University of The Bahamas (UB) has honoured an impressive cadre of prominent Bahamians as distinguished alumni, including awarding Chief Justice Sir IanWinder with the Lifetime Achievement Award and inducting veteran financial services professional Kenwood Kerr into the UB Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

The honours came during the Hall of Fame and Outstanding Alumni Awards, an annual galacelebration held at the Balmoral on the weekend during which eight leaders and pacesettersacross The Bahamas and the world were heralded. The honourees beamed with pride as theyaccepted their honours to the cheers of excited family, friends, counterparts, board trustees,faculty, staff, students and administrators.

Kerr’s induction into the hall of fame was a special highlight. He paid homage to hisgrandmother and shared a heartfelt recollection of her paying the admissions fee that pavedthe way for him to study at the former College of The Bahamas - his alma mater is anincubator of human potential.

“We were friends, competitors, supporters and we collectively pushed and pulled each otheralong, even to this day,” said Kerr. “For that reason, in my view, members of the class of 1983,in so may respects are equally a part of this honour and I am compelled to share the creditwith them tonight. We had the first female accounting manager, the first female ophthalmicsurgeon, the first neurosurgeon, the first manager of Atlantis, the first investment managerand first [head] of the National Trust.”

Similarly proud and humbled by the honour to receive the first-ever UB Lifetime AchievementAward, Sir Ian Winder said COB prepared him to flourish in life.

“The then College of The Bahamas prepared me well in the transition from high school tohigher learning and career building,” said Sir Ian. “It eventually focused me towards the pathmy life would ultimately take. I think more importantly though, it taught me lasting lessons about finding balance in life. We were required to work hard to survive but still find time toplay and engage in extra-curricular activities on campus.”

Chair of the UB Board of Trustees Allyson Maynard Gibson, KC, said the honours were fitting,especially as the institution is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, and thequality of the honourees’ contributions.

“Your accomplishments speak volumes about the quality of a UB education,” she said. “TheBoard of Trustees join you in thanking the academics and the administrators that havesupported and continue to support UB students since its inception as COB.”

She commended each honouree and particularly celebrated Sir Ian, head of the Bahamianjudiciary, on his honour.

“Sir Ian is a visionary and he is making tremendous changes in the legal system that willpositively impact access to justice,” she said.

Other UB alumni honourees were partner at Deloitte Lawrence Lewis; Chief Executive Officerof Oaktree Medical Centre and accountant Kristi Deveaux; Executive Director of the LyfordCay Foundations Nicola Virgill-Rolle; professor of mathematics Dr. Ruthmae Sears; formerjournalist and PR consultant Kyle Walkine; and Programme Associate at Templeton ReligionTrust DeAndra Cartwright.

UB alumni are nation builders with many serving in crucial roles in the public and privatesector, while others are giving birth to groundbreaking entrepreneurial activities andinnovations.