USVI Public Records

Document text

UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLUTION PURPOSE: To authorize official color portraits on the St. Thomas and St. Croix Campuses at the University of the Virgin Islands in honor of past presidents of the University. WHEREAS, the past presidents of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) have exemplified leadership and dedication throughout their careers, and WHEREAS, each past president has made a lasting contribution to the development and growth of the University community and, specifically, WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence C. Wanlass was their first President of the then College of the Virgin Islands, and served in that capacity from 1962 to 1980; and WHEREAS, among other notable contributions, Dr. Wanlass was instrumental in the establishment of the College of the Virgin Islands initially offering 2-year transfer programs in humanities, social sciences, physical science and mathematics, business administration, engineering and teacher education, as well as occupational programs in business management, accounting, executive secretarial studies, hotel and resort operation and management, electrical technology and construction technology and later was instrumental in the establishment of four-year academic programs; and in the accreditation of the College for five years by the Middle States Association; and WHEREAS, under Dr. Wanlass’ leadership at the College of the Virgin Islands the institution was designated with Land-grant status and a large endowment was bestowed on the College through federal legislation, and the institution received an endowment for the establishment of the Reichhold Center for the Arts; and WHEREAS, Dr. Arthur A. Richards served as President of the University of the Virgin Islands from 1980 to 1990; and under his leadership the College of the Virgin Islands earned a ten-year re-accreditation by Middle States Association; developed quality programs and raised the institution’s academic standards; and WHEREAS, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Richards, among other notable contributions, participation in the National Student Exchange program was initiated, the bachelor of arts in Caribbean studies, the bachelor of science in biology and chemistry with physics programs and the bachelor of science in nursing were instituted; the institution’s name was changed from College of the Virgin Islands by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands; the northwest wing of the Evans Center was dedicated and the Eastern Caribbean Center was established and then later designated as the Secretariat for the Consortium of Caribbean Universities for Natural Resource Management; and WHEREAS, Dr. Orville E. Kean served as the President of the University of the Virgin Islands from 1990 to 2002; and led both campuses in the arduous process of recovery from Hurricane Hugo and Marilyn while improving and advancing the transformation of both the physical and institutional infrastructure, and set UVI on a course to become a leader in the economic development of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean, and WHEREAS, under the innovative leadership of Dr. Kean, among other notable contributions, the William MacLean Marine Science Center and the Research and Extension Center were dedicated on the St. Thomas and St. Croix Campuses, respectively; the Caribbean Research Institute was integrated into the Eastern Caribbean Center; the University became a member institution in the Caribbean Council on Higher Education in Agriculture; the new Music Education Center and the Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas Campus and the residence halls on the St. Croix Campus were developed; the outreach efforts of the Small Business Development Center were enhanced by establishing satellite locations on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John; the University received a 5-year full re-certification of the Water Resources Research Institute by the U.S. Geological Survey; and WHEREAS, the University wishes to commemorate the accomplishments, leadership and impact that each of these individuals had on the development of the University during their respective terms as president at this institution and to memorialize their years of service, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT OFFICIAL COLOR PORTRAITS OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS, WITH A SMALL NAME PLATE IDENTIFYING THEM BY NAME AND YEARS OF SERVICE, BE PREPARED FOR PRESENTATION TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AT THE OFFICIAL CHARTER DAY ACTIVITY DURING MARCH, 2008. CERTIFICATION The undersigned hereby certify that that foregoing is a true and exact copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the University of the Virgin Islands adopted at its meeting on Saturday, June 16, 2007 as recorded in said minutes. _________________________________ ___________________________ Chairman of the Board Date _________________________________ ___________________________ Secretary of the Board Date