History

The University of the Southern Caribbean (formerly known as Caribbean Union College) is situated in the Maracas Valley of Trinidad and Tobago and serves the Caribbean as well as Suriname, Guyana and many other territories outside of the Caribbean basin. Its alumni have migrated to a number of countries including North America. In the mid-1950s and 1960s some alumni members found their way to the western United States, settling in California and other areas. At one point it was thought that having an alumni chapter in Southern California would be an asset to the college and to new immigrants who needed support while trying to settle, work and study in their new country.

In 1966 this chapter was started with charter members residing mainly in Los Angeles, but supported by those around the Loma Linda area. Those who pioneered the opening of this chapter were Pastor Harold Premdas (with his wife Edna Premdas), Dr. Lloyd Stoll (with his wife Pat Stoll), Dr. Timothy Greaves (with his wife Thelda Greaves) and Dr. Linbrook Barker (with his wife Mrs. Barker). Others who were initial members of the chapter included Joe Weithers Wally and Sylvia Weithers, Carlton and Flora Spencer, Keith and Juanita Boyd, Pretha Boyce, Eunice Boyce, David and Loretta Van Putten, Vernon and Enid Blaylock and others. In addition to these charter members, there were associate members such as Dr. & Mrs. Herman Rickets, Dr. & Mrs. Bassett Brown, Dr. & Mrs. Milford Thomas and Dr. Ralph Burgess. These were all alumni of West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University)

A constitution was formed that provided for a president, three vice-presidents, a secretary and an assistant secretary, and a vice-president for religious affairs. So close knit was this group that the vice-president for Religious Affairs, Elder S.E Greaves took his responsibility to include visiting most if not all alumni members in their homes. 

The Southern California Chapter was quite instrumental in the formation of the National Alumni Chapter for North America, because the ideas were born here and proposed to alumni in New York and Washington, DC who strongly opposed the idea at first, but later on with much prodding and interest of other alumni, a national chapter began.

Unfortunately, the Southern California Chapter had a bit of a bumpy ride and was on hiatus several times. Nevertheless, it continued for many years under the leadership of several presidents including Leslie Miller, Tony Brandon, Dr. George King, Dr. Lawrence Weekes, Dr. Curtis Fox, Paula Cadogan and more recently Dr. Horatius Gittens. Currently, yearly activities include the alumni weekend (includes CUC/USC Sabbath and alumni banquet), the picnic and the thanksgiving vespers. During these events, funds are raised for scholarships and special projects that benefit the students of USC.

Mission

When the University of the Southern Caribbean Alumni Association Southern California Chapter was initiated, the mission of the organization then and still is 

• To provide a forum for alumni fellowship

• To ease the burdens of new alumni arrivals 

• To foster financial and other support for the college, now university 

• To strengthen the spiritual experience of alumni