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June 24, 2010 vol xvi, number 6 Events Calendar June 24 Biodiversity Film Festival STX June 26-27 Relay for Life STT June 27 Mango Melee STX June 27 Retirement Luncheon STT July 2 UVI Closed - Emancipation Day Observed July 5 UVI Closed - Independence Day Observed UVI Gets $1M Donation D r. Ronald Harrigan has had a one-of-a-kind experi- ence at UVI – starting as a student, then an entry level employee and rising through the ranks in adminis- tration and academia. Now retiring, after working at UVI for 38 years, Dr. Harrigan refl ected on the impact he has had on the institution. Dr. Harrigan joined the staff of the then College of the Virgin Islands in 1972, after earning a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. He was designated a ju- nior offi cer trainee in a program designed to train young Virgin Islanders for leadership positions at the institu- tion. Shortly after, he was transferred to the St. Croix campus as an assistant to the student services offi cer and was tasked with bringing registration, counseling, aca- demic advising, records management, student orientation and student activities services in line with St. Thomas. He helped to facilitate the move to the Melvin Evans Center. “It was in this position that I began to get more involved in higher education administration from an educational perspective,” said Dr. Harrigan, who before had dreams of teaching business owners how to become successful. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a Doctor of Education degree. After two years on the St. Croix campus, Dr. Harri- gan transferred back to the St. Thomas campus as a stu- dent personnel offi cer. In this fi rst supervisory position T he University of the Virgin Islands received a $1 million donation – its largest single cash gift – from UVI Trustee and businessman S. Donald Sussman. It will be used toward the construction of a new science building on the St. Thomas campus. The gift to the University was announced by President David Hall at the June 12 Board of Trustees meeting. “This is just phenomenal,” President Hall said. “Con- struction of the science building is part of an overall plan to build four buildings. To do this we are going to need public and private resources. A local donation such as this is the anchor to make sure that this institution moves for- ward.” Dr. Camille McKayle, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, said the college is pleased and thankful for the donation. “Our goal is to expose UVI students to what science and being a scientist is all about. A new building, with space designed with this in mind, would bring us a lot closer to this goal,” Dr. McKayle said. “It would also enhance UVI’s ability to compete for fund- ing in support of science curriculum and research. This is truly a wonderful development for our students, our faculty and the institution.” Sussman said his $1 million science building donation is intended to serve as the “lead gift” to the University’s construction effort, which will require additional donor support. In addition to the science building, UVI plans to build a residence hall on the St. Thomas campus and an academic building and multi-purpose building on the St. Croix campus. To make a donation to UVI or for more information about charitable giving at UVI call the Offi ce of Institu- tional Advancement at 340-693-1040. UVI’s Interim Dean for the School of Education Dr. Ronald Harrigan works at his desk. Dr. Harrigan will retire after working at UVI for 38 years. Dean, VP, Professor, Director & Chairman, Dr. Harrigan Retires 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. UVI Students ‘Taking it Over’ Dr. Harrigan honed skills which eventually lead him to the top Student Affairs position – vice president for Stu- dent Life and Development. In that position he helped to develop university-wide policies in student affairs, ser- vice delivery systems and student exchange. He also had oversight of UVI’s Athletic Program and facilities. He was responsible for fostering relationships with local and regional colleges and institutions. Two of the changes that Dr. Harrigan remembered seem simple, but were very satisfying to students at the time – he was the fi rst to assign women who lived on cam- pus to single rooms. Before that, all women were required to share rooms. He also changed the meal plan to offer tiered meal plan options. Dr. Harrigan may be most remembered for his work in UVI athletics. He organized the Athletic Program into varsity sports, club sports and intramural sports. Under Dr. Harrigan’s leadership, those changes led to UVI be- ing granted provisional membership in Division II ath- letics in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1996. Under the leadership of former UVI President Dr. Orville Kean and former Facilities Director Leo Fran- cis, Dr. Harrigan oversaw the construction of the Sports and Fitness Center on the St. Thomas campus. He was a founding member of the Caribbean University Sports As- sociation, which allowed UVI teams to play against teams from other Caribbean islands. He was also a co-founder of the Virgin Islands University Sports Federation. Dr. Harrigan said his heart has always been in the area of student development. “My fi rst responsibility was student affairs and that’s where I put all my effort,” he said. “I really enjoy student development work.” Dr. Harrigan helped to develop the fi rst student ex- change programs between UVI and other Caribbean uni- versities and was a co-founder of the Summer Institute for Future Global Leaders. He has served as faculty advi- sor to the UVI Anguilla Association and Rotaract Club. While Dr. Harrigan’s contributions on the adminis- trative side are many, he has also served at top levels in UVI’s academics. He retires in June as UVI’s interim dean of the School of Education, where he has worked as a professor and division chairman. He has also served as UVI’s director of Graduate Programs. “I’ve made my contribution,” Dr. Harrigan said. On June 27, Dr. Harrigan’s career will be celebrated at a retirement luncheon at noon at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Resort. UVI students and an administrator pose with Roland Martin, center, at the Generation Now Leadership Conference held on June 19, on St. Croix. Martin, an award-winning journal- ist, syndicated columnist, CNN analyst and TV One commen- tator, was the keynnote speaker at the conference. His speech titled “Taking It Over,” focused on how leaders should forge ahead. Generation Now invited and sponsored UVI student leaders’ participation in the conference.