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dateline:UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands October 31, 2001 vol. vi, number 9 Dr. Velma Tyson Receives Millennium Award for Teaching Dr. Velma Tyson, an associate professor of mathemat- ics and chair of the Science and Mathematics Division on UVI’s St. Croix campus, has been selected to receive a Mil- lennium Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is spon- sored by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities in partnership with the Science and Technology cluster of federal agencies. In a letter to St. Croix Chancellor Jennifer Jackson, Ambassador Leonard H.O. Spearman of the U.S. Department of Education, on behalf of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, congratulated the University on Dr. Tyson’s award. Ambassador Spearman invited Dr. Tyson and Chancellor Jack- son to attend the Millennium Award ceremony in Washing- ton, which was to have been held on September 18. The award ceremony was postponed following the September 11 terror- ist attacks and an alternate date has not been set. Dr. Tyson, the mother of four children, earned a bacca- Ms. Mutunhu has worked as an HIV/AIDS educator and was one of the youngest delegates to the International AIDS Conference last year in South Africa. She is chair of UVI’s African Heritage Committee and was a resident coor- dinator for Upward Bound’s summer program. “I believe it is important that we, as UVI students, become as informed as possible about events taking place not only here in the terri- tory, but around the world,” Ms. Mutunhu said. “I feel honored to have been given the oppor- tunity to represent the University at this time.” Ms. Mutunhu’s academic adviser, UVI Associate Professor of Psychology Agatha Nelson has come to know not only Nyasha the student, but Nyasha the person. “She’s extremely gentle, thoughtful and intellectual,” Dr. Nelson said of the new Miss UVI. “She is very aware of what’s going on around her and she’s dedicated to making a difference.” As Miss UVI, Ms. Mutunhu will receive free tuition, room and board for the two semesters of her reign. Nyasha Mutunhu, a junior psychology major on the St. Thomas campus of the University of the Virgin Islands, is the new Miss UVI 2001-2002. Ms. Mutunhu, 26, was crowned at the culmination of the Miss UVI Queen and Ambassado- rial Pageant 2001 at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. In addition to the Miss UVI crown, Ms. Mutunhu claimed the titles “Miss Photogenic,” “Miss Intellect” and “Best Talent,” for an original poem she performed. Anika Nicholas, 22, a sophomore biol- ogy major on UVI’s St. Croix campus, was selected as first runner-up and also won “Best Ambassadorial Presentation” and “Best Evening Wear.” Elementary education major Shanee King, 19, was named “Miss Popular- ity” and Owanna Lans, 20, a junior political science major, was awarded the “Miss Con- geniality” title. During the 3 hour-long pageant, Ms. Mutunhu, who was born in Wisconsin and raised in Zimbabwe, passionately expressed her views on topics ranging from discrimination to HIV/AIDS and America’s response to the September 11th terrorist at- tacks. Nyasha Mutunhu Crowned Miss UVI 2001-2002 laureate degree in math- ematics from UVI in 1980. She enrolled in graduate courses at UVI and received a master’s degree in school admin- istrative supervision in 1983. In 1995 she ob- tained a Ph.D. in math- ematics from the Univer- sity of Iowa. “I must say a great big thank-you to my family and to so many UVI faculty members who helped in my development and professional growth,” Dr. Tyson said. “I am really com- mitted to doing my best for the University.” In recognition of her Millennium Award, UVI President Dr. Orville Kean praised Dr. Tyson’s accomplishments. Dr. Velma Tyson Nyasha Mutunhu dateline:UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . .. www.uvi.edu At receptions on St. Croix and St. Thomas, the Univer- sity of the Virgin Islands Annual Giving Fund Com- mittee announced the suc- cessful completion of its 2000-2001 UVI Annual Fund Drive and thanked cur- rent and past donors for their investment in UVI’s stu- dents and the future of the University. Co-Chairs Marvin Pickering of VI Rum and Dr. Alfred Heath of St. Thomas announced that the UVI Annual Fund had exceeded its $650,000 goal by raising more than $651,000 in cash, stocks and in-kind gifts from September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001. Among the UVI investors who made contributions of $5,000 or more to the 2000-2001 fund drive were: Bennie Benjamin Foundation; Birch, deJongh, Hindels and Hall; The Chase Manhattan Bank: Caribbean Auto Mart; Contran Man- agement; Globalvest Management Company; Gottleib’s Quick Way Service Center; Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Heath; Interpacific Investor Service; Jones-Holloway-Bryan Foundation; Randolph Knight; Mr. and Mrs. William Koier; Marshall and Sterling; Mount Eagle Corporation; Power Places Tours and Conferences; Sunny Isle Shopping Center; Thurgood Marshall Foundation; Transducer Technology; James D. Tunick; UVI Alumni Phonathon; VI Cement and Building Products; VI Rum; and the West Indian Company. The fund, the slogan for which is, “the UVI Annual Fund...Opportunities for Excellence,” provides scholarships and financial aid, supports scholarly activities and cultural events, and fund projects and ongoing student activities. UVI Annual Fund Drive Exceeds 2000-2001 Goal Dr. Tyson continued from Page 1 dateline:UVI is a production of the UVI Public Rela- tions Office. Contact us by telephone at (340) 693-1058 FAX: (340) 693-1055 UVI Cafe 7:30 p.m. “In choosing Dr. Tyson to receive this prestigious award, the White House Initiative on HBCUs recognizes her as one of the nation’s finest educators. As a treasured UVI alumna and as a faculty member, Dr. Tyson has always exhibited the very highest academic and personal standards. We at UVI are very proud of Dr. Tyson and recognize her as a valued member of the UVI family,” Dr. Kean said. Dr. Alfred Heath and UVI President Orville Kean, Ph.D. Events Calendar Nov. 10 Jazz Ensemble Concert - STT Nov. 14 UVI Partners for Progress - STX Buccaneer Hotel Nov.17-18 Agriculture and Food Fair - STT Reichhold Center Nov. 17-26 Paradise Jam Basketball Sports and Fitness Center Tournament - STT UVI Cafe 7:30 p.m.