CASTRIES, St. Lucia – St. Lucia's government says the legacy of one of the country’s prominent academics, Dr. Hazel Simmons-McDonald “is one of excellence and commitment” as it paid tribute to her following her death on Sunday in Barbados. She was 78 years old.
Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies, Professor Hazel Simmons- Mc DonaldThe former pro-vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus reportedly died following an incident at her home.
She was the niece of Harold Simmons, often referred to as the father of modern St. Lucian arts and culture.
“Dr. Simmons-McDonald was an educator, an author, a visionary leader, and an advocate for the advancement of the Kwéyòl language. Her pioneering work influenced the lives of many across the region, particularly through her leadership at the University of the West Indies and the various textbooks and poems which she published,” Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre said in a statement.
He said she was awarded the prestigious St. Lucia Cross during the Investiture Ceremony of Independence 2022, “in recognition of her invaluable contributions in education and the Kwéyòl language research.
“Her legacy is one of excellence and commitment,” he added.
She was a senior lecturer at the UWI, becoming a Professor in the Departments of Linguistics and the merged Department of Language, Linguistics and Literature. She also served served as Deputy Dean of Outreach, Deputy Dean – Planning, and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education at the Cave Hill Campus.
She was the Co-Chair of The UWI Cultural Studies Initiative that established the discipline at Cave Hill camps and before her retirement was Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus. In retirement has served in selected projects as consultant for the OECS/USAID Early Learners Programme (language policy); CARICOM Open and Distant Learning Committee; Erdiston College Literacy Diagnosis and Intervention Strategies.
