PROFESSOR Claude Packer, who served as the first president of The Mico University College died in Florida on Thursday.

Packer, who served as head of the Department of Economics and lecturer in mathematics in the Faculty of Education at The University of the West Indies; lecturer at Cornell University; and external examiner for Caribbean Examinations Council in mathematics, was the recipient of several awards and national honours. These included the Musgrave Medal in 1997, for his contribution to mathematics education in Jamaica; the Governor General’s Achievement Award in 2003, and the Mico Gold Medal for Excellence in 2007. He also received a national honour at the level of Commander of the Order of Distinction in 2008.

Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips, in a release yesterday, said Packer represented the best of the nation’s educators and his tremendous contribution to the sector cannot be overstated. “He was the creator of several programmes at Mico and The University of the West Indies that facilitated access for many Jamaicans to tertiary level education,” Phillips said.

“He upheld the higher standards of the teaching profession and pushed his students to aspire for better for themselves and their own charges. Having served the teaching profession up to the highest level for more than 49 years, the late professor retired in 2014, became principal of The Mico Teachers’ College in 1995, and was subsequently appointed as the first president of The Mico University College in 2009.

“Professor Packer’s was a name synonymous with top-quality tertiary education in Jamaica and beyond,” said Phillips. Jamaica, he added, is better for the work and commitment of Professor Packer, and he extended condolence to his family, friends, colleagues, and many students.