St. Croix Campus Residence Hall Complex Named for Delta M. Jackson Dorsch

The UVI St. Croix Residence Hall Complex was named in honor of Virgin Islands culture-bearer Delta M. Jackson Dorsch during a dedication ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010.

Mrs. Dorsch, a former teacher and V.I. Deputy Commissioner for Curriculum and Instruction (pictured at right with her niece Claire Roker) beamed with pride through much of the half-hour ceremony. A member of the Commission on the Preservation of V.I. Culture and of the "Our town, Frederiksted" civic organization, Mrs. Dorsch is credited with helping to sustain interest in Virgin Islands culture.

Lieutenant Gov. Gregory M. Francis, UVI President David Hall, members of the V.I. Legislature, relatives of the Jackson and Dorsch families, the UVI Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff and administrators paid tribute to Mrs. Dorsch in word and song.

Following the ceremony, a reception took place in the Pavilion on the St. Croix campus.

President Ragster Portrait Unveiled

Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, fourth president of the University of the Virgin Islands, recently gathered with UVI President Dr. David Hall, members of the UVI Board of Trustees, as well as family and friends, at the unveiling of her portrait on the St. Thomas campus.

The oil painting, by well-known St. Thomas artist Shansi Miller, joins those of former UVI presidents Dr. Lawrence Wanlass, Dr. Arthur Richards, and Dr. Orville Kean, on the walls of the University's Administration and Conference Center.

Pictured above: UVI Trustee Dr. Yvonne E.L. Thraen helps Dr. Ragster unwrap a gift copy of her portrait.

Birthing Simulators to Allow Nursing Students Delivery Experience

The University of the Virgin Islands School of Nursing unveiled a birthing simulator at its lab on the St. Thomas campus on Monday, Dec. 6. A $28,574 grant for two simulators, one for each campus, was given to the School of Nursing by the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation to purchase the equipment. The Gaumard Scientific NOELLE Advanced Maternal and Neonatal Birthing Simulators will allow all nursing students instruction in normal, abnormal and multiple deliveries. These advance birthing simulators are used worldwide by healthcare educators.

“It rivals any university on the mainland and the world,” School of Nursing Dean Dr. Cheryl Franklin said of the equipment. “As nurses we have to anticipate everything,” Dr. Franklin said. The simulator allows students to work through many possible childbirth scenarios and gets them to critically think through problems, she said. “It lends itself to so much on-going teaching.” Dr. Franklin thanked the foundation for its continued support.

Pictured top: Dean of the School of Nursing Dr. Cheryl Franklin, Executive Director for the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation David Beal, Nursing Professor Meg Sheahan, Foundation Administrator for the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation Tina Beal, and Nursing Professor Dr. Marion Howard stand around the birthing simulator.

Pictured middle: A normal delivery is simulated.

Pictured bottom: A breech delivery is simulated.

Woodworkers’ Expo to Continue on St. John

A small selection of Avelino Samuels' collection, above, is on display at the fifth annual Virgin Islands’ Woodworkers’ Expo, held Dec. 3-5 on UVI’s St. Thomas campus. Also pictured is a mirror by Bernard Jones. The Expo features the work of members of the St. Thomas/St. John Woodworkers Society and the St. Croix Wood Artists, Inc.

The Expo continues on St. John at the Market Place, from Dec. 10 to 12. It will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The Woodworkers’ Expo is the ideal place to purchase holiday gifts. The Woodworkers’ Expo is sponsored by the UVI Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the V.I. Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, the V.I. Department of Tourism, and the West Indian Company, Ltd.

UVI Says 'Thank You' to Physical Plant and Security Employees

UVI’s St. Thomas campus Physical Plant and Security employees were treated to an afternoon of fun at a “Physical Plant/Security Appreciation Luncheon” on Dec. 1, in the Administration and Conference Center. Employees were given honor and encouragement from President David Hall, Campus Executive Administrator Dianne Piper and Associate Campus Administrator for Operations LilyMae Durante. Each employee was presented with a certificate of appreciation. After lunch the group participated in several activities, including employee trivia and a “give me” game. Employees also received gift prizes for entertaining awards such as “tallest person,” “longest working” and “longest hair.” Pictured, President Hall congratulates Trades Worker III Roy “Ibo” Sterrod, who won a prize for the “longest hair.”

UVI Marks World AIDS Day with a Poetry Contest

On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, eight students on UVI’s St. Thomas campus participated in a poetry competition to mark the day. Participants sang and read original poetry about HIV/AIDS prevention. They were judged on creativity, theme depiction and overall presentation. Jolyn Edwards was the first-place winner. She received a $75 Foot Locker gift certificate. Second place winner Joneisa Smith received a $50 FYE gift certificate. Lyle Gumbs, third place winner, received a $25 K-Mart gift certificate. The poetry competition was sponsored by the office of the Associate Campus Administrator and the UVI Health Services Office. Pictured above are Jolyn Edwards and Joneisa Smith, first and second place winners, respectively. Pictured below, Sondria Pemberton sings.

‘Caribbean Writer’ Publishes 2011 Art/Poetry Calendar

“The Caribbean Writer” – the Literary Gem of the Caribbean – has published a 2011 Calendar titled “12 Months of Art and Poetry,” just in time for holiday giving. The calendar is a beautifully designed monthly guide to 2011, with each page a veritable keepsake and suitable for framing. The calendar is the first in a line of products that the “The Caribbean Writer” plans to launch in support of its efforts to promote fine literature and ensure the future of a solid literary tradition in the Virgin Islands and the greater Caribbean.

The calendar integrates visual art and poetry, featuring the work of local artists and poets. Featured artists included Judith King, Ginger Anderson, Sana Hamed-Asad, LaVaughn Belle, Cynthia Hatfield, Elizabeth Keith, Alexis Lavine, Elisa McKay, Opal Palmer Adisa, Dolores Petachenko, Maud-Pierre-Charles, Robbin Robertson Polter and Brenda Brown Taylor. Also included are the poetry of Opal Palmer Adisa, editor of “The Caribbean Writer,” and local poets Edgar O. Lake, Winifred “Oyoko” Loving, Elaine Warren Jacobs and Tregenza A. Roach. Other featured poets, whose works have been published in the journal, include Michael Fraser, Ann-Margaret Lim, Nancy Anne Miller, Geoffrey Philp, Nadine Rogers, Berkley Wendell Semple and Virgil Suarez. Artists and poets donated their work.

This exclusive calendar sells for $20. Discounts – three copies for $50 and six copies for $100 – are available. Details are available from a news release on the UVI web site – http://www.uvi.edu/ – or from this direct link.

Innovative Supports SAT Prep Program at UVI-CELL

Innovative reaffirmed its support of the SAT Prep Program offered to ninth and tenth grade students in the territory by UVI's Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center with the presentation of a check for $26,600 on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, at the CELL Center on St. Thomas.

Innovative Vice President for Public Relations and Governmental Affairs Jennifer Matarangas-King, at right, made the presentation. Accepting the donation for UVI were, from left, CELL Marketing Manager Caroline MP Simon, CELL Program Manager Debra Stevens, UVI Director of Major Gifts Mitchell Neaves and CELL Program Specialist Ayopha Stalliard. Innovative has supported the program for six years, helping more than 300 Virgin Islands students prepare for the challenges of college.

Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, is the deadline for students to apply for the 2011 program, which begins in January. For more information or to request an application, call 693-1106 or visit http://cell.uvi.edu.

St. Thomas SGA Earns NCSL Leadership Certification

A delegation from UVI's St. Thomas campus Student Government Association attended the National Conference on Student Leadership held Nov. 3-7, in Orlando, Fla. Students in attendance - from left, back row, Merl Eustache, Davin Francis, Charlesworth McCarty Jr. and Leslyn Tonge, and front row, Carlin Berridge and Randel Thompson - each earned NCSL leadership certification. The St. Thomas SGA also won recognition as the National Center for Student Leadership's (NCSL) "group of the week." For details, visit the organization’s web site – http://www.ncslcollege.com/ – or this direct link.

Buccaneers Remain Perfect in Paradise Jam Play

UVI senior guard Nahshon Jeffers, above, and freshman guard Shamal Caines contributed 13 points each to the Buccaneers' 70-54 win over Católica University of Ponce on Saturday, Nov. 20, during the 2010 edition of the U.S.V.I. Paradise Jam basketball tournament. Paradise Jam's NCAA Division I tourney games have been held at UVI's 4,000-seat Sports & Fitness Center on St. Thomas since 2001.

This is the second consecutive year the Bucs have hosted exhibition contests against Liga Atletica Interuniversitaria (LIA) opponents during the tourney. They downed LIA rival UPR-Metropolitan last year. The victory over Católica, though not as close as the last-second win over Metropolitan, proved just as satisfying to the large crowd of local fans who turned out to cheer on UVI.

A news release with additional game photos is available from the UVI website home page - www.uvi.edu - or from this direct link.

'You Must Graduate' Young Men at UVI are Told

Top: Members of UVI’s Brothers With a Cause (BWC), St. Thomas campus chapter, sit in rapt attention as they listen to presenter Dr. Jerry Smith at a BWC Professional Seminar Luncheon. Dr. Smith, a physical therapist, is CEO and owner of Therapy Works and is UVI’s athletic trainer. He spoke to the young men about the importance of professionalism.

Bottom: Anthony Morton, standing, asks young men about their immediate goals. Morton, a business relations manager at First Bank VI, was also a presenter. He cited daunting statistics related to young black men in the United States. “Gentlemen, without a doubt, black men need college degrees now, more than ever before,” Morton told the group of about 17. “You guys are at UVI and this is the way to go.”

The Professional Seminar Luncheon, a new initiative of BWC, seeks to introduce the group’s 30 members to successful men in the community, according to Vice President Darryl Williams.

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Bold and Decisive 'The Caribbean Writer' Launched, Memorial Planned for Former Editor

The 24th edition of the "The Caribbean Writer" was released to the public in grand style with a launch party on Sept. 30, at the Great Hall of UVI’s St. Croix campus.

The event included readings from the journal by UVI students and local contributors, live jazz by the St. Croix Central High School Jazz Band and Caribbean appetizers.

"The Caribbean Writer," an anthology produced annually by the University of the Virgin Islands, has been coined "the literary gem of the Caribbean" by its new editor Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa. Bold and decisive, volume 24 features 80 pages of poetry, 200 pages of short-stories, and personal essays by established and emerging writers from the entire Caribbean region, as well as the Caribbean diaspora. In addition, there is a special 70 page tribute to three of the Caribbean’s intellectual giants who passed last year, Rex Nettleford, Trevor Rhone and Wayne Brown. Completing this impressive collection are over 20 reviews of books by Caribbean writers and scholars.

In honor of its past editor Marvin E. Williams, the staff of "The Caribbean Writer" will host a Scholarship Drive and Memorial for Marvin E. Williams from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, in St Croix, with a videoconfrence link to the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas campus. For more information visit http://www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/ or call 692-4152.

Click photo to enlarge.

St. Thomas campus students were joined by the AY Drum Corps and others from the community – including several students from Charlotte Amalie High School – for a Walk/Rally & Speak Out Against Substance Abuse and Crime on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The march ended at the UVI Recreational Center, where the speak-out took place. Activities on St. Thomas continue today (Oct. 28) with a Student Peer Educators and Public Safety Presentation at 8 p.m. in the Dining Pavilion, and Friday, Oct. 29, with a Weird Costume Contest and Karaoke at 11:30 a.m., also at the Dining Pavilion. The Psychology Association won the St. Thomas campus Red Ribbon Week Door Decoration contest. View a UVI Red Ribbon Week news release.

Red Ribbon Week St. Croix Campus

Click on photo to enlarge. Photo Courtesy St. Croix Source

Hundreds turned out to the Wear Red March and Rally held Monday, Oct. 25, on the St. Croix campus. The marchers, including UVI students and many from the community were led by Central High School’s marching band, majorettes and dance squad, shown here in the lead. The V.I. Police Department’s K9 Unit also gave a presentation. Other highlights of the week were health screenings, blood drives and a special Jeopardy Game. A door decoration contest will conclude the week’s activities with judging scheduled for Friday, Oct. 29. Contest prizes will be awarded on Tuesday, Nov. 3. View a UVI Red Ribbon Week news release.

World Food Day Observance Attracts Hundreds

Hundreds on St. Croix turned out for UVI’s annual observation of World Food Day on Sunday, Oct. 17, on the St. Croix campus. World Food Day brings attention to the plight of the hungry and undernourished in the territory and the world. It also provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the complex solutions required to reduce hunger.

This year’s event featured workshops focused on tomato, citrus and poultry. Junior and senior high school students participated in the “Youth Super Chef” competition. The “Citrus Splash” competition featured breads, desserts, preserves and drinks made from citrus fruits. Two tons of non-perishable food was collected in the “Kids CAN Make a Difference” food drive. The food will be distributed to food banks.

World Food Day activities are sponsored by the UVI Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the V.I. Department of Agriculture and the UVI Agricultural Experiment Station.

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UVI Hosts Homeland Security Conference

Security consultant John Avolio, above, opened the 1st International Caribbean Atlantic Homeland Security Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

One of the keynote speakers was Lynn Canton, at left, executive director of Region II of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Region II includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. “The conference represents an effort to build bridges between federal emergency response and security agencies and our local responders and security providers,” said conference coordinator and chair Dr. Edward Tarver, above right, an associate professor of chemistry at UVI.

UVI Students Jerome Rogers, left, and Mohammad Mustafa presented the results of their summer research program studying data mining. Above right, Dr. Nadine Noorhasan, director of the Division of Environmental Protection at the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources also spoke. Dr. Noorhasan graduated from UVI in 2000.The plenary session speaker was Dr. Mitchell Erickson, director of Northeast and Caribbean Operations for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The conference will conclude with a panel discussion and public forum at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13, in the UVI Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas campus.

Mary Joe Williams Selected VI SBDC’s 2010 State Star

Mary Joe Williams, third from right, is honored as the 2010 State Star of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center, during the 30th annual conference of the Association of Small Business Development Centers held in September in Texas. Shown, from left, are President and CEO of the Association of Small Business Development Centers Charles “Tee” Rowe, State Director of the Florida SBDC Jerry Cartwright, State Director of the Virgin Islands SBDC Leonor D. Dottin, Williams, Associate Administrator of the Office of Small Business Development Centers at the U. S. Small Business Administration Antonio Doss and Vice President for ACT! Sales at Sage North America Jim Mullery. (Click on photo to view full size.)

Mary Joe Williams has been selected as the 2010 State Star of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC), according to an announcement by SBDC State Director Leonor D. Dottin. “I am delighted to make this announcement, and to recognize Ms. Williams for extraordinary contributions to the work of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center and small business in the Virgin Islands,” Dottin said.

Williams is a training coordinator and business counselor at the SBDC’s St. Thomas / St. John Service Center. She was chosen by the VI SBDC for being an outstanding performer, making a major contribution to the Virgin Islands SBDC program, and showing a strong commitment to the small business community. A full news release is available from the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu/ - and from this direct link.

Community Supports Health and Wellness Day

The Health and Wellness Screening Day held on Sept. 24, on UVI’s St. Thomas campus attracted more than 240 participants from UVI and the general community. Attendees were able to take advantage of free health screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol and HIV, along with eye exams and massage therapy. The event was sponsored by the Health Services Office. Students look on as Toni Gillman, Health Services temporary evening nurse, performs a massage. Gillman, a registered nurse who is trained in Holistic Nursing and Vibrational Medicine, offers massages at the Health Services Office on the St. Thomas campus from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and by appointments.

Miss UVI Competes in National Pageant

Miss UVI Jonesia Smith represented the University at the Competition of Black College Queens, held annually by the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. The competition was held on Sept. 25, in Atlanta. Top, on the night of the competition Smith, center, is all smiles as, left, the Honorable Glenda Hatchett, star of the popular “Judge Hatchett” television show and competition host, solicits final applause from the audience. Left, Smith prepares for the “Queen’s Tea” segment of the competition.

Wellness Center Opens on St. Thomas Campus

Aerobics and weight training instructor Mervin Ford, who also teaches Criminal Justice classes at UVI, leads enthusiastic participants in one the UVI Wellness Center's opening-day "Taste of Wellness" sample classes. - Click on photo to view full size image.

The University of the Virgin Islands opened a new Wellness Center on its St. Thomas campus on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. The 6,250 square-foot facility provides space and state-of-the-art equipment for aerobics, cardiovascular and weight training for students and members of the UVI and Virgin Islands communities. On hand for the grand opening ceremonies were Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas Anthony M. Babauta, Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., Virgin Islands Senate President Louis Patrick Hill and members of the UVI Board of Trustees.

Tours of the $2,262,000 facility and "Taste of Wellness" sample classes followed under the direction of Fitness Coordinator Amy Gurlea and UVI students. Major funding for the Wellness Center was provided by the Department of the Interior and the Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands.

Local reporter Lee Carl,left, interviews Assistant Secretary of the interior for Insular Areas Anthony M. Babuta following the grand opening of UVI's Wellness Center on the St.Thomas campus.

Miss UVI Jonesia Smith Participating in National Competition of Black Queens

Miss UVI Jonesia Smith is representing the University this week at the Competition of Black Queens sponsored by the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation. The competition and related activities continue through Sunday, Sept. 26, in Atlanta, Ga.

The pageant will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25. The Competition of Black College Queens showcases young African American women from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The individual crowned Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame serves as a national representative and advocate of HBCUs. She will receive an academic scholarship and other prizes.

Miss UVI’s participation is sponsored by the UVI Student Activities Office. For more information contact Acting Student Activities Supervisor Matthew Thomas at (340) 693-1111.

Dr. Hall Addresses Tourism Partners

Speaking at a breakfast meeting with members of the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, UVI President David Hall thanked those who have partnered with the University in support of the development of a four-year UVI degree program in Hotel and Hospitality Management (working title). Approval by the UVI Board of Trustees is pending. The program, if approved, will be offered by the UVI School of Business beginning in the Fall 2011 semester and will have a strong component of "hands-on" learning.

"If this happens, not only will we have made a difference in the econoomic life of the territory, but we will have set an example of how a university should work," Dr. Hall said.

‘An Evening on the Lawn’ With BWC on St. Croix

The St. Croix campus chapter of Brothers With a Cause (BWC) brought out the Sumo wrestlers for their promotional event “An Evening on the Lawn” held Aug. 27. St. Croix Chapter President Michael Campbell said the activity, which included fun, food and a chance to learn about the organization, brought out about 40 interested students. Another session for interested students is scheduled for noon on Thursday, Sept. 23, under the Pavilion next to the residence hall. UVI President Dr. David Hall, who inspired the organization of Brothers With a Cause, will be on hand to answer questions.

For more information on BWC activities on the St. Croix campus send e-mail to brothrswithacause.stx@gmail.com.

Vol. 24 of The Caribbean Writer Sports New Editor, New Look

Volume 24 of UVI's literary journal The Caribbean Writer is hot off the press with a new editor and a new look. Volume 24, edited Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa, features 80 pages of poetry, 200 pages of short stories, and personal essays by established and emerging writers from the Caribbean region, as well as the Caribbean Diaspora. Click here to read a news release.

The publication can be purchased from bookstores on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John and from the UVI Bookstores on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. It can be ordered directly by calling (340) 692-4152 or sending e-mail to orders@thecaribbeanwriter.org. Details are available from The Caribbean Writer web site: http://www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/.

President Hall Inducted into Rotary Club II of St. Thomas

Pictured from left to right are Dr. Hall, Assistant District Governor and Rotary Club II Past President Cheryl George-Chance, Rotarian and fourth UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster and Rotary Club II President Eric Baynes.

The fifth President of the University of the Virgin Islands Dr. David Hall was inducted Wednesday as an honorary member of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas II at the club’s weekly meeting at Marriott Frenchman’s Reef.

In his remarks, Dr. Hall expressed his belief in the values of truth, fairness and integrity, which he said are also the cornerstones of what the University strives to instill in its students.

“When I think about UVI and the values of this organization I find that there is a great synergy and connection,” he said. “I will do my best to uphold the honor that you have bestowed upon me.”

Dr. Hall thanked the Rotarians for their past support and asked them to lend their leadership, their ideas and their resources to the University in the future.

Author, Motivational Speaker Engages New UVI Students

Noted author and motivational speaker L. Trenton Marsh provided orientation keynote addresses on the St. Croix campus, on Aug. 16, and on St. Thomas, shown here on Aug. 17, on St. Thomas. At left, Marsh enlists the assistance of Shauntell Mactavious, an incoming freshman from Tortola, BVI.

UVI Fall Semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010.

UVI's Fall Semester Begins Monday, Aug. 23, 2010

St. Clair Hodge, president of the St. Thomas campus chapter of the Brothers With A Cause (BWC) organization, above center, pins a member of UVI’s incoming class of 2014 during orientation activities on Aug. 17, at the Sports and Fitness Center. Hodge was joined by other BWC members, Miss UVI Joneisa Smith, above at right, and UVI Director of Alumni Affairs Linda I. Smith, not shown, in conducting the official “pinning” of the University’s newest students.

New student on UVI’s St. Croix campus were also welcomed on Aug. 16, by officers from the St. Croix chapter of Brothers With A Cause. The BWC recruiting effort on St. Croix continued on Thursday, Aug. 19, when the group joined other student clubs and organizations at an orientation mini fair. Shown at the fair are, from left, Public Relations Officer Richard Motta, President Michael Campbell and Vice President Joel Dorsett.

UVI Professor Completes HBCU-UP Leadership Development Institute

UVI Psychology Professor Dr. Kimarie Engerman, left, is presented with a certificate of completion by Dr. Marilyn Suiter of the Education and Human Resources Directorate of the National Science Foundation. At right, Dr. Engerman is shown with other Leadership Development Institute participants. (Click on small photo to enlarge.)

Dr. Kimarie Engerman, an assistant professor of psychology at UVI, recently completed the 2009-2010 Leadership Development Institute program offered by the Quality Education for Minorities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Undergraduate Program. The institute's goal is to enhance the leadership and research capabilities of junior faculty members teaching STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - courses at HBCUs. It also aims to build a community of emerging leaders in STEM areas at these institutions. A cohort of 30 assistant professors was selected for the institute. They participated in four sessions over a one-year period, including: a five-day summer session in 2009; a two-day winter session in 2010; a 10-week summer research appointment at a National Science Foundation-supported research center; and a concluding five-day summer session in 2010. Dr. Engerman’s summer appointment was at the Spatial Intelligence and Learning Center at Temple University. The focus of her research was on developing a factor structure for epistemological beliefs. For more information contact Dr. Engerman at (340) 693-1227 or send email to kengerm@uvi.edu.

UVI Students Attend Substance Abuse, HIV/AIDS Prevention Training in Florida

Above, Derron Ambrose, left, Naji Shadeed and Dr. Doris C. Battiste. Below, Adrienne Anthony, left, and Alyssa Ryan.

Four UVI student peer educators and Dr. Doris C. Battiste, associate campus administrator for Student Affairs on the St. Thomas campus, joined students and representatives from other minority institutions at a Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention Training session in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., held July 7 to 9. The students were Adrienne Anthony, a graduate student from the St. Croix campus, and Derron Ambrose, Naji Shadeed and Alyssa Ryan from the St. Thomas campus. During two and one-half days of training, the students studied evidence-based intervention models, prevention strategies that work, the role of peer leaders, and how to network with students from other HBCUs, institutions that serve Hispanics, and tribal colleges.

In addition, UVI’s students displayed a sample of the “Promoting Prevention in Paradise” campaign which they completed on UVI’s campuses during the past year. Dr. Battiste said the presentation was well received by other students and college representatives. She also said the institute served as a source for lots of new ideas that the students are eager to try at home. All the UVI student participants are Certified Student Peer Educators and have been in the program for a year or more.

This summer marks the fifth year that UVI student peer educators have participated in the Minority Education Institution Initiative Summer Training Institute. The training is supported by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) and McFarland and Associates. For more information, contact Dr. Battiste’s office at (340) 693-1120.

Young Scientists Share Work at Eighth UVI Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

UVI students from left, Jeremiah Duffy, Benise Tavernier and Keturah McCrae explain their research project to UVI graduate student Lia Ortiz, at right.

Young scientists Jeremiah Duffy, Benise Tavernier and Keturah McCrae were among the more than 20 students presenting the results of recent research projects at the Eighth Annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of the Virgin Islands on Friday, July 30. The trio’s subject, one close to the hearts of most Virgin Islanders, was titled “Studying the Historical Ethnoecology of the USVI-St. Thomas Fishing Community.”

Other projects covered a range of topics from traditional botanical remedies and mobile robotics to odd triperfect number problems and data mining. A complete list of the student participants and their research topics is available in the symposium’s program book, which is available at this link. The symposium was organized by the Emerging Caribbean Scientists Programs office in UVI’s College of Science and Mathematics. A news release is available on the UVI web site – http://www.uvi.edu/ – and from this direct link.

During the symposium, the University also presented certificates to 23 students who participated in UVI’s “Math Behind the Science” 2010 summer bridge program. These students were recent high school graduates, the majority of whom will attend UVI in the fall. The program is designed to enhance the mathematics preparedness of college-bound students who are interested in pursuing careers in science, mathematics, engineering, technology or medicine.

Some of UVI’s symposium participants gather for a group shot after Friday’s Eighth Annual Summer Research Symposium.

These students received certificates from UVI’s “Math Behind the Science” summer bridge program.