The long awaited event of the Inauguration of President T. Leslie Ferdinand has come and gone.
The feature address of the consecration service was given by Dr. K. Eugene Forde. The mood of prayer and holiness was heightened by the tasteful floral arrangements done by Mrs. Mariejo Gilbert. The plush green drapes which provided the backdrop for the motto "Forging Ahead", were handmade by Mr. Carlton Drepaul, Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, (and acting Faculty Dean), along with Mr Franklyn Baldeo, of the Faculty of Education and Human Sciences.
It was against this background of understated elegance that the Commitment Service of Sabbath 31st October took place.
The Sabbath School service was Superintended by the President's sister, Dr. Sheila Smith. The lesson study was conducted by Dr. Abraham Moore. At the close of Sabbath School, the level of anticipation rose a notch for the Commitment service was next.
It began promptly at 11:00 AM. The mood was set by Dr. Roy Mc Garrell, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion: Professor and Pastor. He gave a heartfelt and moving invocation. Dr. Mc Garrell is truly one of the pillars which keeps the spiritual tone of the campus held high. Thank you, Dr. Mc Garrell.
Pastor Allan Chichester, Chairman of the program, gave the welcome. In his role as 'Acting'church pastor, he maintained his usual high level of efficiency.
The president, a man of many surprises, did not dissapoint us. He presented a plaque to the parents of Abraham Moore, posthumously, for sending all eight f their children to C.U.C. This presentation was a prelude for his presentation of a plaque to his own parents, also posthumously, for sending nine of their thirteen children to c.U.C. One of his many sisters accepted on their behalf.
Music was provided by the Adoration Gospel Choir and Reyna Canguill, under the direction of Jason Ferdinand, the President's son. To the lingering strains of this music, Dr. Peter J. Prime made his presentation.
Dr. Prime urged the C.U.C. Faculty and staff to adopt title "Trinity of Excellence: High Tech, High Touch, and Most High God". He declared that if this Trinity was adopted, the campus would be placed where each student, regardless of race, ethnicity, and social status, would find acceptance, nurturing, fulfillment and recognition.
With the words of Dr. Prime still lingering in the air, the Inaugural Ceremony took place on Sunday.
It started with a 'fanfare' by the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment Band. To the sounds of this music, the Official Delegates, gowned Board members, faculty, and staff members paraded into the auditorium.
The grandeur and pomp did not end there however. Reyna Carguill lifted her soprano voice in melodious song, to be followed in prayer by President of the South Caribbean Conference. He was followed by Scripture readings presented by the Presidents of the East Caribbean Conference and the Grenada Mission.
Dr. Peter Prime did the welcome and introductions of the official delegates. Music was provided by the Caribbean Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Vernon Andrews. The speaker, Dr. George Knight, was introduced by Dr. Walter Douglas, Chairman of the department of Church History, S.D.A Theological Seminary, Andrews University.
Dr. Knight stated that C.U.C. has the mission of Christian education. This mission, he claimed, gave us the edge over the more technologically advanced, better staffed, better equipped, economically viable, University of the West Indies. Point well taken Dr. Knight, only God can keep C.U.C. afloat.
The end of the feature address, witnessed the 'coronation' of the President. He was bestowed with the tools of his office: The Presidential Medallion, the Bible, and the Spirit of Prophecy Volumes. Dr. Forde then prayed for him. At last, after a year, he is finally equipped with the tools to effectively run the college.
Another fanfare by the Regiment Band signaled the President's response. He spoke for a relatively brief time, then called upon his brother, Erickson Ferdinand, to present another surprise to the audience.
His brother intimated that the Ferdinand family has set up an Endowment Fund in the names of their deceased parents.
The proceeds of this fund will be awarded to a fourth year Education major, every year, starting in the year 2000.
A sum of $5000 US was mentioned. However, it was not made entirely clear whether this was to be the awarded interest, or the sum total of the fund.
The President then declared his goal to cultivate the virgin forest of the campus with fruits, vegetables, and flowers. He has made the first step by cultivating his own lawn with fruit trees.
He ended his address by lamenting the absence of his two daughters, Adelle and Alva, who are presently studying at Pine Forge Academy. I for one could empathize with the President, because except for the 15 to 20 students who were there in various roles as ushers, choir members, flag bearers, and reporters on assignment, the rest of the student body was lamentably absent.
The program ended with another 'fanfare' by the Regiment Band as the various delegates, gowned and otherwise, paraded out along with the faculty and staff.
The delegates and the band then adjourned to the College Cafeteria for a healthy vegetarian lunch. The dorm students were served their meals in Room 115 in take away boxes to eat where they could, amid the stench of the flooded bathrooms.
It was indeed a weekend of surprises for all.