Roderick George Rainford, a 22-year-old economics student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), has been awarded the prestigious 1963 Rhodes Scholarship.A former student of Gordon Town Elementary and Kingston Technical School, Rainford has demonstrated leadership and involvement in various extracurricular activities, including founding a debating society, participating in drama, and playing sports. He also served as secretary of the Gordon Town Branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society.

Published Thursday, August 16, 1962 

Mr. Rainford

- Named 1963 Rhodes Scholar

The Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee yesterday afternoon awarded the 1963 scholarship to 22-year-old Mr. Roderick George Rainford, second-year economics student at the University of the West Indies.

Mr. Rainford, who plans to study law at Oxford and later concern himself with industrial relations after completing his economics B.Sc. course at the U.W.I. in June next year, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eric G. Rainford of Enfield district, Gordon Town P.O. The elder Mr. Rainford is a farmer and his son has served as secretary of the Gordon Town Branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society.

A pupil at the Gordon Town Elementary School from 1947-54, and at the Kingston Technical School from 1957-58, Mr. Rainford entered the University College in 1960.  There he has taken active part in the Political Club, the Drama Club and the Economics Club.

At Kingston Technical School he was the founder of the debating society, played cricket and table tennis and took part in drama, and is now vice-president of the Past Students’ Cultural Society.  On leaving that school he joined the Jamaica Library Service, passing his first librarianship examination.

His hobbies include the writing of short stories and poetry.

The chairman of the Rhodes election committee is His Excellency the Governor General Sir Kenneth Blackburne, and Minister of Education, the Hon. Edwin Allen, all other members are former Rhodes Scholars, being Mr. H. Lawrence Lindo, Dr. Eric Swaby, Mr. Donald Bogle, Senator Dudley Thompson and Senator Hector Wynter, secretary.

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