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| Stella Jarvis, left, and Paulette Jarvis pause for a photo before lining up for the 2014 Commencement on St. Croix on Sunday, May 18. Preliminary photos from this year's Commencement Ceremonies on both St. Thomas and St. Croix are featured on UVI's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/UVI.edu. Check Facebook again soon for additional photos and be sure to like the page and share the photos with your friends. |
The University of the Virgin Islands will graduate another set of leaders at Commencement Ceremonies to be held on May 17, in the Sports and Fitness Center on the University’s St. Thomas Campus, and on May 18 on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. UVI will award more than 300 degrees in fields of study from engineering, to nursing, to music education.
See 2014 Commencement details at bottom:
Mother and Daughter Graduate in Class of 2014; Legacy to Continue with Son
Paulette Jarvis and her daughter Stella Jarvis will walk together as graduates on St. Croix. Paulette Jarvis will graduate with an associate's degree in nursing. Stella Jarvis, a student in the 3-2 Engineering Program, will graduate from UVI with a bachelor’s degree in applied science and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Florida.
Through this program, students in the College of Science and Mathematics spend three years at UVI and two years at a participating institution. At the end of the program, the student earns a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics from UVI, and a Bachelor of Science in his or her chosen field of engineering from the affiliated university. UVI has agreements with Columbia University, the University of Florida, and the University of South Carolina.
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| Stella Jarvis and Paulette Jarvis |
Stella Jarvis’ journey towards earning a degree in higher education started at age 16, in UVI’s early admissions program. At first, she didn’t know what she wanted to study and then found out about the dual degree engineering program. She studied for one year at the Albert A. Sheen Campus and three years on UVI’s St. Thomas Campus, before traveling to the University of Florida. “I think it was the best path to take instead of going directly to the states,” she says. “You get two degrees and end-up with less debt.”
Stella has already landed a job at Dow Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas, as an environmental specialist. She credits the multiple paid research opportunities that she got at UVI for her ability to be hired right out of college. “At a larger school people are actually begging for research and they don’t get paid,” said Stella Jarvis. “Most of the things on my resume came from UVI. That’s what helped me get the second internship I got up here, and subsequently my job. When I transferred I had a lot more stuff on my resume than my classmates that started at Florida. ”
She is excited to be graduating at the same time as her mom. “Both of our paths were so different,” says Stella Jarvis. A nursing degree is something that I know that she wanted for a long-time and I think it is about time that she got something for her. She has been selfless with me and my brother, says Stella Jarvis.
Paulette Jarvis has wanted to be nurse ever since she was a little girl watching her mother and suffer from a mysterious illness. She asked the Lord to help her to become a nurse to help her mother. “That is why I never gave up,” says Paulette Jarvis. She began her education at UVI in 1999. After having difficulties with several classes, she left UVI and became a licensed practical nurse (LPN) through a vocational program. She returned to UVI after the Juan Luis Hospital released her and several of their LPNs.
To earn her degree, Paulette Jarvis, who is president of the 2014 nursing class, spent 12 hour days studying with her classmates. One night when they were burning the midnight oil she told her classmates, “We all have to make it, nobody’s staying behind.” On May 18, she expects to march with all 15 nursing students. After graduation she will work on her National Council Licensure Examination, which is the final step towards becoming a licensed registered nurse.
Paulette’s son, Travis Jarvis, has been accepted into UVI’s Early Admissions program. He plans to become a veterinarian.
Watts-Clarke Continuing
the Family Legacy of Success
UVI Class of 2014, President Raydiance K. Watts-Clarke will graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a minor in social science on the University’s Sheen Campus. Her uncle, Horace Clarke – who played professional baseball for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres – will receive an honorary degree from UVI. Horace Clarke was the New York Yankees’ regular second baseman from 1967 through 1973. Following his professional career, he returned to St. Croix where he developed young players in the territory as a baseball specialist for the Virgin Islands Government. “I am proud of him,” Watts-Clarke says. “He has inspired other individuals, especially the young males who love playing baseball. From looking at his legacy, there is chance that they can also achieve their dreams and become professional baseball players.”
Watts-Clarke served as the student representative to the UVI Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2013. “It was great to be a part of the board and being a part of making various decisions for the University and, most importantly, representing the students,” she says. Watts-Clarke also served as Golden Key Honor Society treasurer, vice president and president, which allowed her to travel to attend workshops and regional summits. “My UVI experience was amazing,” she says.
After earning her bachelor’s in education, Watts-Clarke will return to UVI to earn a master’s degree in computer science. She loves teaching and her dream is to own and operate a childcare center offering afterhours care to meet the needs of single parents that may need their children tutored, fed and nurtured after 5:30 p.m. “I do look forward to becoming an educator on island,” says Watts-Clarke.
Senior Erick Willie to Become First Tubist to Graduate from UVI
UVI music student Erick Willie will become the first tubist to graduate from UVI. He will earn a bachelor’s degree in music education and will graduate magna cum laude.
Originally from St. Croix, Willie transferred to the University’s St. Thomas Campus as a freshman. “In the beginning it was a bit rough because I had not been playing for a year,” he says. But with the help of many of the professors in the Music Department he was able to adjust.
Willie credits the arrival of UVI music Professor Dr. Leroy Trotman, two years ago, for helping him to excel. “It’s been a blessing since he has come here to the University,” he says. “He has so many resources and he saw my potential as a tuba player.” Dr. Trotman was only required to instruct Willie once a week, but took it upon himself to add an additional lesson. “For the past two years, I have been training under his directions and it has been awesome,” says Willie.
“I am so pleased with his growth,” says Dr. Trotman. “Mr. Willie is the ideal student in music. I am hoping to see more students like him coming through the Music Department and other schools at UVI.”
The tuba is known for an ‘Umpa Umpa’ sound, but Willie is able to make melody come from a tuba. With his talent, Dr. Trotman says Willie will be able to teach his future students through instruction and by example. “I can sit here and say all of us should be really proud,” says Dr. Trotman. It is his hope that Willie will work for few years before continuing his education. “I am 100 percent sure it would benefit him even more if he earned a master’s degree in performing arts for the tuba,” he says.
Willie has served as the public relations officer for the St. Thomas Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society and is a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Walmart First Generation Scholar Mentor at UVI. He is also president of Musicians On A Rise and a member of Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges. Willie is the recipient of scholarships from the Board of Education and a two-time recipient of the Kenneth E. Harrigan Scholarship.
After commencement, Willie hopes to be gainfully employed as a band director/music teacher on St. Croix. He has always known that he wanted to be an educator. “As a teacher I hope to mold young minds and help them to see the importance of music and the arts in education,” says Willie. “I do understand that academics are top priority, but music and the arts in general help students to unwind and get into their own emotional side where they can enhance the academics. People who participate in music tend to do a lot better in the mathematics, sciences and English because they are using all parts of the brain.”
Willie continued, “I plan to make a positive impact to put some pressure on the young males to excel in school.” He plans to let them know it is okay to be academically talented and okay to go to college instead of going out looking for a job after high school.
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Stella has already landed a job at Dow Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas, as an environmental specialist. She credits the multiple paid research opportunities that she got at UVI for her ability to be hired right out of college. “At a larger school people are actually begging for research and they don’t get paid,” said Stella Jarvis. “Most of the things on my resume came from UVI. That’s what helped me get the second internship I got up here, and subsequently my job. When I transferred I had a lot more stuff on my resume than my classmates that started at Florida. ”
She is excited to be graduating at the same time as her mom. “Both of our paths were so different,” says Stella Jarvis. A nursing degree is something that I know that she wanted for a long-time and I think it is about time that she got something for her. She has been selfless with me and my brother, says Stella Jarvis.
Paulette Jarvis has wanted to be nurse ever since she was a little girl watching her mother and suffer from a mysterious illness. She asked the Lord to help her to become a nurse to help her mother. “That is why I never gave up,” says Paulette Jarvis. She began her education at UVI in 1999. After having difficulties with several classes, she left UVI and became a licensed practical nurse (LPN) through a vocational program. She returned to UVI after the Juan Luis Hospital released her and several of their LPNs.
To earn her degree, Paulette Jarvis, who is president of the 2014 nursing class, spent 12 hour days studying with her classmates. One night when they were burning the midnight oil she told her classmates, “We all have to make it, nobody’s staying behind.” On May 18, she expects to march with all 15 nursing students. After graduation she will work on her National Council Licensure Examination, which is the final step towards becoming a licensed registered nurse.
Paulette’s son, Travis Jarvis, has been accepted into UVI’s Early Admissions program. He plans to become a veterinarian.
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| St. Croix Class of 2014 President Raydiance K. Watts-Clarke |
Watts-Clarke Continuing
the Family Legacy of Success
UVI Class of 2014, President Raydiance K. Watts-Clarke will graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and a minor in social science on the University’s Sheen Campus. Her uncle, Horace Clarke – who played professional baseball for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres – will receive an honorary degree from UVI. Horace Clarke was the New York Yankees’ regular second baseman from 1967 through 1973. Following his professional career, he returned to St. Croix where he developed young players in the territory as a baseball specialist for the Virgin Islands Government. “I am proud of him,” Watts-Clarke says. “He has inspired other individuals, especially the young males who love playing baseball. From looking at his legacy, there is chance that they can also achieve their dreams and become professional baseball players.”
Watts-Clarke served as the student representative to the UVI Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2013. “It was great to be a part of the board and being a part of making various decisions for the University and, most importantly, representing the students,” she says. Watts-Clarke also served as Golden Key Honor Society treasurer, vice president and president, which allowed her to travel to attend workshops and regional summits. “My UVI experience was amazing,” she says.
After earning her bachelor’s in education, Watts-Clarke will return to UVI to earn a master’s degree in computer science. She loves teaching and her dream is to own and operate a childcare center offering afterhours care to meet the needs of single parents that may need their children tutored, fed and nurtured after 5:30 p.m. “I do look forward to becoming an educator on island,” says Watts-Clarke.
Senior Erick Willie to Become First Tubist to Graduate from UVI
UVI music student Erick Willie will become the first tubist to graduate from UVI. He will earn a bachelor’s degree in music education and will graduate magna cum laude.
Originally from St. Croix, Willie transferred to the University’s St. Thomas Campus as a freshman. “In the beginning it was a bit rough because I had not been playing for a year,” he says. But with the help of many of the professors in the Music Department he was able to adjust.
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| UVI music student Erick Willie |
“I am so pleased with his growth,” says Dr. Trotman. “Mr. Willie is the ideal student in music. I am hoping to see more students like him coming through the Music Department and other schools at UVI.”
The tuba is known for an ‘Umpa Umpa’ sound, but Willie is able to make melody come from a tuba. With his talent, Dr. Trotman says Willie will be able to teach his future students through instruction and by example. “I can sit here and say all of us should be really proud,” says Dr. Trotman. It is his hope that Willie will work for few years before continuing his education. “I am 100 percent sure it would benefit him even more if he earned a master’s degree in performing arts for the tuba,” he says.
Willie has served as the public relations officer for the St. Thomas Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society and is a Thurgood Marshall College Fund Walmart First Generation Scholar Mentor at UVI. He is also president of Musicians On A Rise and a member of Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges. Willie is the recipient of scholarships from the Board of Education and a two-time recipient of the Kenneth E. Harrigan Scholarship.
After commencement, Willie hopes to be gainfully employed as a band director/music teacher on St. Croix. He has always known that he wanted to be an educator. “As a teacher I hope to mold young minds and help them to see the importance of music and the arts in education,” says Willie. “I do understand that academics are top priority, but music and the arts in general help students to unwind and get into their own emotional side where they can enhance the academics. People who participate in music tend to do a lot better in the mathematics, sciences and English because they are using all parts of the brain.”
Willie continued, “I plan to make a positive impact to put some pressure on the young males to excel in school.” He plans to let them know it is okay to be academically talented and okay to go to college instead of going out looking for a job after high school.
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UVI Commencement
2014 – At a Glance…
St. Thomas: Saturday, May 17, 2014
Sports & Fitness Center, St. Thomas Campus Time: 7 p.m.
St. Croix: Sunday, May 18, 2014
Campus Grounds, Albert A. Sheen Campus Time: 2:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Harvard Professor, Filmmaker, Literary Scholar
Additional
Honorary Degree Recipients:
Hon.
Ron de Lugo and Horace
Clarke
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