Munro College Old Boys Association (MCOBA) on Thursday, October 2, 2025, launched its Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

The ceremony will be held at the Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston on Sunday, October 12, at 10:00 am. While the proceeds from the MCOBA Hall of Fame usually support improvement projects at Munro College, this year’s Hall of Fame event is anticipated to be the most impactful yet, as the proceeds fund post-hurricane Beryl restoration efforts at the institution.

President of MCOBA Victor Tomlinson,  in giving an overview of the Hall of Fame, informed the gathering that the event was conceptualised in 2012 by Ambassador Arthur Williams while he served as president of the alumni association. The objective of the Hall of Fame, he said, is to “recognise [and] honour outstanding Munronians, as well as ancillary and academic staff, those persons who served the Munro College community.”

Tomlinson elaborated on the selection criteria, which, in addition to giving their utmost to the Munro community, involves the nominated inductees undergoing a selection process which examines numerous factors, including their academic performance and extra-curricular involvement throughout their time at Munro College and beyond. Their professional achievements, along with national and global contributions, are also taken into consideration. 

Robert Stephens, one of the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, was present at the launch. He is being inducted for his significant contribution to public service, NGOs, business and to Munro College. Having served as MCOBA President from 1993-1996, he remains a member of the association after over 30 years.

Stephens holds Munro College close to his heart and shared during the launch that Munro engendered positive change at a critical point in his life when he was experiencing grief and disappointment, and the institution allowed him to change his outlook on life.  

“Munro College is a kind of place where you go and you feel as if you have to excel” he said.  

He then joked that the extremely cold showers the boys had to take in the mornings played a major part in their development, as they then felt instantly awake and ready to take on each day.  He also lauded the school for the role it played in creating multifaceted students by balancing academics with physical activity. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the organising committee for choosing him as one of this year’s inductees.

Strong sponsor support

The sponsors of the Hall of Fame also rang high praises for the culture of excellence at Munro College. Tomlinson, the CEO of Canopy Insurance and proud Munro College Old Boy, explained the similarities between Munro College – having a Latin motto that translates to “A City on A Hill which cannot be hid” – and a “Canopy” which represents something that’s not easily hidden.

According to the Canopy Insurance CEO, “We are a company that believes in Jamaica, and so honouring persons who have contributed significantly to the building of our country is very important to me as an individual and certainly to us at Canopy”.

He also told the attendees that he was directly impacted by one of the 2025 inductees, Dr Urguar Thelora Reynolds, more affectionately known as “Hurga” Reynolds.  Dr Reynolds taught him both at Munro College and later when he went to the University of the West Indies, Mona.  She is being inducted for the great role that she has played in the Jamaican educational landscape.

Crystal Gocoul, marketing and public relations manager at Arc Manufacturing, informed the gathering that the company values nation-building and that their CEO, Noman Horne, is unwavering in upholding this value. On this note, she proudly expressed support for the vision of MCOBA.

 “…Supporting the Munro recovery [renovation] project through this event is our way of contributing to your vision, it’s about ensuring future generations have the environment and the resources they need to succeed.”

Another sponsor representative, Marvin Brown, operations manager at Phase 3 Productions, described the company’s sustained relationship with the Munro College Old Boys Association as a natural alignment. “We treasure loyalty and excellence and that’s what they stand for and that’s what we stand for, so we align ourselves according to those values,” he said.

A history of excellence

Since its inception, over 60 past students (and teachers) have been inducted in the Munro College Old Boys Association Hall of Fame. The calibre of inductees is in sync with the school’s almost 170 years of producing distinguished gentlemen. 

Other inductees in the 2025 MCOBA Hall of Fame include:

• Peter Jervis, who is being recognised for his significant contributions to the field of engineering in Jamaica and regionally;
• PoetEvan Jones, for his contributions to literature and cultural development, and whose poem The Song of the Banana Man is a favourite among Jamaicans;  
• Altamont Junor will receive the honour for his significant contributions to rural agricultural development; and 
• Dr Herbert Eldimireis being inducted for his contribution to health care and the political landscape in Jamaica. He was a minister of health, and one of five Munro College old boys in Independent Jamaica’s first Cabinet in 1962. 

Other Munro Old Boys in that Cabinet were: late Prime Minister Donald Sangster (a past MCOBA Hall of Fame inductee); NW Ashenheim, John Gyles, and Kenneth Jones (brother of 2025 inductee Evan Jones).