2008 Speeches

June 25, 2008

2008 Fulbright Awards Ceremony

Dr. Roy L. Austin
United States Ambassador
Hilton Hotel

Members of the Ambassador’s Educational Advisory Board including corporate sponsors;  members of the Fulbright 2000 Academic Screening Committee, chaired by Dr. Marjorie Thorpe; representative of the Fulbright Alumni Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs. Charisse Griffith-Charles, Vice President; Scholarship awardees; members of the media; Embassy Colleagues; ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon!

At this year’s ceremony, we are honoring nine recipients of Fulbright Awards for 2008.  I’m sure they are very excited to embark on this fascinating journey.   I can assure you that it will be like no other in your lifetime, so make the most of it!

Although many years have passed, it seems not so long ago that I embarked on a similar journey.  While living in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the country of my birth and early rearing, I received financial aid from Yale University in the U.S. to matriculate in that institution.  

Needless to say, that aid and the opportunities and accomplishments to which it led, changed my life.  I traveled along previously unimagined intellectual avenues, picking up a B.A. at Yale, a Ph.D at the University of Washington, and moving to a career of nearly 30 years of teaching and research at the Pennsylvania State University.

I also cultivated many close friendships along the way, including that of the current President of the United States.  So my advice to you as you begin this stage of your life is hit the books, and hit them hard, but be open to new friendships!

Of course, this day is about the award winners; but I thought it important  to tell you my story to give you a sense of the kinds of opportunities and surprises -- of the pleasant kind, I trust -- that might await you in the United States.

Of utmost importance, when you have completed your studies, we want you to return home to help to make Trinidad and Tobago a better place.  You can only achieve this goal if you continue to have the drive and passion we saw during your Fulbright interview.  We expect Fulbrighters to make a lifelong commitment to active leadership in a community or the society upon their return.  

Well, I believe I have said enough at this point.   You will be hearing soon from Dr. Marjorie Thorpe who is also a Fulbright fellow and who will be imparting her own words of wisdom.

Before concluding though, I offer heartfelt congratulations to the award winners. Also, thanks to the members of all of our selection committees, including the Academic Screening Committee for the Fulbright 2000 Program.  Additionally, I  offer special thanks to our very generous Fulbright 2000 Program corporate sponsors, especially those represented here today:  Atlantic LNG Co. of Trinidad and Tobago, BP Trinidad and Tobago Ltd., EOG Resources, Trinidad andTobago Ltd., Republic Bank Ltd. and Sagicor Life Inc.

I thank you for having accorded me the courtesy of your attention. May the grace of the Almighty shine upon all of us and upon the people of the countries we call home!