Honorary graduand Professor Dale Abel did not mince words when he addressed members of The UWI’s class of 2023 last Saturday morning, urging them to be humble and to pay it forward.

He also encouraged the graduands to challenge the status quo, seek out mentorship opportunities, and “resist the temptation to be motivated solely by self-interest”.

He was speaking at the graduation ceremony for students in the faculties of Medical Sciences and Sport shortly after he was conferred with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc).

“Everyone in the room this morning is incredibly privileged; you did not come here by accident,” he began. “I will give you some credit for hard work, I'll give you some credit for a lot of studying, but you didn’t do it alone. Your parents, your families, your loved ones and others helped to lift you up to get you to this point. And, therefore, as you advance and as the world begins to take notice of your achievements and your contributions, never forget to pay it forward,” he said.

Professor Abel added: "I would also encourage you to think of yourselves as servants because you have knowledge that very few have, but that knowledge should not puff you up, [rather] it should be used to change your communities and it should be used to prove to be transformative.”

He went on to encourage the graduands to hold fast to their dreams and remain true to their core values.

Professor Abel, who graduated from The UWI in 1985, is the William S Adams Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California. He is an endocrinologist, and his work is focused on the molecular mechanisms underpinning cardiac failure in diabetes.

Professor Abel was one of five people conferred with honorary degrees by The UWI, Mona. The other honorary graduands include Reggae crooner Beres Hammond, who was conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Her Excellency Ambassador Audrey Marks, who was conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD), and Ms. Rachel Manley, who was conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt).   The UWI also conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws posthumously on Lascelles Chin. The business mogul, who founded the LASCO Affiliated Companies and served as executive chairman, died in May this year. 

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