Over 200 graduate from TTHTI

It was a nostalgic moment; this song brought memories of Empire Day celebrations held annually on May 24, when youngsters of my era gathered on the Queen’s Royal College Grounds, as colonists of the British Empire to observe Empire Day. This was one of the songs we lustily sang during the parade, after which we were usually treated to a bun and soft drink.

A black-gowned Dr Patricia Butcher, Executive Director of the TTHTI, graduate of the University of the West Indies and University of Phoenix, Arizona, led the graduands, all wearing black gowns, mortar boards and either red, gold or teal collars, into the ballroom on their first steps to “Charting a Future…Fulfilling your Destiny.”

The National Anthem was followed by the invocation, and the very efficient presenter of the programme, Louanne Chai-Alves, invited William Aguiton, Chairman of the TTHTI’s Board of Governors who had been the first local General Manager of the Hilton Hotel, to deliver the welcome address to a packed ballroom.

Dr Butcher, who took over the reins of this campus in September 1996, presented a power point report on the institute’s accomplishments and activities which was well-received, while the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Angela Sinwase, addressed the graduates on behalf of the ministry.

Then came the best ever keynote address (I prefer to use the word “motivational” address), from former journalist Deborah Jean-Baptiste Samuel, and there have been hundreds of these over the years on which my decision is based. From the opening salvo, she grabbed the attention of the students and guests alike, and held the attention of everyone seated in a “freezing” Hyatt Regency ballroom throughout her delivery so that even if you wished to go outside and dethaw, you sat with numb fingers and waited to the end of the professional orator’s address, which was punctuated with humour, and ended with strong words of advice, “Dress as you want to be addressed. If you are properly dressed people will have respect for you, and your office and your station in life.”

The presentation of certificates and special awards followed to graduates receiving the Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts, Events and Conference Management, Food and Beverage Supervision, and Front Office and Travel Agency Operations; and the Associate Degree in Culinary Management with the largest student body of 71 graduates, Food and Beverage Management, Hospitality Management, and Tourism Management; and finally the Bachelor Business Administration Hospitality and Tourism, and the Bachelor of Science Culinary Management. The Spirit of the Industry Award given to the students that display passion for the industry went to Renne Andrews and Miesje Scott (full time) and Christine Francis (part time).

The Executive Director’s List comprised of students who have shown that they are well on their way to achieving International Standards of Excellence, with a cumulative 3.5 GPA average throughout their entire school career included Siyaadah Ali, Carla Babb, Karlin Bachoo, Aarti Benny, Michelle Cummings, Daniella Johnson, Fayola Nanan, Raees Soodhoo, Elsa Subit, Victoria Archibald, Narissa Field, Kaydie Joseph, Anisa Knutt, Lizanne Hasmatali, Kelsey Nancoo, Alexandra Pike, Angel Victor, Chelsae Marie Lee Kong and Karen Atwell. The Executive Director’s Award for the Most Outstanding Student Overall who has achieved the highest Grade Point Average in the student population, went to Siyaadah Ali.

The most outstanding TTHTI Graduate, Narendra Ramgulam, is a past student of TTHTI who completed the Front Office and Travel Agency Operations Diploma in 2001, who read for his BSc Hospitality and Tourism Degree at UWI, and a Master’s degree in Tourism Development and Management. He is currently a part-time lecturer with the University of the West Indies. In 2009, Ramgulam was selected to represent UWI at a conference in Miami, where he shadowed the President of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners Operators and Developers (NABHOOD), Andy Ingraham. Ramgulam is also the only Trinidadian student to ever attend a conference hosted by the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners.

Valedictorians selected by the student body, Raees Soodhoo (part time) and Aarti Benny (full time), addressed the graduating class. Kevin Kenny, Member of the TTHTI Board of Governors, moved a vote of thanks; and the graduates recessed for refreshments.