The annual Honorary Fellows Induction Ceremony and Dinner of the Bermuda College proved to be another gala event highlighted by the induction of two new members, former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith and retired educator and Education Permanent Secretary Dr Marion Robinson.College President Dr Duranda Green set the tone for the evening in her welcome address.She noted: “This is the time when the college bestows its highest honour, and celebrates the outstanding contributions and achievements of members of the community, including former Premiers, politicians, outstanding educators, community activists, scientist and outstanding businessmen and women.”More than 80 such persons have been inducted in The Company of Honorary Fellows (CHF) during the 32 years since it was established at Bermuda College in 1980. Hosting the dinner for his first time was former Senator Dr Idwal Hughes upon succeeding Lt Col Michael Darling, a 1995 CHF, a year ago.Dr Greene encapsulated some of the achievements of the new inductees. Dame Jennifer was born in 1947. She led her Progressive Labour Party in two successive general elections, being premier from 1998 to 2003; and for a short period after the July 2003 election, when she resigned after a revolt in her party.Later she was elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and became the first female Minister of Education.She is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, an International network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilise the highest-level women leaders globally for collective action on issues of critical importance to women and equitable development.Dr Robinson, being unable to attend the ceremony, requested Dr Hughes to stand-in for her. She served as Permanent Secretary of Education; and part of her responsibility was to represent the Minister of Education on the Board of Governors of the College consulting with the then presidents reviewing the role of the college in the community and its relationship with the school system.Since her retirement from Government service, Dr Robinson has served both as a full time teacher and more often as a volunteer teacher at CedarBridge Academy.As the mother of a daughter who completed her secondary schooling at age 15, Dr Robinson said her most viable option for further study was the Bermuda College, and following a successful year there, her daughter was able to gain unconditional admission to Princeton University and to Bryn College, two of the finest academic institutions in the United States.Dr Robinson noted that a number of graduates from CedarBridge Academy opted to further their studies at Bermuda College, was an affirmation of the fulfillment of the mission of the college that its founders envisioned.ALL IN THE FAMILYWhile the Bermuda Regiment has not vaunted for publicity this week with squabblings pertaining to it top most ranks, the exact opposite has been the case in the ranks of its Warrant Officers.The Warrant Officers and other Non Commissioned Officers constitute the the backbone of the army.It is their responsibility for shaping up its raw and sometimes reluctant recruits, setting them on life changing courses have brought them personal satisfaction and career changes along with universal admiration especially when on public parade or engaging one or another of the other duties the Regiment is called upon to perform.The most admired NCO at the passing out parade a week ago at Warwick Camp without question was Color Sgt. Chauncey Philip Durham, Jr. He collected the majority of awards for his platoon’s outstanding performances during the camp.And it was a personal honour for Philip, as this was his 25th year in the regiment. Proudly looking on were Philip’s father WO 2 Chauncey P Durham, who is on the brink of retirement after more that a half-century in the army; and younger Philip’s son Dante.In all, there were three generations of Durhams, including the latter’s wife Catherine (Bonnie) Durham and several other cousins and kinsfolk who were at last week’s parade.Chauncey was a sergeant in the Bermuda Militia Artillery when the Bermuda Regiment was formed in 1965 through amalgamation of the ‘black’ BMAs and the ‘white’ Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps.Grandson Dante Durham was in his early teens when he volunteered for service in the Regiment’s Cadet Corp. He rose to the rank of Sergeant, and at age 18 in December 2012, fulfilled his ambition to join the regular army, as a Private, just in time to be part of this year’s recruit camp.