In 1924, a shy-looking young Englishman came to Jamaica and joined the Staff of Mico College. He was appointed the Junior Master of Methods. At that time, the College staff numbered six, so this young man had to give his scholarly hand in helping in the other Academic lecturing departments. He found his multilateral task very delightful, as he was well equipped in Mathematics, Literature, Latin and French, having majored in these at the London University where he obtained his B.A. “General” Degree.
Prior to his going to university, this young man attended Westminster Teacher’s College in London and sat at the feet of Mr. A.J. Newman, former Principal of Mico College.
In his coming to Jamaica, this young man of “Letters” adapted himself to the conditions of the College and immediately started to infiltrate his influence in the life of the College. The spirit of this man has been caught and diffused throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica by all students who encountered him. As a devoted worker, this young man made quick impressions and was rapidly elevated. In 1927, he was elevated to the position of Lushington House Master, a position he held until 1959. In 1948, his good influence and experience of the Jamaican spirit prompted the Board of Directors to unhesitatingly appoint him as Vice-Principal.
The Board could not have made a better selection. The Vice-Principal held that office in unprecedented esteem. His devotion and interest in the academic and personal progress of students made him the “idol” of all who passed through the walls of The Mico.
His contribution to The Mico and Jamaica can never be assessed. One thing is certain, and that is – his contribution, his legend, will remain immortal. He is one of the few men who, through their impact on people, have made legends in their lifetime.
He retired fifty years later, after coming to The Mico on a six-month contract. He had a long and purposeful career at The Mico. His name will always be alive within these walls, literally, in the Arthur Grant House, and in the Scholarships which his family so generously gives in his name each year to students of The Mico who are in financial need.
This year, 2024, marks 100 years of Mr. Arthur Grant’s association with The Mico University College (personally and in name).
We are supremely grateful to this remarkable man, and by extension, his family, who gave of his all to The Mico University College.
The following are memories of Arthur Grant by Professor Neville Ying one of his students.
MEMORIES OF ARTHUR GRANT – Neville Ying
It is my honour and privilege to share my memories Arthur Grant in paying homage to him on the 100th Anniversary of his service to THE MICO.
I first met Arthur Grant in January 1958 at the first MICO ENTRANCE Examination.
He was the invigilator. In those days THE MICO COLLEGE had two entrance exams. The first, which was used to select their quota of about 30 students plus 5.
You were then put on a 1-Year Pre-College course consisting of Mathematics, English Science and Latin.
You return in January the next year to sit the second entrance examination in these 4 subjects.
The Exams were on Monday and Tuesday and you return on Friday to get your results. If you were successful you would go for your medicals on Friday and return to enter the College on Saturday afternoon.
My second encounter with Arthur Grant was in January 1959 when I sat the second Entrance Examination.
He had the unenviable task to read out in Classroom B the names of the 5 persons who were unsuccessful and ask them to leave immediately. This was a most humiliating experience for those persons.
Later in 1959 I again interacted with Arthur Grant in his role as a lecturer.
He was a versatile and multitalented lecturer who taught Mathematics, Latin, and Literature. He was very versed in music, especially classical music, and had a keen ear for the music flowing from instruments such as the piano, violin and cello.
One day, while he was passing Classroom B, he heard a student who was a specialist in Music playing the Violin. He did not like what he heard so he took the violin from her, tuned it and gave it back to her to continue playing.
His outstanding pedagogy in Mathematics earned him the title “PYTHIE” after the famous Greek Mathematician and Philosopher Pythagoras.
I was one of his Mathematics specialist students and also did a year of Latin with him.
He had some interesting and at times eccentric behaviours.
First, he did not like to teach large classes. So, if his Latin Class started with 20 students, he would use the first week to intimidate the students and place in their minds that the subject was very difficult to pass.
So, by the next week, the class would go down to 10 students, which was the number he desired. He then transformed into an excellent lecturer.
He used the same technique for his class of specialists in Mathematics.
His versatility in teaching different subjects allowed him to demonstrate their interrelationships and show how they were related to life.
He would rivet this in our minds using the Latin expression “PRIMUS INTER PARES” to convey to each of us that we were only “just a leader among equals.”
In our Mathematics class he would also draw attention to important life lessons. For instance, he would use the curve Asymptote and its related paradox to remind students that in their daily lives, despite their greatest efforts, there were some goals that were set that would never be achieved. He said that each time we tried, we would only reach halfway in our quest to achieve them, but we should not give up.
He was a stickler for excellent oral reading. Most mornings he was the staff member in charge of our morning devotion at the Chapel.
He would assess each student who read the morning lesson from the Bible on the following criteria: Accuracy in the pronunciation of words, Fluency, diction and expressiveness to convey the intent of the passage of scripture being read.
One morning, in his assessment, the student who read the lesson did not meet the criteria. So Arthur Grant banned him from reading at the morning devotions for the rest of his time at the College.
He was a very caring person who spent time and effort to ensure that students performed with excellence.
The following is an anecdote that demonstrated his caring attribute.
One of his students, who specialised in Latin, was struck under her eye with a stone thrown by a student while she was on Teaching Practice. When he saw the blood flowing from her face he exclaimed, “I hope this cut heals soon and does not leave a mark under your eye to spoil the beauty of your face.”
In his private life he also had eccentric habits. He and his family lived in KELVIN LODGE, the official residence for the Vice Principal of the College. The Principal’s official Residence was Quebec Lodge which was located close to the current offices for the Institute of Technological Research (ITER).
On occasions when he and his wife decided to go over to the other side of Marescaux Road, he would go over first. He would then look north and south for traffic. When the road was clear he would beckon to her to cross the street.
The Arthur Grant Scholarship
I am pleased that it was our Mico Class of 1961 which played a key role in the genesis of the Arthur Grant Scholarship.
This is a brief synopsis of the related events.
I worked with his granddaughters Elizabeth Ward, in her excellent endeavours related to Crime and Violence, and Kathleen Moss, who is a specialist in Finance and Accounting, and I did not know they were related to Arthur Grant.
In 2007, Kathleen was sitting beside me when Sir Kenneth Hall, then Governor General, and his wife Lady Rheima Hall, a Miconian, was presenting me with the prestigious award: Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants Jamaica.
In reading my resume, it was mentioned that I was a graduate of The Mico.
Kathy said to me, “Did you know my grandfather Arthur Grant who taught at THE MICO COLLEGE for many years?”
I replied Yes. In fact, he was my lecturer for Mathematics and Latin.
In 2011, I contacted Kathleen Moss and told her that Our MICO Class of 1961 would be celebrating our 50th Anniversary of Graduation from THE MICO, and we would love to give a scholarship to pay homage to our beloved lecturer Arthur Grant, who we affectionately called PYTHIE. Kathy called me back shortly with the good news that she and her cousin David Soares would lead the process for providing the funds for this special Arthur Grant Scholarship.
Consequently, the cheque for funding the first award of the Arthur Grant Scholarship was presented to THE MICO COLLEGE at the 50th Anniversary function for the MICO CLASS OF 1961.
Anniversary in 2011
Since then, David Soares and Kathleen Moss in 2014 provided US$2,400 for a special Mathematics Scholarship.
I am equally pleased that a special Arthur Grant Scholarship will be awarded on this the occasion of the 100th Year Anniversary of his sterling services to THE MICO.
I wish to again thank Kathleen Moss and David Soars for leading the process in providing funding for this scholarship. Long live the name of Arthur Grant within the walls of THE MICO University College.
Professor Neville Ying
MICO CLASS OF 1961