Professor Dr Terence Seemungal

Professor Dr Terence Seemungal attended Trinity College from 1969 to 1976. He holds a Master of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of London, England.

Shortly after leaving Trinity College in 1976, Dr Seemungal returned and taught for a short stint before pursuing studies in the field of Medicine. His interest was particularly in the area of non-communicable diseases, with special emphasis on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Professor Seemungal first approached this topic when he was a doctoral student at the University of London, beginning his research on frequency, inflammation and aetiology of COPD exacerbations.

After completing his professional training in Chest and General Internal medicine in the North East Thames circuit, he returned to Trinidad and Tobago and to the University of the West Indies. Here he continued his research into COPD and other chronic non-communicable lung diseases, first as a Senior Lecturer in Medicine and then as a Professor of Medicine. He is currently the Dean of the Medical Facility of the University of the West Indies and the Chairman of the Campus Open Lectures Committee.

His work with the academic group of Professor, Wedzicha, in London, contributed significantly to the body of knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). His academic contributions from a consistent body of work of high quality, originality and significance. Recently, his work was ranked No. 10 in the world in an analysis of the top 100 “most influential papers on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).” Professor Terence Seemungal has made an invaluable contribution to the study of lung health.

The Trinity College Alumni Association acknowledges the achievements and contributions of Professor Dr Terrence Seemungal in the field of Medicine and readily admits him into its Hall of Fame.

Mr Jefferson Sooknarine

Jefferson Sooknarine attended Trinity College from 1968 to 1974 and was an outstanding student who completed his Advanced Level Certificate in 1973 while in lower sixth form. He holds a Master of Science degree in Management from Stanford University in the United States of America.

Despite his sterling academic record at Trinity he was forced to leave school in 1974 to run his father’s business, Caribbean Pride Cosmetics, when the elder Sooknarine was struck with Multiple Sclerosis and could no longer walk. In 1974, recognizing the need for high-quality labels in the Country, the Sooknarines started a printing company called Cariflex. As Managing Director Jeff grew Cariflex into the largest and most successful printing company in the Caribbean by 1994. In 1982, the Sooknarines started Harricrete Ltd with Jeff again as Managing Director. At the peak of its operations in 1994, the family group of companies employed approximately 350 persons but was still solely owned by Jeff’s father, Harry Sooknarine. Therefore in 1994 when Jeff resigned from the business he left with no financial assistance.

In 1994, Jeff wrote the General Management Admissions Test (GMAT) and placed in the top 8 percentile of the 55,000 persons who took the exam. He credits his sound education at Trinity College for this outstanding achievement. Despite not having an undergraduate degree he applied to Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and was accepted to read for a Master’s Degree in Management, a program which he completed with distinction.

In August 1995 Jeff emigrated to the USA with his family. Having no funds, he started Price Choppers Wristbands in 1994 using credit cards for capital. He was later supported in this venture by his sister Lenore who gave him substantial interest-free loans. Because of his experience and business acumen, he grew Price Choppers Wristbands into a successful enterprise despite having to overcome several legal challenges from his main competitor. Today, Price Chopper employs over 70 persons in its manufacturing operations in Florida, Trinidad and China and sells its products globally to hospitals, amusement parks, nightclubs, music concerts and special events.

Apart from his successful business career while in Trinidad, Jeff served on the Boards of The Industrial Development Corporation and The Public Utilities Commission. He was also the Chairman of Metal Industries Company and also served as Chairman of the Board of Finance of the Presbyterian Church.

The Trinity College Alumni Association acknowledges Jefferson Sooknarine for his achievements as an entrepreneur and readily admits him into its Hall of fame.

Dr. Paul Fajgenbaum

Dr Paul Fajgenbaum

Dr Paul Fajgenbaum attended Trinity College from 1959 to 1965. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Tulane University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Northwestern University in the United States of America.

Paul has the unique distinction of being the first Trinity alumnus to become a Dental Surgeon. He has worked as a Dentist in Trinidad and Tobago since 1973 and was elected an Executive member of the 1st Dental Council of Trinidad and Tobago which was established under the Dental Professions Act of 1980. He has represented the Dental Council as an External Examiner at both the Dental Nurses School and the University of the West Indies School of Dentistry at Mt. Hope

Paul is a very civic-minded person who has made community service an integral part of his life. He was a past member of the Board of The Trinidad& Tobago Cancer Society and in 1979, was made an honorary member of the said Society in “recognition of the invaluable and unselfish service given to man’s fight against cancer”

Paul has also been a member of the Rotary Club of Port of Spain West since 1984 and served as a past President. He received Rotary International’s highest honour, The Rotary Service Above Self Award in 1996, thereby becoming the first Rotarian in Rotary District 7030 which stretches from Antigua in the north to Suriname in the south to be so honoured. This Award was conferred on Paul for establishing a dental program in conjunction with The Paramin Development Council and the Rotary Club of Port of Spain West in 1984. The program still functions to date and has served as a model which Rotary International calls ‘The Rotary Village and   Community Corps Program’ and has introduced in 7500 similar communities in 80 countries worldwide.

Paul has maintained a historical knowledge of the College and its students which he readily displays whenever the occasion arises for reminiscing among fellow alumni.

The Trinity College Alumni acknowledges the achievements of Dr. Paul Fajgenbaum in the fields of Dentistry and community service and readily admits him into its Hall of Fame

Ms Delia Cherrie

Delia Cherrie came to Trinity College in 1970 and gave 29 years of unbroken dedicated teaching service to the College. This tenure is matched by few teachers in the history of Trinity College.

The impact of Ms Cherrie’s contribution as a French language teacher is manifested by the fact that no fewer than 8 of her former students eventually specialized in the French language as professionals in the spheres of Education, International Relations and International Business.

Delia Cherrie distinguished herself from other language teachers principally by her uncommon ability to work with, inspire and get results from students challenged by difficult circumstances. She was able to motivate students who were dealing with emotional domestic issues, students with financial difficulties and even those who suffered low self-esteem.

On a purely pedagogic note, Delia Cherrie was a pioneer in the art of teaching foreign languages by way of exposing the student to native speaker experiences as well as the practice of freestyle conversation known today as the “Communicative Approach”.

Ms. Cheerie’s contribution has had the lasting impact of maintaining and bettering the standard for foreign language teaching at Trinity College. Her contribution has also helped to establish the College as a premier secondary school noted for excellence in the teaching of French.

The Trinity College Alumni Association acknowledges Delia Cheerie as an elite Educator who has set the standard for the teaching of the French language at Trinity College and readily admits her into its the Hall of Fame.

Mr Cary Codrington

Cary Codrington attended Trinity College from 1970 to 1975. He holds a Grade II Solo Performance musical certificate from the University of the West Indies and a Grade V certificate from the Royal School of Music in England.

Cary’s love for music started as a child when he was taught to play the steelpan by Joseph and Addison Cummings in their back yard. In 1972 he began playing with the Starlift Steel Orchestra where his talent blossomed and his zeal and enthusiasm for the instrument and the music became evident in the way he enjoyed playing.

Cary started his band, the Codrington Pan Family with one tenor, entertaining passersby on the streets of Port of Spain in 1999. During the next few years, he acquired more instruments and expanded the band to include his wife and their six children.

The Codringtons have performed throughout Trinidad and Tobago and have travelled extensively, appearing at events in Antigua, Cuba, Venezuela, France, Japan and numerous venues throughout the United States of America.

They have played for celebrities, dignitaries and royalty including former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmed Badawi, Queen Elizabeth II of England, Andrew, Duke of York and King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain.

The Codrington Pan Family has a repertoire that includes Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Latin, Pop, Jazz, R&B and Classical music. The Band has won over 15 different steelpan and music competitions including the QRC Pan Jazz and We Beat Pan Ramajay. Their greatest achievement to date was being named as one of the top ten breakout acts at the South by South West Music Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, in 2015 by the Star Tribune. This Music Festival is the largest of its kind in the world with over 2000 acts performing each year since 2014.

Today apart from being a steel orchestra, the family band has incorporated other musical instruments such as a keyboard, saxophone and trumpet. The Band aspires to perform music that touches the heart and sends a message of hope to broken homes.

Aside from being the Arranger and Musical Director of the Codrington Pan Family, Cary has arranged for bands in the national panorama competition. He has also arranged for schools that have won the school panorama and school steelband music festival competitions. In addition, he arranged for Courts Sound Specialists when they placed 4^th in the World Steelband Music Festival in 2005 in Madison Square Garden, New York.

A simple and humble man, Cary espouses the virtues of family life which is evident by the close bonds of his own family but which he also shares with his young charges at the schools where he arranges. He hopes that his interaction with young people will help to carry on the legacy of steelband music and pan technology.

The Trinity College Alumni Association acknowledges the achievements Cary Codrington as a Musician, musical Director and cultural Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago and readily admits him into its Hall of Fame.