LOWELL Hawthorne, OD, philanthropist and president and chief executive officer of the Golden Crust Bakery, New York, has lauded the efforts of the University of the West Indies, Mona, to remain relevant and to develop skilled employees required for Jamaica and the Caribbean today.

Hawthorne, in response to an invitation from the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies, recently toured the university where he had discussions with UWI officials, academic staff and undergraduate and graduate students.

He also “took class” at the Mona School of Business, sharing some of his experiences in a 20-year career as an outstanding entrepreneur in New York.

He was given a briefing on the university by Winston Bayley, chief financial officer at the UWI and Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, director of the Institutional Advancement Division and met with Pro Vice-Chancellors Professor Alvin Wint and Professor Ronald Young as well as head of the department of management studies, Dr Noel Cowell. Hawthorne also got a first-hand look at the campus facilities.

At the end of the visit, he declared himself truly impressed with UWI, Mona and expressed the view that the future of Jamaica and the Caribbean is in excellent hands.

Praising the student delegates of the UWI Students Today Alumni Tomorrow programme for their “demonstrated zeal for learning”, Hawthorne commended the university for “the fine job being done to mobilise this group of ambassadors to assist in sustaining the advancement of the university”.