The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) is set to host a historic event as it welcomes its Fulbright Scholar, Tiphanie Yanique, to deliver the inaugural Fulbright Lecture today, Friday, June 7, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Learning Resource Centre. Photo: HLSCC

President of HLSCC Dr Richard W. E. Georges has welcomed Tiphanie Yanique, an accomplished Virgin Islander and a familiar face, to be the college's inaugural scholar to deliver the maiden Fulbright Lecture. Photo: HLSCC/File

HLSCC said its achievement in securing its first Fulbright Scholar underscores the institution's commitment to academic excellence and the promotion of cultural and intellectual exchange. Photo: VINO/File

The lecture will delve into “Literary Tabanaca: Towards a Decolonial Methodology of Endings in Novels and Stories of the Virgin Islands and the Greater Caribbean.”

Tiphanie Yanique

US Virgin Islands-born Yanique, a distinguished novelist, poet, essayist, and short story writer, brings a wealth of experience to the lecture, having previously served as a professor of English and Creative Writing. She was named the Fulbright Scholar to the [British] Virgin Islands in 2023, following HLSCC’s inclusion in the Fulbright Scholar Awards Programme by the UK Fulbright Commission in 2022.

The prestigious Fulbright Scholar Programme allows university faculty members with a Ph.D. or an equivalent terminal degree to engage in teaching and research activities abroad, fostering academic and cultural exchanges.

HLSCC welcomes Fulbright Scholar

According to a press release from HLSCC on June 6, 2024, the President of HLSCC, Dr Richard W. E. Georges, expressed immense pride and gratitude for the efforts that made this milestone possible. “It took many hands internal and external to celebrate this moment, and I couldn’t be prouder that we welcome Tiphanie Yanique, an accomplished Virgin Islander and a familiar face, to be our inaugural scholar to deliver this maiden lecture,” Dr. Georges stated.

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr Ronald Brunton echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of Yanique’s lecture. “HLSCC is excited to welcome Tiphanie Yanique to our community and to have her as our inaugural scholar. The topic for the Inaugural Fulbright Lecture is fitting and is expected to be an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of post-colonial and decolonial perspectives. Most importantly, it offers a valuable opportunity for scholars, students, and the broader community to engage with diverse viewpoints and challenge preconceptions about the Caribbean experience," Dr. Brunton remarked.

Lecture promises to be 'profound'

HLSCC said the lecture promises to be a profound exploration of how Caribbean writers address themes of identity, culture, and self-determination through the endings of their fictional works. Yanique's insights are expected to provide a unique lens on the complex narratives that shape the cultural and historical landscape of the Caribbean.

According to the press release, HLSCC's achievement in securing its first Fulbright Scholar underscores the institution's commitment to academic excellence and the promotion of cultural and intellectual exchange. It further said this event marks a significant step in fostering an environment of learning and discussion that extends beyond the classroom.

Community members, scholars, and students are invited to attend "this landmark lecture".