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September 25, 2009 vol xv, number 9 Events Calendar Sept. 25 Leadership Seminar STT Sept. 25 TIAA-CREF Seminar STT/STX Sept. 26 RT Park Meeting STT Sept. 27 Class of 2010 Meeting STT Oct. 2 HIV/AIDS Conference STT Oct. 2 VIUCEDD Movie Screening STT Oct. 15-16 Health Disparities Institute STJ Oct. 18 World Food Day STX Oct. 31 Board of Trustees Meeting STX Alumni Phonathon Raises Pledges & Awareness U VI alumni pledged more than $32,000 to their alma mater dur- ing an Alumni Phonathon held Aug. 24-27, at the St. Thomas campus’ Eastern Caribbean Center call center. Each evening 12 volunteers placed calls to alumni throughout the Ca- ribbean and the United States, asking each to update their contact informa- tion and make a contribution to UVI’s annual fund. The $32,000 in pledges exceeded the goal of $25,000 by 24 percent, said Linda I. Smith, UVI’s di- rector of annual giving and alumni affairs. “I am ecstatic and humbled by the results,” Smith said. Smith was especially humbled because the phona- thon took a different approach than those held in pre- vious years. This year’s outreach was geared specifi cally to many alumni whom had never given a gift to UVI. It was an opportunity for UVI to uncover areas of discon- nect between UVI and some alumni, and to identify steps the institution can make towards addressing challenges, Smith said. “Direct conversations resulted in alumni sharing their UVI experiences, giving recommendations on how UVI can continue to provide academic opportu- nities for the community and its stakeholders, and show- ing their willingness to reconnect with their alma mater,” Smith said. The phonathon also increased the UVI alumni giving rate, a trend that Smith hopes to grow. “Not only am I an alumna, I’m also a donor,” Smith said. “I invite other alumni who have yet to become do- nors to do so, because we really need your involvement.” Through contri- butions from UVI alumni and other supporters, UVI was able to provide $150,000 to students during the 2008-2009 academic year. An average of 19 volunteers per night placed calls, processed pledges and updated alumni records. Almost 2,000 calls were made over the four nights. Smith continues to receive calls from alumni making addition- al pledges. “Some alumni have already honored their pledges or are in the process of doing so,” Smith said. “I invite alumni who have made pledges to honor their commitment by Dec. 18,” she added, noting that friendly reminders will be made from now until December. “Ev- ery dollar contributed is 100 percent tax deductible.” Prizes were given to the three volunteer callers who received the highest dollar amount in pledges. Addition- ally, all volunteers received a token. For more information contact Smith at (340)-692- 4023 or lsmith@uvi.edu. From left : UVI Trustee Deanna Rogers, Di- rector of Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving Linda Smith and Database Specialist Peggy Fahie at the 2009 Alumni Phonathon. Photographer in Training VI Daily News Photog- rapher Cristian Simescu explains the inner work- ings of a camera to UVI senior Nicole Orr. Several students on the St. Croix campus attended a pho- tography training session on Sept. 23. Orr and oth- ers will take pictures at St. Croix campus events to share with the UVI and wider communities. Simescu voluntered his time for the training. Vacated of- fi ces in the St. Thomas c a m p u s ’ Classroom Administra- tion Build- ing were renovated this summer and turned into class- rooms by UVI’s Physical Plant staff. Above, CA 302 received a new foundation and fl ooring to accommodate its new carpet and seating. A new acoustical ceiling was also installed, along with blinds and other fi nishes. GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu dateline: UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 dateline: UVI is a production of the UVI Public Rela- tions Offi ce. Contact us by telephone at 340-693-1056 or by fax at 340-693-1055. Renovations Provide Classrooms T he University of the Virgin Islands Public Relations Offi ce is in the process of creating a UVI experts list. The main purpose of the database is to provide reporters with a resource for fi nding experts to quote when they are working on news stories related to a variety of topics. It may also be used by researchers seeking information on specifi c topics. Most universities have some form of an experts list. In the effort to create this list, faculty members, ad- ministrators and staff who consider themselves experts in particular fi elds are asked to access and complete the sign-up form available from the Inside UVI section of the UVI website: www.uvi.edu. For more information call the Public Relations Offi ce at 693-1056 or send email to nfarrel@uvi.edu or pr@uvi.edu. The UVI Public Relations Offi ce is also seeking stu- dent models for an October photography shoot. Male and UVI Public Relations Offi ce Seeks Experts and Models female students who have always wanted to be models are encouraged to take part in this volunteer opportunity. The pictures will be used in UVI publications, advertise- ments and other forms of marketing for the University. At least 10 students are needed for daytime modeling assignments on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Audition head shots and photography release forms can be obtained by visiting the UVI Public Relations Offi ce on the St. Thomas campus (ACC Building room #229) weekdays between the hours of noon and 3 p.m. St. Croix campus students should call the Public Re- lations Offi ce at 693-1059 to arrange for head shots to be taken. For more information, call 693-1059. UVI student and St. Kitts and Nevis national John J. Gumbs displays his national pride at the UVI St. Kitts and Nevis Association’s celebration of the country’s independence. Gumbs was dressed in a headscarf and shirt bearing the colors and symbols of the country’s fl ag, as he held the country’s national crop - sugarcane. The associa- tion sponsored the event in the St. Thomas campus’ Dining Pavillion on Sept. 18. It featured national food prepared by the cafeteria staff. A display table featured items bearing the country’s fl ag and national colors. National Pride