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dateline: UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands March 28, 2003 vol. ix, number 3 President Ragster Installed on UVI’s Charter Day Preceding Activities Engage Community, Hundreds Attend Ceremony Events Calendar Lauded by colleagues, encouraged by politicians and congratulated by all, Dr. LaVerne Erina Ragster was installed as the University of the Virgin Islands’ fourth president and first female to hold the of- fice. The event took place on March 16, UVI’s Charter Day, in front of hundreds of people at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on UVI’s St. Thomas campus. Described by Governor Charles Turnbull as “a daughter of the soil who has dedicated herself to the education and the progress of the people in this terri- tory, the region and the world,” Presi- dent Ragster outlined her goals for UVI. “Our mission to develop the intellec- tual capital of the US Virgin Islands and the rest of the Caribbean through an in- tegrated program in instruction, research and public service,” said President Ragster in her address, “will be expressed by the realization of a powerful vision that designates the University of the Virgin Islands as a facilitator of social and eco- nomic transformation in the territory and as a model of excellence in collaboration and service.” In order to provide high quality in- structional programs and student ser- vices, which is one of her goals, Presi- dent Ragster plans: to obtain funding for three endowed faculty chairs - in science, business and communications, to ensure faculty development, to integrate tech- nology and hands-on experiences in learning, and to maintain accreditation sta- tus with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. A soon to be approved master plan will involve structural improvements on both campuses, starting with the comple- tion of new student dining facilities and centralization of the university administra- tion in the Harvey Center on St. Thomas, and expansion of research and training fa- cilities on St. Croix. In her inaugural ad- dress, President Ragster said more train- ing courses and certificate programs will be made available to community members in order to build a more qualified workforce. Other goals that President Ragster plans to realize over the next five years include ensuring that all UVI programs support the social and economic develop- ment of the territory, increasing sponsored program awards to $15 million per year, increasing enrollment to 3,000 students, increasing the UVI endowment by $2 mil- lion, increasing private gifts and donations to $900,000 per year, increasing govern- ment appropriations by 15 percent and de- veloping new revenue sources. Establish- ing the V.I. Technology and Education Center as part of Phase I of the Research and Technology Park is also on the hori- zon. President Ragster, who has long ad- vocated strong links between UVI and the private and public sectors, hopes to ex- March 28 Community Engagement Food Sale, STT March 29 Spring Ball, STX March 29 Reichhold Center Production, STT April 3, 9-10 SGA Elections, STT/STX April 3 Stepping Workshop, STT April 4-6, 11-13 Little Theater Play, STT Chairman of the UVI Board of Trustees Dr. Auguste Rimpel, Jr. presents UVI President LaVerne Ragster with the presidential medal- lion at her installation ceremony on March 16. (below) President Ragster delivers the in- augural address. dateline:UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu dateline:UVI is a production of the UVI Public Relations Office. Contact us by telephone at (340) 693-1056 FAX: (340) 693-1055 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu President LaVerne Ragster’s installation was preceded by several activities (clockwise) President LaVerne Ragster greets guests at the inaugural reception on the St. Croix campus. Administrators and staff listen to President Ragster at the faculty, staff and student reception on the St. Thomas campus. A spectator observes the artwork of UVI’s Hilda Joyce at the Cultural and Art Exhibit. A clown (UVI’s Steve Prosterman) prepares to flip a sword above a youngster at Afternoon on the Green. tend those links to the U.S. mainland and the Eastern Caribbean. Lo- cally, she wants UVI to serve as a facilitator of dialogs about issues that affect the community, such as a Virgin Islands constitution, an issue that arose from UVI’s Pub- lic Forum on the Politi- cal Status of the Virgin Islands. The public forum was one of the activities that preceded President Ragster’s installation. Other activities included receptions on all three Virgin Islands, Afternoon on the Green, a Faculty Colloquium and a Cultural Extravaganza. President Ragster’s appointment as UVI’s leader was well received. “The leader of this institution is part of the grand design of shaping the future of this U.S. Virgin Islands,” Senate President David Jones said at the installation, as he pledged his personal and politi- cal support to UVI. “The value of this institution is indisputable,” Sen. Jones said, noting the University’s role of resolving educational, eco- nomic and social issues of the terri- tory. “I’m com- fortable that with Dr. Ragster at the helm we can get it done,” he said.