A group of Dominican students has demonstrated noteworthy excellence at Western Illinois University, with five graduates participating in the December 2025 Commencement Exercises and seven students earning spots on the Dean’s List for Fall 2025.
WIU reports that among the December graduates, one student earned a master’s degree, while four others completed their bachelor’s degrees.
These students were part of a larger Caribbean student body at WIU, which includes over 15 individuals across various levels of study.
The Dean’s List recognition was awarded to seven Dominican students during the fall semester, all of whom maintained impressive GPAs exceeding 3.6.
Several of these students achieved perfect 4.0 GPAs for the semester, highlighting their dedication and academic excellence.
WIU President Kristi Mindrup emphasized the important place that Caribbean students have carved for themselves in the institution, stating, “Students who hail from the Caribbean islands represent some of Western Illinois University’s high academic achievers. WIU is a home away from home for students around the globe who add to the university’s mission, culture, and impact around the world.”
She also had words of admiration for the ongoing accomplishments of Dominican and Caribbean students at WIU, noting, that the school continues to be impressed with the performance of these students.
The December graduates include:
– Marissa Norris from Loubiere, who earned a Master of Science in Computer Science. She previously obtained a bachelor’s degree in the same field from Texas and served as a graduate assistant in Global Studies, where she managed local affairs for Caribbean students.
– Berni Servil from Loubiere, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, earning cum laude honors.
– Michelle M. Daniel from Roseau, also receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology with cum laude honors. She was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
– Keithan Vidal from Salisbury, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics.
– Chelsea Dailey from Roseau, who completed a Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management.
The students recognized on the Dean’s List include:
– Jeanelle R E Kerr (Senior)
– Berni Hamael Servil (Senior)
– Naomi C P Scotland (Senior)
– Keithan Danton Vidal (Senior)
– Sanchez Jno Baptiste (Senior)
– Joshua Douglas (Senior)
– Akysha Laronde (Senior)
I give lots of kodos to these young Dominican students no. While I rejoice with you guys my heart bleeds because as a parent myself, I want to urge everyone of you to stay safe and well because should any of you get sick or hospitalized and your parents or relatives don’t have a US visa to fly over to assist you the thought of not having your parents by your side during any tragedy, thanks to the corruption of Skerrit, is even more painful than the pain itself. But as P Skerrit said this week laughing Those of us with a visa now can still go to the US. I interpret that to mean mofo choo of those that don’t have a US visa now because he can go, his wife and children can run “but what about you the poor people of Dominica, ladies and gentlemen.”
Congratulations to all. CONGRATS, FAMILY KEITHAN DALTON VIDAL.SALISBURY / BAWI MASSIVE ARE PROUD OF YOU.ALL THE BEST.
GREAT! Kudos to all of you who have excelled and made yourself, your family and your country proud. It’s disheartening and a pity that most of you will not find any employment commensurate with your qualifications in Dominica. Good paying jobs are as scarce as hen”s teeth.
Congratulation to all students.I hope they do not behave like UWP Hector Spraggs John who studied at Monroe college,New Rochelle,New York.
Lin Clown being that you missed your entire formative years from a learning institution, you should check in at the State’s penal institution where classes are now done for the unlettered free of cost.