THE 2015 William J. Perry Award for Excellence in Security and Defense Education recently honoured Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, one of the world’s leading scholars on Caribbean defence and security issues at the National Defense University.Named after the center’s founder, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. William J. Perry, the Perry Award is presented annually to individuals and institutions making significant contributions in the fields of security and defense education.

Awardees are selected for achievements in promoting education, research, and knowledge-sharing in defence and security issues in the Western Hemisphere.

Dr. Griffith has years of service as a scholar, author, and educational leader. His teaching and innovative research achievements have informed a generation of policymakers and practitioners, and have enabled the advancement of an international and cooperative environment for security among nations throughout the Caribbean Diaspora.

Dr. Griffith’s selection for this prestigious award was aided by his significant and tangible work at several colleges and universities across the United States, where he has served as Dean, Provost, Senior Vice President, and University President. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. His scholarly contributions and participation in countless international forums have been instrumental in building many relationships that have further increased democratic security, to the Caribbean Diaspora’s benefit.

The work contributed by the stellar scholar Dr. Griffith is of course a well-deserved source of pride for his native Guyana, and many throughout the Caribbean Diaspora who have come to know him either as a student, colleague, or otherwise; such as the case of Mr. Sheridon Hill of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, who spearheaded the nomination of Dr. Griffith for this honour.
He expressed his admiration and thanks for the knowledge that has continued to be a source of his own excellence in his profession.

Other notable supporters in attendance at the event included Guyana’s Ambassador Bayney Karran; Luigi Einaudi, former US Ambassador to the Organization of American States; Sherry Tross, Ombudsman of the OAS; UN Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Edward Greene; former Ambassador of Jamaica to the United Nations, Curtis Ward; Captain Gerald (Gerry) Gouveia, CEO of Roraima Airways Inc.; and Colonel Darnley E. Wyke, Defense and Military Attaché of Trinidad and Tobago.

A common remark resounding by his guests and the presenting group is the high regard they have for Dr. Griffith — his work, dedication and commitment to every aspect of security and defense education.

He shared the stage with Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberón Sanz, Secretary of the Navy of Mexico, who was also honoured; and Dr Griffith delighted him and the audience with his greetings of congratulations in Spanish, as he began his acceptance speech.

As Secretary of the Navy and a member of Mexico’s Federal Executive Cabinet, Admiral Soberón has responsibility for overseeing the country’s navy and marine. He has been consistent in promoting education, research, outreach, and the sharing of knowledge.

Under the leadership of the Secretariat of the Navy, the doctoral programme at the Center for Superior Naval Studies (CESNAV) has become a leading defense curriculum in the Americas.

By Allison Skeete