An indelible contribution, not only to the Barbados Community College (BCC), but to the island as a whole.

That is the assessment from the College on hearing of the passing of former long-standing Tutor, Trevor Marshall.

Mr. Marshall was a stalwart at the College, which he joined on September 6, 1976, as an Assistant Tutor. During his 38-year tenure, Mr. Marshall was promoted to the post of Tutor 1 in 1995 and remained in that position until his retirement on July 31, 2014. He was seconded to the National Cultural Foundation for two years as a Research Officer from 1984 to 1986.

Registrar, Roger Worrell was a student of Mr. Marshall’s and later became a colleague. Mr. Worrell recalled first meeting Mr. Marshall in 1982 when he enrolled at the BCC to study Advanced Level History, English Literature, and Law. He said “Mr. Marshall inspired me with his style of teaching and his interaction with fellow students. He encouraged us to be critical thinkers and gave us the opportunity to be expressive in our understanding of the history of Barbados and the Caribbean. Mr. Marshall always inspired his students and he built relationships with all of us”.

When Mr. Worrell became a tutor in 1988, Mr. Marshall moved into the role the mentor after whom he modeled his teaching style. “He was a colleague, and a friend and I mourn his passing,” Mr. Worrell said.

Current tutor, Cherish Holmes echoed the Registrar’s sentiments about Mr. Marshall’s connection to his students. Ms. Holmes, a History and Literature student from 2004-2006, remembered fondly the famed Muscovado Awards which she described as a “personalized recognition of your journey at the BCC as a student because he highlighted everything you did”. The awards were also linked to the nicknames Mr Marshall gave to students, so Ms. Holmes who played sports well, earned the moniker “Bajan Sport Barbie” and a tennis racket in the Muscovado Awards.

“He made you fearless and confident in your abilities, but it didn’t end there. When you went to [the University of the West Indies] and said you did history at BCC there were high expectations. He helped you gain the confidence to back yourself and to be outspoken, not to sit down and soak up. He built a reputation for himself and his students. In fact, looking back as a tutor now, that was his superpower. He instilled a sense of confidence that made you unafraid,” Ms. Holmes said.

Principal, Annette Alleyne acknowledged Mr. Marshall’s academic contribution to the College, but she also hailed his efforts at helping to build out the cultural landscape at the BCC through events like the Muscovado Awards. “He established a platform that inspired robust debates and he implemented ‘Communifesta’, a festival focusing on leadership and the preservation of our cultural heritage. His past students and staff members have recalled with laughter, stories of his Muscovado Awards. Mr. Marshall empowered countless students to engage actively with history, both theoretically and practically, ensuring that the stories of our past are preserved for future generations”, she noted.

Chairman of the College, the Honourable Dr. Allyson Leacock, who also interacted with him in her previous roles as a Manager of the Frank Collymore Hall and as a former CEO of the National Cultural Foundation, captured her thoughts in this way: “Trevor Marshall was an authentic proud Bajan who was a passionate guardian of our heritage. His work enriched our cultural tapestry and ignited interest in all things Bajan for Barbadians from all walks of life. Our best tribute to his memory will be for us to respect the dignity of every Barbadian, understand not only our Bajan history but the strength and uniqueness of our national identity. The BCC Board and Management thank him for his indelible contribution to the College and to Barbados.”