Colleagues and up to date staffers are remembering Cave Hill’s longest serving principal as a talented administrator famend for his compassion, sound judgment, decency, humility, integrity, and sense of equity.
Sir Keith Hunte who handed away on Thursday, October 3 at age 87, joined the workers of the Faculty of Arts and Science, the forerunner to Cave Hill campus, in1964 – one yr after its institution. His profession at Cave Hill spanned almost 40 years, virtually half of which he served within the capability of Principal from 1983 to 2002.
Over time he rose by way of the tutorial ranks, changing into senior lecturer in 1965, Dean of the School of Arts and Basic Research in 1975 and Deputy Principal in 1980. His work in training prolonged past the College, with him serving as chairman of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) from 1996 to 2002.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles who succeeded Sir Keith as Principal of Cave Hill in 2002, recalled that his predecessor bequeathed to him a campus with a robust sense of household and congeniality.
“Sir Keith was the epitome of scholarly management. His ardour for training and regional improvement was matched solely by his dedication to the Caribbean folks. His work at The UWI and CXC has helped form the tutorial lives of hundreds throughout the area. His imaginative and prescient, knowledge and equity have been corridor marks of his tenure, and his legacy will dwell on by way of the generations of scholars and colleagues he impressed. He will likely be remembered as one of many nice nation builders of our time.”
Principal Professor Clive Landis, famous that having touched the lives of numerous college students and workers, Sir Keith’s legacy will dwell on within the halls and hearts of the Cave Hill campus which has named a Corridor of Residence in his honour. He praised Sir Keith for the strides the campus made in increasing its graduate choices and identified that two schools have been additionally created below his tenure.
He stated: “Sir Keith presided over an necessary interval of transformation of The UWI Cave Hill campus, by way of the creation of recent schools and the enlargement of undergraduate and particularly postgraduate training. The School of Humanities and Schooling and the School of Science and Know-how have been established below his lengthy tenure as principal, whereas the campus additionally transitioned from an undergraduate educating college to a analysis college incorporating a spread of submit graduate choices at Masters and Doctoral stage. His steadfast dedication to this establishment and to the broader Caribbean area is unparalleled. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, equity, and repair that may endure lengthy after his passing.”
Cave Hill’s fast previous principal, Professor the Most Honourable Eudine Barriteau recalled that Sir Keith made a foundational contribution to consolidating tutorial development and the infrastructural enlargement of the then embryonic campus.
“All through no matter problem the campus confronted, Sir Keith ensured it emerged stronger and dedicated to its mental and academic mission in Barbados and the Jap Caribbean,” she stated.
“I used to be very lucky to expertise the management of Sir Keith first as an undergraduate scholar and guild councillor after which as Head of the Centre for Gender and Growth Research. Sir Keith offered steering, help and encouragement all through my early tutorial profession. He helped me to navigate the necessities of educational administration and I’m ceaselessly grateful for his steering and counsel. He has made an indelible contribution to the evolution of upper training in Barbados.”
Sir Keith’s former colleague, Sir Woodville Marshall described his fellow historian and longtime buddy of over 70 years as a grasp of strategic management with a uncommon mix of tact, diplomacy and dedication. “Like the good Quintus Fabius Maximus of Roman historical past, he ready fastidiously and struck decisively, shaping The UWI with knowledge and foresight. It has been an honour and privilege to witness the making of such a tutorial chief,” he acknowledged.
Senior Assistant Registrar and Head of the Pupil Enrolment and Retention Unit (SERU) Patricia Atherley remembered Sir Keith as “a real gents” and “a caring and inspiring chief” who was “heat and welcoming and never in in the least intimidating.”
“He appreciated your service to the college and was all the time fulsome and honest in giving credit score for good work,” she added noting that Sir Keith was recognized for being very frugal in using the college’s assets at the same time as he presided over a interval of bodily enlargement.
Sir Keith Hunte was knighted on Barbados’ twenty first Independence anniversary in recognition of his excellent service to the nation. He leaves behind his son Dr. John Hunte and different household, associates, and the various lives he influenced at The UWI and past.
The UWI extends its deepest condolences to the Hunte household. Particulars of the funeral service will likely be shared sooner or later.
