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secondary education. Program instruc- tion will be delivered by credentialed instructors. The funds used by the SAT Programs will cover stipends, program costs and administrative cost. “I’d like to work to have other EDC Companies match what we’re doing,” said LeFebvre. “This is my home.” LeFebvre continued, “We stand as a witness to the tremendous growth and potential of the University. We dis- cussed internally and with the Universi- ty what their needs were and what kind of impact we could have. We could not be more pleased with the outcome.” “Thank you for not just giving to a great university on a tremendous path, but really for what you represent to a lot of young people,” said Gov. John deJongh, who was present for the do- Twenty-five thousand dollars of his donation will be used for SAT Prepa- ratory Programs administered by Uni- versity Bound’s College and Career Readiness Initiative and UVI’s 2014 Community Engagement and Life- long Learning Center (CELL) SAT Prep Summer Program. University Bound will receive $15,757 and UVI CELL’s 2014 SAT program will receive $9,242. Virgin Islands high school stu- dents will be afforded opportunities to participate in rigorous online SAT Prep Programs that aim to increase SAT test scores and stimulate interest in attending and excelling in post- s a child growing up in Beau- mont, Texas, Dale LeFebvre didn’t consider going to college. That all changed after he earned a high PSAT score when he was in the 11th grade, which prompted Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology (MIT) administra- tors to invite him to a summer program. The program opened a whole new world for LeFebvre. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at MIT, a master’s in Busi- ness Administration from Harvard Business School and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School. He is the founder and chairman of Oson VI, LLC, a management, consulting and investment advisory firm, based in St. Thomas, V.I. “As a consequence of the PSAT, I ended up at MIT,” said LeFe- bvre. “But if not for the PSAT test, I’d still probably be in Beaumont.” On Dec. 3, LeFebvre presented a $250,000 check to the University of the Virgin Islands at a press conference on the St. Thomas Campus to establish the LeFebvre Endowed Student Fel- lowship Award and the Oson VI, LLC Endowed Fund for Recruitment and Retention. The gift also funds two SAT preparatory programs at UVI. It is the third largest endowed gift received by UVI during the past four years. 1 Oson VI, LLC Makes One of UVI’s Single Largest EDC Donations – $250K Dear Friends, It gives me great pleasure to announce the creation of UVI’s Planned Giving program! This new platform builds on the successes we’ve achieved with our Major Gifts; Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations; Special Events; An- nual Giving; and Alumni Giving programs. Although Planned Giving is not a new concept at the univer- sity, we currently are creating formal procedures for this gift- ing option. We are so thankful for the many who have made contributions and I invite you to read about some of them in this issue of Philanthropy & You. Gift planning is simply another means to give UVI the greatest opportunity for success by al- lowing prospective donors to select one more meaningful option to support the University into the future. The process considers the ef- fects of a gift and the donor’s estate and/or resources over a period of time and is part of an ongoing effort dedicated to se- curing support from our alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends. The power to help is in your hands. No matter how you choose to invest, your support allows students to pursue their educational goals in ways that will change their lives forever. With your support, our students and faculty have an opportu- nity to excel. March 2014 NO. 5 UVI Finance and Accounting students, from left, Laydene Bloice, Jeffine Niles and Laura Bedminister speak with Dale LeFebvre after a check presentation ceremony. continued on next page continued on page 3 A We stand as a witness to the tremendous growth and potential of the University.We could not be more pleased with the outcome. -Dale LeFebvre 2 cotiabank made a $20,000 dona- tion to the University of the Vir- gin Islands for student scholarships. This annual donation was made dur- ing a Chamber of Commerce Busi- ness After Hours event in October 2013. Since their initial donation in 1986, Scotia Bank has contributed $291,500 to UVI scholarships. Four UVI students are the 2013 Sco- tiabank Scholarship recipients. They are accounting major Devon Wil- liams and management major Kahdi- jah Lee from the St. Thomas Campus, and marketing major Rochella Davis and management major Aliyah Parris from the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. “We are proud to have helped countless families in the Virgin Is- lands who have put their trust in Scotiabank,” Scotiabank USVI Vice President Lawrence Aqui said of the bank’s donation and its related com- munity involvement. “We plan to continue helping our community members become finan- cially better off by providing relevant solutions to their unique needs for the next 50 years and beyond,” Aqui said. “This includes supporting important causes and organizations, such as UVI, that are instrumental in shaping the youth of tomorrow.” “I have always aspired to be an at- torney,” said Davis. “I chose the Uni- versity of the Virgin Islands because I think ahead. Since UVI offered the undergrad degree that I wanted to pursue, I decided to study at UVI to keep my undergraduate expenses low – this way I could save and have minimal debt in preparation for grad- uate school.” She plans to attend law school in Fall 2014. “It has made it much easier to pay for school,” Williams said. “I did not truly understand how expensive school was until it was actually time to pay for it.” He plans to attend grad- uate school and will work indepen- dently as a certified public accoun- tant. It is his hope that he will be able to support himself and his parents should they need it. “Living up to the expectations that my parents have for me motivates me to excel,” Williams said. “I haven’t let them down at this point in life so I don’t think now is the time to start.” UVI President David Hall was on hand to accept the donation along with Williams, representing this year’s scholarship recipients. “Thank you very much for this continuing gesture of support,” Dr. Hall said. “As was indicat- ed, this is not a one-time thing. Every year we’ve been receiving support from Scotiabank for our scholarship fund. In our Administration and Conference Center we have a plaque that recognizes this ongoing contribution. We will be adding the names of our newest stu- dent recipients to this plaque.” Dr. Hall said the contribution repre- sented an investment in the present and the future of the U.S. Virgin Islands. “When young men and women can receive support so that they can achieve higher education, then there is no limit to what they can do,” he said. “I want to thank Scotiabank for its generosity and for sending the message that this is a University that is worth investing in and that we have bright, dedicated students who are worth investing in. If more fol- lowed your lead we would transform this territory in many, many ways.” UVI’s Vice President for Institu- tional Advancement Dionne V. Jack- son also expressed her appreciation for the bank’s support for the University. “Our continuing partnership with Sco- tiabank is a fine example of how local institutions can provide support to UVI students. Relationships like this allow the University to continue its mission of preparing students for careers that lead to personal success while contributing to the territory’s growth in the future. We are extremely grateful for Scotia- bank’s continued support and encour- age other entities to partner with us in similar fashion.” On hand for Scotiabank’s presentation of a check for $20,000 to the UVI Scholarship Fund were, from left, UVI President Dr. David Hall, student scholarship recipient Devon Williams and Scotiabank Marketing Manager Sadie Taylor-Clendinen. The presentation was made during a St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event hosted by Scotiabank. Scotiabank Donates $20,000 for UVI Student Scholarships continued from cover nation. “Through ambition, tenacity and the willingness to get ahead and still give back to your community, it is all possible.” “I want to thank you for your in- vestment in the territory by investing in the University because we deeply believe that as UVI moves forward this territory moves forward,” said UVI President Dr. David Hall. “Education is the transformative engine of society. Without higher education, we can’t ad- dress our economic, political and social issues. The investment that you’re mak- ing will touch every aspect of a stu- dent’s development and that is what we really need.” Dr. Hall said, “The true difference makers in an institution’s attempt to move from being good to great are individual donors who are willing to say this University is worth my resources because I believe in what they are doing.” “Today is not just about a check,” said UVI Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne V. Jackson. “It’s about the spirit and generosity of an individual who is taking time to help others get the education and substantive experiences that they themselves need to succeed. For this it is an honor and a privilege to count Dale as one of our newest partners and stakeholders.” Relationships like this allow the University to continue its mission of preparing students for careers that lead to personal success while contributing to the territory’s growth in the future. - Dionne V. Jackson S he AT&T Foundation awarded the University of the Virgin Is- lands a grant of $28,000 in support of the University’s Mathematics Behind the Science summer bridge program. Math Behind the Science is a six-week residential program designed to enhance the mathematics preparedness of college- bound students who are interested in pursuing careers in STEM subjects (sci- ence, mathematics, engineering, tech- nology or medicine). The program serves students who have completed grade 12 and will enter the university as freshmen in the fall, or students already attending UVI who have successfully completed MAT 024. It is intended to serve as a bridge between high school curriculum and expectations at the university The AT&T Foundation grant will pro- vide full funding for four students. In particular, it will allow UVI to recruit more international students who are nei- ther citizens nor permanent residents of the United States, especially those from other Caribbean nations. Federal fund- ing, which supports Virgin Islands stu- dents cannot be spent on non-citizens. The grant thus recognizes the importance of the University’s role in higher educa- tion for the entire Eastern Caribbean region. It will also allow fuller staffing of the program, and thus greater attention to meet the needs of individual students. UVI mathematics professor Dr. Robert Stolz directs the long-running program which now typically attracts about 20 students to the St. Thomas campus each summer. He said the program has drawn more interest since it was switched from day classes only to a full residential pro- gram, with students staying in the Uni- versity’s residence halls. That change was made two years ago. “The program benefits the students in many ways, by providing a rigorous in- troduction to the study of the sciences at the collegiate level, as well as a preview of college life,” Stolz said. “Research has shown that student success in mathe- matics is a great indicator for success and persistence in the study of the sciences, hence the focus on mathematics for the bridge program.” “Strengthening students’ ability to use computation as a problem solving tool in future careers enhances the prepared- ness of college bound students who are interested in pursuing STEM ca- reers,” said Ray Flores, Regional Vice President for AT&T Puerto Rico and the USVI. “The foundation that this affords USVI students provides them with a solid footing to achieve success in the global marketplace.” “We at UVI are delighted by the evolu- tion of this relationship with the AT&T Foundation,” said Dionne V. Jackson, UVI Vice President for Institutional Ad- vancement. “Through its giving, AT&T strengthens communities by investing in people. This gift to UVI is a perfect example of this commitment. We salute this corporate citizen for partnering with the University of the Virgin Islands, giv- ing back to our students and alumni, and delivering on its promise.” “It’s always inspiring to partner with people like the staff at AT&T, who be- lieve in giving back to the community,” said Richard Cleaver, UVI director of corporate, foundation and government relations. “They understand the impor- tance of building for the future and they recognize that UVI is also dedicated to making the Virgin Islands a great place to live and do business.” AT&T Inc. is committed to advanc- ing education, strengthening commu- nities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs. In 2012, more than $131 million was contributed through AT&T corporate and employee, and AT&T Foundation giving programs. T On hand for AT&T’s presentation of a $28,000 grant on UVI’s St. Thomas Campus were, from left, Attorney Ravi Nagi of the BoltNagi law firm which represents AT&T, Regional Vice Presi- dent for AT&T Puerto Rico and the USVI Ray Flores, UVI Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne Jackson, Program Director Dr. Robert Stolz, AT&T USVI Retail Store Man- ager Catherine Kling, who earned an Associate Degree in Hotel and Restau- rant Management from UVI in 1999, UVI Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations Richard Cleaver, and UVI Interim Provost Dr. Camille McKayle. 3 AT&T Supports UVI’s Math Behind the Science Summer Program The foundation that this affords USVI students provides them with a solid footing to achieve success in the global marketplace. - Ray Flores Should your interests lead you to consider a bequest or other type of planned gift, a wide range of philanthropic opportunities exists such as endowments, estate gifts, be- quests, and life-income gifts. We are prepared to facilitate those gifts as the university continues on its Pathways to Greatness. Your generosity will impact the lives of others and we want you to know how grateful we are for your partnership. We thank you for your continued support of UVI! Onward and Upward, Dionne V. Jackson Vice-President for Institutional Advancement continued from cover One More Way to Give to UVI The University of the Virgin Islands’ Board of Trustees recently gave the nod to the Office of Institutional Advance- ment to develop a Planned Giving pro- gram, demonstrating its commitment to making it easier for donors to con- tribute to the territory’s long-established institution of higher learning. Private gifts - of all sizes - provide criti- cal revenue that supports the Univer- sity’s priorities and makes a significant impact on students, faculty and pro- grams on campus. With this recent drive to establish Gift Acceptance Policies and Procedures to offer yet another way for donors to “gift” the university, Donors now can make distribution decisions concern- ing their entire accumulated assets. One gift impacts thousands of lives Your gift will open new doors. UVI’s General Counsel, Samuel Hall, Jr., says, “I like to think of Planned Giving as gift planning (that someone can do now when they are sound of mind) to provide benefits to UVI – sometimes immediately but often at a later date.” For example, planned giving is ideal when the donor may need income from an asset during his or her lifetime but may foresee that the asset and its income can be used later by UVI to further societal goals and objectives the donor supports: education, com- munity service, research ... the arts.” Planned giving may also be used to honor a family member by endow- ing a chair or fund a particular capital improvement project that the family member would have supported. It also allows for larger gifts to be made in the future, when compared to a gift from their current income. Estate and tax planning professionals can assist when making a planned gift –that makes this type of gift attractive to both the donor and UVI. Gifts may include assets that have appreci- ated or gifts that continue to return income or other financial benefits to the donor even after the gift has been made, if the gift is payable to UVI on the Donor’s death.” “Just because someone is not ‘cash rich’ does not mean they are prohib- ited from engaging in planned giving. In fact, many who own real property or other assets can save the expense of property taxes or other upkeep ex- penses by donating their real property or other assets to UVI,” said Hall. (From left) Sisters Gloria Samuel and Marva Applewhite Samuel, seated, who donated six acres of land in St. John valued at more than $1.2 million to UVI, pose with UVI President David Hall and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne Jackson. Planned Giving to UVI For more information contact the University Development Office at: (340) 693-1040.