This month we’re highlighting the first St. Martin recipients of Bachelor and Associate of Arts degrees from the College of the Virgin Islands (CVI)/the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).
Mr. Joseph H. Lake, Jr. is recognized as the first CVI/UVI graduate from the island of St. Martin to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, having graduated in 1972 with a BA in Sociology. Mr. Lake is our eldest St. Martin graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
A regionally-recognized journalist, Mr. Lake served as the editor of the Windward Islands Opinion newspaper from 1973 to 1976, and presently serves as the publisher and editor of St. Martin Newsday, formerly the Windward Islands Newsday, founded in 1976. Mr.
Lake’s work in the field of journalism has garnered several awards, including the award for achievement in journalism from the student government of the University of St. Martin and Teen Times in 1997, and the ‘St. Martin Culture and Heritage Award’ for his ‘Outstanding Dedication to Mass Media Development, Press Freedom and Significant Contribution to Political Thought,’ in 2012.
Joseph H. Lake, Jr. has been on the front lines in the fight for self-determination as a leading advocate of independence for the Caribbean island of St. Martin, a dual colony of The Netherlands and France. In 1994, Lake became the founding president of the Independence for St. Martin Foundation, the first organization dedicated to the island’s political independence.
Mr. Lake is also a House of Nehesi Publishers-published author of titles including The Republic of St. Martin (2000) and Friendly Anger – The Rise of the Labor Movement in St. Martin (2004).
Mr. Raymond D. Brookson makes UVI history as the first CVI/UVI graduate from St. Martin overall. He completed an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (UPL) in the Class of 1967. Mr. Brookson went on to study at Kent State University, graduating in the class of 1970.
