ANOTHER Bermuda College Corange Science Week climaxed when Dr. Malcolm Brock gave a most illuminating and intensely interesting lecture on research he is actively pursuing at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Corange Week was instituted at the College a decade ago with the express purpose of 'showcasing' Bermudians who have or are making significant impact on the world stage in the scientific arena.

Dr. Brock filled that bill to overflowing as those who were able to get into the North Hall of the College will surely testify. His former lecturer at the college, Dr. Gloria Frederick, who introduced him, noted how he is now Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology at Johns Hopkins Medical School, engaged in scientific research that could have a major impact on the world scene.

"I am pleased to introduce to you my student, a young man of incredible achievements in many fields, a hard-working young man, a role model for Bermudian students, a son of the soil, 'a chip off the old Brock'," said Dr. Frederick, alluding to his illustrious father, Dr. Mansfield Brock, his aunt Dr. Merle Brock Swan, and his two sisters, Mrs. Michelle Brock Jackson and Mrs. Arlene Brock, barrister and Bermuda's first Ombudsman.

They were among family members in the audience which also included several medical doctors and other professionals.

Dr. Brock responded with good wit and humour. He confessed to having some trepidation when he learned Dr. Frederick was going to introduce him. She had earlier disclosed that she gave him an 'F' grade in one of his chemistry assignments. It was a letter unfamiliar to him.

He was soon into her office, not to complain or remind her that he was an 'A' student as some other students had dared to ask, but Malcolm in so many words inquired: "Where have I missed the point? How can I be saved?" From then on he bounced merrily up the road to straight 'As', recalled Dr. Frederick.

Dr. Brock thanked Dr. Frederick for being so kind to him, as there were some things other than the 'F' that she could have said, but she spared him.

He said he remembered that course paper. That was a lot of fun. He had learned a lot at the Bermuda College. He praised the Corange Corporation executives for continuing the annual lectures. During the days leading up to the main lecture, Dr. Brock had visited various schools.

"I have had a wonderful few days talking with students at both primary and higher level. I have heard so many reports about how the educational system and the students have changed. But I have seen a sparkle in students' eyes. We have some crown jewels in these students that we need to nurture."

His talks to the students revolved around the theme of lessons learned along the way, and why Bermuda is a good place from which to launch a career in science.

Dr. Brock took time out to thank some of his primary and secondary school teachers as well as members of his family, whom he invited to take a bow. They all had proved that indeed it takes a village to educate a child, and he was glad.

He is the Associate Professor of Surgery and Oncology at the world renowned institution, working in close league with four of the world's five leading scientists in their field with his particular focus on the development of molecular markers for the early detection, early recurrence and accurate prognosis of lung and oesophageal cancer. They were proud of a couple of things going on at Johns Hopkins, which they believed could have a major impact on the world scene.

Dr. Brock attended West Pembroke Primary School, then Warwick Academy. In 1981 he enrolled in a full freshman year scientific programme consisting of chemistry, physics, biology, maths and English. He excelled at the College, went to Princeton University, transferring into its second year.

He continued to excel there, majoring in Molecular Biology with a minor in Japanese studies. He spent a year in Japan, mastering the language and then two years as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, learning how to research original ideas; and he published a book about the Japanese biotechnology industry.

Originally, Dr. Brock was scheduled for a lecture tour to Asia, which he had to rearrange for the Corange Week. He has been a presenting author at various major medical congresses and sessions, including the 81st Annual Clinical Congress of the Surgical Forum of the American College of Surgeons; the 25th Annual Society of Neuroscience Meeting; the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons; the tenth Annual Society of Black Academic Surgeons; and the 94th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Researchers.

He has also authored many chapters in various medical journals, professional trade publications and books on such subjects as cardiac arrest and resuscitation medicine, open heart and bypass surgery, breast and lung cancer.

Dr. Brock and his wife Rose have three daughters, Macquira Ashley, Meleina Kaitelynn and Maylen Chelsea.

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Spotlight on Sparky

MINISTER of Transport and Tourism Dr. Ewart Brown could hardly have chosen a more appropriate time to formally open the multi-million-dollar Hubert W. 'Sparky' Lightbourne Central Terminal in the heart of the city. It was on the second day of the start of Black History Month 2006; and it was also his birth month, which was February 26, 1923.

The terminal, the Minister said, is a site for all ages and as 'Sparky' was a man of the people and an ambassador, his legacy of courtesy and service deserved being preserved.

To quote the Minister, the new central terminal melds the needs of the public who use the buses as well as the transportation personnel who service them.

He added: "The improved shelter from the elements and the dynamic electronic signage will make this terminal a user-friendly site. The design incorporates on-site rest-rooms and an operator rest-area as well as greater security for our front-line ambassadors, our operators."

'Sparky' Lightbourne was a man of the people, a genuine working man. The honour bestowed on him today is true to this Government's philosophy that the worker is to be celebrated along with the academic.

Sparky was no Lefroy, Reid, Martonmere or Dunrossil (former Governors of Bermuda) and the fact that he and Edward M. Stowe and many others never went to university or achieved high political office was no impediment to saluting their service.

"The history of our beloved Bermuda is to shy away from recognising our heroes," Dr. Brown told the crowd assembled for the opening. Among them were the Mayor of Hamilton Lawson Mapp, several Cabinet Ministers, kinfolk of 'Sparky', and members of The Mu-En Chorale, a choral group of which the honouree was a member.

Dr. Brown went on: "We have an uncanny ability as a people to almost whisper the legacies of our forefathers." Since his appointment as Minister of Transport in 1998 and then Minister of Tourism and Transport he had committed the energies of the Ministry to "reversing this trend and to engendering pride in our people and our heritage".

To this end his Ministry had created the Charles Lloyd Tucker Gallery at the Bermuda International Airport; christened the Edward M. Stowe and the Venturilla within the Marine & Ports fleet and had shared with another ministry in the naming of the Dr. E.F. Gordon Ward at the hospital.

The Minister thanked Mrs. Betty Lightbourne and her family for consenting to the Ministry's desire to salute the life's work of their husband, father, brother and friend.

"To the Lightbourne family, 'Sparky' gave so much of himself in life that this tribute after his passing is our way of saying thank you for sharing him with us."

Dr. Brown thanked the Mayor and the Hamilton Corporation for their co-operation in developing the project.

"We have now a site for the ages. Our partnership has yielded a facility that is ideally sited and through its modern and innovative design it does the City and all Bermuda proud."

He also commended Landmark Construction on its workmanship.

"With 35 years in PTB, coupled with the local and international acclaim for his legendary tours of Bermuda, 'Sparky' Lightbourne was deemed the most suitable of his peers, living or deceased, to be honoured in this way. His career mirrors the synergy of tourism and transport and the preservation of his legacy in this manner will inspire a return to those ideals that heralded the golden age of tourism in Bermuda," said Dr. Brown.

'Sparky' was a son of Gladys and Laurie Lightbourne and brother to Vivian, Willard (Pummy), Laurie and Vincent, all of North Shore, Pembroke. He was always known as a people person, from the time he began selling newspapers before graduating to grocery boy. At age 17, he began working as a glamour boy deckhand on speed boats plying between Hamilton and the Darrell's Island Airport.

The Public Transportation Board became 'Sparky's' place of employment in 1962. He remained there for 35 years and became a legend for his sightseeing tour. For his service he received the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour in 1974.

Above all else 'Sparky' was a family man. He and his wife Betty were parents to nine children: Lorna, Hewlett, Roslyn, Glenn, Gary, Macio, Heather, Andre and Deanna.

Daughter Heather put it best when she said of her father: "He was a good father to all of us . . . we learned that we had to work to achieve something."