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March 31, 2010 vol xvi, number 3 Events Calendar March 31 Rex Nettleford Celebration STT April 1 Psychology Club Lecture STX April 2-4 UVI Closed - Easter Recess STT/STX April 3 Miss UVI Competiton STT April 5 Haiti Fundraiser STX April 6 Psi Chi Induction Ceremony STT April 13 Service Awards STX April 16 Service Awards STT April 18 Concert Choir Performance STT UVI Installs its 5th President I t rained as new University of the Virgin Islands Presi- dent Dr. David Hall and his platform guests marched into the Reichhold Center for Arts at 6 p.m. on March 6, for Dr. Hall’s offi cial installation ceremony. It rained throughout the ceremony. And it rained as the procession made its way out of the amphitheater when the ceremony was over. But an exhilarating sensation seemed to enve- lope everyone in attendance, despite the weather. In a moving speech Dr. Hall solidifi ed his commit- ment to the theme of his presidency, “The Quest for Greatness.” “Since the start of my presidency I have asked the University of the Virgin Islands to dream with me; to set our sights on something that transcends our present reality and limitations,” Dr. Hall said. “There are those who do not expect the University of the Virgin Islands to be a leader in educational innovation and excellence. They are impressed with our beautiful location, our san- dy beaches, our warm weather and turquoise waters,” he said. “But I am here to declare that there is more to this UVI President Dr. David Hall recieves the presi- dential vestments and medallion from Board of Trustees Chairman Alex- ander A. Moorhead, left, at Dr. Hall’s Presidential Inauguration on March 6, at the Reichhold Cen- ter for the Arts. He is congratulated and takes his place at the podium, right. University than the world might think, and our calling to greatness is within our reach.” Dr. Hall described a holistic approach to improving the University and the territory. “Our quest for greatness demands that we build on our existing areas of excellence, and add new academic programs that this economy and marketplace desperately need,” he said. He noted the pos- sibility of UVI building a world class program in hotel management, using the Aquaponics program at UVI’s Ag- ricultural Experiment Station to transform food produc- tion in the territory, and offering research programs to all undergraduate students. With a focus on students, Dr. Hall said the Univer- sity must do everything to ensure that students succeed and graduate. “Greatness allows us to see the potential in every student that enters this University and equips us to extract from them the genius that lies buried within them,” Dr. Hall said. “We do not inspire our students by accepting mediocrity. We inspire them by creating high standards and assisting them in their quest to meet those standards.” The momentous occasion was marked with a toe-tap- ping musical selection by the Eddie Russell Quelbe Jazz Band joined by Northeastern University Professor Dr. Leonard Brown on the soprano saxophone, a standing- ovation receiving rendition by soloist Lorna Freeman- Dennis, and the original poem “Emergence: Brotherman Becomes a President” by Chicago State University Pro- fessor Haki Madhubuti. Salutations were given by representatives from each UVI stakeholder group – student, faculty, staff and alumni. A s the University of the Vir- gin Islands celebrated its 48th birthday with a Charter Day ceremony, it also said goodbye to several members of its Board of Trustees. In a Charter Day cer- emony held simultaneously on both campuses on March 16, speakers lauded the people who had the vision 48 years ago to found the then College of the Virgin Islands and the people who have served. “I believe that this is a sacred day,” UVI President Dr. David Hall said in his remarks. The chartering of the University ful- fi lled many dreams and signaled a time when Virgin Is- landers could walk tall and proud to be educated in their own territory, Dr. Hall said. The founding fathers had the vision and the faith to charter a college, although at the time no land or buildings had been identifi ed. “This day is its legal birth and without it, nothing else would have occurred,” Dr. Hall said. “Dreams are the fuel for trans- forming reality,” he said. Former UVI Trustees Roy D. Jackson, Sr., Dr. Ber- nard H. Paiewonsky, Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr., Hon. Audrey L. Thomas and Juanita M. Woods were honored for their years of service to the university. Dr. Rimpel UVI Celebrates Its Charter and Former Trustees served on the Board the longest, 16 years, eleven of those years as the Board’s chairman. Paiewon- sky served on the Board for 13 years. Jackson served on the Board for 12 years. Woods and Thomas served on the Board for six and fi ve years, respectively. Dr. Paiewonsky and Dr. Rimpel, who both live on the mainland, were not present at the ceremo- ny. In heart-warming remarks Dr. Hall spoke of the effect each departing trustee had on him, noting professional and person- al encounters. “That is what makes this board so special,” Dr. Hall said. “They are people fi rst and trustees second.” He noted that each of them had certain expertise that they gave freely to the University. “I have deep respect for them all,” Dr. Hall said. “What I know for sure is that though they are no longer on the Board, they will forever be in our hearts and UVI will be in theirs.” Current Board of Trustees Chairman Alexander A. Moorhead seemed lost for words as he spoke of the for- mer trustees. “They will be missed,” he said, before of- fi cially honoring them. The program included remarks from UVI freshmen and a music selection. A lthough rain was forecast for the same weekend of Afternoon on the Green, organizers thought nothing of the threat. In the event’s 20 year history it had never been rained out. When all-day rain the day before the event continued into Sunday, March 7, organizers became concerned. Through quick thinking by committee members, hard work by UVI staff and unwav- ering support from the community, the event was moved from the Herman E. Moore Golf Course, where it has traditionally been held, to the Sports and Fitness Center. Though the location changed, the event maintained its history of never being cancelled in 21 years. Hundreds braved the rain and wind to attend. Tables laden with food of all sorts fi lled the fl oor of the Sports and Fitness Center, while the east mezzanine was transformed into the Children’s Corner and the west Hundreds Brave the Rain to Attend Afternoon on the Green mezzanine hosted the academic displays. The fi rst-ever Grill Off competition took place under tents in the Sports and Fit- ness Center parking lot. During the event graduate student Rick Grant was named Student Volunteer of the Year and Clarence Nibbs was named Community Volunteer of the year. Brothers With a Cause, the Uni- versity’s recent initiative to attract and retain more male students, made its fi rst public ap- pearance. As planned, entertainment was provided by Spectrum Band, the Caribbean Ritual Dancers, the Mungo Niles Cultural Danc- ers, the Becca Darling Band and violin duet Sweet Strings. For a list of winners for the food competition, visit the UVI website at www.uvi.edu. Clint Ferris serves up home- made icecream at Afternoon on the Green, held on March 7, on St. Thomas. Former UVI Board of Trustees members were honored at the Charter Day Ceremony. Pictured from left to right are Junita M. Woods, Roy D. Jackson, Sr. and Hon. Au- drey L. Thomas. Dr. Bernard H. Paiewonsky and Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr., who live on the mainland were not present for the event. D r. Steve Perry promised to “step on some toes” when he spoke to a crowd of students, teachers, parents and administra- tors at the University of the Virgin Islands, and that he did. The renowned author and educator was the featured speaker of the Al- fred O. Heath Distinguished Lecture Series held on March 18, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. His speech, based on his latest book, “Raggedy Schools – the Untold Truth,” was received with applause, nods of acknowl- edgement and an occasional amen. Dr. Perry said he has a beautiful job of watching his students succeed at Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Conn., where he is the founder and princi- pal. “Every single body who stands in the way of success is my enemy,” he said, an attitude, he added, that should be embodied by parents and educators. Dr. Perry said the only way things are going to change for the better, is if the community has an honest conversa- tion. “If you don’t like the way your kids look down here in St. Thomas, look at yourself,” he said. “If you think they are unruly, where do you think they got that from?” The session got touchy when Dr. Perry pointed a fi n- ger at teachers, saying that there are too many teachers who are not really teaching. Bad teachers need to be root- ed out, failing schools need to be closed down and parents must insist that their children receive a quality education, he said. “Have we created schools that will prepare stu- dents for college, that will prepare students for a career,” he asked. “When you are collectively bargaining you’re not doing it on behalf of the children, but on behalf of the adults,” Dr. Perry said. “Say what you want about the parents, but you can’t talk about them unless you talk Dr. Perry Creates a Stir at Heath Lecture Series K eeping in line with other universities, the University of the Virgin Islands has renamed its academic divi- sions to schools and colleges. The Division of Business has been renamed the School of Business, the Division of Education has been renamed the School of Education, the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences has been re- named the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the Division of Science and Mathematics has been renamed the College of Science and Mathematics, and the Division of Nursing has been renamed the School of Nursing. UVI President David Hall said the naming proposal, which was initially generated to assist the Business Divi- UVI Does Away with Divisions, Adopts Colleges and Schools sion with its accreditation process, was expanded follow- ing a study conducted by the academic deans. The study revealed that the University was not in line with other academic institutions. “It is clear that the proper designation, or the most common designation … is that of a college or school,” Dr. Hall said. He added that the label of school or college conveys a more serious message - that the University of the Virgin Islands is competitive with its peers. The name change was approved by the UVI Board of Trustees at its March 13, meeting on the St. Thomas campus. Dr. Steve Perry speaks at the Alfred O. Heath Distin- guished Lecture Series . about yourselves,” he said referring to union members. “If you say things like ‘Friday is the best day of the week,’ this Monday stay your behind home. . . If you say things like ‘this school is better without the kids,’ this Monday stay your behind home.” Teachers, Dr. Perry said, must genu- inely love working with children. Dr. Perry compared good teachers to “someone who just found the Lord” and always has a tes- timony. “You can’t be a good teacher if you don’t teach everybody who is in your way,” he said. Dr. Perry asked teachers to look into the faces of their students and honestly ask themselves if they are doing their best. During the question and answer session a teacher defended teachers in light of Dr. Perry’s accusations. Dr. Perry asked her if she knows of teachers who should not be teaching. When she answered “yes,” Dr. Perry asked her if she had done anything about it. When she answered “no,” Dr. Perry called her a “co-conspirator” to students’ failure. In an attempt to hold everyone accountable, Dr. Perry didn’t stop with the teachers. He said parents need to kick out the grown men “you call your sons” who still live at home. “Mamas boys create baby mamas,” Dr. Perry said, “they do things and leave a mess behind for someone else to clean up.” Overall Perry’s speech was one of accountability – ac- countability to the children. “We have to begin to tell our children they can live differently,” Dr. Perry said. “I need the young people to see themselves not where they are today, but where they want to be,” he said. “I need you to see yourself beyond what anyone can ever believe.” “Every single one of us can do someting. Every single one of us can do more,” Dr. Perry said. 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 Offers New Degree: Master of Psychology UVI President Dr. David Hall poses with his family, from left, daughters Sakile and Kiamsha, and wife Marilyn, at a Government House reception on St. Thomas. The reception was one of the many activities throughout the Virgin Islands surrounding the inaugu- ration of Dr. Hall as UVI’s fi fth president. The First Family The Third Annual Model United Nations Competition was held on March 18, on the University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas campus. Members of the winning team from the St. Croix campus, pictured from left, are Miguelina Valdes, Nikki R. Lucas, Carlinthia Cox who won the “Best Responses” award, and Preston Miller who won the “Best Presentation” and “Best Paper” awards. Students from the St. Croix campus acted as a Chinese delegation while St. Thomas campus students acted as a Russian delegation. Topics of presentation incluced Child Traf- fi cking, Ending Rural Poverty, Air Pollution, Drug Traffi cking, HIV/AIDS, and Environmental Hazards. St. Croix Delegation Wins T he University of the Virgin Islands has established a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling. The new degree program is designed to provide students with the necessary academic knowledge base, problem solving skills, and experiential opportu- nities needed to work in a variety of social services and counseling settings. The program is grounded in the standards of the American Psychological Association and the Association of Virgin Islands Psychologists. It will prepare practitio- ners to provide mental health counseling services to chil- dren, adolescents and families in the territory and beyond. The two-year program will enroll 30 students in the fi rst year (15 on St. Thomas and 15 on St. Croix) beginning with the Fall 2010 semester. The Master of Arts in Psychology was approved by the UVI Board of Trustees at its March 13, meeting on the St. Thomas campus.