USVI Public Records

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Dr. Ruth Harrigan Beagles, daughter of Mildred and Ludvig E. Harrigan Sr., is a dedicated educator who inspired young people to advance in their life’s goals. A graduate of Christiansted High School, she received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Hampton Institute (now Hampton Univer- sity), a M.A. in Speech Education from New York University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of San Diego. Dr. Beagles, the first principal of Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School in St. Croix, was a teacher and administrator in both public and private schools for many years. She is a retired Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the Education Division at the University of the Virgin Islands. A true believer in the importance of community, she was active on many boards, commissions, and committees and served as secretary of the fourth V.I. Constitution- al Convention. She has also served as co-team leader for Advo- cacy for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Dr. Harrigan has received many awards including being inducted into the Virgin Islands Women Hall of Fame and the Chapter of the Na- tional Honor Society at St. Croix Educational Complex High School was named in her honor. Dr. Beagles has been a member of the Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran congregation since she was 4½ years old. She served as president, vice president, and a member of the Congregational Counsel Liturgical as a deacon and reader; member of the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Synod, vice-president of the Caribbean Synod; trustee on the Board of Pensions and represented the congregation at numerous conferences, boards, commissions and events such as the Global Mission Event, African-American Lutheran As- sociation and Multicultural Mission Events. Dr. Beagles has been a workshop leader, lecturer, speaker, VI Spelling Bee Pronouncer and world traveler. Her extensive travels have taken her to Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Barbados, Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Egypt, Turkey, Alaska, Portugal Coastal Spain in the Mediterranean, Morocco, Hawaii, the Martin Luther Tour to Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Paris, Greece, St. Kitts, Nevis, China, Spain, Italy and South America. Dr. Beagles has devoted her entire professional life to advancing education in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She has been widely recognized throughout the Territory as an exceptional educator and leader for her deep commitment and passion for excellence in education and academic achievements. Dr. Beagles has had a compelling and distinguished impact in the education field and worked diligently to elevate the profession and improve student outcomes. Dr. Beagles has one son John Beagles, and daughter-in-law Karen. Her daughter Edith Beagles Belardo passed away in 1998. Dr. Beagles also has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Ruth Harrigan Beagles, Ed.D. Honorary Doctorate Dr. Ruth Harrigan Beagles Fifty-First Annual Commencement ST. CROIX Wednesday, the Thirteenth of May Two Thousand and Fifteen Half after One O’clock in the Afternoon Campus Grounds St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands ST. THOMAS Thursday, the Fourteenth of May Two Thousand and Fifteen Half after One O’clock in the Afternoon Sports and Fitness Center St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands