Tribute to Jerry Bradford Medford on behalf of The UWI By Celia Davidson Francis

The life and legacy of outstanding alumnus Jerry Medford will long be recognized by The University of the West Indies. His passing is a tremendous loss for the UWI community. Jerry will be missed especially by his fellow Freedom Hall and engineering peers. He always worked to unite and engage fellow alumni from all the UWI campuses when he served as Alumnus representative. His loyal commitment to the UWI Trinidad and Tobago Chapter also remains undeniable, as evidenced by his over 30 years of involvement, serving as President several times, as well as in other capacities.

In my role as Director of Alumni Relations for The UWI, I knew Jerry well and was always impressed by his unswerving commitment to his Alma Mater. His conviction that a strong alumni body was necessary for the continued development and wellbeing of this University mirrored my own, and I could always count on his support for all things to do with alumni relations. He was very pragmatic, positive, and always ready to assist. I would see him at University events and at Council and alumni Chapter meetings. He was also very supportive of the UWI STAT Ambassadorial Corps which I founded, and both current and Alumni Ambassadors remember, and are appreciative of, his interest and guidance over the 16 years since its inception.  

The service and commitment Jerry gave to The UWI over the years were admired and valued. He was a stalwart supporter of The UWI St. Augustine and lived not far away from the campus. I teased him that The UWI was in his heart and he couldn’t bear to be too far away. His passing has left a huge gap in the hearts of many graduates and he will be greatly missed. Jerry always sought to serve his University and believed in the “One UWI, One Alumni Family” motto. It is because of alumni like Jerry that the UWI is able to continue its mission of being an excellent global university, rooted in the Caribbean. Jerry’s UWI alumni family will long remember him and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Cheryl, daughters Alanna and Melissa, other family members, friends, and colleagues.

May he rest in peace!