Dr. Alfred Sangster lauded as “an incredible father and an even better role model”

Peter described his late father as a hands-on person, often helping out in the gardens at UTech, Jamaica, before joining board meetings.  He reflected, “Dad’s Christian faith was his anchor in the world, and he left a legacy of integrity and high ethical standards in all his work.  I believe this comes directly from his commitment to Jesus Christ.” Despite facing challenges and often lacking resources, Dr. Sangster always had a vision to create, build, or improve something. Peter recalled his father advising him, “Sometimes you can only do a little of this today and a little of this tomorrow. Be patient.” 

One of those visions was the Alfred Sangster Auditorium. Although it took thirteen years to build, the auditorium now stands as a testament to Dr. Sangster’s long-term commitment and vision. 

As Peter reflected on his father's life, he expressed his deep love for him, noting that while he is saddened by his passing, the overwhelming tributes that poured in after his death were a powerful reminder of the legacy he left behind. “Dad's life shines,” Peter said.  

He concluded with a profound message: “You can pursue a life of integrity, Christian faith, with high ethical standards and a moral compass that doesn’t deviate. You can spend time genuinely helping people, and you will still command a stunning admiration of those characteristics by thousands and thousands of people. The overwhelming number of tributes at his death shows that these are still values that can be celebrated in today’s world.” 

Immeasurable impact in academia, sports and service 

President, University of Technology, Jamaica, Dr. Kevin Brown noted that Sangster’s impact on the institution is “immeasurable” and that the late Principal and President has left an “eternal” legacy from which future students, staff and the nation will continue to benefit.  He noted that Sangster’s “unwavering dedication over 26 years” helped to shape the institutions identity as a leader in technological education in Jamaica. 

Dr. Brown recounted that Dr. Sangster’s journey at CAST – College of Arts Science and Technology, now UTech, Jamaica, began in 1970 where he spent his seminal years as a pioneering leader to shape and transform the institution.  

“As principal, he spearheaded the institution’s expansion, introducing no less than 50 new programmes and increasing student enrollment from 1200 students to 6000 students when he retired” Dr. Brown recounted, adding, “his visionary leadership was instrumental in CAST transitioning into a university culminating into the renaming of the institution in 1995 as the University of Technology, Jamaica or UTech.” He also lauded the groundbreaking efforts of the late Dr. Sangster who oversaw other remarkable achievements at the institution including the establishment of the Computing Department, technical teacher education and the establishment of the Caribbean School of Architecture – the only of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.  

Announcement of Memorial Scholarship 

Dr. Brown also announced a new initiative to honour Dr. Sangster’s legacy: “I am happy to announce the launch of the Dr. Alfred Sangster Scholarship that will be established in his honour and memory.” Dr. Brown affirmed that the indomitable and visionary spirit of Dr. Sangster will live on in the halls of UTech, Jamaica and in the lives of those he mentored and empowered. 

The tribute continued with reflections from other institutions and organizations which Dr. Sangster impacted, highlighting the breadth of his influence on academia, faith, and national service

Mr. Anthony Davis who presented a tribute on behalf of  UTech, Jamaica alumni remembered Dr. Sangster as “a true giant in education” whose impact resonates deeply within UTech, Jamaica and across the nation exemplified in his contribution towards the transformation of CAST into “a cradle of holistic human development.”  

Mr. Davis noted that Sangster “wove the very fabric that we now recognize as a dual career pathway for students” and one that fosters an environment where excellence in sports was not merely a dream, but “a tangible reality that ran parallel to academic purists.” He praised Sangster for his collaborative work with late former Director of Sport, Mr. Dennis Johnson who brought to life the idea of developing “world class athletes” on campus at UTech, Jamaica which have led world record holders, olympians and world champions emerging out of the institution. 

Dr. Tomlin Paul, Deputy Principal, The University of the West Indies Mona remembered Dr. Sangster as “a socially conscious man with an extensive reach” as not only did Sangster served the UWI, Mona’s Department of Chemistry  for 18 years with distinction, but he also assisted with the establishment of the proper teaching and learning environment for Chemistry at the UWI, Cave Hill Campus in 1963.  

Dr. Paul noted that Dr. Sangster’s pioneering spirit was fueled by his courage and his ability to extend himself beyond limits. “In 1952, Alfred Sangster boldly applied to join the staff at the then, University College of the West Indies as an Assistant Lecturer of Organic Chemistry. Despite his lack of teaching experience, he was recommended, his referees noting that he had impressed with his thoroughness and his innovativeness and his initiative as an imminently suitable person for an academic appointment who interested himself in the welfare of fellow undergraduate and had the right spirit to enter into a new venture. “On the basis of research, he climbed the ranks of academia becoming a Senior Lecturer in 1965,” Dr. Paul stated. 

Among other involvements at The UWI Mona, Dr. Sangster was an expert spectroscopist, managing and maintaining the department’s spectroscopy equipment including the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer. He conducted research on alkaloids in the Greenheart timber wood of British Guyana and alongside Dr. Kenneth Stewart, produced a reference publication on alkaloid spectral determination which received an unprecedented 250 request for reprint. He also led numerous research efforts in marine natural products, specifically those in fish baits, which remains a fundamental resource tool in the study of today’s marine environment studies. 

Mr. Victor Tomlinson, President, Munroe College Old Boys Association likens Munroe Alumnus, the late Dr. Alfred Sangster to “a city set up on a hill” as he offered a final farewell to the deceased educator and pioneering leader. 

In paying their final farewell to their beloved church brother, the Hope United Church group praised Dr. Alfred Sangster for living “an extraordinary and fulfilling life of service” in Jamaicans and abroad. Raising the tribute on behalf of the church family, Mrs. Patricia Matheson, expressed that Dr. Alfred Sangster had been a faithful and dedicated member of the congregation since 2017 and made considerable contributions the church’s Wednesday bible study sessions and prayer and fasting ministry groups.  

Mrs. Matheson further recalled that the educator in Dr. Sangster was manifested even in sacred ministry as his added interpretation of many bible passages, made it easy for members of Hope United to liken biblical refences to current day events. “His way of imparting knowledge was a major part of encouragement and blessing to other participants” she stated. Further reminiscing on Alfred Sangster as a devout Christian, Matheson recalled that he was “approachable, extremely helpful, thoughtful and kind, but also firm in what he believed to be just and right…he ran the course, he finished the race and left behind, a rich legacy of precious memories.” As a means of consolation Matheson presented the words of II Thessalonians 3:16 to the family and friends of Dr. Sangster further noting “It is our prayer that God will bless you with the courage and the strength that you need and that you will be comforted by the memories of his life and the treasured times you spent together.” 

Hailing Dr. Sangster as “The Father of Merle Grove High School”, Chairman of the all-girls secondary education institution, Mr. David Hall stated, “We are grateful as an association that he humbly accepted the position of Chairman of our school and served with distinction for 46 years.”  

He shared that “Dr. Sangster saw the school through virtually all its major expansion efforts” including the erection of the science block, the addition of two and three story classroom spaces including the Alfred Sangster Building, the acquisition of 79 Constant Spring Road, the erection of the Karram Speid Auditorium, the building of the Enid Kerr Library, the construction of the health centre among other infrastructural projects.  

Mrs. Grace Batson, Chairman Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) expressed that CAFFE and Jamaica’s democracy owes an immense debt of gratitude to Dr Sangster for his leadership and his monumental contribution to the process of democracy.  

Noting that CAFFE came about in the 1990s as a response to calls for the restoration of citizens’ trust in the Jamaica’s electoral process, Mrs. Batson stated that, “When CAFFE was founded in response to this nationalistic call, it wisely selected Dr. Alfred Sangster as its first chairman.” She stated that Dr. Sangster’s distinction as an educator and visionary leader and institution builder made him eminently suitable to assume such a critical role and as expected, he brought to this endeavor, “his impeccable character and his reputation for fairness.” 

She shared that under his leadership, Dr. Sangster helped CAFFE to construct monitoring processes for the 1997 elections which became useful tools for all national parliamentary and parochial elections since then.  “He understood that citizenship is the most privileged form of nationality, and it demands not only the insistence on one’s own rights and privileges, but also the fierce protection of those rights for every member of the national community hence, his championing a movement known as Citizen’s Action for Free and Fair Elections” Mrs. Batson stated.