Michael Jackson Tribute Show to Benefit UVI's Reichhold Center

A few lucky UVI staffers took the opportunity to meet Marlon Jackson, at left, and Tito Jackson, at right, following a news conference to promote the "MJ51" Michael Jackson tribute concert at which Tito will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, at UVI's Sports and Fitness Center on the St. Thomas campus. The concert, with proceeds going to benefit UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts, will celebrate the life and music of the late Michael Jackson. Staffers joining the Jacksons are, from left, Arlene Auguste, Nadine Questel-Williams, Jacqueline Faulkner and Tiffany Challenger. Click here to read a news release on the concert.

Volunteers Kickoff UVI's 2009 Alumni Phonathon

The University of the Virgin Islands opened its four-day, 2009 UVI Alumni Phonathon on Monday, Aug. 24. Each evening, through Aug. 27, volunteer students, alumni, faculty and staff will be taking to the phones to seek financial support from the more than 6,000 UVI alumni in the territory and abroad. This year's goal is to raise $25,000 in support of the University and its sutdents. Click here for more on the 2009 Phonathon.

New UVI President Dr. David Hall Visits With Students as Start of Fall Semester Nears

Dr. David Hall, UVI's fifth president, has been busy meeting with members of the UVI community as the start of the fall semester nears. Dr. Hall greets Dante Morton (top) following a breakfast with new students on Aug. 11, on the St. Thomas campus. Carice Glasgow (above), Miss UVI 2009-2010, greets Dr. Hall during the official Hall family introduction to the St. Croix campus on Monday, Aug. 10.

Science Students Show Results of Summer Research Labors

\UVI science students made the front page of the Virgin Islands Daily News and earned air time on TV-2’s local news following the UVI Division of Mathematics and Science’s Seventh Annual Summer Research Symposium held Friday, July 31, on the St. Thomas campus. Nineteen young scientists – representing both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses – took the opportunity to make poster presentations detailing the results of their summer research endeavors.

Research topics ranged from number theory to bacterial flora, and from St. Croix sheep populations the Tabu Search Algorithm. Another six students were recognized for completing the Summer Bridge2 Calculus program for college-bound students. The symposium is sponsored by the Emerging Caribbean Scientists program of the Division of Science and Mathematics. These programs are funded by University of the Virgin Islands, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Jones, Holloway & Bryan Foundation.

Related links: Research Symposium Abstract; Virgin Islands Daily News article; UVI News Release.

UVI Hosts Business After Hours on St. Croix

The University of the Virgin Islands hosted the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce's "Business After Hours" on Thursday, July 9th. Held in the atrium of the Melvin Evans Center on the St. Croix campus, about 100 people gathered for after-work networking. In attendance (pictured from left to right) are Co-Director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts Pamela Toussaint (’98)(’05), VI Paving, Inc. executive Glenda Cupid (’93), UVI Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs Linda I. Smith (’98)(’03), St. Croix Class of 1983 Executive Board Member Felicia Neale, and Anthony Weekes, Chief Executive Officer of Money Talk and More and Kallalloo.com, (financial and portfolio advisors and radio talk show host).

First Observing System Buoy Launched by CaRA

The first buoy of the Caribbean Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System has been launched 1.6 miles south of the Puerto Rico coast. This is the first large instrument deployed on behalf of CaRA, the Caribbean Regional Association, in which the University of the Virgin Islands is a major partner with the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (UPRM). CaRA is organized under an agreement between UPRM as the senior partner and UVI. Others have joined the collaboration through a Memorandum of Agreement, signed in December 2007. A news release is available from the UVI web site - http://www.uvi.edu/.

Hundreds Enjoy Reef Fest 2009

"The Reef is Closer Than You Think” was the motto of the day on Sunday, May 17, 2009, as the First Annual Reef Fest, held at Smith Bay Park on St. Thomas, brought the community together for a common cause – preserving the territory’s marine environment. Sponsored by the V.I. Marine Advisory Service and the University of the Virgin Islands in partnership with, among others, the Magens Bay Authority, Coral World, the Lana Vento Charitable Trust, First Bank and Ackley Media Group, this day at the beach offered free snorkeling, kayaking, marine-themed games and exhibits. Those who stayed on shore danced to the music of JDPP Jammers, enjoyed a “reef Rap” contest, and sampled an array of delectable food and drinks. A good time was had by all. (VI Ecotours Guide Frank Galdo is holding a beached puffer fish)

UVI's 2009 Carnival troupe joins in the St. Thomas Carnival's Adults Parade on May 2. This year UVI goes green with the theme: “Let Our Energies Combine for Carnival 2009.” UVI students shown here model costumes for the Troupe's four sections which represent four sources of alternative energy: Shown are, from left, Crystal Schouten (Sun), Justine Charles (Wind), Ehjaylyn Henry (Earth) and Yaira Bermudez (Water). UVI Troupe t-shirts are on sale at the UVI Bookstore - Shirts cost $10 for children, $12 for adults small to XL, and $15 for adults 2XL. Click here to view a slide show with more views of the UVI costumes.

Francielli Baker Named Miss CYFAR 2009

Nine year old Francielli Baker was crowned Miss CYFAR 2009 during a pageant held April 4, at the Gladys Abraham Elementary School on St. Thomas. She was among five girls – ages six to nine – participating in this first-ever Miss CYFAR competition. CYFAR is the Children, Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR) program, a federally funded after school program administered by UVI’s Cooperative Extension Service. Baker also won the contest’s Best Talent and Miss Congeniality awards. Joining her in the pageant were Francier Baker (Best Evening Wear and first runner up), Majestik F. Estrada Petersen (Miss Photogenic and second runner-up), K’ Nyzha K. Henry (Miss Intellect and second runner-up) and Adajah Y. Benjamin (Miss Cooperative – and second runner-up). The girls competed in introduction, speech and dance categories. They also took part in a question-and-answer session and modeled sports wear, professional wear and evening wear. About 100 parents and friends were in attendance.

Photo by Dale Morton

Carice Glasgow Makes History As Miss UVI

Photo Montage by Evworth Charles

In a history-making pageant, UVI sophomore Carice Glasgow, a computer science major, was crowned Miss UVI 2009-2010 at the Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition held March 28, 2009. Glasgow's win marks the first time that a student enrolled on the St. Croix campus won the title. The competition's first runner up was JaeDee Caines. The second runner up was Christina Clement, who also won the Most Popular and Miss Congeniality titles. The pageant took place before a standing-room only crowd at the Cafetorium on UVI's St. Croix campus.