Les Nubians Coming to the Reichhold Center

Les Nubians perform at UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts on Jan. 17, 2009. Visit the Reichhold Center web site to order tickets.

UVI Launches License Plate Initiative

Students, faculty, staff and alumni of the University of the Virgin Islands have an opportunity to express their loyalty to the University with the introduction of the UVI Buccaneer License Plate Program. The program is an initiative that allows Virgin Islands vehicle owners to display customized UVI license plates. Funds raised by the program will support the UVI Athletic Scholarship Fund. For details, check this news release on the UVI web site. 

Marsalis Offers Lessons in Music at Clinic

About 60 students from music programs at the University of the Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie High School, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School attended a clinic and lecture conducted by jazz great Branford Marsalis on Friday, Nov. 14. The students sat silently and listened to Marsalis as he spoke about his talent and career, many with their instruments resting in their laps. The workshop gave the students a rare opportunity to hear a top-notch, professional musician up-close and personal. Marsalis sat comfortably and listened intently as students posed questions to him. One group of student musicians had an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and obtain pointers from Marsalis, who took out his saxophone and played with them. The session was held in the Music Suite on UVI's St. Thomas campus. The music clinic was sponsored by The Reichhold Center for the Arts, in conjunction with the V.I. Council on the Arts, and the University of the Virgin Islands Music Department.

Branford Marsalis Coming to UVI's Reichhold Center Nov. 15

Jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis entertains at UVI's Richhold Center for the Arts at 8 p.m on Saturday, Nov. 15. A member of the distinguished New Orleans jazz family, Marsalis' music traverses the jazz landscape, from traditional to modern to innovative. Tickets are available from the Richhold Box office at 693-1559. 

Marsalis will also offer a clinic for music students from the University and other Virgin Islands schools at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, at the Music Suite on UVI's St. Thomas campus. 

World Food Day at UVI

World Food Day activities on Sunday, Nov. 2, on UVI's St. Croix campus, helped to raise awareness of the plight of the hungry in the territory and the world. The day's events were hosted by the UVI's Cooperative Extension Service and Agriculture Experiment Station in partnership with the V.I. Department of Agriculture.

UVI Launches Service Charters

The University of the Virgin Islands officially launched a Service Charter program for 11 components and departments at a ceremony held simultaneously on both campuses on Friday, Sept. 19. Personnel from all UVI departments and components were joined at the sessions by a number of representatives from the Virgin Islands government, including Senate President Usie R. Richards, Sen. Louis Patrick Hill, Director of the V.I. Division of Personnel Kenneth Hermon, Commissioner of the Department of Labor Albert Bryan, Jr., Administrator for St. Thomas and St. John Barbara Petersen, Director of the Motor Vehicle Bureau Jerris Brown and V.I. National Guard Adjutant General Renaldo Rivera.

UVI Holds 2008 Alumni Phone-A-Thon

Scores of dedicated volunteers – students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends - spent the last week of August seeking the financial support of UVI alumni during the 2008 Alumni Phone-A-Thon. The goal is $25,000. Funds raised will be used to benefit many areas of the University, including several academic and enrichment programs. Dr. Henry Smith, UVI’s Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement, expressed his profound thanks to the volunteers who participated and to the alumni who pledged their support to the University. Individuals who wish to participate can still make a pledge by calling (340) 693-1040.

Workshop Draws Addiction Professionals on St. Thomas

A diverse audience of some 43 professionals – including police officers, first responders, mental health counselors, social workers, paramedics, dental health professionals and nurses – attended a workshop on addiction and the role treatment with buprenorphine can play in helping addicts on Friday, Aug. 15. Held on UVI's St. Thomas campus, the workshop featured Jorge Nogales Marin, Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Director of Psychological Consultants of Puerto Rico, at right, who discussed the serious national health concern posed by the abuse of and addiction to powerful pain relievers known as opioids. He provided overview of a training program now available that incorporates the use of a medication called buprenophine to help addicts overcome opioid abuse. The workshop was presented by the Universidad Central Del Caribe of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands Department of Health's Division of Mental Health and UVI's Counseling Services Office. For details, contact Andrea Hamm at 340-693-1136.

UVI Serves "Academic Chili" at Cook-Off

A contingent of UVI cooks and would-be cooks participated Sunday August 17th in the 24th annual Texas Society of the Virgin Islands "Chili Cook-Off." Pots of the seasoned specialty simmered most of the day as hundreds of people, many of whom attend each year, ambled along Brewer's Bay Beach. UVI's chili seemed to be a favorite, as taste-testers waited in line, some for seconds and thirds. Gov. John P. deJongh, Jr. was among those who sampled UVI's version as he made the rounds. Pictured from left to right are Tregenza Roach, Suzanne Darrow, Tracy Hodge and Richard Hall.

UVI Welcomes New Students

UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster greets a new student at the Orientation 2008 Welcome Reception and Pinning Ceremony held on Aug. 12, on the St. Thomas campus. A similar ceremony was held on the St. Croix campus on Aug. 11. At the ceremonies freshmen were pinned with a UVI button by administration and welcomed as future UVI alumni. Orientation activities were held on Aug. 11-15 on both campuses.

UVI Students Present Research

Biology major Mutahammis Kareem of St. Croix, center, discusses his Summer Science Symposium entry with UVI Professor Dr. Michael Thomas, right. Research for the entry titled “Total Phenolic Content of Breadfruit” was conducted by Kareem, Al’Lima de Lugo and Andrea Dorsey. The Summer Science Symposium was held on Aug. 1, in the Administration and Conference Center on UVI’s St. Thomas campus. It features research conducted by UVI students during the summer.

CES 4-H Summer Academy Draws 260

Summer was filled with fun as well as learning opportunities for some 260 young people ages five to 14 who participated in the 2008 UVI Cooperative Extension Service's 4-H Summer Academy programs on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Closing ceremonies – shown here for St. Thomas on July 30 and St. Croix on July 31 - drew an estimated 400 family and friends. In classroom and hands-on sessions the youngsters sampled a range of subjects from snorkeling to steel pan. Nutrition education, math instruction and computer technology were also covered. New this summer were Hispanic culture studies and sign language. For details, contact the Cooperative Extension Service at 340-692-4080 on St. Croix or 340-693-1080 on St. Thomas.

VIMAS, CRABBS Sponsor Students' SCUBA Course

St. Croix Educational Complex students Kurrisa Vialet, left, and Adrian Cuencas completed their open water SCUBA certification in July as part of the ongoing series of activities and programs marking 2008 as the International Year of the Reef on St. Croix. UVI's Marine Advisory Service partnered with the CRABBS (Caribbean Reef Association of Bubble Blowers of St. Croix) dive club to sponsor an essay contest that asked students to detail why they would like to become certified divers and what they hope to do with the certification. The winners took their SCUBA certification course at N2 the Blue Dive Shop in Frederiksted. Contact Emily Tyner of the UVI Marine Advisory Service at 692-4144 for more on the International Year of the Reef events.

Reichhold to Unveil 30th Season on Aug. 7

UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts will provide a sneak preview of its 30th Anniversary Season at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, during a St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. The preview and Business After Hours session will take place in the Reichhold Theatre.

The 30th Anniversary Season will feature big names in music and dance, and an expanded Family Series. Also included will be performances by Spectrum Band and Caribbean Ritual Dancers. A free buffet, the Chamber's "famous $2 bar" and chances to win tickets to Reichhold shows will be offered. For details, call 340-693-1563.

UVI Promotes Four Security Officers on St. Thomas

The University of the Virgin Islands recognized members of the Security Department at a Promotion Ceremony held on July 31, in the Sports and Fitness Center on the St. Thomas campus. The promotees, pictured from left to right, are Captain John Payne, Sergeant Willmond Wattley, Sergeant Theodore Glasford and Sergeant Barbara Maynard.

UVI Recognizes New Security Officers

At a University of the Virgin Islands Security Department Promotion Ceremony held on July 31, on the St. Thomas campus, four security officers were recognized. Those recognized, pictured from left to right are, Officer Rodrique Leslie, Officer Rashaun Lindquist, Officer George Battiste III and Officer Marilyn Harris.

South Atlantic Region Alumni Picnic

UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster joined with members of the UVI Community at the second annual picnic hosted by the UVI South Atlantic Region Alumni Association on Sunday, July 27, 2008, in Lithonia, Ga. The afternoon included a Virgin Islands styled picnic complete with a performance by mocko jumbies. Association Co-Presidents Imani Marley-Husbands ('96) and Tracy Lettsome (’91) organized the event. UVI's Office of Institutional Advancement was a co-sponsor. Marley-Husbands said next year's picnic is scheduled for the third week of July.

National Geographic to Feature UVI Researcher

Click here to link to a news release about UVI Professor Dr. Donna Nemeth and her research which will be featured on National Geographic's "Wild Chronicles."

Fall Semester Begins August 18

Fall orientation schedules for new and transfer students are now available from the Student Life Services page of the UVI web site and from these direct links: St. Thomas Schedule | St. Croix Schedule. UVI's fall 2008 semester classes will begin on August 18 and continue through December 10.

Students Seek Input on Ecosystem Survey

A group of UVI students is surveying U.S. Virgin Islands residents on how they relate to coastal ecosystems. Data generated by the study will help natural resource managers design management strategies for human as well as marine and terrestrial environments. An online survey is available here Survey Link. More information is available from this Web site: http://www.chrissettar.com. In completing the survey, which should take less than 20 minutes, participants will be aiding scientists, resource managers, UVI students and the general public.