Delegates have yearly visit to The Bahamas

On March 9, President Bruess, Carol Bruess and delegates made their annual trip to the Bahamas. This tradition, which was established in 2008, developed out of the long-standing relationship with the Bahamas.

The first Bahamian student to attend St. John’s University came in 1918, the second in 1927; women from The Bahamas began to attend St. Ben’s in the 1940s. The relationship between the Bahamas and CSB+SJU has continued to grow ever since.

Dr. Brittany Merrit Nash, a history professor and scholar on the relationship between CSB+SJU and the Bahamas, said she is eager to share this history.

“One thing I’ve been trying to do is raise awareness about the connection because I think it’s important for everyone to know about that history,” Merrit Nash said. “I want everyone to know that when Bahamian students come here, it is because there is that long history and relationship. I think it will foster a more inclusive environment for that group of students and create that sense of connection.”

In 1891, the first monk traveled from St. John’s to The Bahamas. Over the years, more monks were sent down to build churches and oversee schools. As monks came down from Minnesota, Bahamians also came up.

In addition to spreading Catholic faith, the early monks sought to establish education in the Bahamas, and this remains one of the links between CSB+SJU and The Bahamas. In the 1940s, St. John’s missionaries established St. Augustine’s College, a high school that has sent many graduates to CSB+SJU. Between 1974 and 2000, there was also a campus in The Bahamas called Benedictine University College, which was operated by CSB+SJU. To date, more than 1,600 students from The Bahamas have attended CSB+SJU.

One of the ways the institution maintains their relationship with The Bahamas is an annual visit by the CSB+SJU president and delegation to The Bahamas. In addition to Carol and Brian Bruess, the delegation included two members respectively from St. Ben’s and St. John’s Institutional Advancement, one current trustee and four past trustees.

The annual trip began in 2008. During their three-day visit, usually in late February to early March, delegates engage in various visits and activities.

“We started this annual trip to renew our commitment towards building alum relationships,” Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement at SJU John Young said. “Over this past decade, we’ve really focused on three things: building [our] relationship with the Bahamian government, alum relationships and future students.”

The delegation pays courtesy visits to the prime minister and the minister of education. It also sometimes visits the Archbishop of the Diocese of Nassau and the U.S. Embassy.

The delegation also makes a personal visit. This year they will visit the homes and families of alums, spend time at St. Augustine College and Aquinas College to meet with

juniors and hold the President’s Reception. The reception is a social evening that brings together St. Ben’s and St. John’s representatives, parents of current and former Bahamian students and accepted students. This year, there are 82 accepted students—24 attended the reception.

In addition to scholarships provided by CSB+SJU to students, the Bahamian government provides scholarships for students to attend. Young is looking forward to the continued growth of this program and relationship.

“We’d love to take our partnership to another level. We’re constantly working with them and modifying this memorandum of understanding, making changes that they would like to see or them making changes that we would like to see. It’s a very healthy, very constructive relationship,” Young said.

Bahamian students at CSB+SJU have historically been leaders of student life on campus; senators, editors of The Record, RAs, club founders and more. After graduation, students have gone on to graduate programs, started businesses and served in many roles in the Bahamian government, including as members of Supreme Court, senators and advisors to the Prime Minister.

Canaan Cooper, SJU junior, said he came to SJU prepared to meet and exceed these expectations for success. Cooper found his way to St. John’s through The Bahamas Beautillion Committee Gentlemen’s Club, receiving a scholarship to three schools including St. John’s through his public speaking skills. In addition to the STEM curriculum, Cooper said he felt drawn to St. John’s because of its connection to The Bahamas.

Cooper noted that there have been difficult aspects of his time at St. Ben’s and St. John’s.

“It has been challenging to relate to my peers…Individuals were afraid to engage in conversation, marginalizing me in classrooms and group projects. In addition, domestic students would refuse to sit next to me, and other Bahamians alike, on the Link. This did not and still has not made me feel welcomed,” Cooper said via email.

However, he said that his decision to come to CSB+SJU has been the best decision of his life.

“I made CSB+SJU my home by having my hand in many leadership roles on campus and making an impact with every student, faculty, staff, administrator, alum and trustee I meet,” Cooper said. “Each day I become a global citizen and a testament to the strength my people possess to do the impossible and achieve the once deemed unfathomable. Other students in more diverse areas may feel comfortable, but those who dwell in the uncomfortable are destined for greatness.”