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feel proud to be a part of an award- winning association. When we include our 2005 graduating class, UVI alumni total 6,300 strong. Alumni are important. You are our largest stakeholders and you are our legacy. As UVI alumni, you validate the University’s mission and you lend credence to our theme of “specializing in futures.” We hope you enjoy the newsletter and thank you for your continued interest and support of UVI. Sincerely, LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. President P.S. Watch your mail for the release of the UVI 2005 Alumni Directory. It is a great resource for keeping in touch with fellow alumni, and a great tool for professional networking. Dear Alumni: Greetings and welcome to Alumni Update – your bi-annual alumni news- letter. Aside from alumni news and information, the Update will create opportunities for alumni to get in- volved with the University and their local chapters. In this issue of the Update, you will find a brief article on the new Sea- soned Alumni Program (SAP), which is designed to respond to alumni needs with professional development courses in specific areas of interest. Classes have already been held for basic computer training and car main- tenance. One seasoned alum has suggested that we offer health-related classes and possibly a SAP Health Fair. We look forward to hearing more recom- mendations. You will also find articles on the Tom Joyner Shop be-Cause event on St. Thomas’ Main Street and the Founda- tion for the University of the Virgin Islands’ Celebrity Golf Classic at St. Croix’s Carambola Beach Resort. In June, the Association held its annual Alumni Recognition Award Breakfast. Alumni honorees were Jose Penn, Willis Todman, Joan Thomas and Michael Watson. The dedication and commitment these four individuals show UVI is unwavering. Congratula- tions to all of you! I also wish to congratulate the UVI Alumni Association on receiving the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund’s Alumni Council Award for Outstanding Achievement in Member- ship – Small Size. I hope this award will act as a catalyst for those alumni who have not participated in the past to become members and make you Welcome to Alumni Update Seasoned Alumni Program (SAP) If you are a seasoned alum and are looking for ways to improve your professional skills, look no further. The UVI Seasoned Alumni Program (SAP) was designed to provide free professional development training for our senior alumni in any area of inter- est. The workshops are being held on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Thus far, there were seven computer workshops that were conducted be- tween islands and three basic car maintenance workshops. Areas cov- ered in the computer workshops were basic computer skills, computer main- tenance, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet Usage. We have been receiving positive feed- back from the participants and they can’t wait to hear about upcoming seminars for the next fiscal year. One of the SAP participants, Ms. Anna Gabino, expressed that she is enjoying every bit of information she is getting from these trainings. Most of the presenters from these workshops are your fellow alumni. If you are inter- ested in becoming a presenter and/or would like more information about UVI-SAP, please contact the Alumni Affairs Office at (340) 692-4023. The UVI SAP was created by Ms. Ardrina Scott-Elliott, and is funded by the University of the Virgin Islands Sponsored Programs Title III Office. ALUMNI AFFAIRS OFFICE NEWSLETTER Alumni Update Special points of interest: • Who’s Who • Get Involved • Alumni Association membership application Inside this issue: Tom Joyner Shop be-Cause 2 FUVI Celebrity Golf Classic 2 A Message From the Association President 3 2005 Alumni Recognition Award Breakfast 3 UVI 2005 Graduation Photos 4 President LaVerne E. Ragster September 2005 Volume 1, Issue 1 Alumni Update Tom Joyner—Shop be-Cause When Tom Joyner's "Fantastic Voy- age," aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ad- venture of the Seas, docked at Char- lotte Amalie Harbor at 6:30 a.m. on May 30, 2005, staff and volunteers were already on Main Street apply- ing finishing touches to tables and tents in preparation for the Shop be- Cause event. A daylong celebration and shopping event designed to help raise money for UVI. A joint venture between UVI, The Tom Joyner Foundation and V.I Tourism Department, the Memorial Day event was scheduled specifi- cally to coincide with the arrival of Joyner’s “Fantastic Voyage.” Main Street was transformed into a carni- val-like atmosphere and cruise ship passengers were treated to live music, mocko jumbies, local food, drink and arts and crafts. The “Fantastic Voyage” is an annual cruise event to promote awareness and raise money for The Tom Joy- ner Foundation. The Foundation provides funds directly to support Historically Black Colleges and Univer- sity (HBCUs) for the purpose of helping students complete their education. UVI was designated an HBCU in 1986. The highlight of the event was when Tom Joyner presented a $15,000 check to UVI. “The Tom Joy- ner money is less restricted than other monies we receive. These are full-time students who often work and they really need assistance. This is a great program to help get our stu- dents through school,” said UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster. Main Street retailers supported the event by offering special discounts to cruise passengers and pledging to donate a portion of retail sales for the day to UVI. Full-time students can obtain more information on Tom Joyner Founda- tion scholarship funds by contacting the University’s Office for Institu- tional Advancement at 340-693- 1042. The nationally syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show” is broadcast weekdays from 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. on WWKS-FM “KISS” 101.3. Classic Volunteers GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR ALMA MATER If you are interested in be- coming a member of a UVI Alumni Association Chapter in your area, please complete the membership application and mail it to: University of the Virgin Islands UVI Alumni Association c/o Alumni Affairs #2 John Brewer's Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990 Alumni Update is published by the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Affairs Office. This newsletter is to provide news and information pertinent to the UVI Family. LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. President Joseph B. Boschulte Vice President for Institutional Advancement Patrice K. Johnson Director of Public Relations Gary Metz Graphic Designer Michelle Smitherman Wendy Wheeler Editors www.uvi.edu 340.693.1047 Why and how did UVI Alumni Jer- raine Wynter, Alexander Elizee, Dr. Prospero Lewis, Nestor F. Ramon Jr. and Ycianda Neptune get to hang out with actor Richard Roundtree, actress Tanya Roberts and PGA pro golfer Tim O’Neal to name a few? The five alumni volunteered to work the Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands (FUVI) inaugural Celeb- rity Golf Classic July 14-17, 2005. The tournament was held on the links of the Carambola Golf Course on St. Croix, where more than 80 golfers, including celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertain- ment, turned out. The Classic's youth football and golf clinics drew more than 100 participants, with more than 25 youngsters at the golf clinic hosted by PGA tour qualifier Tim O'Neal and another 85 joining in the football clinic hosted by pro football players on UVI's St. Croix campus. St. Croix Alumni Chapter President Jerraine Wynter said, “Working the tournament was a great opportunity to meet, greet and welcome guests from off-island. I’m looking for- ward to volun- teering next year.” Alumni assisted with the golf tournament registration and coordination of the football clinic. A Government House reception, press conference, poker night, gala fashion show and parties rounded out a very special weekend. Pro- ceeds from the Golf Classic go to support the Foundation for the Uni- versity of the Virgin Islands Alumni interested in volunteering for future University events should call Wendy Wheeler at (340) 692-4023 for more information. “Working the tournament was a great opportunity to meet, greet and welcome guests from off-island.” - Jerraine Wynter A slide show from the Celebrity Tournament is available on the UVI web site: www.uvi.edu Tom Joyner at Shop be-Cause with Assistant Commissioner of VI Tourism Monique Siblly- Hodge, President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster and Vice President of Institutional Advancement Joseph B. Boschulte. Volunteers, from left, Diana Ro- man, Patricia Roman, Ycianda Neptune ‘05, Wendy Wheeler ‘05 and Jerraine Wynter ‘96. Volume 1, Issue 1 Who’s Who 1975 Santiago Diaz Santiago Retired Teacher St. Croix Central High (26 years) Education: BA in Secondary Education Residency: St. Croix 1981, 1994 Roberto Arrindell Principal St. Martin Academy Education: BA in Secondary Education (Mathematics), MAE in Administration & Supervision Residency: St. Maarten 1983 Dr. Trevor Connor Dentist The Office of Dr. Trevor Connor, D.D.S. Education: BS in Biology Residency: Anguilla/St. Thomas 1994 Anecia Sewer Entreprenuer Republic Barge Company Education: BA in Social Work Residency: St. John 1996 Elton Callwood Entrepreneur BVI Standpoint Newspaper Education: BA in Business Administration, AA in Business Man- agement Residency: Tortola (British Virgin Islands) 1996 Imani Marley-Husbands Special Projects Executive Assistant/Marketing Balfour Beatty Construction Company Education: BA in English Residency: Atlanta, GA 2000 Josephine Larsen Financial Manager AT&T Business Services International Controllers Education: BA in Accounting Residency: New Jersey A Message from the Association President Greetings Fellow Alumni: As President of the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Association, I would like to thank you for reading the Alumni Update. It is our hope that you will continue to stay linked to the University and the many pro- grams we are planning for alumni to stay connected with our alma mater. This newsletter is a good avenue for me to stay in touch with you and to keep you informed of all upcom- ing events and issues surrounding the UVI Alumni Association. With the number of graduates now over 6,000, we look forward to ful- filling the mission of the Alumni Association: to promote, strengthen, and support the important connec- tion between alumni and the Univer- sity, provide to the members many personal and professional develop- ment opportunities through educa- tion and association with business professionals, provide a support network for students and alumni, and be active in forecasting/solving community issues. Presently, our executive members are working diligently in trying to achieve the mission of the Associa- tion by pushing the organization straight to the top with no breaks to stop. This year the UVI Alumni As- sociation received the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund’s Alumni Council Award for Outstanding Achievement in Membership – Small Size. In March 2004, the 25th Legis- lature of the Virgin Islands approved Act No. 6646 Bill No. 25-0093 which Deanna Rogers, right, accepts the Thurgood Marshall Scholar- ship Award provides an alumnus or alumnae to serve on the UVI Board of Trustees. I am currently serving as your alumni representative to the UVI Board and would like to thank you for the confidence you have in me as your ambassador. Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to those of who are movers and shakers of the various chapters. We could not have achieved our goals without your continued support. Continue to stay connected to the University whose motto is “specializing in futures.” Please complete the enclosed regis- tration form and become an active member of the UVI Alumni Associa- tion Chapter in your area. Return the completed form along with a check or money order payable to: UVI Alumni Association, 2 John Brewer’s Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990. Sincerely, Deanna Rogers ‘87 UVI Alumni Association President UVI Alumni Association Membership Application (Please Print) Name: □Mr. □Miss □Ms. □Mrs. □Dr. Gender: □Male □Female Email Address: Mailing Address: City State Zip Code Contact Numbers: Home Work Cellular I, hereby register as a member of the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Association’s Chapter. (listed on www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/alumni/chapters.html) and pay the: □ Annual membership dues of $35.00 or □ Lifetime membership dues of $500.00 (one time only) Signature Date Alumni Awards Recognition Breakfast On June 4, 2005, the St. Thomas/ St. John Chapter hosted its third Annual Awards Recognition Break- fast at the Pilgrim’s Terrace. The honorees were Jose Penn, proprietor and chief financial offi- cer of Penns’ Corporation; Joan Thomas, co-owner of Pimpy's Trucking Services; Willis Todmann, acting administrator and chief financial officer of the Government Employees Retirement System; and Michael Watson, proprietor of Petite Pump Room restaurant. The honorees were selected based on their entrepreneurial and mana- gerial successes and their contin- ued support to the University of the Virgin Islands. Place Stamp Here University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Affairs Office #2 John Brewer’s Bay Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802-0991 University of the Virgin Islands Graduation 2005 www.uvi.edu