'The President's Reception' a prestigious affair

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

It has been said over and over again, and in every part of the globe - that a king has no honour in his own country. Well, that might have been the prevailing modus operandi in the old country where the saying became the norm. But in the new world, and especially the former colonial satellites, now independent nations, things are a-changing!

While the kings and queens of the old world might not enjoy the stature and acclaim they did back in the day, their former subjects have moved away from the prescribed positions which relegated them to being mere bystanders in their own social, cultural and national affairs, to being masters of their own destiny and diviners of their own fate.

In this respect, Jamaica is light years ahead of some of its former colonial regional sister nations. It has introduced its own set of rules and references and has so shepherded its national institutions that all national honours and recognition are now paramount to that of its former colonial powers.

Yearn for recognition

And this, my dears, is exactly how it should be. And so it is, my dears, that Jamaicans no longer yearn for recognition from their foreign masters, but by and large are quite happy to be selected and elevated by their peers and countrymen when they have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession or through charity, creative endeavours, and general service to country and people.

Our national honours and awards are not only coveted by Jamaicans, there are foreigners who seek to avail themselves of the prestige associated with these honours and awards. In this respect, an award from the government and people of Jamaica, is a prized and coveted piece of Brand Jamaica.

Anyway, my dears, on the occasion of National Heroes Day, and the investiture ceremony hosted by the Government under the auspices of the governor general, a number of Jamaicans who had distinguished themselves through their service were suitably accorded national honours, befitting their contribution to the continued development of this nation.

Of the many awardees and recipients, 10 were associates of the University of Technology. And by associated we mean they were either graduates or lecturers who had so distinguished themselves that the state saw it fit to recognise their contribution.

Well, to recognise its pivotal role in the continuing development of our people and nation, and the unique leadership role the university has played in nurturing those so recognised, the president of UTech - Professor Errol Morrison, and his wife, Dr Fay Whitbourne-Morrison, opened up their Jack's Hill home on October 24 and hosted what was truly a very charming do, in honour of those associated with UTech.

In a charming reception suitably dubbed, 'The President's Reception', they welcomed Oliver Jones, OJ; Kenneth Benjamin, OJ; Reverend Dr Devon Dick, OD; Paul Stephenson Ellis, OD; Dr Neville Graham, OD; Professor Geraldine Hodelin, OD; Dr Olivia McDonald, OD; Ethlyn Norton-Coke, OD; Karen Hewitt-Kennedy, OD; and Dr Eugenie Brown-Myrie, Badge of Honour for meritorious service in education and public service. Their families and friends, as well as leading luminaries from the university, joined them for what proved an evening of light revelry, bon mots and charm.

Dears, it was a gathering of the literati - with a sprinkling of the glitterati and, of course, glamourzons and bespoke style. It all made for a simply elegantly relaxed soirée.

Dears, here was the president of one of the region's acclaimed institutions hosting some of the country's most distinguished and accomplished individuals, drawn from the entrepreneurial, business, and commerce fields, academia, and the legal fraternity.

As this was a reception hosted in their honour, to toast and celebrate the recipients, the occasion being a testimonial that could

have read: "These are my beloved children in whom I am well pleased".

Dears, it was like that and then some. A
shortlist of friends and relatives were given the privilege to witness
and share.

Dears, talk about honouring and embracing our own!
Well, this was one fabulous example of us saluting our own and
fabulously so.

Requisite humour

The
president however, was matter of fact in his welcome, and the Honourable
Oliver Jones, who responded on behalf of his fellow inductees, infused
his response with the requisite humour to brighten the evening's
proceedings.

With libations flowing and finger food
aplenty, not to mention an august gathering of some of the country's
leading citizens on the Morrisons' sprawling lawns, decked with a number
of marquees, to forestall the eventuality of inclement weather, we are
talking one fab outing here!

Dears, it was like that -
a fabulously noble outing, hosted by the noble president of a noble
institution, saluting men and women who followed their convictions and,
in so doing, became pillars and icons of their respective subject
matters.

And so it was, amid the background of
laughter and the spills and thrills and the glowing city of Kingston in
the foreground; the talented Warren Harris thrilled on saxophone.

Among those out sharing in the occasion were Zia Mian
and the elegant Mitsy Seaga; Norman Wright: the charming Shirley
Williams; Carole Fullerton; Dr Henry Lowe; Professor Winty Davidson;
Professor Gossett Oliver; Professor Rosalea Hamilton; Dr Nilza Smith; Dr
Henley Morgan; Dr Janice Lindsay; and Douglas Welds and Betty Welds.
Also out were Dennis and Chyya Hawkins; Ronald and Karen Henriques;
Michelle Beckford; Lorraine Watson; Laurence Garriques; Joan
Spencer-Rowe; Dwight Dowe; Nicole Coke; Ivor Bennett; Deuane Taylor;
Sondria Beckford Campbell; Ed McKie; Jerome Smellie of JMMB Merchant
Bank; Orville Johnson; Donny Valeice; Tommy James; Lloyd and Angella
Distant; Alvaro and Marie Elizabeth Casserly and Dr Dhiru and Laura
Tanna; Jerome Smalling; Courtney Watson; Don and Andrea Chin See;
Rosalind Chin; Robert Jones; Cynthia Dick; the lovely Denise Kitson;
Raynard and Allison Hodelin; Ann Marie Feanny; Geoff and Jennifer
Messado; Valerie Juggan-Brown; Rajiv Bakshi; Carole Fullerton; Robert
Finzi-Smith; the fab Renee Menzies-McCallum and Vinay Walia; the lovely
Aloima Suarez; siblings Nicholas and Brooke Benjamin; Mearle Barrett;
Laurence Garriques; plus a number of
others!

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance
Photographer