UVI Board of Trustees Extends Dr. Ragster's Contract
The University of the Virgin Islands' Board of Trustees approved a two-year extension of President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster's contract (to July 2009) at the quarterly meeting of the Board held Saturday, June 24, on the St. Thomas campus. The Board also unanimously re-elected its sitting chair and vice chair, Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr. and Vice-Chair Alexander Moorhead, respectively. A news release is available on the UVI home page www.uvi.edu.
UVI Team Participates in St. Thomas Relay for Life
Congratulations to the 15 members of the UVI team who were among some 1,400 individuals in 95 teams participating in the fifth annual Relay for Life fundraiser held Saturday and Sunday for the American Cancer Society. Team organizer Dr. Patricia Harkins-Pierre said the UVI team was successful in raising the $1,650 entry fee. Harkins-Pierre added that contributions to the American Cancer Society are always welcome.
VI Students to Demonstrate Technical/Scientific Prowess
Twenty Virgin Islands students in grades 7 to 10 will demonstrate technical/scientific prowess they developed during a University of the Virgin Islands science enrichment program at a special demonstration scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 30. The students are spending two weeks in the "Intellect to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, delving into the realms of robotics and computer modeling.
Using a computer application called NetLOGO, the students programmed still and animated designs, and video simulations of real-life phenomena. In the robotics area, the students assembled and programmed robots that perform activities similar to those carried out by NASA's Mars rovers. The program's six-hour days also included reading, viewing science videos and discussion of other NASA-related material. Friday's demonstration and program closing ceremony will take place in Evans Center room 401 on the St. Croix campus. Intellect to STEM was funded by the St. Croix Foundation, with contributions from UVI. For more information, contact Dr. Velma Tyson at 692-4157.
UVI's St. Croix Chapter Alumni Plan June 29 Cocktail Reception
The St. Croix Chapter of the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Association invites all alumni to a cocktail reception at the Great House on the St. Croix campus from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 29. Appetizers, complimentary beverages and a cash bar will be available. Alumni are advised to bring business cards for the door prize drawings. Attire is business casual. Alumni are asked to confirm participation no later than June 27, by calling 692-4023 or sending email to wwheele@uvi.edu.
UVI-CELL Announces Courses Beginning in July
UVI's Center for Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL) has announced the following courses will begin during July 2006. To register for any of these programs call 693-1100 or visit CELL on-line at http://cell.uvi.edu .
— Introduction to Massage Therapy (40 hr): Learn about the art of massage therapy as a future career or for personal enrichment. Details: July 10 to Aug. 30, 2006; Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Location: UVI-CELL Center, St. Thomas campus.
— Basic AutoCAD (40 hr): Learn the skills needed to develop construction and conceptual drawings. Details: July 10 to Sept. 18, 2006; Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 – 8 p.m.; Location: UVI-CELL Center, St. Thomas campus.
— Essentials of Business Writing (10 hr): Reap the benefits of polished, professional and powerful written communication. Details: July 11-25, 2006; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Location: UVI-CELL Center, St. Thomas campus.
— Conversational Spanish (30 hr): Enhance your understanding of Spanish by focusing on communication strategies and conversational skills. Details: July 18 – Sept. 21, 2006; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Location: UVI-CELL Center, St. Thomas.
— Real Estate Sales (35 hr): Gain valuable tips of the trade from successful real estate professionals. Details: July 19 to Aug. 28, 2006; Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30 – 9 p.m.; Location: Research and Extension Center, Room 133, St. Croix campus.
Web Site Available for UVI Tuition Payment Plan
University of the Virgin Islands students can now pay tuition and fees in installments via a customized web site. The service was developed in response to student requests for additional tuition payment options. To qualify for the plan, students must enroll for six or more credit hours. Students who register early enough can pay tuition and fees in up to five installments per semester. The UVI payment site is offered by Tuition Management Systems. It can be accessed from the UVI Admissions and Financial Aid web sites, "Latest Links" menu on the UVI home page www.uvi.edu. Enrollment in the program – which costs $45 for one semester or $60 for a full academic year – is also available at UVI's Business Offices. Business Offices are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Evans Center on the St. Croix campus and in the Campus Executive Administrator's building on the St. Thomas campus. For details, call 692-4199 on St. Croix or 693-1143 on St. Thomas.
FUVI Celebrity Golf Classic Slide Show Featured on UVI Web Site
A slide show featuring photos of many of the 28 sports and entertainment celebrities who participated in the recent Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands Celebrity Golf Classic is now available on the UVI web site. It includes coverage of the tournament held at the Carambola Golf Club, a reception at Government House, and sports clinics in golf, football and basketball offered to St. Croix youngsters. The show is available on the UVI home page – www.uvi.edu.
Oliver Samuels to Return to the Virgin Islands in July
Comic actor Oliver Samuels returns to the Virgin Islands in July with presentations of his latest production, "Class of '73," slated at Island Center on St. Croix and at UVI's Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas. Samuels will portray Mr. B. Bringle, a teacher saddled with intellectually-challenged students who seem destined for the scrap heap of society until they meet their match in Mr. Bringle. The St. Croix production will be on July 7, with the Reichhold Center shows set for July 8 and 9. Showtime at both locations is 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Alliance Clothing, Urban Threadz (Sunny Isle) and the UVI Bookstore on St. Croix, and at Urban Threadz, Modern Music, Parrot Fish, V.I. Bridal and Tuxedo, the UVI Bookstore and the Reichhold Box Office on St. Thomas. Ticket prices on St. Thomas are $35, $25 and $20. On St. Croix, ticket prices are $30 and $25. For information, call the Reichhold Center at 693-1559 or visit the Reichhold Center web site at http://www.reichholdcenter.com.
For more about the University of the Virgin Islands, visit the Web site: www.uvi.edu.
