In honor of the late Knud Oliver Parris, Virgin Islands Rum Industries, Ltd. has sponsored an endowed $10,000 scholarship to the University of the Virgin Islands.
The Knud O. Parris Scholarship is open to a student attending the St. Croix campus, studying business administration or the sciences.
It is in addition to V.I. Rum's annual $25,000 contribution to the university.
Parris worked for company for more than 45 years, beginning his career in 1952 when it was then known as St. Croix Sugarcane Industries. Starting as a floorman, he worked his way up to senior distillery foreman. He held a near-perfect time and attendance record for his long tenure.
In 1997, when he was honored for a record 45 years with the company, he was quoted as saying "be prepared, bring something to your job. There are rewards to be had if you stick with your plan."
Donald C. Nelthropp, Sr., president of V.I. Rum Industries, said, "we believe that honoring Mr. Parris in this manner is not only fitting, but proper, and an expression of the high regard we hold for him."
