University Of The West Indies Honours Canada-based Calypso Icon, David Rudder

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Calypsonian David Rudder has been honoured with the degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus.

Rudder, who had the honour bestowed on him by UWI Chancellor Sir George Alleyne and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, was recognised for his outstanding cultural contribution to the twin island republic and the region.

Calypso icon, David Rudder

UWI singled out Rudder classics such as ‘Ganges meets the Nile’, ‘Hosay’, ‘The Power of the Glory’, ‘High Mas’ for their impact in further inculcating all facets of the country’s social fabric into song saying that he more than any other local artiste has been recognised internationally for his integration and capture of the essence of Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural society through his music.

Following a performance at the event marked the third day of the 2015 graduation ceremony of the University of the West Indies, Rudder said he was inspired by the response from the younger members in audience and saw it as a sign that his music was not “just floating in the wind.”

The other honourees included former chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Public Service Commission Dr Marjorie Thorpe, Hollis R Charles, Justice Angela Permanand, A. Norman Sabga, Gerard Besson, Justice Ralph Narine and Rajkumar Persad.

In October and November UWI will confer honourary degrees on 21 individuals during graduation ceremonies on the four campuses, Cave Hill (Barbados), Mona (Jamaica), St Augustine and the Open Campus.