The University of the West Indies (UWI) has announced that aviation pioneer Lyndon Gardiner and cultural entrepreneur Pierce Antonio “Boo” Rudder are among 11 distinguished individuals set to receive the institution’s highest academic honor during its 2025 graduation season. The ceremony, themed ‘Pelicans in an AI-driven future: where tradition meets tomorrow,’ will span from October 11 to November 8 across UWI’s Five Islands, Cave Hill, St Augustine, Mona, and Global campuses. Gardiner, a visionary entrepreneur from North Caicos, revolutionized regional air travel through his leadership of interCaribbean Airways. Starting as a modest one-man operation in the 1990s, he transformed Air Turks & Caicos into the largest privately-owned airline in the Caribbean. Today, interCaribbean connects 27 destinations across 17 countries, fostering regional unity and creating hundreds of jobs. Beyond aviation, Gardiner has made significant contributions through scholarships at UWI, medical transport partnerships, and disaster relief initiatives. Rudder, a cultural administrator and entrepreneur, has dedicated his life to advancing Barbadian culture and identity. He has managed the Blue Rhythm Combo, led the Musicians’ and Entertainers’ Guild of Barbados, and served as CEO of the National Cultural Foundation. His advocacy for copyright reform has empowered Caribbean creators to protect their intellectual property. Additionally, Rudder has excelled as a national sports administrator, leading the Barbados Rifle and Pistol Federation and representing the island internationally. His creative endeavors include producing the CD ‘Rush Hour’ and authoring ‘Marching to a Different Drummer.’ In 2019, he was awarded the Gold Crown of Merit for his contributions to culture, business, and sport. The two honorees will be recognized for their outstanding achievements during the UWI Cave Hill Campus graduation ceremony on October 18, 2025. Other notable honorees include reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, academic leaders Professor Niranjan Kissoon and Professor Gene D. Morse, and the late Jamaican business executive Donald Wehby.