GRANVILLE, St James — Forty-nine years ago, when student Desmond Dorman entered the doors of the under-construction Granville Teachers’ College it was a mess; a far cry from what is today the premier tertiary institution of its kind in western Jamaica.

Dorman is happy he stuck it out and credits the institution for making him the man he is today.

“When we came here, it was slush, muck, tar and marl. We were frightened to death because we thought a college is made cut and dried and when you come here, everything is ready for you,” recalled Dorman who is one of the first graduates of what is now Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College (SSTC).

“The place was unfinished. The rooms were terrible. The hallways were terrible. There was a small common room for 250 students and the floors were bare concrete. You could see the kitchen developing. [But] the staff was very much in place and knew their jobs,” he added.

The former educator and retired employee of the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) was speaking with the Jamaica Observer following Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College 50th anniversary media launch held recently on the compound of the college located in Granville, St James.

Some of Dorman’s memories of the early days are included in a piece he wrote, entitled ‘A College is Born’, which was published in the college’s first yearbook.

“At one stage, the dorm I occupied was also occupied by female students on the upper floors. The males were on the bottom floor. The place is completely different now; lots more buildings,” he noted.

Dorman told the Observer that he is proud to be associated with the institution which has maintained high standards over the years but he will never forget the early days when construction was going on around them. Students were impressed with the canteen and some of the other facilities; however, there were challenges that made studying difficult.

“All the noise from the engines and the trucks going back and forth; and workmen hollering and cussing and shouting. It was completely different. We were a little annoyed when we came because we said, ‘But the place is not ready’,” relayed Dorman.

He recalled that, in response, Principal Dr Simon Clarke bellowed, “A college is the people. We will build a college.”

The pep talk worked.

“We will never forget it. And I pay eternal, everlasting tribute to Dr Simon Clarke. That man was so much of a colossus. That man was extraordinary and I found I couldn’t emulate him but I picked a few pieces out of his basket,” said Dorman.

Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration starts this month and is being held under the theme ‘Celebrating Excellence, Advancing the Legacy’.

A church service will be held on September 29 at the St James Parish Church followed by the Sam Sharpe week of activities that begins on September 30. These will include alumni engagements, a lunchtime concert, and a health fair. In October, a logo design competition will be launched as part of an initiative to enhance the college brand.

As December approaches, the institution will engage the community by showcasing students’ talent through a concert and showcase the college’s rich history through a photography display. In January, there will be a shift to an academic focus with the Dr Simon Clarke lecture followed by an open day.

An awards ceremony will be held in February while April will be dedicated to community service which includes support to the children’s ward at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in the parish. There will also be a 5K run in April. A flip book highlighting the institution’s history, milestones and achievements will be launched in May.

In July, there will be a homecoming weekend which includes an all-white party and an education and medical mission led by alumni. The golden jubilee will culminate in September with a series of events including a thanksgiving service, stakeholders’ appreciation brunch and a 50th anniversary gala.

Chairman of the board of governors for the institution Norman Reid noted that as part of the anniversary celebration, the institution will embark on a series of events that reflect the college’s rich history and dynamic future.

“These activities are not merely a celebration of our past achievements, but a testament of our commitment to continue to shape the future of education and solidifying Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College as a premier institution.

“They will honour the remarkable contributions of our faculty, students, alumni, community members and partners, and set the stage for the innovations and milestones that are ahead. As we advance this legacy, let us continue to embrace the spirit of excellence that has defined Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College,” encouraged Reid

Principal Ricardo Bennett said the college is fortunate to be steered by some of Jamaica’s finest minds — four visionary board chairmen in the form of Wesley Hewling, Barbara Smith, Jeanne Robinson-Foster and Norman Reid along with four pioneering principals: Dr Simon Clarke, Cecile Walden, Asburn Pinnock, and Lorna Gow-Morrison. He credited them for laying the foundation for the institution’s success.

In pursuit of excellence over the years, SSTC has forged crucial partnerships that expanded its horizons. These spanned international collaborations with Central Connecticut State University to local partnerships with The University of the West Indies (UWI), Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts .

“We have consistently sought to enrich our academic offerings and thus broaden our students’ perspectives,” stated Bennett, who also spoke of the college’s impact on one of three government-owned diagnostic centres in Jamaica.

The centre was established in 2017 to meet the growing demands of psycho-educational assessment for children.

“We take particular pride in our Early Intervention and Diagnostic Centre, a pioneering facility in western Jamaica that exemplifies our commitment to inclusive education and community service. This centre symbolises our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive,” said Bennett.

In a message read during the media launch, Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams commended Bennett and his team, under whose guidance the institution has maintained its commitment to academic excellence and the holistic development of students by ensuring that they are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to Jamaica’s education system.

“This year marks a particularly exciting achievement for the college with the commencement of two new Bachelor of Education programmes: one in business studies and the other in computer studies. This underscores the college’s mandate in responding to national demands, particularly in the business outsourcing sector located in western Jamaica,” the minister said.

“I wish to commend the college for the continued development and expansion of the Continuing Education Unit, formerly Evening College. The multi-modal delivery of programmes — whether face-to-face, online, synchronous, asynchronous or through hybrid models — demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and flexibility in learning,” Williams added.

Member of Parliament for St James West Central Marlene Malahoo Forte, who has since 2016 provided tuition and grants to students of the college, which is in her constituency, encouraged all reflecting on the past to look ahead with renewed purpose.

“Education is the key to unlocking the potential of our society, and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College continues to play a pivotal role in this mission. Through dedication to innovation, academic excellence, and community service, we must continue to build on the foundations laid over the past 50 years. Let us continue to strive to meet the changing needs of our students and the wider community in an ever-evolving world. You can be assured of my continued support of constituent-students,” her message read.

Malahoo Forte also thanked faculty, staff, alumni and students for their unwavering dedication to the institution.

Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, whose motto is ‘Service, Commitment, Excellence’, was built through a joint venture between the Government of Jamaica and the World Bank. It began operations on September 29, 1975 as Granville Teachers’ College. Just a month after operating with 150 students, on National Heroes’ Day, the name was changed to honour Samuel Sharpe who was named a national hero that year.