Turks and Caicos Islands, Providenciales , British Overseas Territory. February 03, 2023

Saint Mary's University honoured one of its own with an honorary doctorate at its January 2023 Convocation. Stan Hartling, BComm'86, CEO and founder of The Hartling Group, is an entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist. His businesses and charities benefit the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), a place he has called home for over 25 years.

Under his leadership, The Hartling Group has grown to become one of the largest employers within the Turks and Caicos Islands with over 800 employees. The Hartling Group's three luxury resorts have received the industry's highest awards for design and excellence and are valued at over $500 million. The Group also has interests in large-scale construction and advertising and is partner in one of the largest private yacht charter operations in the Caribbean. Stan has been recognized as Developer of the Year by Caribbean World and Living Magazine, among many other industry accolades. Stan Hartling is renowned for his generous and extensive charitable contributions.

In 2021, Hartling received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Turks and Caicos Human Rights Commission. He received the Pandemic Icon Award for humanitarian efforts and employee support during the 2020 shutdowns. Stan was recognized as "Philanthropist of the Year" by the TCI United Way and inducted into the "Filipino Basketball Hall of Fame" for significant contributions to the sport. Stan is a co-founding director of "Boys to Men" a mentorship organization for youth. The Hartling Group has raised over $2 million for TCI charitable and scholarship organizations including the Cancer Foundation, United Way, Kidney Foundation and Salvation Army. Stan is the Honorary Chairman of the Salvation Army, Turks and Caicos Islands, a 20-year member of the Board of Trustees for the National Museum, and Honorary Director of the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation. Hartling has also given back to his alma mater through a generous scholarship allowing students from the Turks and Caicos to study at Saint Mary's University. His passion is to mentor and inspire youth to pursue entrepreneurial careers.

When asked about this recognition, Stan replied that he hopes this honour will further strengthen ties between the Turks and Caicos Islands community and St. Mary's University. He would like for this to be an inspiration for young entrepreneurs at the place he calls home. To that end, the Stan Hartling Scholarship Award has been created specifically to benefit the students of the Turks and Caicos Islands; it is a personal donation from Stan as he understands that our youth need support at this crucial time and the intention is to provide assistance for University education for TCI students through this 10 year partnership with St. Mary's University.

"We are very pleased to award the university's highest honour to Stan Hartling," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Stan is recognized as a leader in the business community, a philanthropist, and an exemplary humanitarian. Known for his passion for entrepreneurship and education, he sets an example for others to follow."

You can view Stan Hartling's inspiring acceptance speech at the Convocation ceremony on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XbeOeDwlY9w