BERES HAMMOND TO GET HONORARY DEGREE FROM UWI

September 23, 2023

Jamaican reggae iconic singer Hugh Beresford Hammond has been named among four of the Caribbean’s distinguished performing artistes to receive honorary degrees from The University of the West Indies (UWI) for its upcoming Class of 2023 graduation ceremonies, starting October 7th. The artistes are Barbados Cultural Ambassador Alison Hinds, Calypsonian Sir Leroy “King Short Shirt” Emanuel from Antigua, and singer/actress, Heather Headley from Trinidad and Tobago. Hammond(O.J.), will be one of four Jamaicans bestowed with honorary degrees. The remaining distinguished laureates comprise of the late entrepreneur Lascelles Chin, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the USA Audrey Marks, and academic maestro, Professor E. Dale Abel.

The four Jamaicans are among 14 eminent persons from the region to be honored by the UWI this year. The annual tradition of conferring honorary degrees, which coincides with the regional university’s 75th jubilee celebrations, will commemorate the outstanding contributions made by these individuals to their communities and the wider society. The honorees will partake in the festivities with hundreds of students across the five islands, Cave Hill, St Augustine, Mona, and Global (formerly Open Campus) campuses that are graduating this year.

Hugh Beresford Hammond is a reggae mentor, singer and producer known for his romantic lovers’ rock and prolific songwriting. His career began in the 1970’s as an R&B artist and has been a favorite amongst female fans worldwide. We want to congratulate Mr. Hammond and all recipients on this great honor.