The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) will confer honorary Doctor of Laws degrees on Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Baking Company Ltd; The Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons and Chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; and Justice Zaila McCalla, chief justice of Jamaica.

A news release from UTech said that the Doctor of Laws honoris causa will be conferred on “the outstanding Jamaicans” at the university’s graduation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the National Arena in Kingston.

Hendrickson is being recognised for his philanthropic activities which have transformed the lives of many Jamaicans, including several students of the university. Continental Baking Company, most popularly known for its brands, National, HTB and HO Made, provides employment for over 800 people in Jamaica.

Hendrickson is vice-president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and serves on a number of boards, including Bank of Jamaica, Rainforest Seafoods, Stationery & Office Supplies Ltd, and as chairman of the Ex-Im Bank. He also sits on the King’s House Foundation and serves as president of the Council of Voluntary Social Services.

The Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin is being recognised for her signal achievement as a woman of colour.

Born and raised in Montego Bay in 1961, Rev Hudson-Wilkin travelled to the UK in 1982 to train at Church Army College in the West Midlands. She was ordained deacon in 1991 and ordained to the priesthood in 1994. In 2007 she was appointed chaplain to The Queen and in 2010 she became the first woman appointed to the position of chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

In March 2013, she was made a Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral in recognition of her service to the church, community and as chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

In November 2014, she became the priest in charge of the city church, St Mary-at-Hill near Monument.

Justice Zaila McCalla is being recognised for her outstanding service to Jamaica’s justice system and, in particular, her achievement of being the first woman to rise to the position as chief justice.

Since her admission to the Bar in 1976 she has served as clerk of courts, Crown counsel, assistant director of public prosecutions, resident magistrate and senior resident magistrate, Supreme Court judge and justice of the Court of Appeal. She has also served as president of the Association of Resident Magistrates and master-in-chambers of the Supreme Court.

“Chief Justice McCalla is known for guiding the Jamaican judiciary with commitment, sound judgement and the fervent desire to ensure justice for all Jamaicans irrespective of race, creed and social standing,” UTech stated, adding that it “is proud to formally honour these three outstanding Jamaican leaders who have achieved local and international distinction in their respective fields of endeavour”.