T
he University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, has officially begun the process to confer a posthumous Bachelor of Laws degree on Daquan Roberts, the promising third‑year law student whose life was tragically cut short by recent gun violence.
The announcement was made by Deputy Principal Professor Winston Moore during a vigil and walk held on campus on Saturday to celebrate Roberts’ life.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal, Professor Moore addressed the gathering of grieving family members, faculty and students, noting that while the university is dedicated to “building futures”, the community has been shaken by the loss of unprecedented proportions.
“He came to this institution to earn that distinction through years of study, dedication and sacrifice,” Professor Moore said. “We hope this brings some small measure of comfort to his family, knowing that his academic journey is acknowledged and honoured by this institution.”
Roberts was described not simply as a name on a register but as a dedicated scholar who chose the legal profession in service to justice.
Professor Moore described the tragedy as a “horrible” reality, noting that while the campus had never experienced anything quite like it, such violence has become all too common in wider society.
“Gun violence does not only take a life, it takes a future,” he said. “It takes a son, a friend, a classmate and a future attorney who might have stood in a courtroom one day and changed the life of someone who had no one else to speak for them.”
The Deputy Principal urged the university community to transform their collective grief into resolve, calling on those present to raise their voices against the violence robbing the region of its youth and to ensure students can pursue their education without fear.
The ceremony concluded with a commitment that the university would continue to stand in solidarity with the Roberts family, ensuring Daquan’s legacy remains a permanent part of the Cave Hill Campus history.
The post Slain law student to receive posthumous degree appeared first on Barbados Today.
