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dateline: UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands June 18, 2003 vol ix, number 6 Events Calendar June 18 Safe Diving Workshop, STT June 18-21 Plasmas Workshop, STT June 20 Hurricane Preparedness Meeting, STX June 25 Forensic Psychology Lecture, STX UVI’s President Dr. LaVerne Ragster received an unexpected award when she was named “Person of the Year” by the Rotary Club of St. Thomas II, on May 14. In an attempt to surprise the Person of the Year, his or her name is not publicly revealed until the actual ceremony. An unsus- pecting President Ragster attended the Rotary luncheon, believing that she was to give a speech about recent initiatives at UVI. Presi- dent Ragster realized that she was the recipient of the presti- gious award nearing the end of Rotarian Elliot Davis’ speech, when he made reference to her accomplishments at UVI. “This is a bit overwhelming because I really wasn’t ex- pecting this,” President Ragster said after accepting the Don President Ragster Named Rotary “Person of the Year” Quixote trophy. “I really am humbled by you. Thank you,” she said. President Ragster said she hopes that as the leader of the University, it can continue to make a difference in the lives of people. “The way out of poverty, the way to academic stability, the way to a great future is through education,” President Ragster said. Community Pays Tribute to UVI Alumni Dr. LaVerne Ragster Five of UVI’s alumni who are stalwarts of the institution and the Virgin Islands community were honored at a breakfast held on June 7. Hosted by the St. Thomas/ St. John Chapter of the UVI Alumni Association, the breakfast paid tribute to Luna Claxton, Class of 1972; Doreen V. James, Class of 1983; Shirley J. Joseph, Class of 1974; Cyril Harrigan, Class of 1972; and Elise Vialet, Class of 1972. “They have influenced and affected the whole growth of the University,” Deanna Rogers said of the honorees. Rogers, Class of 1987, is president of the St. Thomas/St. John Alumni Association chapter and an organizer of the event. “They are the ones who many of UVI’s more recent graduates are emulat- ing,” she continued. Claxton, James and Joseph, long-time educators, earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in elementary education from the then College of the Virgin Islands. Harrigan, a former law enforce- ment officer, earned an associate’s degree in police science and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. Vialet, who has held ad- ministrative positions in the V.I. government, earned an associate’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in social science. At the breakfast the honor- ees were warmly received by an audience of approximately 130 people, Rogers said. One of the attendees, Warren Claxton, trav- eled from Florida, to introduce his mother Luna Claxton. Warren Claxton is also a graduate of UVI. Harrigan, who was unable to attend because of illness, was rep- resented by his granddaughter, the reigning Miss UVI Alba Harrigan. “Many of them had obstacles to overcome, but they attribute their success to the College of the Virgin Islands,” Rogers said. UVI’s Alumni Affairs Supervisor Jacqueline Sprauve added, “CVI ended up being right in the nick of time for many of them.” Plans are underway for the 2nd Annual Alumni Breakfast. Rogers encourages UVI graduates to become more active in its alumni chapters. “There is so much more we can do,” Rogers said. “It’s not about self. It’s about us.” Alumni Breakfast honorees are, (left to right) Elise Vialet, Shirley J. Joseph, Doreen V. James, Miss UVI Alba Harrigan representing her grandfather Cyril Harrigan and Luna Claxton. 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 Summer Institute Attracts Students from Another Continent Chairman of the UVI Board of Trustees Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr. speaks with students from UVI’s Summer Insti- tute for Future Global Leaders in the Caribbean at a re- ception held at President Ragster’s house. The Summer Institute, which prepares college juniors, seniors and graduates for global leadership, was held from May 19 to May 31 on the St. Thomas campus. Each year students from UVI, colleges and universities in the Caribbean and the U.S. mainland participate in the Summer Institute. This year, for the first time, two students from the Univer- sity of Chausee in Belgium attended. UVI to Host Paradise Jam for Five More Years UVI will continue to host top-notch Division I college basketball, for at least the next five years, thanks to a contract se- cured by Athletic Direc- tor Peter Sauer with the Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament. Late in May Sauer announced that Basket- ball Travelers Inc., the company that organizes Paradise Jam and other college tour- naments, extended UVI’s contract through 2008. UVI has hosted the tournament in its state-of-the-art Women’s: Georgia Tech, Indiana, Iowa State, James Madi- son, Mississippi State, Southwest Missouri, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Men’s: Appalachian State, Boston College, Hampton, LaSalle, Monmouth and Wichita State. College Teams for Paradise Jam 2003 Sports and Fitness Center on the St. Thomas cam- pus for two weeks in No- vember for the past two years. Sauer said that the five-year contract makes it easier for Paradise Jam to attract more teams be- cause colleges like to make their pre-season scheduling in advance. The teams for this year’s tournament have already been confirmed. Sauer is now working on securing a major sponsor that may enable a contract with a national television network. Tell us Tell us Tell us Tell us Tell us about your events about your events about your events about your events about your events and accomplishments! and accomplishments! and accomplishments! and accomplishments! and accomplishments! 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