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Forty-Seventh Annual Commencement ST. THOMAS Saturday, the Fourteenth of May Two Thousand and Eleven Seven O’Clock in the Evening Sports and Fitness Center St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands ST. CROIX Sunday, the Fifteenth of May Two Thousand and Eleven Half after Four O’Clock in the Afternoon Campus Grounds St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D., was appointed the Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) in March, 2009. Founded as a small museum on Capitol Hill in 1964, NMAfA be- came a part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1979, and in 1987 it moved to its current location on the National Mall. The museum’s collection of over 9,000 objects represents nearly every area of the con- tinent of Africa and contains a variety of media and art forms. NMAfA also has an extensive education program. Since the mid-1980s, Dr. Cole has worked with a number of Smithsonian programs. She currently serves on the Scholarly Advisory Board for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which will be completed on the National Mall by 2015. Before assuming her current position, Dr. Cole had a long and distinguished career as an educator and humanitarian. Her work as a college professor and president, her published works, her speeches and her community service consistently address issues of racial, gender and all other forms of inequality. Dr. Cole is president emerita of Bennett College for Women and Spelman College. She is the only individual to have served as the president of these two Historically Black Colleges for women in the United States. She is also professor emerita of Emory University from which she retired as Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women’s Studies and African American Studies. After beginning her college studies at Fisk University and completing her undergraduate studies at Oberlin College, Dr. Cole earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in anthropology from North- western University. Dr. Cole made history in 1987 when she became the first African American woman to serve as president of Spelman College. At her inauguration, Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby donated $20 million to the college; and during her presidency, Spelman was named the number one liberal arts col- lege of the South. During her presidency at Bennett College for Women, an art gallery was opened and programs were initiated in women’s studies and global studies. Dr. Cole has conducted research in Africa, the Caribbean and the United States, and she has authored and edited several books and scores of scholarly articles. She is a fellow of the American Anthropological Association and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is also a member of the American Association of Museum Directors. Dr. Cole has been awarded 55 honorary degrees and she is the recipient of numerous awards, in- cluding the TransAfrica Forum Global Public Service Award, the Radcliffe Medal, the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal, the 2001 Alexis de Tocqueville Award for Community Service from United Way of America, the Joseph Prize for Human Rights presented by the Anti-Defamation League, the Uncom- mon Height Award from the National Council of Negro Women, the John W. Gardner Leadership Award from the Independent Sector, and the Lenore and George W. Romney Citizen Volunteer Award from the Points of Light Foundation. From 2004 to 2006, Dr. Cole was the chair of the board of United Way of America, the first African American to serve in that position. She has served on the corporate boards of Home Depot, Merck and Nation’s Bank South. She was the first woman to serve on the board of Coca-Cola Enterprises. Dr. Cole currently chairs the board of the National Visionary Leadership Project, and she is a member of the board of TransAfrica Forum and the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute, and she is on the Advisory Committee of America’s Promise. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women. Dr. Cole is married to James D. Staton, Jr. She is the mother of three sons, has three grandchil- dren, and is a mentor to many young women and men. Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D. Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D. UVI HISTORY The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) was chartered on March 16, 1962, as the College of the Virgin Islands (CVI) – a publicly funded, coeduca- tional, liberal arts institution – by Act No. 862 of the Fourth Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to that law, UVI’s cornerstone objective is to provide for “....the stimulation and utilization of the intellectual resources of the people of the Virgin Islands and the development of a center of higher learning whereby and wherefrom the benefits of culture and education may be extended throughout the Virgin Islands.” The first campus opened on St. Thomas in July 1963, on 175 acres donated by the federal govern- ment. The first Board of Trustees took office in August 1963. In 1964, the college founded a campus on St. Croix, on 130 acres also donated by the fed- eral government. At a ceremony on March 24, 2011, the St. Croix campus was named in honor of the late Albert A. Sheen, Sr. Also in March of 2011, UVI opened the St. John Academic Center in Cruz Bay, with interactive classrooms and computer facilities. CVI began by offering only associate of arts degrees. It now offers numerous associate and bac- calaureate degrees, including an associate’s degree in process technology. UVI also offers six master’s degree programs, an education specialist’s degree program, and certificate workforce training courses through the UVI Community Engagement and Life- long Learning Center. In 1972, the College of the Virgin Islands was awarded land grant status by the U.S. Congress. This allowed for the establishment of an Agricultural Experiment Station and a Cooperative Extension Ser- vice. Since then, many other programs and services have been added. These include the Reichhold Center for the Arts, the Eastern Caribbean Center, the Wil- liam P. MacLean Marine Science Center and the UVI Sports & Fitness Center, among others. In 1986, the College of the Virgin Islands was renamed the University of the Virgin Islands to reflect the growth and diversification of its academic curri- cula, community and regional services, and research programs. That same year, the U.S. Congress named UVI one of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). It is the only HBCU outside the continental U.S., and the first to offer an undergradu- ate degree in marine biology. Dr. David Hall began his tenure as president of the University of the Virgin Islands on August 1, 2009. He succeeded Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, who was named president in 2002. Dr. Orville Kean was named president in 1990, succeeding Dr. Arthur A. Richards, who became president in 1980. Lawrence C. Wanlass served as the first president of the Col- lege of the Virgin Islands from 1963 until 1980. Today, UVI enrolls approximately 2,700 full- time and part-time students on its two campuses. It continues to offer a high-quality, affordable liberal arts education in a culturally diverse environment. The Uni- versity boasts more than 7,000 alumni who have gone on to excel as doctors, lawyers, judges, university and government administrators, teachers and other pro- fessionals. Among the many accomplished alumni are two Rhodes Scholars, the winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Journalism and the Premier of Nevis. UVI holds active membership in many higher education associations, including the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and is accred- ited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association. The University is also an active member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Associa- tion of University Women, the American Council on Education, the Association of Caribbean Information Systems and the Association of Caribbean Universi- ties and Research Institutes. Cooperative agreements between the Univer- sity of the Virgin Islands and many other leading universities allow UVI students to receive degrees not offered on the UVI campuses. The Boston University School of Medicine cooperative agreement allows qualified UVI students to be accepted provisionally into the medical school at the end of their sophomore year. These students spend two summers and their senior year at Boston University, graduate with a bachelor of science degree from the University of the Virgin Islands, and then proceed to complete medical school at Boston University. Students in St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands earn bachelor’s degrees via cohort programs the University of the Virgin Islands has established with the University of St. Martin and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Tortola. Additionally, there are transfer programs in pre-engineering, pre-pharmacy and pre-medical technology for students who wish to begin their studies in these fields at the University of the Virgin Islands before transferring to a specialized institution to complete their degrees. The National Student Exchange (NSE) program operates on both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Each semester approximately 25 students from the U.S. mainland enroll through NSE. In addi- tion, UVI continues to admit students via memoranda of understanding with the State University of New York at New Paltz, the College of Charleston, Emory University, Savannah State University (social work completion), Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis (engineering), UNINTER (Uni- versidad Internacional de Cuernavaca, Mexico) and the UNICA Caribbean Exchange Program. The University of the Virgin Islands is increas- ingly being recognized as a leading American institu- tion of higher learning in the Caribbean. PROGRAM - St. Thomas Campus Ricardo Caldwell, Assistant Professor of Accounting COMMENCEMENT MARSHAL *PROCESSIONAL...........................................................................................................“Pomp and Circumstance” (Elgar) University Jazz Ensemble Martin Lamkin, Director *INVOCATION.................................................................................................................. Kadeem Benjamin, Class of 2011 *NATIONAL ANTHEM........................................................................................................... “Star Spangled Banner” (Key) University Jazz Ensemble *VIRGIN ISLANDS MARCH...............................................................................................“Virgin Islands March” (Adams) University Jazz Ensemble MUSICAL SELECTION ................................................................................................................... “The Preacher” (Silver) University Jazz Ensemble WELCOME.............................................................................................................................. David Hall, S.J.D., President KEYNOTE ADDRESS..................................................................................................................... Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D. Director, National Museum of African Art AWARDING OF HONORARY DEGREE .......................................................................................................... President Hall MUSICAL SELECTION...................................................................................................................... “We Are One” (Gilpin) University Concert Choir Lorna C. Young-Wright, D.M.A ADDRESS.......................................................................................................................... Derron Ambrose, Class of 2011 REMARKS ..................................................................................................................................... Alexander A. Moorhead Chairman, UVI Board of Trustees The Honorable Ronald E. Russell President of the 29th Legislature of the Virgin Islands The Honorable Donna M. Christensen Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress The Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr. Governor, United States Virgin Islands MUSICAL SELECTION....................................................................................................... “God Bless the Child” (Holiday) University Jazz Ensemble Featuring Kwesi Williams, Steel Pannist PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES............................................................................................. Karl Wright, Ph.D., Provost CONFERRING OF DEGREES Master of Arts in Education • Master of Business Administration • Master of Public Administration Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Science Bachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Science Associate of Arts • Associate of Applied Science • Associate of Science INDUCTION INTO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.............................................................................................. Dionne V. Jackson Vice President for Institutional Advancement *ALMA MATER...................................................................“Alma Mater by the Sea” (LaMotta), University Jazz Ensemble *BENEDICTION ................................................................................................................... Estelle Andrew, Class of 2011 *RECESSIONAL..........................................................................................“March in F/Blues March” (G. Holst/B. Golson) University Jazz Ensemble *Audience is requested to stand. Every effort is made to ensure that this program is accurate; circumstances beyond our control may have resulted in unintentional errors. ***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate School of Business Andrew Andy Abraham Crystal L. Bryan Terencia Erma Cameron Yasmaine M. Davis Roxann K. Mc Mahon Dolena Maria Paul Candidates for Master of Business Administration Degree Carlen N. Adams Jolicia Alexander Chelcy Angol ** Melissa Baron *** ^ Benjamin Bell Kadeem I. Benjamin Delvian Fiona Bennett Carlin E. Berridge * Laurel A. Brown Boulai Renuka E. Brown Hilary Sharifa Browne *** Vanessa Bruney Pearl Marie Byran ^ Kyza Asward Callwood ** ^ Jana E. Cammie Shaneka L. Carter Cherisa Janel Comissiong Alvona Addaria Connor Shenille Xenia Cromwell * Narissa J. Daniel *** Natasha J. Davis * Nesha Rochelle David Tanya A. M. Davis Claudette Alicia DeSuza * Racquel Davinia Dolphin Lario Dietrich Duzanson Nisha E. Etienne-Turnbull * Aubryant Elien Nyka Carina Etienne * Vanora E. Ferguson Daniella Flax * Lindsey Vanessa Francis * Okeamo Olanzo Freeman Helen Iona Frett Tammie Carolle Gage ^ Taneshya Nadasta George ^ Tamra Beverly Graham * Lyle Quentin Gumbs * Ericia H. C. Halliday *** ^ Shakeema Harrigan-Rosa Dianne Lorna Hodge * St. Clair Sylvester Hodge ** ^ Denice Norine Huggins * Randy Jean *** ^ Nahshon A. M. Jeffers Rueben Jennings * Sharin Jennings Ashma John Leann Joy Joseph ^ Nishant Ashok Khiani * Blair James Lampert ^ Bernesha B. Liburd Anissa Jeanette Lindquist Felicia G. Louis * Cheryl Maureen Martin-Liburd ** Nelvin Lexon Maynard * Felix Miga *** Jacqueline Modeste-Blyden ^ Faheemah Rasheedah Muhammad Benaiah S. Nicholson Warren Michael Pemberton * Jerrel A. Penn Devonee Tenisha Pickering ** Keroma Joya Pollock ** Chari Radiance Richards Carin A. Richardson *** Tasha Janelle Richardson * Josephine P. Riviere Waynika A. Romney ** Derisa Chevon Ruan ** Kiese Nadirah Sam Anya L. Santos ** Eustus Lester Saunders ** Oswin A. Sewer, Jr. ^ Daria N. Scott * Taiesha Mareisa Skelton Joneisa Makeeda Smith Lynnai Orlanda Sprauve Doris Sumayah Sergio Jelani Swan * ^ Sherma Lauralee Tonge-Rawlins Kima K. Tyson ** Kimesha Michelle Wade ^ Kyoni T. Walters ** Wanda Walters ^ Tamara Tiffany Ward *** ^ George Lionel Watts Tamisha Wiggley Mery-Ann Crystal Wilks Marolin Katiuska Williams * Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree Berenice Baptiste-Jonas ^ Astrid Margarita Carmona ^ Citrina T. Gumbs Lyle Q. Gumbs ^ Jasmine Maria Haynes Dianne Lorna Hodge ^ Vernon R. Jones, Jr. Anissa J. Lindquist Shauna L. Matthew Belinda M. Phillips ^ Carina Arlene Richardson ^ Waynika Amore Romney ^ Derisa C. Ruan ^ Sergio J. Swan Patricia N. Varlack Burnet I. Williams Elizabeth Williams ^ Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree School of Education Janney Ferrol-Hawley Maura Jn Baptiste Anna-Lee E. Hosier ^ Candidates for Master of Arts in Education Degree Kendra F. Barzey Shereeka LouRae Edmeade Bajahni Rasheema Frazer Sara Husein Valerie Loretta Price Jones ^ Shermaine L. Smith ^ Marjorie Wheatley Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree Christina Nwasia Lee ^ Annette May Olsen Shani Afua Smith Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree ST. THOMAS CAMPUS ***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate ST. THOMAS CAMPUS College of Science and Mathematics Christina Marie Colletti Steven Shawn Hitt ^ Stephen Andrew McCauley Edward Parish ^ Gabrielle Faith Renchen Candidates for Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Science Degree Renee’ Aveonca Callwood Natalie Charlotte Opoku Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree Alban J. Abraham Khamahl A. A. Anthony Kavita Balkaran Iverrisa M. Armstrong ^ Maria Cristina Arroyo ^ Leonardo J. Bardomero Eugene Brooks, Jr. Shellese A. Cannonier** Javan M. Cooper** Adrianne Crooke* Kurtney Patrick Davis Alvaro Ronald de Lugo IV Lyssa A. Dickson^ Debra Rose Garvey Sara E. Gennusa * ^ Raymond A. Huntt Max Alonzo Laite ^ Precious L. Laurent* Delia Patrice Miller* Shirrell A. Monsanto ^ LeSean Leroy Moses Cari Tishon Nicholas*** Ciaran Feliz Akil Phillip*** Leann R. Pickering Dennis Antonio Powell, II * Sanlin Sky Robinson** Agene’ A. Rogers Johnasha Donna Stuart*** Anne C. Tagini ^ Jerry E. Thomas Oonijah T. Thomas ^ Randel Charles Thompson* Shani Carissa Walters Ezra Williams-Daniel** Tameca F. White Troi Andre’ Williams Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree Fitzgerald Blanchette Javan Marcellis Cooper ^ Sean Anthony Francis Ian Christopher Amor Richardson Odari Cayenne Thomas Candidates for Associate of Science School of Nursing Patria Alexander* Jael Beth Artusy Camesha George-Caines Shenelle Malene Joshua Jahmelia Juanita Lewis Natasha Lee Lillo J’vonne Melagros Lorenzo Scarlin E. Lozano* Jamila Rashida Maduro Sylvia Nicole Connor Navarro Shanetha Keelah Stapleton Naisha Niki Williams** Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Estelle Johnetta Andrew Chastity Natasha Caines Robyn G. Glasgow ^ David Reuben Payne, Jr. Latisha L. Ramsey Candidates for Associate of Applied Science Degree Joylette S.M. Hunte-Gore Tamara K. Joseph Diane Woneta Lake LeCheea D. Smith^ Petula Maria Stevens Candidates for Master of Public Administration Degree Joia Hannifah Adams Derron Kerry George Ambrose*** Estelle Johnetta Andrew Khadejah Nagla Anthony Nakisha Alyssa Boasman* K’Nesia T. Brathwaite ^ Chastity Natasha Caines Eryn Demar Christian Diana Patricia Claxton DeAnn Alyssa Connor Nesha Rochelle David Sean Joseph David Kate Cicely Davis April Rose F. Fale*** ^ Porchia Lenece Farrington Davin Lynroy Francis** Patrice Loretta Henry Annalisa B. Hippolyte** Everlene Chaneel Huggins*** Isheba Labara James Amber Phyllis Knight Shade’ Marie Leonard Asheda Alicia Maccow* Charlotte Lynn Brown Ramos ^ Latisha L. Ramsey* Alyssa Cherise Ryan Jacinta M. Sablon Shaneze S. Sam Edward Emil Thabo Sello Nadja S. Skeete Desmond D. Smith*** Julisa Gyra Thomas Kwesi Anthony Williams Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree Michael R. Campbell ^ Candidate for Associate of Arts Degree PROGRAM - Albert A. Sheen Campus - St. Croix Aletha Baumann, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology COMMENCEMENT MARSHAL S. B. Jones-Hendrickson, Ph.D., Professor of Economics COMMENCEMENT CO-MARSHAL *PROCESSIONAL............................................................................................................“Pomp and Circumstance” (Elgar) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band *INVOCATION.......................................................................................................................................... Kirsten A. Spencer Class of 2011 *NATIONAL ANTHEM............................................................................................................ “Star Spangled Banner” (Key) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band *VIRGIN ISLANDS MARCH................................................................................................ “Virgin Islands March” (Adams) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band WELCOME................................................................................................................................ David Hall, S.J.D., President KEYNOTE ADDRESS.......................................................................................................................Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D. Director, National Museum of African Art AWARDING OF HONORARY DEGREE ............................................................................................................ President Hall ADDRESS.............................................................................................................................................Sana Waleed Hamed Class of 2011 REMARKS ...................................................................................................................................... Alexander A. Moorhead Chairman, UVI Board of Trustees The Honorable Ronald Russell President of the 29th Legislature of the Virgin Islands The Honorable Donna M. Christensen Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress The Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr. Governor, United States Virgin Islands MUSICAL SELECTION.......................................................................................................................................................... St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES......................................................................................... Karl S. Wright., Ph.D., Provost CONFERRING OF DEGREES Master of Arts in Education • Master of Business Administration • Master of Public Administration Bachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Science • Associate of Applied Science • Associate of Arts • Associate of Science INDUCTION INTO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION............................................................................................... Dionne V. Jackson Vice President for Institutional Advancement *ALMA MATER.............................................................................................................. “Alma Mater by the Sea” (LaMotta) *BENEDICTION ............................................................................................................................................. Joel A. Dorsett Class of 2011 *RECESSIONAL................................................................................................................. “Ceremonial Procession” (Elgar) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band *Audience is requested to stand. Every effort is made to ensure that this program is accurate; circumstances beyond our control may have resulted in unintentional errors. ***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate School of Business Athlene B. Cuffy Atacha Patricia Laurencin Candidates for Master of Business Administration Degree Jenelle Crystal Alsuran* Marsha Kyra Bartlett** Christina Mellissa Brown Noel T. Burnett^ Necola Alisha Charles^* Diane A. DaCosta Lornette P. Daniel Joel André Dorsett Mallar Douglas Malika E. Felix Niambi Tiffany Francois** Sasha Green Jamilah A. Hanley Ashli Nicole Iles Viola Leoni Joseph Hilda R. McCurdy^* Stephania Monchery Terry Marceline Phillip* Shari Elizabeth Santos Bernhardt Simmonds III* Jamal A. Soldiew Kirsten Allyson Spencer* Cecilia St. Brice Rainia A. Thomas^ Mahalia C. Tyson Marlene Tyson Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree Christina Mellissa Brown^ Emeryl Augusta Christopher Talisha E. E. Griffith^ Sana Waleed Hamed Donna Semone Harvey Shirley Ann Henry Ana Maria Montañez Leila Dennis Muller Claudia Y. Parson Indira Marie Santiago Jacinth Althea Stanley Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree School of Education Debbie Elaine Colbourne Ancelma Jan Elliott Peter J. Forrester Chantelle Dianna Greene Rhalina E. LaPlace Jennifa Mohammed Merancienne Janice Marcellin Randolph Karen René-Bess Vernice Modesta Rogers Delores Stapleton-Harris Jaynae S. R. Williams Eva A. Wilson Candidates for Master of Arts in Education Degree Kaisha A. Knight Chaselle Vianette McConnell*** Ericilda X. Ottley Cheryl E. Ryner Savannah Leanne Saum** Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree Rayvenne Roberta Bradshaw Daniella D. Henry Jeannette Madlyn Rivera-George Vashti J. Thompson^ Leena Hamad Yusuf Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree ST. CROIX CAMPUS ***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate ST. CROIX CAMPUS College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Herman Joseph Bardouille, Jr. Kathymia D. Brookes Jasmine Meri Nieves Chris St. Clair Richardson Candidates for Associate of Applied Science Degree Tamara Bermudez Evelyn L. Richards Candidates for Master of Public Administration Degree Jovetny Karen Marie Bruce Vincia Felicia Princessa Dixon Ena Paullet Edward-Descartes^* Sarah F. K. Greenaway* Janelle Celine Gumbs Sana Waleed Hamed Nikki Rae Lucas Malkia N. Morton Nicole Chenelle Orr Indira Carlene Turney** Miguelina Valdes* Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree College of Science and Mathematics Maria Cristina Arroyo^ Shellese A. Cannonier** Dexter Peter Hypolite* Mary Meena Mootoo^** Eliza G. Rampersad Oonijah Thomas^ Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree Candidates for Associate of Applied Science Degree Nemecio Camacho III Ian T. Cuffy Emery Encarnacion Dorian Michael Euzebe Gerald T. Felix Ronnie P. Garcia William Darryl Gross^ Akeem Timothy Harry Anita Seegolam School of Nursing Judy Anastasie Brooks Alicia V. Emmanuel Alicia Mary Erysthee Maria N. Leon* Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree Desaree Ann Arthurton Emily Ann Beare Margaret A. Bernhardt Terresha Natalia Brown Meaghan Elizabeth Engel Samantha Jean Fedewa Monica Angela Francis-Adams Delphine R. L. Frederick-Brady Lindy Ann Freeman Laurel Gwin Gadd Amy K. League Babet Nefertiti McCurdy-Benjamin Marsha Serieux Lori A. Sterner Shatel Mary St. Ange Drashti Rajendrabhai Thummer Holly Amber Young Candidates for Associate of Science Degree Dr. Karl S. Wright Provost Vincent J. Samuel Vice President for Administration and Finance Dionne V. Jackson Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Henry H. Smith Vice Provost for Research and Public Service Dr. Judith Edwin Vice Provost for Access and Enrollment Services D. Dianne Piper, Esq. St. Thomas Campus Executive Administrator Claude C. Steele St. Croix Campus Executive Administrator Tina M. Koopmans Chief Information Officer Dr. Noreen Michael Chief of Staff Office of the President Dr. Haldane Davies Special Assistant to the President Commencement Committee President’s Cabinet President’s Message St. Thomas Campus Dr. LaVerne Brown – Chair Diana Claxton Peggy Fahie Maria E. Fleming Theodore Glasford Patrice K. Johnson Liza Margolis Charles A. Martin, Sr. Dr. Noreen Michael Roderick Pullen Heather Hogarth Smith Gail T. Steele Mervin Taylor Pamela Toussaint Barbara Williams-Brown Hilary S. Browne – Student St. Croix Campus S. B. Jones-Hendrickson – Chair Claude Steele Nereida Washington Francisca Barry Sheena Powell Linda I. Smith Laurel Hecker Sana Hamed – Student Joel Dorsett – Student Marsha Bartlett – Student As we gather this day to celebrate with the mem- bers of the Class of 2011 the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment to the edu- cational goals that each member of the Class has achieved, it is with heartfelt joy and a great sense of pride that I congratulate the members of the Class. This is an awesome accomplishment and you should each be proud that you have arrived at this juncture in your journey through life. At this 47th annual com- mencement, we are surrounded by success stories that have a firm foundation in personal sacrifice, hard work, commitment to excellence, and dreams that have been nurtured and cultivated with the help and support of an extended network of family, friends, colleagues and faculty. Your achievement of this significant milestone in your educational journey is a resounding testimony that the University continues to fulfill its mission and that we have prepared a cadre of persons who are poised to contribute to the educational, social, and economic growth and development of the Virgin Islands and the world. I urge you to use the knowl- edge and insights that you have gained during your educational journey at UVI to transform the commu- nity you decide to make your home. Remember, you are and will always be ambassa- dors for the University of the Virgin Islands. On behalf of the UVI faculty and staff, I salute you on your ac- complishments and wish you Godspeed. David Hall, S.J.D. President Dr. David Hall - ex-officio Board Secretary President of the University St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Dr. LaVerne Terry - ex-officio Commissioner Department of Education St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Ms. Winona A. Hendricks - ex-officio Chair - V.I. Board of Education St. Croix, Virgin Islands Dr. Aletha Baumann Faculty Representative 2010-2011 St. Croix, Virgin Islands Mrs. Carol Fulp Boston, Massachusetts Mrs. Jennifer Nugent-Hill St. Croix, Virgin Islands Hon. Patricia D. Steele St. Croix, Virgin Islands Mrs. Luz Suarez de Highfield St. Croix, Virgin Islands Mr. Marthious Clavier Alumni Representative St. Croix, Virgin Islands Ms. Elizabeth Pichardo Student Representative 2010-2011 St. Croix, Virgin Islands Mr. S. Donald Sussman St. John, Virgin Islands Mr. Edward E. Thomas St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Dr. Yvonne E. L. Thraen St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Rev. Dr. Wesley S. Williams, Jr. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Mr. Sinclair L. Wilkinson St. Thomas, Virgin Islands University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees The Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr. Honorary Chair Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr. Alexander A. Moorhead Chair St. Croix, Virgin Islands Attorney Henry C. Smock Vice Chair St. Thomas, Virgin Islands UVI Schools & Colleges School of Business – Dean Charles Williams, Ph.D. School of Education – Dean P. Rudolph Mattai, Ph.D. College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences – Dean George Lord, Ph.D. School of Nursing – Dean Cheryl P. Franklin, D.N.S. College of Science and Mathematics – Dean Camille McKayle, Ph.D. Alma Mater By the Sea Words and Music by Wilbur “Bill” LaMotta Hail to thee, dear Alma Mater Beside the blue Caribbean calm Hail to thee, dear Alma Mater ‘neath sunny skies and whisp’ring palm Proud we are to tread thy ways Loud and true we voice our praise Open door thy every portal ‘mid sand and sea and golden days Long the ties that will endure Strong in heart and memory Faithfully we’ll always honor Our Alma Mater by the sea Hail to thee, dear Alma Mater For guiding stars so brightly shown Hail to thee, dear Alma Mater How wide the bound’ries we have flown Sing we now of bright tomorrows Yesterday we never knew Walking down thy halls of wisdom The towerin’ heights are all in view Here to us on islands famed Dear to us thy name will be University of the Virgin Islands Our Alma Mater by the sea. The wearing of caps, gowns and hoods at graduation exercises is one of the oldest and most democratic of collegiate customs. It originated in the Middle Ages when the first universities were founded as clerical institu- tions. Besides distinguishing the wearers from laymen, the costume served a very practical purpose in the unheated churches and cloisters of the time. It often added grace to the individuals and impressiveness to the ceremonies in which they took part. Its chief virtue, however, was that it eliminated undemocratic differences in dress which might otherwise have marred an essentially democratic occasion. Under the intercollegiate system adopted in 1893, the Oxford cap or “mortarboard” is worn for all degrees, but the doctor is entitled to a gold tassel and optional velvet cap. The sleeve of the master’s gown is distinguished from the bachelor’s by a half-moon cut at the end. The doctor’s gown has faced-down fronts, and round bell sleeves with bars of velvet. The master’s degree hood is longer than the bachelor’s and the doctor’s is longer than the master’s. All hoods are lined with silk showing the official colors of the institution that conferred the degree. The bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates at the University of the Virgin Islands wear hoods lined with Caribbean blue and white, the school colors. The bachelor’s degree hoods are trimmed with white velvet to signify liberal arts, and with golden yellow velvet to signify science. UVI master’s candidate hoods are also trimmed with velvet – light blue for education, drab to represent business, and peacock blue to indicate public administration. According to the Academic Costume Code, at most U.S. institutions the color of velvet trim indicates the following academic disciplines: agriculture/maize; economics/copper; engineer- ing/orange; fine arts/brown; home economics/ maroon; law/purple; library science/lemon; music/pink; nursing/apricot; philosophy/dark blue; physical education/sage green; public health/salmon pink; science/golden yellow; so- cial science/cream; social work/citron; speech/ silver gray. Academic Regalia