June 15, 2001 – The University of the Virgin Islands celebrated Flag Day by raising the U.S. and territorial flags over the new official entrance to UVI's St. Thomas campus.
Visitors turning from the main road that bisects the campus onto the drive that leads up the hill to the Ralph Paiewonsky Library and the administrative offices therein are now greeted by identical blue-bit stone walls on either side. They are set at angles so that each is visible to traffic approaching from one direction. The flags fly over the western wall.
In the flag-raising ceremony Thursday morning, UVI President Orville Kean presented certificates of appreciation to the individuals and companies who donated nearly $48,000 in cash, materials and labor toward the construction work and landscaping of the entrance.
Among those making comments at the ceremony was Leo Francis, director of facilities at UVI from 1995 until this past January, the catalyst behind the entrance project. A former commissioner of Public Works, Francis drew upon personal relationships he had built with local business people to obtain the contributions that made the project possible.
Donations were received from Apex Construction, Bryan's Plants/Garden Supplies, The deJongh Partnership, deSigns, E.D. Plumbing, Fortress Electrical Contracting Corp., Francis Properties, I.H. Associated Architects, Import Supply, Island Roads Corp., Lockhart Caribbean Corp., MSI Building Supplies, Mack Construction Enterprises, Magens Bay Concession, Majestic Construction, Patrick Charles Enterprises, Prestige Painters, Roy's Construction, S & S Services, St. Thomas Concrete-V.I. Cement and Building Products, Tip Top Construction, Val's Insurance and the V.I. Port Authority locally, and Steel Fabricators of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Other university officials taking part in the ceremony included Roy Watlington, chancellor of the St. Thomas campus, and Gwen-Marie Moolenaar, vice president for institutional development. Several executives of businesses that made donations also were on hand and were recognized.
Anyone interested in learning about other opportunities for donor support is asked to telephone Deborah S. Hamilton, UVI director of annual giving, at 693-1042 or 690-5425.
