News Archives 1
NCU Icon, Edna Parchment, Dies at 91

msP.jpg (5626 bytes)Miss Edna Parchment, affectionately known as "Miss P", died on Monday Morning, April 26, 2004.  She was 91 years old.  She had suffered a stroke on Tuesday, April 20 and had been hospitalized in the Hargreaves Memorial Hospital in Mandeville.

She was well-known within the Seventh-day Adventist and University circles, having enrolled as a student in the then West Indian Training College in the 1930’s.  She received a Bachelor’s degree from Atlantic Union College in 1965 and was the first woman to earn an MBA degree from Andrews University in Michigan. 

 

After graduating, she returned to her alma mater, West Indies College, where she served for 60 years in the fields of education and financial management.  Ms. P held several administrative positions including academic dean, department/division chair, accountant, treasurer and business manager. 

 

In 1979, Andrews University presented her with the Alumna Award in recognition of her contribution to Christian Education.  In 1992 the NCU Board named her Professor Emeritus and in October 2002, she was honored by the South Florida Chapter of NCU Alumni Association.   In August 2003, Northern Caribbean University conferred upon her an honorary Doctor of Laws,  (honoris causa)  one week after she celebrated her 91st birthday.  Following the conferral of the degree, Miss Parchment expressed gratitude to the institution she had served for her entire working life stating that “this is certainly an honor. I hope I will live to enjoy it.”

 

Ms P, the fourth of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ira Parchment in Southfield, St. Elizabeth, is survived by her 93-year-old sister Louise, scores of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

 

Funeral info and pictures

Alumni & Friends Cruise a Hit

123_2334_1_sml.jpg (77004 bytes)170 NCU Alumni, Family and Friends from USA, Canada, Jamaica and Germany enjoyed an exciting and fun-filled cruise from Miami to Cocoa Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, February 13 -16, 2004 on the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas.

Central Florida Chapter Banquet 2003

Tony001.jpg (135097 bytes)Tony039.jpg (119155 bytes)Our annual Alumni Banquet 2003 was held on December 7 at the Home Builders Association Banquet Hall in Maitland, Florida.  Entertainment was provided by Island Breeze Ministries.  more...

Central Florida Alumni Day 2003

Good friends, beautiful music, inspirational talks, great food, smiles everywhere. These and other words describe the Central Florida Chapter Alumni Day 2003 held on Sabbath, August 30, at the Miriam Kittrell Gymnatorium at Forest Lake Education Center, FLEC.  More than 350 NCU alumni and friends from the Bahamas, Atlanta, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Texas, South and Central Florida attended.   

pastorbrown.jpg (18343 bytes)Pastor George Brown, Former President if the Inter-American Division, led our Sabbath School discussion.  Dr. Newton Hoilette, former Vice President of Student Services at Andrews University, was Guest Speaker.

Full Story, pictures and slideshow

Orville Parchment Joins General Conference of SDA Staff

Pastor Orville Parchment joined the staff at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as assistant to Seventh-day Adventist Church world president, Dr. Jan Paulson.  Orville Parchment, former President of the Adventist Church in Arizona, and a past President of the Church in Canada arrived August 5, 2003 to assume his new responsibilities. A native of Jamaica and a graduate of Northern Caribbean University, he holds a Master’s of Divinity from Andrews University and a Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University. Pastor Parchment and his wife, Jean, have two sons, Norville, who resides in San Diego, California and Dion, of Toronto, Canada.

Alumni Breakfast 2003

breakfast2003.jpg (68631 bytes)The Annual Alumni Breakfast and Member Registration was held on February 23 at the North Orlando SDA Church in Orlando, Florida.  The approximately 100 attendees enjoyed tasty West Indian food and an update and slideshow about NCU.  Fundraising ideas for NCU were also discussed. 

Central Florida Chapter Banquet 2002

108-0872_IMG.JPG (71385 bytes)The Annual Alumni Banquet 2002 was held on December 8 at the Hilton, Altamonte Springs, Florida.  The keynote speaker was Professor Leonard Birdsong, Associate Professor of Law at Barry University Law School.  He challenged us to make a difference with our lives.  Dr. Lew Mullings, our Master of Ceremonies, kept us laughing all evening.  Our President, Tony Rugless gave a summary of 2002 including a report from NCU Homecoming 2002.  He emphasized the growth of the University and the importance of fundraising to support the University.

Special guests from out of town included Dr. Dahlia Pottinger, President, Atlanta Chapter, Grace McCalla, Vice-President, Atlanta Chapter, guests and members from Tampa, Avon Park, Sebring and Palm Bay. 

NCU Alumni Homecoming 2002 held Nov 28 - Dec 1

107-0729_IMG.JPG (84556 bytes)NCU Alumni Homecoming 2002 was held Nov 28 - Dec 1 at the University.  Alumni from all over N. America  - Central and South Florida, Atlanta, New York, Boston, California, Philadelphia and New England - joined alumni in Jamaica to celebrate the University's progress.  For those who had not been for some time, it was evident that much had changed.  Full story and photo gallery

South Florida Chapter Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The South Florida Chapter of the NCU Alumni Association celebrated its 20th anniversary at their annual Alumni Day, October 5, 2002.  Sabbath services were held at the Bethel Worship Center In Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  More than 300 NCU alumni and friends attended.  Harold Clayton, South Florida Chapter President, presided over the event.  He welcomed members of the audience from many states in the US, the Bahamas and Jamaica and outlined the day's activities.  Full Story

Check out the new South Florida Chapter website

 
Tribute to Pastor & Mrs. L.H. Fletcher
 

100-0024_IMG.JPG (29767 bytes)Family and friends of Pastor Herbert and Mrs. Olive Fletcher gathered in the Miami area on September 13 and 14, 2002 to share a weekend honoring the couple for their lifelong service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Activities included a Vesper Service, Sabbath School, Divine Service and a banquet all honoring the Fletchers.  As the weekend progressed, it became apparent that the Fletchers had and continue to have a positive influence on many,  many lives.   more...

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NCU Gymnatorium Completed
104-0459_IMG.JPG (70868 bytes)Construction of the NCU gymnatorium is completed. The gymnatorium is being used for graduation and other major university events and houses the United Student Movement (USM) and other offices, Student Lounge and a press/media box. Tennis, basketball and netball courts will be available.  more..

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Administrators visit NCU Alumni at Loma Linda and La Sierra Universities
Administrators from NCU recently visited and met with young NCU alumni who are currently attending Loma Linda and La Sierra Universities in California.   A full report of the current state of NCU was given. Alumni were encouraged to remember their alma mater when they graduate. The young people were impressed with the news from home and very happy that the team took time to meet with them.

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NCU President Launches New Book
Dr. Herbert Thompson, President of Northern Caribbean University, released his second book, Jamaica: Rebuilding the Walls, on April 9, 2002 at a launch held in the main auditorium at NCU. According to the author, the book “…examines some of the problems and dares to suggest some of the ways in which all Jamaicans may become involved in the process of rebuilding and reconstruction..” The guest speaker was Mr. William “Bill” Clarke, Managing Director, Bank of Nova Scotia, Jamaica Ltd. Musical items and décor were reminiscent of traditional Jamaican culture, and strengthened the mood of patriotism and national pride.

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Cancer Research at NCU

A team of scientists, including Dr. Paul Gyles, Chairperson, Dr. Juliet Bailey-Penrod, and Mrs. Patrice Williams-Gordon, from the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Medical Technology, have revealed exploratory findings in which cancer cells appeared to be killed after exposure to water-based extracts, one containing garlic and, the other, Jamaican sorrel. Over a period of twelve to twenty-four hours, two types of cancer cells were observed under microscope for changes in shape and number. The cells responded to both the sorrel and garlic extracts in a manner that mimicked chemotherapy. The findings form the basis for further work in this area.  See NCU website article.

Articles from the Jamaican Gleaner regarding research:

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Orlando Alumni Chapter Renamed

At our 2002 Alumni Breakfast on February 24,  it was voted to rename our chapter from the "Orlando Chapter" to the "Central Florida Chapter".  

We want to include all alumni and friends of NCU within 2 - 3 hours drive of Orlando:

  • East - Palm Bay, Palm Coast

  • South - Avon Park, Lakeland, Winter Haven

  • North - Ocala, Gainesville

  • West - Tampa, Sarasota, Naples

Come join us!

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NCU Featured in Adventist Review
Northern Caribbean University was featured in the February 14, 2002 issue of the Adventist Review.  Roy Adams, Associate Editor, paid a visit to the University to experience life at NCU firsthand.  

Here are some comments that he received from current students:

"This school prepares us not only for this world but for the world to come. I truly believe that. It's a fact. And the ineffable joy we experience here . . . is inexplicable, and can only be experienced".

NCU graduates catch the eye of employers in their level of patience,  understanding, professionalism, and expertise.  The refinement that you receive here, is next to none of any other university in Jamaica. . . . You leave here looking better than you came, speaking better . . . , thinking more independently, even reacting differently."

Roy Adams also interviewed Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Thompson.  They updated him on the growth of the university, the challenges it faces and the long-term vision.

             

 

 Feb, 14  2002 
Adventist Review Article

 

 

 Scenes from NCU

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