Oct. 12, 2002 – The University of the Virgin Islands has received an in-kind donation valued at $118,811.79 from SmartCall of the Virgin Islands.
SmartCall of the Virgin Islands’ President and Chief Executive Officer Brent Leerdam placed a request at the executive level of AVAYA Communication (the manufacturer of the University’s communication equipment) to authorize SmartCall to offer unprecedented discount levels to UVI.
SmartCall’s donation has made it possible for UVI to upgrade its telephone service, has increased the University’s voice mail capacity by more than 50 percent and has provided UVI with Internet protocol telephone capability, known as voiceover IP.
In addition to significant discounts on its telecommunications equipment and labor, SmartCall also provided UVI with wireless networking equipment for a portion of each of its two campuses.
"This generous donation from SmartCall helps the University move forward with the deployment of new technologies," said Susan Anderson, UVI’s chief information officer. "It was a pleasure to work with Mr. Leerdam and the rest of his staff on this project. We will continue to look for new ways to partner with businesses in the Virgin Islands to enhance the experiences of our students, faculty and staff, as well as the rest of the community."
According to Deborah Hamilton, UVI’s director of annual giving, during the 2000-2001 academic year, philanthropic investments from local businesses ranged from a major gift of $60,000 in support of the Summer Institute for Future Global Leaders to donations of blooming plants and trees for the new entrance to the St. Thomas campus.
"Local businesses understand that they are making an investment in the economic future of the territory when they make a gift to UVI," Hamilton said. "We welcome all who want to become active partners with the University."
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