Before they were conferred with degrees, certificates and diplomas at the Fall 2013 Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, more than 200 graduands of The College of The Bahamas were the guests of honor at a Baccalaureate Service held at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday night.
The service was a solemn celebration of students who have completed various academic programs in business, social and educational studies, pure and applied sciences and liberal and fine arts.
Once again, the Fall 2013 Commencement Class is an historic group -- among its members is the second group of Master's degree graduates and the first Master of Science in Reading cohort.
In addition, the first graduates of the Small Island Sustainability (SIS) program are among the Fall 2013 Class. Last December, The College graduated its first MBA cohort. In a message laced with optimism about the opportunities that await these scholars and the future they will create for themselves, their communities and their country, Dr. Betsy Vogel-Boze -- who delivered one of her final messages as COB president -- urged the graduands to be active citizens and lifelong learners.
"Challenge what you know and appreciate that there is so much that you don't know and so much yet to be discovered. Aristotle said that it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it," she said.
"I encourage you to challenge the status quo. Don't accept that we have always done it this way. Question how things can be made better. This is how ideas grow and develop. Your development does not stop with your graduation. By embracing the unknown you, our graduands, can improve educational attainment in The Bahamas. You, our graduands, can reduce crime. You, our graduands, can research and protect the fragile eco-systems of The Bahamas. You, our graduands, can create jobs."
It was the same platform where Dr. Boze officially began her journey as president of The College of The Bahamas three years ago during a special service at Christ Church Cathedral to mark her investiture.
In his homily, Dean of Nassau and Vicar General of the Anglican Diocese the Very Reverend Patrick Adderley recognized the many sacrifices of the graduating students. He urged them to use their creativity and imagination to advance the country.
"You cannot deny that these are trying and difficult times for The Bahamas. I dare say that during the course of your studies there were moments of exhilaration and a sense of achievement as well as distractions, challenges, social and financial pressures ... but you have overcome. You didn't quit. You remained focused, persevered and saw the race through to the end," Dean Adderley said.
He added: "To all of you I encourage you to commit yourselves to lifelong learning and self-betterment. Set your minds on bringing that God-given potential to its fullest realization and achieving your goals."
Among the congregation were family members, friends and supporters as well as members of the College Council and Their Excellencies the Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes.
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