American actor, producer and humanitarian, Danny Glover is one of three persons to be conferred with honorary degrees by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona.
The other awardees will be local track and field super star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and internationally celebrated Jamaican writer and poet, Lorna Goodison.
Glover and Goodison will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) while Fraser-Pryce, who became the first Jamaican woman to win the 100-metre Olympic gold medal in 2008, will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD), at Mona’s graduation ceremonies on October 28 and 29.
Glover is well known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon film series, as well as in a range of other movies, television shows and theatrical productions. He is also an active supporter of various humanitarian and political causes.
He has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 25 years. He is a friend of the UWI, and was honoured with the Bob Marley Award by the American Foundation for the UWI (AFUWI) in 2009.
Fraser-Pryce won her second straight 100-metre Olympic gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics and also won and defended her title as the fastest female sprinter at the IAAF Championships in 2009, 2013 and 2015. Known as the “pocket rocket”, Fraser-Pryce is the fourth fastest 100-metre female sprinter of all time.
Off the track, Fraser-Pryce is an exemplary ambassador for Jamaica and role model for Jamaican youth. An advocate for peace, especially in schools, she speaks out in favour of non-violent conflict resolution. She was appointed the first national Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Jamaica in 2010.
Goodison is the author of 12 volumes of poetry, three short story collections and a memoir. Her work has explored a plurality of thematic concerns, both personal and political, including inter alia Afro-Jamaican culture, Jamaican social history, Caribbean migrations, familial bonds and the universal quest for truth and harmony.
Though she has lived and taught in North America for many years, Goodison has remained deeply committed to the Caribbean, and has been generous in her contribution to the intellectual life of UWI and in her engagement with Caribbean audiences.
Goodison’s national distinctions include the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, awarded by the Government of Jamaica in 2013, and the Gold Musgrave Medal, awarded by the Institute of Jamaica in 1999. (Jamaica Observer)
