The Tribune

BARRY University Miami welcomed Bahamas Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin at its annual fall commencement ceremony.

Mrs Griffin was in attendance to witness Barry’s first graduating cohort of Bahamian social work students.

Barry began offering Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees in the Bahamas in January 2012 with the initial cohort consisting of six students.

Classes were held in both Nassau and Freeport while students travelled to Barry’s Miami campus for summer sessions. The six graduates were among 1,200 students, including 170 MSW students, earning their degrees from Barry.

The six graduates were: Julita Ingraham, Clarence Hield, Ettamae Jones, Andrea Newbold, Jenny Laing, and Wellette Johnson.

Mr Griffin was joined by a number of her staff including Barbara Burrows, Permanent Secretary of Social Services; Melanie Zonicle, Director of Social Services; and Wrensworth Butler, Director of Probation Services.

Barry currently offers four master’s degree programmes in the Bahamas including a part-time and advanced standing MSW. Barry’s proximity to the islands of the Bahamas has made it a popular destination for Bahamians to achieve their educational goals.

Barry University’s main campus in Miami Shores currently enrols 22 students from the Bahamas and the university has awarded 192 degrees to Bahamian citizens and residents since 2002.