Gardiner, Rudder awarded UWI honorary degrees

Aviation pioneer Lyndon Gardiner and cultural entrepreneur Pierce Antonio “Boo” Rudder are among 11 distinguished people who will receive The University of the West Indies’ highest academic recognition during its 2025 graduation season.

Gardiner, a visionary entrepreneur from North Caicos, is credited with transforming regional air travel through his leadership of interCaribbean Airways. Beginning humbly as a one-man operation in the 1990s, he expanded what was once Air Turks & Caicos into the largest privately-owned airline in the region.

Today, interCaribbean connects 27 destinations across 17 countries, employing hundreds and strengthening Caribbean unity.

Gardiner’s community impact also extends to scholarships at The UWI, medical transport partnerships and disaster relief efforts.

Rudder, meanwhile, has dedicated his life to advancing Barbadian culture and identity while bridging the worlds of music, business and sport. A cultural administrator and entrepreneur, he has managed the Blue Rhythm Combo, led the Musicians’ and Entertainers’ Guild of Barbados, and served as CEO of the National Cultural Foundation.

His advocacy in copyright reform has also shaped how Caribbean creators protect their work.

Beyond culture, Rudder has been a national sport administrator, leading the Barbados Rifle and Pistol Federation and representing the island internationally.

His creative work includes producing the CD Rush Hour and authoring Marching to a Different Drummer.

In 2019, he was awarded the Gold Crown of Merit for his service to culture, business and sport.

The two will be honoured for outstanding achievement when The UWI Cave Hill Campus hosts its graduation ceremony on Saturday, October 18.

The regional university’s graduation season, held under the theme Pelicans in an AI-driven future: where tradition meets tomorrow, runs from October 11 to November 8 across its Five Islands, Cave Hill, St Augustine, Mona, and Global campuses.

Other honorees this year include reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, academic leaders such as Professor Niranjan Kissoon and Professor Gene D. Morse, and the late Jamaican business executive Donald Wehby.

(PR)