

Dr Dawson congratulated the 194 graduates for being the first batch to graduate from the now fully accredited institution.

“That is indeed worthy of celebration. You should be thankful to members of faculty and staff that worked hard so that you could have the privilege of being first. There were individuals who went the extra mile and gave and continue to give sacrificially of their time to ensure the processes and outcomes that resulted in our accreditation. While I give credit to all who contributed to the effort, I raise the issue now because among the greatest contributors were the students, some of you sitting here today.”

H.L. Stoutt's dream

However, Dr Dawson urged them not to forget who started the college and what his aim was in terms of the development of the territory.

“You are also intertwined in history because your very success, which we celebrate today, is a part of the fulfillment of the dream of the institution’s founder and the territory’s longest serving head of government, the late Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt. His dream was not of a building but of an organisation that would receive those who dream and aspire for something greater, and are convinced that education is the key,” said Dr Dawson.

He noted that while what the students attained may enhance their chances for personal success and improved earnings, the late H. Lavity Stoutt’s dream was that through the work of the college, “your own educational attainment, and that of all who have come through its doors, the entire Virgin Islands would be lifted up."

Adding that it is a dream that he and many have adopted and he hopes that as HLSCC alumni they would do the same, Dr Dawson said it was a dream that he felt was worthy of his best efforts to marshal whatever resources were needed to ensure that it could be achieved.

The long serving HLSCC President said the dream of the school’s founder is one that can be achieved and maintained through sustained focus on the students’ educational experience through emphasis on student learning outcomes; close collaborations with private sector organisations in programme development; close collaboration with public agencies for relevant human resource development; close collaboration with institutions in the region and the world; sustained efforts on the diversification of the college’s revenue streams, including contributions to the College’s Annual Fund "from you, the class of 2016."

He told the graduates that they are now better positioned to be a part of solutions to issues in the community as opposed to being a part of the problem.

“You are better positioned to stand up for truth and justice, you are better positioned to make honesty, integrity, hard work and kindness to others as much a part of our culture as fungi and fish, you are better positioned to take part in the conversations that could move these islands forward, you are better positioned to make an impact on the life of at least one person with whom you come in contact,” he charged the graduating class of 2016.

Meanwhile, the top graduating students this year are Alandell Williams and Cinada Thomas.