The American University of Antigua School of Nursing

The American International College of Arts and Sciences – Antigua and the School of Nursing’s classes of 2009 celebrated a “night of persistence” on December 5, 2009, at the Precision Center in Antigua. The evening marked an historical event at the university, as the first-ever graduating nursing class consisting of students Shaquawna Braddock, Ophalyn Gariando, Dwayna Morris, and Shalini Tiwari-Harricharan successfully completed the ASN program. Each representative of the class is now eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination and gain entrance into the City University of New York (CUNY) Lehman College one-year-RN-to-BS Nursing program.

R-L: Shalini Tiwari-Harricharan; Dwayna Morris, Ophalyn Gariando, and Shaquawna Braddock -- nursing students being pinned

The late Dr. Lorna Scott McBarnette launched the AICASA School of Nursing in September 2008. Through her relationship with Lehman College, she established the affiliation that now allows AUA students who successfully complete their Associates Degree in Antigua to qualify for automatic entrance into Lehman College's BS program in Nursing. Dr. McBarnette served as the program’s founding Dean of administration and academics from September 2008 until her sudden passing in March 2009. She was an exemplary example to the students and will always be remembered for her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the university. To fulfill her dream, the university subsequently appointed Dr. Violet Gordon as the new Dean and Professor of Nursing.

R-L: (AUA Nursing Graduates) Dwayna Morris; Shalini Tiwari-Harricharan; Y. (Dean of AUA Nursing School) Violet Gordon, PhD, RN; (AUA Nursing Graduate) Ophalyn Gariando; and Shaquawna Braddock

The SGA President of AUA’s Nursing program, Shaquawna Braddock expressed her gratitude to the late Dr. McBarnette for her vision. “This vision not only allows students the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of becoming nurses, but also allows us the opportunity to experience our education at an inter-cultural level. This vision is and will continue to be lived out in the lives of the graduating class of 2009.” Ms. Braddock also gave special thanks to Joan Roberts, daughter of the late Dr. McBarnette, for making this historical event more memorable with her attendance and involvement in the pinning of graduating class.

Her Excellency, Dame Louise Lake Tack, Governor General of Antigua, expressed how proud she was to see students take on such a demanding profession that ensures quality care for all while maintaining a code of ethics, standards, competencies, and a commitment to continuing education worldwide. “As a registered nurse myself, I know how important this profession is to the community and I wish you all the best of luck in all your endeavors,” said the Governor General during her speech.

The second half of the night was spent celebrating the 2009 graduating class of the American International College of Arts and Sciences – Antigua (AICASA). Dr. Moreno, Dean of AICASA, informed the attending guests that this was the third semester in which a native of Antigua rose above the others in all subjects. He then introduced Samantha Thomas, valedictorian with a GPA of 3.93. The highlight of Ms. Thomas’s speech was her words of encouragement and advice to her classmates. She stated, “Our work does not stop here, but this is only one of the steps to another level and from there even another level until we reach our dreams. Each step is not going to be easy but we just have to be prepared to work extremely hard…that being said, I wish the class of 2009 all the best as they take their first step in the Basic Science program.”