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The Laurence Clarke we never knew

Mar 26, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
I read with much interest a letter/tribute by Eric Phillips, executive member of ACADA of one Laurence Clairmonte Clarke “a loyal life member of ACDA at one time. My pores stood up-his accolades, outstanding athletics and illustrious academic achievements are stunning. As Mr Phillips informed us; “his legacy at Queens’ College was carved into the school’s history during Queens’ College golden age of sports”. He will go down as one of the architects of excellence in both academic and extra curricula activities at QC.
Here was a life full of luminary academic performances. As a scholar extraordinaire he was fluent in three languages: English, French, and Portuguese: A PhD in Monetary Economics from U.W.L A Masters in Business Administration from the University of Windsor in Canada, (in Finance and International Business, first class); A BSc in Economics from University of Guyana and a Bachelors in Commerce from the University of Windsor (special honours); eight O’Level and three ‘A’ Level passes at QC.
He served for many years at the World Bank where he was an acclaimed Economist, Chartered International Banker and Director; was one time Resident Representative and Country Manager for Zambie, Angola, Ethiopia and Sudan; Director of World Bank in Mozambique.
At QC: Head prefect; Table Tennis Captain, member of the Cricket Team, Editor of Q.C Lictor and magazine; a Sergeant of the School’s Cadet Corps; President of Y.S.M in Plaisance/Sparendaam; headed a five-man delegation to the World Assembly of Youth at the United Nation-1970, indeed one of Guyana’s brightest minds. What more can one expect?
And Eric Phillips further enlighten us that along with other sharp minds – Dr Kenneth King and one Clarence Ellis— Laurence Clarke played an important role in ACDA’s evolution. He was certainly one of ACDA’s heroes and role model for kids at the school.
I’m always enthralled when reading about people of such remarkable cerebral/brilliance. One never just glosses over gifted and distinguished personalities par excellence without pausing for a moment to imagine and ponder upon the creation of such profound spirit, soul-whet ever.
And the heights, achievements of these personalities are deserving of spreading, not only to students at ACDA but beyond – why not!?
It is the very first time I’m hearing about Mr. Laurence Clarke any way.
I often wonder how often we transfer such illustrious academic career to impact on our youngsters as real role models. It’s amazing the number of high profile Guyanese like him who are scattered across the globe, serving and working assiduously in senior capacity in various disciplines but for whatever reason we have lost their talent to other peoples of the world – our lost, their gain – no sweat, but still they should be made known and as we say in street talk “big up” before they are removed from the planet, since no one knows the hour, the time of departure. The tribute by Mr Phillips was very informative and I was touched by it, especially when he posits that Clarke’s greatness was beyond his academic and athletic achievements, but more so in his humility, the deep loyal friendship he created and sustained.
Frank Fyffe

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