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/.