The Bermuda College flag was flown at half-mast yesterday with news of the death of the college's first president, Dr. Archie Hollis Hallett. He was 76.

Dr. Hallett became president of Bermuda College in 1977, when he assumed the helm from the college founder and its first CEO, Mansfield (Jimmy) Brock. Holding the position of president for 15 years, Dr. Hallett retired in 1992 after seeing the institution develop into a respectable seat of higher learning.

While he was president, Dr. Hallett oversaw the consolidation of various departments of the college into one at the Stonington Avenue campus in Paget. He also saw the college introduce its Distance Education programme, as well as move towards offering degrees in the areas of hospitality and social sciences.

"He was one of the most amazing men I ever met," said current college president Dr. Michael Orenduff.

"He seemed to remember everything that happened. He remembered all the names of his students, employees and people in the community with whom he had worked. He was doing research right up until the last, doing hours and hours at the National Library. Even though his health was failing, his mind was sharp as ever.

"He was clearly one of the most influential people in the development of the Bermuda College. We will be honouring his memory here at the college."