UWI confers honorary doctorate posthumously upon late Don Wehby
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of the West Indies (UWI) posthumously conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) upon the late Honourable Don Wehby last Saturday during its ceremony for the graduates of the Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM) and the Faculty of Sport.
The university, in a media release, said the award, which recognises Wehby’s “meteoric” contributions to business, sports and national leadership, was collected on his behalf by his daughter, Stephanie Wehby.
The UWI public orator, Dr Peter Glegg, delivered a stirring citation, describing Wehby as a “proud son of the soil” and a “true legend” who balanced a high-powered corporate career with a deep, personal mission to elevate Jamaica.
“Chancellor, this powering and benevolent spirit of Don Webby had a vision for Jamaican youth that through education, there was a power to improve their lives. He demonstrated this through the numerous scholarships granted to high school and university students. He believed in the institution of The University of the West Indies as a cornerstone of learning in the Caribbean,” the orator said.
Wehby, the long-time group chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Limited, was also lauded for his transformative leadership. Under his stewardship, the company’s Financial Services Division saw profits soar from $280 million to $1.4 billion in just five years.
While the ceremony honoured his professional “apogee”, Dr Glegg shared a glimpse into the man behind the accolades— a devoted family man who loved Silver Sands beach and held a lifelong, playful passion for Disney World.
The UWI said the conferral of the Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) stands as the highest mark of respect from the university to a man who “walked the walk” and placed integrity at the centre of every action.
Wehby died July 2025 at the age of 62.
