AS mourners gathered yesterday in the Alfred Sangster Auditorium on the grounds of University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja) to celebrate the life of former president and principal Dr Alfred Sangster, they were reminded of his visionary leadership, determination, and contribution to the institution while sitting in a space he built, brick by brick.

Current President Kevin Brown described Sangster as a nation-builder. He shared that the university is most grateful for his role in transforming the institution from the College of Arts, Science, and Technology (CAST) to UTech in 1995 and empowering its students.

He shared that the former president helped “to shape…[the school’s] identity as a leader in technological education in Jamaica. Throughout his tenure, Dr Sangster championed academic excellence, student development, and national progress, leaving an enduring impact on the university and wider community”.

Brown noted that Sangster was a pioneer who introduced the only architecture school in the English-speaking Caribbean at UTech and 50 new programmes while raising the school population from 1,200 to more than 6,000 students during his 26 years.

“Dr Sangster wrote in his book that he practised management by walking about, and for those of you who were here to have experienced him in person, you would have seen him. I am told he talked to the plants, he interacted with the groundsmen, he was involved with everything,” Brown told those in attendance.

In honour of Sangster’s legacy, he announced the Dr Alfred Sangster Scholarship, which will be given to students who exemplify the former principal’s characteristics of visionary thinking and selflessness.

“To Dr Sangster, I say your impact is immeasurable, your influence eternal. Though we bid you farewell today, your spirit lives on in the halls of UTech, in the lives of those you mentored, and in the dreams of countless students whose dreams you empowered, many of whom are in the audience today. Rest well, Dr Sangster, you have fought a good fight, you have kept the faith, and your legacy will forever endure,” said Brown.

Anthony Davis, an alumni, shared that Sangster was a bold individual who was never afraid to venture into uncharted territory.

While reflecting on his legacy, he shared that the former principal was instrumental in building the sports programme at UTech, and in his wisdom created a space where Jamaican athletes could train for their various events locally, instead of travelling overseas.

“Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives, but few can rise above the idea of the time. Dr Sangster is a rare individual who transcended the limitations of his era. His legacy will not merely be confined to academia, it extends to the ethos of the Jamaican society,” said Davis.

A loving father of three and man of God, Sangster was eulogised by his sons David and Peter, who reflected on the many lessons they learned from their father.

David shared that his father’s life was an example of a life well lived, one worth living and emulating. He shared that he left a recipe of how life should be lived, a word he turned into an acronym.

The letter ‘R’ stands for his father’s respect for others and himself; ‘E’ for his level of excellence and high standards; ‘C’ for his courage, Christian faith, and conviction; ‘I’ for his integrity; ‘P’ for the purposeful life of service he lived; and ‘E’ for his empathy and grace.

“I am forever grateful for his unconditional love and care and his instilling in me the high standards of excellence, integrity, and honour, and for also teaching me the value and importance of a strong Christian upbringing, because that is his real legacy for his children, for his grandchildren, and for thousands of people who were fortunate enough to work with him, know him, or meet him,” said David.

Peter shared that his father was a man who always had a vision or goal to create, build, develop, and improve things.

“Sometimes he would mention them to me, and I would think, ‘But you don’t have the resources to do that, you can’t even start that,’ but once the vision solidified, it was as good as done to him — nothing could deter me. He told me once that you don’t have to build everything in a day, sometimes you can only do a little today and a little tomorrow, just be patient,” he shared.

Peter noted that the auditorium he was standing in was one of his father’s visions that took 30 years to build, and now loved ones are gathered in it to celebrate his father’s life.

“When dad died, I felt like a piece of my soul was torn out, but I reflect on the message his life sends to all of us, and it helps me. I think his message is simply this: You can pursue a life of integrity, of Christian faith with high ethical standards and a moral compass that does not deviate, you can spend time genuinely helping people and you will still command a stunning admiration of those characteristics by thousands and thousands of people,” he said.

In addition to UTech, Sangster also served at The University of the West Indies, Mona between 1952 and 1970 in the chemistry department.

He was remembered by Deputy Principal Dr Tomlin Paul for his extensive reach and passion for exploring new areas of study.

A former student of Munro College in St Elizabeth from 1940 to 1947, president of the Munro College Old Boys’ Association, Victor Tomlinson said Sangster fully exemplifies the school’s motto, ‘In arce sitam quis occultabit’, which translates to ‘A city set upon a hill cannot be hid’.

“We know that our beloved brother will rest in peace in his saviour’s everlasting arms, but for us who remain, God wants us to be in selfless service to our nation and our fellow man beside us, in the example of our Munronian,” said Tomlinson.

The almost-three-hour service was also filled with tributes from Merl Grove High School, where Sangster served as chairman of the board of management for 46 years, and Hope United Church, where he was a member until his passing.

A founding father and chairman of the watchdog group Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), Sangster served on several State and private sector boards.

“He understood that citizenship was the most privileged form of nationality, and it demands not only the insistence on one’s own rights and privileges, but also the fierce protection of those rights for others,” said Chairman Grace Baston.

“The Jamaica firmament of outstanding citizens has lost one of its brightest stars,” she said.