On Saturday 19^th November, the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad & Tobago (COSTAATT) held the graduation ceremony for the graduating class of 2011. At this ceremony, that was held at the Hyatt Regency hotel, the latest batch of radiographers, radiotherapist and sonographers were officially acknowledged by COSTAATT for completing years of training and study in the field of radiological sciences.

 

 

At 4:15 p.m. everyone was seated and the ceremony commenced. Various addresses were made by such distinguished persons as the president of COSTAATT, Emmanuel E. Gonsalves, chairman of the board of trustees of COSTAATT, Dr. Allan I. McKenzie and chairman of the integrity commission, Kenneth Gordon, whose keynote address I quite enjoyed.

 

 

After the addresses and a musical interlude by the talented and harmonious COSTAATT concert choir, the COSTAATT award of merit was presented to two members of the college’s faculty, one of which was our very own Ms. Wilma Collins. This award is presented to members of the COSTAATT staff that have contributed greatly to the educating of students and establishing of programs in the college and as many of us may know, Ms. Collins has done more than her part. An award of partnership was also presented to the Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences for its work with COSTAATT to educate radiographers and sonographers over the years. This award was received by vice president of academics in the Michener Institute, Sylvia Schippke.

 

 

After the presenting of awards it was finally time for the distribution of diplomas. Unfortunately for us radiography and radiotherapy graduates, the letter ‘R’ is the 18^th letter in the alphabet and the diplomas were being handed out in alphabetical order and so of course we had quite a wait. Our four-year wait for our diploma was made forty-five minutes longer. As we finally left the sea of black gowns and proceeded towards the stage, I could feel a great sense of pride. I felt proud of my colleagues for finally making it to this point. As I crossed the stage, shook the president of COSTAATT’s hand and received my diploma in front of faculty, specially invited guests, peers, family and well wishers, I thought to myself, “this was worth the wait.”

 

I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate all my colleagues for making it all the way to the end of this journey. I would like to specially congratulate Nadira Willie, Chirac Ali and Candice Pulchan for acquiring the highest GPA’s in their respective courses and all the students who graduated with honors. I would like to thank all the lecturers, facilitators and radiographers who took time to guide us in our studies, our families and well wishers who supported us and last but not at all least, GOD, for without him none of this would be possible.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of graduates;