USVI Public Records

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Dr. Charles Wesley Turnbull was born on St. Thomas, USVI to Ruth Ann Eliza and John Wesley Turnbull, who were from the neighboring Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Turnbull attended Leonard Dober Elementary School and the Charlotte Amalie High School. He was awarded a Ford Foundation scholarship to further his education at Hampton University in Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in History, and a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education. He was awarded a doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1976. Dr. Turnbull’s service in Education spans more than forty years. He has served the people of the Virgin Islands as an elementary and secondary school teacher, principal of Charlotte Amalie High School, commissioner of the Department of Education, chairman of the Virgin Islands Board of Education and Professor Emeritus of History at the University of the Virgin Islands. As Commissioner of Education from 1979 to 1987, many achievements were made in the field of public education, including upgrades to the cur- riculum. He established a Cultural Education Division to promote an appreciation of the history and culture of the Virgin Islands and Caribbean. He was influential in the establishment of alternative education, school volunteerism, and new ventures in the area of vocational and technical education. Dr. Turnbull has an established exemplary record of community and humanitarian service, including serving as an elected delegate to all five Constitutional Conventions of the United States Virgin Is- lands; serving as Secretary of the Second Constitutional Convention in 1972; serving as a delegate to the 1972, 2000, and 2004 National Democratic Nominating Conventions; and serving as a member to various organizations and boards. He has received numerous awards and citations for his outstanding contributions to public service, education, and cultural affairs including the first Alexander A. Farrelly Public Service Award, Turner Broadcasting System Trumpet Award, the Caribbean Democratic Alliance Award, University of the Virgin Islands Social Sciences Division Award, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Award of Excellence, Virgin Islands Humanities Council’s Humanist of the Year Award, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Citation of Recognition, the University of Minnesota, College of Education and Hu- man Development Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Charlotte Amalie High School Wall of Fame Award. He has published and presented various scholarly papers and articles in the areas of history, education and culture, and traveled extensively. His interests include reading, historical research, numismatics, and collecting antiques – especially West Indian and African-American. He was elected Governor of the United Sates Virgin Islands and sworn in as the sixth elected Governor on January 4, 1999. He was re-elected overwhelmingly to serve a second term in November 2002. During his term, Governor Turnbull had many noteworthy accomplishments including the designation in 2005 by Executive Order of March as Virgin Islands History Month to highlight the history, culture, and achievements of the people of the Virgin Islands. In recognition and appreciation of his contributions, Act 7246 signed into law by Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. on April 9, 2011, named the new public library in Estate Tutu, St. Thomas, “The Charles Wesley Turnbull Regional Public Library.” Under the Act, the 29th Legislature of the Virgin Islands also awarded Dr. Turnbull with the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor – the Territory’s highest honor. Dr. Turnbull, now retired, continues to devote his time and energy to serving the people of the Virgin Islands in a variety of community organizations and activities. Charles Wesley Turnbull, Ph.D. Honorary Doctorate Dr. Charles W. Turnbull 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