Deltec Bank and Trust Limited (Deltec Bank) is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Bahamas National Sailing School, marking the country's 50th anniversary of Independence.

The sponsorship program will cover the costs associated with professional sailing lessons for 10 students, in the amount of $30,000, and the purchase of new sailing boats for the school. Deltec Bank will also host the spring championship in 2024, which represents an exciting third and final qualifier for international race teams.

As a maritime nation, The Bahamas has a rich history of sailing, as a means of inter-island transportation of goods, primarily in the fishing industry, and as a leisure and competitive sport. This past April, in the House of Assembly, a motion was passed to name sailing as the national sport of The Bahamas, underpinning the Bahamian spirit and evolution of the sport in the country. A pillar of The Bahamas' community, providing greater access to sailing was a natural step for Deltec Bank and its ongoing local stewardship.

"Sailing has long been a part of the fabric of The Bahamas, and despite our global reach, Deltec Bank has always been proud to call The Bahamas home," said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Deltec Bank and Trust Odetta Morton. "We strongly believe in the power of sport and education to open doors to opportunity and are proud to contribute to The Bahamas' rich maritime culture by investing in the next generation of sailing talent."

Since the announcement of sailing as the country's new national sport, the Bahamas National Sailing School has received a surge of interest from youth keen to learn the basic skills this summer. Alumni of the school have gone on to sail at the collegiate level, acquired college scholarships based on their sailing merit, and even entered careers in the industry. Although the school endeavors to make the sport available to Bahamian youth from all walks of life, as a non-profit organization, it relies on funding from the government and private sectors to continue its operations and associated events, including its annual optimist national championship, a sailing event that takes place at the Nassau Yacht Club in October.

After the Deltec Bank Spring Championship, top sailors will be selected to attend the world championships, and the North American and European championships, representing The Bahamas.

"We are incredibly grateful and excited to partner with Deltec Bank to advance our sailing programs this summer. Our motto has always been rooted in making a difference in the lives of youth through sailing and teaching our students to stay focused on making their dreams come true," said Emma Tinkler, representing the Bahamas National Sailing School. "Deltec Bank's support not only helps us fulfill our mission of providing accessible sailing education, but it also directly supports our students in achieving their ambitions."

The official check presentation with the Deltec-sponsored students was held yesterday, and the new sailing boats will be operational by early next year.

The Bahamas National Sailing School offers comprehensive educational programs, training opportunities, and competitive events for the youth across the nation. The school strives to create a sustainable sailing ecosystem that aids in the development of the next generation of national and international sailing champions.

The University of The Bahamas community is profoundly saddened by the passing of former Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Gail Saunders. Dr. Saunders served our academic community and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas with great intellectual acumen, dignity and pride. As an historian, she was among the first to bring deep historical scholarship to the telling of the Bahamian story and as an archivist, she was a fierce defender of our historical records.

Throughout the years of our growth, Dr. Saunders was a trusted resource and supporter, giving us the benefit of her expansive knowledge and wisdom. This demonstrated the virtues that she lived by, and her strong belief in the power that higher education has to improve who we are as individuals, as a community, and as a nation. She was a courageous advocate for the Bahamian story, meticulously documenting it for generations to come.  

As a result of her direct efforts, we know many valuable truths about ourselves, our nation builders, and our trajectory.

In her last formal role with the university, she served as Scholar-in-Residence. At that time, she was conducting research on race and class relations and in 2017, she published ‘Race and Class in the Colonial Bahamas 1880-1960’. She later continued her research work until Fall 2018. 

Dr. Saunders and her late husband, notable cultural icon Winston Saunders, were both dedicated to the dissemination of Bahamian culture and the advancement of knowledge and the arts. When the Winston Saunders Memorial Scholarship was established, she remained closely connected and we continued to seek her counsel.

University of The Bahamas joins the many people who mourn the passing of a great Bahamian scholar and patriot. She was dearly loved and will be dearly missed. We extend condolences to her family members and friends.

May her soul rest in peace. 

The University of The Bahamas community is profoundly saddened by the passing of former Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Gail Saunders. Dr. Saunders served our academic community and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas with great intellectual acumen, dignity and pride. As an historian, she was among the first to bring deep historical scholarship to the telling of the Bahamian story and as an archivist, she was a fierce defender of our historical records. Throughout the years of our growth, Dr. Saunders was a trusted resource and supporter, giving us the benefit of her expansive knowledge and wisdom. This demonstrated the virtues that she lived by, and her strong belief in the power that higher education has to improve who we are as individuals, as a community, and as a nation. She was a courageous advocate for the Bahamian story, meticulously documenting it for generations to come.   As a result of her direct efforts, we know many valuable truths about ourselves, our nation builders, and our trajectory. In her last formal role with the university, she served as Scholar-in-Residence. At that time, she was conducting research on race and class relations and in 2017, she published ‘Race and Class in the Colonial Bahamas 1880-1960’. She later continued her research work until Fall 2018.  Dr. Saunders and her late husband, notable cultural icon Winston Saunders, were both dedicated to the dissemination of Bahamian culture and the advancement of knowledge and the arts. When the Winston Saunders Memorial Scholarship was established, she remained closely connected and we continued to seek her counsel. University of The Bahamas joins the many people who mourn the passing of a great Bahamian scholar and patriot. She was dearly loved and will be dearly missed. We extend condolences to her family members and friends. May her soul rest in peace. 

Alumni, administrators and past and current staff of University of The Bahamas-North (UB-North) along with their guests attended a preview of a new documentary about the institution, titled, "UB-North Rising" last week at Grand Lucayan.

UB-North President Dr. Ian Strachan said the purpose of the documentary is to showcase the effort, ingenuity, and strength of the campus while bolstering a sense of community and pride.

"I thought it was important for those who put in so much work to get the recognition they deserve," Strachan said.

"It's also important, especially after Dorian and COVID, to bring us together to have a sense of community and, then, for those [who] come [after us] to know the history as it's an important part of staying grounded - knowing who your heroes are."

He added, "[This documentary is] also to make a case to the world why this campus is important to this community, why it needs this campus, and why people should continue to support our efforts to rebuild."

The film, produced by The Anderson Group, features esteemed retirees, administrators, staff, and alumni who narrate the beginnings and growth of the campus on Grand Bahama.

The almost two-hour long film is split into four segments: "Origin", "Alma Mater", "Dorian", and "Future".

"Origin" focuses on the university's growth from its beginnings as The College of the Bahamas in the 1970s when classes were held in the afternoon at Freeport High School, now known as Bishop Michael Eldon High School (BMES).

"Alma Mater" highlights alumni telling stories of their shared experiences at the college, while "Dorian" explores the harrowing events of Hurricane Dorian and the loss of UB-North's East Grand Bahama campus.

Lastly, "Future" illustrates the university's resiliency and effort to quickly recover through its move to Trehl Plaza on West Atlantic Drive, its return to BMES to host classes, and its acquisition of the Kipling Complex.

This chapter also features acknowledgements from UB Chair Allyson Maynard-Gibson and Grand Bahama MPs Kwasi Thompson and Iram Lewis.

Dr. Coralee Kelly, former associate vice president of what was then The College of The Bahamas Northern Campus, said she was glad the documentary captured what she feels is special about the campus.

"I used to say that we were small, but not small-minded," Kelly said.

"With being a smaller campus, there was more personhood - more care placed into one another. We had our challenges, because small meant we didn't have all the facilities, but we were creative. We found ways to create that sense of college."

Grand Bahama residents Desiree Joseph and Rodwell Richards Jr. also noted that they were touched by the film.

"I thought that it was so informative, and it was so moving to see the story of the university from its birth to its rebirth," Joseph said.

As a UB-North freshman, Richards said he felt a sense of pride.

"I got to see how great this history is," he said.

"They've definitely gotten stronger, and I feel like I've got more in touch with the ones [who] have walked the halls before me. I just hope I can carry on those same legacies."

Wendy Moss, a former full-time UB-North professor, hopes the film will help people recognize how integral the university can be when building the nation.

"I'm hoping that the documentary will be a demonstration of the efforts and the hard work of the individuals who have worked at the institute [and] those who have come through the institution," she said.

"It really does take a village to build a nation and the type of nation that we'd like to see. I want a nation of character.

"We can be world-class and also competitive where we have the confidence that we do have, the brain power to be very competitive as well, globally."

The Anderson Group's Creative Lead Owner Alfred Anderson noted the effort was painstaking for both his company and UB-North since the beginning of its production in November 2021, but said it was well worth it.

"With this project, it almost felt like I attended the university," he said.

"I've had friends who did and for me to be part of this and sharing stories - it's [been] a great experience ... I am thankful that this institution allowed me, a Grand Bahamian, to tell a Grand Bahamian story ... I'm very grateful that they're allowing creatives like myself to flourish."

The documentary will be shown on New Providence and once more on Grand Bahama.

More information will be available on the University of The Bahamas-North's Facebook page. For any inquiries, interested persons can contact UB-North at 688-5908 or diaubnorth@ub.edu.bs.

Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, gave motivational encouragement to students of PACE Academy, East Street, on Friday, June 16, 2023.  In her remarks she stressed the importance of self worth, dignity, diligence, commitment and hard work.  Mrs. Davis encouraged the students to forgive themselves for their past mistakes, be willing and able to learn from them, and continue the "road ahead that leads to their lives." She expressed the importance of education, and relying on those who love and support them.  She also encouraged them to continue to do well in school and appreciate life's joys; to expect the unexpected, and always keep God in their hearts.