"One UWI, One Alumni Family" 

It is with a sense of deep appreciation for his sterling contribution, and profound sadness at his death, that The University of the West Indies marks the passing of Sir Frank Alleyne, former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Sir Frank was affectionately regarded as a “total UWI product” for his decades of association with The UWI Cave Hill as a student, lecturer and administrator.

The retired economist started his career as a teacher before enrolling at The UWI to further his studies. Graduating at the top of class in 1967, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree. He continued to excel academically earning several scholarships included those from The UWI, the University of Miami at Coral Gables, the American Foundation Fellowship and the Ford Foundation which facilitated his studies at the doctoral level.

UWI Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles recalled that Sir Frank “gave of his best service” to the University while former colleagues and students remembered him as a capable administrator, a patient lecturer, a capable administrator, a dedicated family man and a voice of reason who was well known and respected for his public advocacy.

Sir Frank became one of the founders of the Faculty of Social Sciences in the 1970s, after joining Cave Hill on October 1, 1970 as a temporary Assistant Lecturer in Economics. By the following year he was appointed as Lecturer, a post in which he served until 1982 when he became a senior lecturer. Eight years after his first appointment, the astute economist took on his first formal leadership responsibilities at Cave Hill as Vice Dean, later serving as Dean and also Head of the Department of Economics on separate occasions in the 1980s.

Cave Hill benefitted tremendously from having Sir Frank’s service to the campus for over thirty years. By his retirement in 2004 he had attained the rank of a fully tenured Professor of Development Economics. In addition to his research and teaching duties, he provided leadership to his department, the Faculty of Social Sciences and senior administrative level.

His service at the national level included directorships on the Central Bank of Barbados, National Insurance Board, as inaugural chair of the Financial Services Commission, the credit union movement and Economic Advisory Council under the David Thompson administration.

Long after his retirement, the Campus counted on Sir Frank’s expertise and experience for economic perspectives of national significance. To his beloved family, we extend our deepest sympathies on his passing. May he rest in peace.

Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies Professor Sir Hilary Beckles

Professor Sir Frank Alleyne was a stalwart of the fledgling Cave Hill Campus and offered yeoman service to the leadership of the earliest Principals. He was particularly committed to the vision held by Sir Keith Hunte, the second Principal of the Campus. His contributions within the Faculty of Social Sciences where he served as Head of Economics and Dean, provided significant opportunity for growth and development.  Also, his membership of the many management committees of the Campus and of the wider University, made him a popular and respected member of the University community.  He will be remembered as a colleague who gave of his best in service to the institution.

I offer condolences on behalf of the University community to his family and friends on his passing and may his soul rest in peace.



Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Clive Landis

The Cave Hill community is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Emeritus Sir Frank Alleyne, former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and noted agricultural economist. On behalf of the Cave Hill Campus I extend my deepest sympathy to Sir Frank’s family on the loss of this great man.

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Troy Lorde

Sir Frank Alleyne: “Forever a ‘Soc Sci’ Man”

Professor Emeritus Sir Frank Walton Alleyne, KA, GCM, BA, MSc, PhD, Cert.Ed, joined the staff of the Institute of Social and Economic Research of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus at the level of Research Assistant in 1968.

For the Faculty of Social Sciences, Sir Frank’s legacy will be forever associated with events in 1975. He is a founder of the Faculty, one of the now famous trio including the late Mr. Wendell McClean and Mrs. Cynthia Layne, who defied all odds in establishing what has become the largest faculty on the Cave Hill Campus. Sir Frank was formerly Vice Dean and Dean of the Faculty, former head of the Department of Economics and acted as Principal on various occasions. He was the consummate “Soc Sci” man and a fierce advocate of the Faculty, arguing strongly for it to receive its fair share of resources, up to his retirement in 2004. Sir Frank was a teacher, mentor and leader to academics and students alike. He was also a devoted family to his wife and four daughters.

Sir Frank’s main research interests were agricultural policy, planning and social security. His publication record includes two edited volumes of papers dealing with agricultural policy issues in the English-speaking Caribbean, a collection of essays that address issues of structural adjustment and implications for labour in the Caribbean, two monographs, one dealing with Agricultural Policy and the other with Planning, two readers, one dealing with project management and evaluation. Sir Frank was also a lead editor of a compilation of research studies pertaining to growth and development strategies for the Caribbean. 

Since his retirement from the University, Sir Frank continued to lend his economic expertise to the Government of Barbados and was a regular participant at the Faculty’s annual recognition ceremony, presenting the award in his name for the Best Student graduating with a major in Economics.

The Faculty of Social Sciences will miss him dearly. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

-Contributed by the UWI Cave Hill Campus