University of St. Martin’s (USM’s) second semester of the academic year 2008-2009 was opened officially Monday night (January 26th 2009) with some 230 students enrolled to pursue degree programmes and with the importance of higher education in propelling St. Maarten in her new constitutional status being underscored.
The ceremony was held in one of the recently constructed classrooms provided students with an opportunity to meet the university’s board, faculty members and leadership team.
Three of the completed classrooms were dedicated to businesses that had donated towards their construction. Plaques were hung in the names of Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities, Afoo Supermarket and Ballerina Jewellers.
USM President Josianne Fleming-Artsen said a number of classrooms would be turned over to the institution in two weeks and the remainder within two months.
Board member Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet said it was important that the institution continue on its expansion project once the rooms currently under construction were finalised.
Finance Commissioner Roy Marlin delivered the feature address. Also present was USM Student Government Association (SGA) President Maria Richardson. Mrs.Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet recognised the presence of some "USM pioneers": Johnson USM’s first Dean; Wycliffe Smith a former President; Franklyn Wilson; Claudette Forsythe-La Bega; and Danny Ramchandani, who was credited with being instrumental in helping to raise substantial funds for the university’s expansion.
