Bahamian alums discuss experience

Last Thursday, Bahamian alumnae, faculty and CSB+SJU students came together in the Stephen B. Humphrey theater to discuss the history and relationship between The Bahamas and Benedictines.

The event was organized by history professor Brittany Merritt Nash and department coordinator Norma Koetter. Food for the reception was catered by the Caribbean Kitchen, owned by Bahamian alum Nicholas Hall ’92. The lobby was filled with hearty laughs and good conversation.

After the reception, Merritt Nash presented on the complex history between the institutions and The Bahamas. Merritt Nash specializes in Caribbean and colonial history.

When Merritt Nash came to work at CSB+SJU, she said she was surprised to see so many students from The Bahamas.

“I didn’t expect that in Central Minnesota,” Merritt Nash said. “I always wondered what was the story.”

Much of her speech focused on the historical connection between CSB+SJU and the Benedictines. Before The Bahamas became an independent nation on July 10, 1973, it was ruled under Great Britain. In 1891, monks came to The Bahamas to assist in opening schools and clinics in the capital city, Nassau.

Only nine out of every 1,000 students went to school in The Bahamas in the 1950s. With the help of the monks, more Bahamians were afforded an education.

The monks established St. Augustine’s College, a secondary school, in Nassau in 1947. Eventually, the developing relationship allowed Bahamian students to study at CSB+SJU.

Merritt Nash also shared the great impact Bahamian alums have had at CSB+SJU. Using a famous line from the musical “Hamilton,” she said Bahamians were “in the room where it happened.”

Bahamian alums touched nearly every corner of the schools.

The famous Johnnie fight song was written by Bahamian alum Eugene Dupuch ‘31. Alumna Telzena Coakley ‘62 co-founded CSB’s Bahamas Extension Program in 1974, which allowed Bahamian teachers to finish their degrees at CSB.

Merritt Nash admires the mentorship that Bahamian students continue to share with each other, giving an example of fly-in students hosted by current Bahamian Bennies and Johnnies.

“There’s a community of mentorship when new Bahamian students come, like, ‘here, I’ll show you the ropes,’” Merritt Nash said.

Following Merritt Nash’s speech, a panel of alumnae joined her on stage. The panelist included Prince Wallace ‘68, Phil Galanis ‘75 and Trevare Sherman ’09.

Each panelist shared their journey to CSB+SJU and their experience on campus. Panelists agreed that CSB+SJU was well-respected by fellow Bahamians and others recommended that they attend.

“CSB+SJU gave me the opportunity to build character. I think that it has helped to propel me forward in terms of my personal life and my career,” Sherman said.

Sherman is a fourth-generation Bennie and holds a doctorate degree in education.

“I feel as though I am well-connected in the world, and that supports me through many of my endeavors. It’s a fraternity of sorts,” Sherman said. “And so I tap into it and use it as a really important resource to gain information and gain access and build my portfolio as a professional.”

The number of Bahamian students has grown significantly since the beginning of the Benedictine and Bahamian connection. It wasn’t always that way. Wallace remembers just 10 total Bahamian students during his time on campus in the late ‘60s.

“I think the only thing that really made me feel connected was the camaraderie that I had with the Bahamians over here. There were not as many Bahamians, clearly,” Galanis said. “I think at the time there were only 10, maybe 15 students, and so we really relied on each other for support, and also to remind us and to help us refresh our roots and stay connected to The Bahamas.”

Initially, Bahamian culture wasn’t as prevalent on campus. As time passed and more students attended, new clubs and organizations were formed to represent a variety of cultures on campus. Wallace and Galanis noted events like the Festival of Cultures and the Bahamian Social didn’t exist.

Eventually, Sherman went on to found the Archipelago Association and became the first president of the Bahamian club.

“When we realized that the other communities in the Caribbean were not getting funding, we expanded to the Archipelago Association,” Sherman said. “It was great time to showcase our dance, our music and our food.”

Panelists concluded with advice for students. Wallace encouraged students to focus on their education and take advantage of every opportunity.

“CSB+SJU broke the mold that educated us,” Wallace said. “Education unlocks the padlocks to poverty.”

Galanis emphasized the importance and value of a liberal arts education and its ability to transform the mind.

“I think the most important thing that I would want to say to them is that they must pay very close attention to their studies. It’s very critically important because this is the time when many of the attitudes, opinions and the things that will carry them through life will be found,” Galanis said. “This is where they are going to really be able to concretize or crystallize things that they think they believe from the things that they actually believe.”

The CSB+SJU and Bahamian connection remains strong. It is anticipated that the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Brave Davis, will be at CSB+SJU for the annual McCarthy Lecture in the near future.