UVI’s Summer Bridge Transforms Students



Participants of the UVI Summer Bridge Program at the July 25 closing ceremony on St. Thomas.



UVI’s Summer Bridge Program was started a year ago to provide new high school graduates with the literary, mathematical and critical thinking skills required for a seamless transition into college courses in order to ensure their success. This year’s participants said that they were transformed by the experience.  

“We will not be coming back home the same,” said Rasheed Escobar who participated in the program on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. He likened the students’ experience to being coated with fresh paint. Just like sponges, he said, the students absorbed the information presented to them by their professors and are ready to begin their college education. “We plan to make you proud of our success,” Escobar said in his remarks at the July 25 joint closing ceremony.

Zola Roper said she joined the program hoping to improve her skills in writing and especially mathematics, but the five-week residential program required her to be responsible for other things such as managing her time and making decisions independently.

“I am no longer a child,” Roper said. “I am experiencing a transition into adulthood.” Roper said that in addition to improving her academic skills, she was also exposed to a diverse group of people and made new friends.

“The (Summer) Bridge Program is one of the best experiences that I’ve had in all my summers,” Roper said. “I’ll be going into my freshman year at UVI fully equipped for what is waiting for me.” Roper and Escobar were two of the 108 students to participate in the program – 56 on St. Thomas and 52 on St. Croix.

“I just want to personally tell each one of you just how proud I am of your achievement this summer,” said UVI President Dr. David Hall. He called UVI’s creation of the program an investment by UVI in the students’ futures and the students’ participation an investment in themselves. Dr. Hall said sometimes students don’t have the necessary tools to excel, and promised that UVI will “give you a roadmap for success.”

“I will enjoy being your president. I hope all of you come to UVI and I hope all of you work with me to take us to a place of greatness,” Dr. Hall said.

Summer Bridge Director Dr. Haldane Davies encouraged the students to continue seeking education, strive for economic empowerment, take care of their health, seek international exposure and hold on to hope.  

The ceremony also included poster board displays of research projects conducted by the students. Students took classes in mathematics, critical reading, writing and college success. They also participated in field trips. It is the second year the program was held.  

Martha’s Vineyard Cultivation Reception

Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr., chairman emeritus of the University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees, and UVI President Dr. David Hall hosted a UVI cultivation reception on Saturday, July 28. The event took place at Dr. Rimpel’s home on Martha's Vineyard.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Gov. John P. DeJongh, Jr., greets Dr. and Mrs. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr., as he arrives at their Martha's Vineyard home on Saturday, July 28.

UVI President Dr. David Hall addressed invited guests at the Martha's Vineyard home of UVI Chairman Emeritus Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr.



UVI Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne Jackson presents Gov. John P. DeJongh, Jr. with a signature UVI tie Saturday at a cultivation reception at the Martha's Vineyard home of UVI Board Chairman Emeritus Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr. The governor and First Lady Cecile DeJongh were among the special guests who were invited by Dr. Rimpel and UVI President David Hall.



Science in the Summertime at UVI

Approximately 20 UVI undergraduate students presented posters displaying the results of research they conducted this summer at the 10th Annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium held on UVI's St. Thomas campus on Friday, July 27. Also participating in the day were participants from UVI's Math Behind the Science summer bridge program. 

The symposium is part of UVI's continuing effort to promote excellence in learning by fostering students' research and communication skills in science and mathematics. Math Behind the Science is a six-week summer residential program for college-bound students. The activity was organized by the Emerging Caribbean Scientists program of UVI’s College of Science and Mathematics.

Photos of a few of the students are featured below. Click on any photo to see larger view.

Details are also available from the UVI website: News Release | Emerging Caribbean Scientists program



Math Behind the Science students with coordinator Alexia Mintos, right.



Junior biology majors Shamelle Farrington, left, and Thalia Lake, center, explain their study titled Developing a PCR protocol for the Greater Bulldog Bat in the Northern U.S. Virgin Islands to UVI Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Management Dr. Angela Dikou. Other presenters and their poster presentations are visible in the background.

 

Darrell Mercer, a senior psychology major on the St. Thomas campus displays his findings to fellow symposium participant Nicole Etienne, a sophomore computer science major from Dominica who is also studying on St. Thomas. Mercer’s research is studying how college students select a major. Etienne’s project delves into data mining.

 

Anthonios Doliotis, a junior computer engineering major at UVI’s campus on St. Croix explains his team’s research to UVI staffer Moriah Jacobs. Doliotis and fellow St. Croix students Lynisha Farrell, Anthonio Forbes and Shelsa Marcel studied the relationship of water quality to bioluminescence in Salt River Bay and nearby Mangrove Lagoon.

 

Students Honored for Edward Wilmot Blyden Essays

UVI senior Leslyn Tonge was recently awarded the top prize in the University's Edward Wilmot Blyden Essay contest, held as part of the annual Alfred O. Heath Lecture Series and the 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration. Other winners in the contest were graduate student Amad Martin and junior Tasha Cornielle. The contest - open to UVI students – was conducted in conjunction with a symposium on the life and accomplishments of St. Thomas native Edward Wilmot Blyden. The symposium served as this year's Heath Lecture in March.

Tonge who is majoring in communications was awarded $300. Martin, who studied physics, and Cornielle, who is a biology major, each received $50 prizes as co-runners up. Student participants each attended the Blyden symposium and composed essays discussing Blyden’s contributions to Pan-Africanism, his impact on the Virgin Islands and V.I. leaders who were inspired by Blyden.

The essay contest was sponsored by the Sankofa Saturdays Youth Cultural Initiative and the Black Heritage Committee of UVI’s Student Government Association. Attending the presentation, held May 31, on UVI's St. Thomas campus, were Dr. Chenzira D. Kahina – Managing Director of Per Ankh, Inc., Victoria Bennett – the aunt of winner Amad Martin, Ayesha Morris – interim executive director of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council, Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa – board chair of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council and DaraMonifa Cooper – founder of Sankofa Saturdays.


Attending the Blyden Essay Contest awards presentation were, front row-from left, UVI President Dr. David Hall, student winners Tasha Cornielle, Amad Martin and Leslyn Tonge. In back, from left, were Dr. Chenzira D. Kahina, Victoria Bennett, Ayesha Morris, Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa and DaraMonifa Cooper and advisor for UVI's Student Government Association Black Heritage Committee. Click to view larger image.



Reaching Out to Alumni

Phonathon action continues tonight from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Administration and Conference Center on St. Thomas. See item below for details.

Alumni Phonathon 2012 Continues Through June 7

UVI alumni, students, faculty and staff turned out for the opening evening of the 2012 Alumni Phonathon on Monday, June 4. The volunteers are making calls, updating contact information, processing pledges and helping to organize call sheets. Calling will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly through Thursday, June 7. "The first night was a spirited experience," said UVI Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs Linda I. Smith ('98, '03). "Volunteers were excited to connect with alumni throughout the Territory, the Caribbean, and the U.S. mainland. Tonight sets the tone for the rest of the week."

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne V. Jackson, who was also on the phone on Monday, urged everyone to "come out, roll up your sleeves and help make calls to our alumni on behalf of our beloved institution. Your assistance will help us reach our 50 percent Alumni Giving rate this year. This is your chance to be part of the success story!"

The annual Alumni Phonathon has become one of the University's primary vehicles for communicating with its alumni body. During the effort, particular attention is paid to updating alumni contact and career information. Volunteers will each receive a special thank-you gift and dinner will be provided. Prizes will be awarded to the top callers each night and to the overall top callers for the four days of the Phonathon. The 2012 Alumni Phonathon is sponsored by the UVI’s Office of Institutional Advancement.

To volunteer, contact UVI’s Office of Institutional Advancement at (340) 693-1047 or send email to acarmon@uvi.edu or pfahie@uvi.edu or lsmith@uvi.edu.

We Are UVI... Sharing CVI/UVI Stories

Can you identify this week’s “We Are UVI” contributor. To find out for sure, visit “We Are UVI” at: http://weareuvi.blogspot.com/.

“We Are UVI” is the University’s Golden Jubilee blog. It features individuals sharing their CVI/UVI stories .........from the past 50 years. New submissions are added each week, this one was posted Sunday, June 3.

This week's post joins stories from Sinclair Wilkinson ('72), Rafe Boulon, Jr. ('76), Carmie Thompson ('10), Frank Mills ('67), James Rakocy, Arah Lockhart ('78), Utha Williams ('82), former UVI President LaVerne Ragster, Marthious Clavier ('02,'08), John Lucas, Maxine Nunez, Rosary Harper, Yegin Habtes, Gloria Callwood, Laurent Javois (’76), Helen Dookhan ('79, '84, '98), Curtis Gilpin ('80), Carolyn O’Neal-Morton ('85), Ali McClean ('93), Constance Gumbs ('87, '91), Malcolm Kirwan ('67) and Sharleen Fahie ('86, '93).

Ivory Carter Crowned Miss UVI 2012-2013

Ivory Carter was crowned Miss UVI 2012-2013 during the Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition held Saturday, March 31, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas. Raynyse Nesbitt was named first runner up. Latoya Rouse and Najuma Dunn also competed for the title and are a part of the court. A news release and photo of Miss UVI 2012-2013 with seven previous winners of the Miss UVI crown is featured on the UVI homepage - http://www.uvi.edu/ - and from this direct link.

Miss UVI and Her Court…

Miss UVI 2012-13 Ivory Carter, seated, is attended by, from left, Latoya Rouse, Miss UVI 2011-12 Daniella Henry, Raynyse Nesbitt and Najuma Dunn. - Click on any photo for a larger view.


St. Thomas Queen’s Committee …

Miss UVI 2012-13 Ivory Carter, seated, is attended by, from left, St. Thomas Student Activities Supervisor Melvin McBean, Committee Member Murchtricia Charles, Committee Co-Chair Shamari Haynes, Committee Members Samantha Daniel and Amanda Bannis, St. Thomas Committee Chair Raydiance Granger, Committee Advisor Robert Chen, St. Croix Queen’s Committee Chair Krystal Wynter, St. Croix Queen’s Committee Co-Chair Arielene Davis and St. Thomas Student Government Association President Leslyn Tonge.

St. Croix Queen’s Committee…

Miss UVI 2012-13 Ivory Carter, seated, is attended by, from left, St. Croix Student Government Association (SGA) Co-Advisor Derval Prince III, SGA Senator Jmail George, Committee Acting Advisor Necola Charles, St. Croix SGA President Siejah Mike, Miss UVI 2011-12 Daniella Henry, Queens Committee Chair Krystal Wynter, Committee Co-Chair Arielene Davis, SGA Treasurer Kevin Dixon, SGA Vice President Estica Caesar and St. Croix Associate Campus Administrator for Student Affairs Miriam Osborne Elliott.

Miss UVI 2012

The Queen’s Committee of the UVI Student Government Association will present the Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on the St. Thomas campus. The theme is “Past Meets the Present.” Tickets – $15 for UVI students, $20 general admission and $25 at the door – are available at UVI Bookstores on St. Croix and St. Thomas. Vying for the title are Contestant # 1 Ivory Carter, Contestant # 2 Latoya Rouse, Contestant #3 Najuma Dunn and Contestant #4 Raynyse Nesbitt.

We Are UVI...

Click here to view - We Are UVI