Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Meets Juris Doctor Degree in Personal Ceremony at Mona Campus
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, November 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Recognizing his work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Adam Stewart was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) at the 2022 graduation ceremony University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, was held last Saturday (November 5).
An ardent champion of possibilities in Jamaica and in all Caribbean, Stewart leads a hospitality organization that is the largest private employer in the region with more than 15,000 team members spread across 24 resorts and eight islands. Beyond Sandals Resorts, Stewart runs his family’s extensive media, automotive and equipment business holdings and is the force behind the international AC brands from Marriott and Starbucks® entering the Caribbean the market. And while his business ventures and acumen are highly regarded, his tireless work on the region’s most pressing issues — from access to health care and natural resource protection to investment in education — is where Stewart shines. It is for these reasons that Stewart was awarded the degree.
“I am humbled and proud to be recognized by UWI for the work I am passionate about. My father, the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, taught me that opportunity is a gift not to be wasted. His persistence and desire to making a better life not only for himself and his family, but for his employees, community and country gave me a first-hand understanding of what is possible when people are given a chance. I accept this degree with wholeheartedly and promise to continue to earn the trust that this exemplary body has placed in me,” said Stewart.
“To University of the West Indies is honored to have Adam Stewart join our distinguished cadre of Honorary Doctorate recipients,” said Professor Zotëri Hilary BecklesVice-Chancellor of University of the West Indies. He continued, “Adam is the epitome of the modern renaissance man leading the charge in Caribbean in innovation and creativity critical to achieving high levels of growth. It is the kind of acumen and agility that UWI prides itself on improving to meet the needs of our developing region. Congratulations Dr. Adam Stewart. Deserved!”
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett sent his regards from World Travel Market (WTM) to London, saying that he “could not let such an important event pass without expressing his deep satisfaction” and offering his congratulations to “this new champion of Caribbean Tourism”. “Not only has he so ably carried the mantle inherited from his late father, the Honorable Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, but he has also taken the lead in Caribbean to even greater heights,” said Bartlett.
Prior to becoming Executive Chairman of SRI, Stewart spent more than a decade as the organization’s Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, leading the brand’s transition into what now encompasses Lux.® underwriting and overseeing a period of major expansion that also introduced the region’s first overwater accommodations. His efforts have been recognized by numerous awards in the hospitality industry, including being named the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Hotelier of the Year for 2015.
An entrepreneur in his own right, Stewart is the founder and CEO of leading attraction and tour company Island Routes Adventure Tours, offering more than 500 tours in 12 Caribbean destinations, making it easy for visitors to connect authentically with locals and experience the region.
Deeply committed to the region, Stewart is founder and President of the Sandals Foundation, the 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that aims to make a difference in the Caribbean communities where Sandals Resorts operates. One hundred percent of the money contributed by the public to the Sandals Foundation goes directly to programs that benefit the Caribbean. He is also founder and active chairman of local non-profit organization We Care for Cornwall Regional Hospital, which raises funds to improve hospital facilities, and chairs the country’s Tourism Links Council, which aims to increase the capacity and competitiveness of local suppliers, making workforce tourism for all.
For his outstanding contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry, Stewart received the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2016 and later that year, was named a Caribbean American Mover and Shaker – Humanitarian of the Year by the Caribbean Media Network. In 2017, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) honored Stewart with the Jerry Award for outstanding contributions to Caribbean development. Under his leadership in 2020, SRI responded to the Jamaican Government’s call for COVID-19 relief, handing over the Sandals Carlyle Resort free of charge for 18 months and donating JA$30 million to purchase care packages.
Stewart sits on the Board of Directors of Wysinco Group Limited and is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). A graduate and active student of the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in Florida International University (SON) in Miami, Stewart recently orchestrated a partnership between FIU and UWI, where he serves as the West Jamaica Campus Ambassador. Promising the US 10 million dollars in support of SRI and the signing of an MoU, UWI and FIU will work together to establish The Gordon “Butch” Stewart International School of Hospitality and Tourism in honor of Stewart’s father and SRI founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart.
In addition to the degree awarded to Stewart, the University Council approved the awarding of honorary degrees to 15 other distinguished individuals, including Sir Richard Benjamin Richardson e Antigua and Barbuda for his contribution to Sports; Alston Beckett Cyrus of St. Vincent and Grenadine for his work as a Soca Artist/Composer; Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-HenryPhD, LLM e Dominica for her work in International Labor and Maritime Law; Mister Hugh Anthony Rawlins e St. Kitts and Nevis for contributions to the judicial arena; Dr. Joy Saint John e Barbados for her work in the leadership of Medicine and Public Health; His Excellency the Ambassador Gabriel Abed e Barbados/UAE for Pioneering Entrepreneurship and Digital Currencies; vox Neville Isdell e Ireland for contributions to business and philanthropy; Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted of Trinidad and Tobago for contributions to Agricultural and Nutritional Science; Ms. Ingrid LA Lashley from Trinidad and Tobago for her work in Corporate Banking/Finance; Ms. Rosalind Gabriel e Trinidad and Tobago for her work as a band leader/entertainer; Dr. Wayne AI Frederick e Trinidad and Tobago for contributions to Surgical Science; Providence Robert Nelson e Trinidad and Tobago for contributions to culture and Calypso; The Honorable Professor Orlando Patterson i Jamaica for his work as a Historical and Cultural Sociologist; Honorable Senator Dr. Rosemary Moodie e Jamaica/Canada for Pediatric Medicine and Philanthropy; and Mrs. Diane Jaffee of US for her work in Finance.
About Sandals Resorts International
Family owned and operated Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is the parent company of some of the world’s most popular travel brands including Sandals® Resorts and beaches® Resorts, of the Caribbean leading luxury all-inclusive resort brands; private island Fowl Cay Resort; and the private home collection Your Jamaican Villas. Founded in 1981 by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, SRI is based in Montego Bay, Jamaica and responsible for resort development, service standards, skills training and day-to-day operations. For more information, visit Sandals Resorts International.
About UWI
UWI has been and continues to be a major force in every respect Caribbean development; standing at the center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people throughout the region.
From a university college i London IN Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona IN Jamaica, Saint Augustine IN Trinidad and Tobago, Cave hill IN Barbados, Five islands in Antigua and Barbuda and is Open the campusand 10 global centers in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa AND Europe.
UWI offers over 800 certificates, degrees, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Sport. like of the Caribbean flagship university, it possesses the largest group of Caribbean intellect and expertise dedicated to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.
UWI is consistently ranked among the best universities globally by the leading ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). In the latest ranking of world universities 2022, published in September 2021, UWI moved up an impressive 94 places from last year. In the current global field of around 30,000 elite universities and research institutes, UWI stands in the top 1.5%.
UWI is the only one Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its ranking debut in 2018. In addition to its leading position in Caribbeanis also in the top 20 for Latin America AND Caribbean and the global top 100 The golden age universities (between 50 and 80 years old). UWI is also featured among the top universities in THE’s Rankings of influence for its response to the world’s greatest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-Being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.
For more, visit www.uwi.edu.
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SOURCE Sandals Resorts International
