At age 20, Rachael Angel Williams of Grand Bras, St. Andrew’s, was awarded her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from Bennett College for Women, in Greensboro, North Carolina on Saturday, May 3, 2008.  Ms. Williams was one of one hundred and ten ladies who were awarded undergraduate degrees. She graduated suma cum laude and was ranked second in her class, with a cumulative GPA of 3.97 on a 4.0 scale.  Former college President, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, called her “special”.

 

Ms. Williams achieved honors on the Dean’s List and Honor Roll. She was also belonged to the academic honor societies, Beta Kappa Chi, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Phi Kappa Delta. In addition to those academic honors, Ms. Williams completed competitive internships at Williams College in Massachusetts and Duke University in North Carolina, conducting medical research in tumor formation and disease recurrence probability.  In April, she received a gold medal award for her oral research presentation from the Intercultural Cancer Council, at its 11th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer in Washington, DC.

Ms. Williams is the daughter of Esther Williams and Winston Williams, and the granddaughter of the late Neitha Williams, former proprietor of Rainbow Inn in Grenville.  During the commencement activities, Ms. Williams presented the national flag of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as a gift to the Bennett College community for facilitating a positive international exchange during her matriculation.   Several family members attended her graduation ceremonies, including her aunts Dr. Dessima Williams and Ms. Carrol Williams-Akanegbu, her brothers and maternal aunts, including Mrs. Pamela Fredrick, and her school friends. Rachael was an active participant in the Grenada Education and Development Programme, GRENED for eight years.

At a joyful luncheon given in her honor, Professor R. Lee Pontin, Chair of the Mathematics Department and  Rachael’s academic advisor, called her “irreplaceable” to the college, noting that “she was a premier student” and that “her senior thesis could easily have been expanded to a Masters’ Level thesis.”  He added that “she fought for student rights and worked for the betterment of the college as a whole.”  Another professor and mentor, Dr. Benny Langa expressed the view that “Rachael was outstanding from beginning to end.”

Ms. Williams was the 2004 Marryshow Cup winner and valedictorian of St. Joseph's Convent, Grenville.  The math major is taking a year to conduct further medical research before continuing her studies.