May 12, 2008 — "Unique," "vivacious" and "invincible" were the three words used Monday night to describe this year's group of UVI graduates, who gathered at the school's Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas to receive degrees, celebrate accomplishments and receive career tips.
"Congratulations to each of you on the completion of a major educational milestone in your life," UVI President LaVerne Ragster told the group of more than 200 students. This year's class — including recipients of bachelor's and master's degrees — has received recognition locally and nationally, with many working through "struggles and hardships" to make it to the stage Monday, she said.
Some of the students — such as those receiving master of arts and education degrees — made it through their classes via video and teleconferencing, Ragster explained. This year, UVI also awarded its first ever master of arts degrees in mathematics for secondary teachers. The goal of this program was to strengthen math education in local high schools, with students continuing to teach within the territory while simultaneously juggling their UVI course load, Ragster said.
A joint program conducted with the University of Pittsburgh also yielded 14 master's degrees in library and informational science. Graduates of the program will now teach a minimum of two years in schools and libraries throughout the territory.
"In the faces sitting before me, I see eagerness and the desire to make an impact," Ragster said to the gymnasium filled with friends, family members and hundreds of other supporters and well-wishers. "They will continue to succeed, and contribute professionally to the territory and the world. Best wishes for a life filled with learning and success."
The keynote speaker, Dwayne Ashley, described the graduates as "long distance runners, and a bold group of achievers that will change the world."
Ashley, president and chief executive officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, kept the ceremonies lighthearted by making pop-culture jokes and sharing some of his own humorous post-college experiences. Still, he stayed firm when offering the students pieces of advice that would lead them to success on the job front.
"You think that companies out there are laying people off and downsizing," he said. "But the truth is, no company is getting rid of good talent — they are looking for talent that's going to drive and expand their bottom line. The baby boomers are heading out the door, and they are going to be looking for you to fill those critical positions."
He encouraged to students to live by a five-word motto: "Proper planning prevents poor performance." When venturing down the career path, he said, students should keep their resumes short, write good cover letters, make a good first impression with potential employers, pay attention to details and — above all — exercise common sense while on the job.
"Also, don't be naïve," he said. "Watch out for sharks that look like fish."
Making her remarks more personal, class speaker Athaliah Edwards encouraged her fellow graduates to "climb their own mountain" as they move into the future. The three adjectives — unique, vivacious and invincible — are well suited to the Class of 2008, she said.
"Unique means that there is no equal — that we are unparalleled," Edwards said. "We are rare gems — black diamonds that are highly coveted but rarely obtained. Vivacious means lively in temper, conduct and spirit. We will take this positive attitude and apply it to every road we take. And we are invincible — we're invincible because we're graduates of UVI."
Edwards, a business administration major, will now become territorial sales manager at Phillip Morris USA.
On St. Thomas, Debra O'Connor — graduating this year with a masters of arts in education — holds the highest grade point average for UVI's 2008 graduate class, while Solange Lloyd holds the highest GPA in the undergraduate class. Lloyd earned a bachelors of arts degree in accounting and an associates degree in business management.
Commencement ceremonies on St. Croix kick off at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
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