ICCI graduating in the class of 2004

Dr Elsa Cummings President of the ICCI	Heather Bodden gives the main address

Anthony Bodden presented Annie Villanueva with her
MBA

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Forty-seven graduates received Associate, Bachelors and Masters of Business administration and Master of Science degrees from International College of Cayman Islands’ (ICCI) commencement at George Town Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sunday 20 March after being postponed from Hurricane Ivan.

“This graduation was more in honour of those who in spite of adverse circumstances stuck to their goals and achieved them,” said President Elsa Cummings, PhD.

Keynote speaker, Heather Bodden, ICCI Trustee, said graduation marked a milestone for students, but also addressed the life-changing event of Hurricane Ivan as well as the history that has defined the college for 35 years. 

“If you do not know where you have been, it is hard to figure out where you are,” said Ms Bodden. “If you do not know where you are, how can you decide where you want to go? If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there.

“Through sheer determination and commitment students and faculty rolled up their sleeves, cleaned up the yard, literally conjured up temporary classroom space and here we are this evening.”

Ms Bodden said the land donated by Jim Bodden was cleared of trees and bush with the help of overseas students.

“As I sat down to write this so many memories came flooding back. I closed my eyes and I could see visiting student Judy Blumberg beating the mosquitoes with a red handkerchief, I could see Barbara Strain rubbing aloe to get rid of the swelling caused by maiden plum and as I closed them a little tighter, I saw my mom showing Jim Considine how to wash his clothes on an old wash board.

“When the college was finally built in 1970, ICCI opened its doors and began accepting students. 

“They came from West Bay, George Town, North Side, East End, Bodden Town, the United States and as far away as South Africa and Nigeria. My family was happy to pitch in once again. My mom cooked and fed the students from right under the old plum tree in our yard.”
The importance of education was also stressed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. 

“Let us take up the mantle so that 40 years from now we can be remembered as nation builders. Let us make our mark so that our names can go down in the history books as those who helped to keep this important institution of learning alive,” Ms Bodden continued in her address.

“Today, education is so crucial. The more we can advance education the less crime we will have.”

Ms Bodden commended the dedication and hard work of the faculty and staff, especially since many have been displaced themselves. She said ICCI is at its most critical point in its history for rebuilding. 

Dr Cummings presided over the graduation with Pastor Caple Thompson giving the invocation. Yvonne Lawe–Gonzales read from I Corinthians 13. Annie Villanueva who graduated with an MBA, gave the student address. 

Samantha Tibbetts, Acting Dean, Dr Cummings, and Anita M Smith, Acting Registrar presented the class of 2004. 

Dr Cummings with the assistance of Anthony Eden, MLA, and Faculty member Wayne McManus, awarded the degrees to all of the graduates.

Back...