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.