KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has named 13 people from across the Caribbean and beyond who will receive honorary degrees during its 2026 graduation ceremonies.

The honourees include journalists, diplomats, academics, athletes, lawyers, cultural leaders, public servants and musicians whose work has contributed to Caribbean life and development.

Approved by The UWI Council, the honorary degrees will be conferred during graduation ceremonies scheduled between October 10 and November 14, 2026.

The first ceremony will take place at the Five Islands Campus on October 10, where St Vincent and the Grenadines-born multimedia journalist Don Rojas will receive a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) for his contribution to Caribbean and American media. Dominican Olympic champion Thea LaFond will receive a Doctor of Laws (LLD) for her contribution to sport.

At the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados on October 17, US hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh will receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to the arts through hip-hop music. Reverend Dr Lucille Onita Baird of Barbados will also receive a Doctor of Letters for her contribution to the church, community leadership and social commentary.

The St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago will confer three honorary degrees between October 22 and 24.

Trinidad and Tobago diplomat Ambassador Colin Granderson will receive a Doctor of Laws for his work in diplomacy. Professor Shaneeta Johnson of The Bahamas will receive a Doctor of Science for her contribution to the development of surgical sciences and healthcare, while Trinidad and Tobago agricultural economist and development consultant Winston R. Rudder will receive a Doctor of Science for his contribution to agricultural development, public service, food and sustainable development.

The Mona Campus in Jamaica will host its ceremonies from November 5 to 7.

Jamaican historian and former politician Arnold Bertram will receive a Doctor of Laws for his contribution to Caribbean scholarship and public advocacy.

Musician Damian Marley will receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to culture, while cultural leader Dawn Robinson-Spence will receive a Doctor of Laws for her contribution to culture.

Attorney-at-law and public figure Milton J. Samuda will also receive a Doctor of Laws for public service, advocacy and administration.

The final ceremony, for the Global Campus, is scheduled for November 14.

Antigua and Barbuda-born investigative journalist Melvin L. Claxton will receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to journalism. René Baptiste CMG of St Vincent and the Grenadines will receive a Doctor of Laws for her contribution to governance, law and culture.

The UWI highlighted the careers of the 13 honourees in announcing the awards.

Rojas has spent five decades in journalism and communications, including work with the Free West Indian in Grenada, the NAACP, the New York Amsterdam News and Free Speech TV. He also co-founded UWI TV.

LaFond, who was born in Dominica and raised in Maryland, made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning Dominica’s first Olympic medal, a gold in the women’s triple jump.

Fresh, known as the “Original Human Beatbox”, has spent more than four decades in hip-hop and has also been involved in public health advocacy and social causes.

Baird has spent more than four decades in ministry and community service, including prison rehabilitation and outreach programmes in Barbados.

Granderson’s diplomatic career spans nearly five decades and includes senior roles with Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign service, the Organisation of American States, the United Nations and CARICOM.

Johnson, a surgeon and global health leader from The Bahamas, has worked on expanding access to advanced surgical care and developing healthcare systems and the medical workforce.

Rudder has spent more than five decades in agricultural economics, development policy and public service in Trinidad and Tobago and internationally, including with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Bertram’s career has included national politics, public service, historical research and writing on Jamaica’s political, cultural and sporting history.

Marley, the son of reggae legend Bob Marley, has built an international career spanning reggae, dancehall and hip-hop, while also supporting the development of emerging Jamaican artists through Ghetto Youths International.

Robinson-Spence has spent more than four decades promoting Jamaican folk music, dance and cultural traditions and has led the Hertford Folk and Cultural Group since 2000.

Samuda has held leadership positions across Jamaica’s business, cultural, educational and sporting sectors, alongside his work as an attorney and public advocate.

Claxton, an Antigua and Barbuda-born investigative journalist, has worked at several major US newspapers and received a Pulitzer Prize citation for his investigative reporting.

Baptiste has practised law in St Vincent and the Grenadines for close to five decades and has also served in Parliament and Cabinet, including as Minister of Tourism and Culture. She was the first woman of the Vincentian Bar elected to Parliament and later became the founding Speaker of the OECS Assembly.