University Community Invited to Hear President for a Day Role-Reversal Experiences on Feb. 21 The university community is invited to hear UVI President for a Day Marsha Laurencin and Dr. David Hall discuss their experiences during the first-ever President for a Day initiative in a special session set for 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Neil Weiss Educational and Seminar Suite in West Residence Hall on UVI’s St. Thomas campus. The session will also be available via videoconference in Room 713 in the Evans Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix and in Room 103 of the St. John Academic Center. Albert A. Sheen Campus students should stay tuned for their chance to vie to be President for a Day when the initiative next moves to St. Croix. A news release is available from the UVI homepage – http://www.uvi.edu
Public Observing Session Set Feb. 22 at UVI’s Etelman Observatory The next public observing session and science night at UVI’s Etelman Observatory is slated for 7:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb 22. "We are pleased to invite the public to join us and enjoy the night sky, views of our galaxy, and join in a discussion of interesting and exciting topics in the world of astrophysics and space science," said Etelman Observatory Director Dr. David Morris. Guests will be treated to views of the planet Jupiter with its Galilean moons, the Crab supernova remnant and the Orion Nebula star forming region. The rain date is Saturday, Feb. 23. The evening will also feature a video presentation and lecture on the influence of astrophysics research in our daily lives.
This viewing is presented free of charge through charitable sponsorship by Celtic Therapeutics. Space is limited, so please RSVP to Dr. Morris by e-mail at dmorris@uvi.edu or call (617) 610-1148.
Reichhold Center Family Series Presents Cirque Zuma Zuma on Feb. 22 and 23 Next up at UVI’s Reichhold Center for the Arts will be performances by Cirque Zuma Zuma, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23. More than 20 African team members come together in Cirque Zuma Zuma for a fun show of gymnastics, jumping, juggling, balancing and human pyramids. This high-energy show is part dance, part Cirque du Soleil, part Harlem Globetrotters and full-time family fun. Cirque Zuma Zuma recently earned a berth as a finalist on the hit NBC show “America’s Got Talent.”
Tickets are available online from the Reichhold Center Web site – www.reichholdcenter.com – and from these ticket outlets: Reichhold Box Office, Urban Threadz, V.I. Bridal and Tuxedo, KC Movie and Home Again on St. Thomas; Urban Threadz on St. Croix; and Connections on St. John. Reichhold has also arranged special discounted getaway packages, with special offers from Seaborne Airlines and Best Western Carib Beach Resort. For discount and other details call the Reichhold Box Office at 693-1559.
UVI Bucs, Lady Bucs Fall to UPR-Rio Piedras in Puerto Rico; Home Games Set Feb. 23 The UVI Buccaneers men’s and women’s basketball squads fell to their UPR-Rio Piedras counterparts in weekend games in Puerto Rico. The Rio Piedras downed the Lady Bucs, 54-30, in the first game. Melanesia Hendrickson led the Lady Bucs effort with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. Char’Les Martin contributed 10 points, while Jamilia Norris grabbed nine rebounds and had one blocked shot. In the finale, the Buccaneers fell to the Rio Piedras men’s squad 70-53. Wilson Ferrance led the Buccaneers with 11 points and Melvin Adams Jr. added 10.
The Buccaneers and Lady Bucs are scheduled to host Sacred Heart at the Sports and Fitness Center on Saturday, Feb. 23. The Lady Bucs play at 3 p.m., with the men’s game following at 5 p.m.
The Bucs have also launched a Facebook page, follow and like them at https://www.facebook.com/UVIBucs.
Pioneer in Market Development Robert P. Smith to Speak at UVI on Feb. 25 Robert P. Smith, a pioneer in helping markets develop, as well as the president, founder and managing director of Turan Corporation, of Boston, Mass., will speak on "America’s Promise and Perils for the Twenty-First Century," at the second lecture in the Open Doors Lecture at the University of the Virgin Islands. The St. Thomas presentation will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb.25, in the Administration Conference Center (ACC Building) ground floor with a link to the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.
Open Doors Lectures, sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, are designed to provide a forum in which internationally recognized academics and practitioners can share their knowledge on vital topics with the university community and the public. With the closing of Hovensa and the general economic recession, there has been much discussion on the state of the economy and its effects on tourism, financial services and other sectors here and in the wider Caribbean. Smith, the author of "Riches Among the Ruins: Adventures in the Dark Corners of the Global Economy," has worked for governments in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nigeria, Vietnam and Russia. He is well positioned to provide an authoritative up-to-date perspective on the present state of the global economy.
For more information, contact Dian Levons at 693-1260 or dlevons@live.uvi.edu on St. Thomas or Rishina Williams at 692-4110 or rwillia@live.uvi.edu on St. Croix.
UVI RTPark/RTPark PC Real Estate Administration Committee to Meet Feb. 25 A meeting of the Real Estate Administration Committee of the UVI Research and Technology Park Corporation (RTP) and the Research and Technology Park Protected Cell Corporation (RTPark PC) is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (AST) on Monday, Feb. 25. The session will take place via teleconference at the RTPark Offices on UVI’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Contact Melissa Miller at 692-4200 to participate, or for more information. Seating is limited.
Center for Student Success Sets Workshop on ‘College Survival Skills’ for Feb. 26 UVI’s Center for Student Success will present its first workshop of the spring semester entitled “College Survival Skills” from 3 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 26, with sessions available on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The workshop will have an emphasis on UVI. All instructors are asked to encourage their students to attend. The workshop will be available in Teacher Education Room 211 on St. Thomas and in Evans Center Room 505 on St. Croix.
For more information, contact Maria Fleming at the center at 692-4183 or send e-mail to mfleming@uvi.edu.
UVI RTPark/RTPark PC Board of Directors to Meet Feb. 27 A meeting of the Board of Directors of the UVI Research and Technology Park Corporation (RTP) and the Research and Technology Park Protected Cell Corporation (RTPark PC) is scheduled for 2 p.m. (AST) on Wednesday, Feb. 27. The session will take place via teleconference at the RTPark Offices on UVI’s Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Contact Melissa Miller at 692-4200 to participate or for more information. Seating is limited.
Center for Spirituality Sets Next Gathering on Feb. 28 UVI’s Center for the Study of Spirituality and Professionalism invites the university community to its February gathering, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28. It will take place on the patio of the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas campus. Dr. Lois Habtes will speak on the topic of “Culture and Spirituality.”
Dr. Hassell-Habtes, a well-known storyteller and musician, has served in many capacities in the Department of Education, including music supervisor, coordinator of arts and culture, assistant principal at the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and principal of the Joseph Sibilly Elementary School. She now serves as principal at the Emanuel Benjamin Oliver Elementary School.
Please RSVP by contacting Wendy V. Coram at 693-1499 or send an e-mail to wendy.coram@live.uvi.edu. Lunch will commence at 11:30 a.m. followed by the conversation at noon. The goal of the center’s gatherings is to leave participants with a smile in their hearts, provide new connections with professionals in the community, stimulate and provide spiritual awareness, and provide a renewed sense of passion and love for life.
Promotional Video on UVI YouTube Video Channel Generates More Than 100,000 Views Join thousands of others in viewing and sharing the latest University of the Virgin Islands recruitment video that is available on the university’s YouTube video channel – http://www.youtube.com/user/UVIvideos. The goal of the video is to encourage young men to make UVI their choice for higher education. It was created and produced by the UVI Public Relations Office and LD Graphx for UVI Access and Enrollment Services. The video, which was first shown at this month’s Man Up Conferences, has amassed more than 100,000 views on YouTube. Also featured on the UVI channel are the UVI Strategic Plan 2017, clips from previous Man Up Conferences and several “Why UVI” videos.
UVI Employees, Others Urged to Review UVI Online Job Postings UVI employees and external interested individuals are encouraged to review the university’s online job postings for updates on available vacancies from the Human Resources Office section of the university Web site – http://www.uvi.edu – or from this direct link: http://careers.uvi.edu. UVI is committed to attracting, developing and retaining a highly qualified workforce to support its mission of excellence in education and research. The University of the Virgin Islands is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Dishes Sought for UVI’s Afternoon on the Green The University of the Virgin Islands annual Afternoon on the Green is set for noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, on the St. Thomas campus’ Herman E. Moore Golf Course. The entire community is invited for a day of food, family and fun.
The Afternoon on the Green Committee is looking for individuals and restaurants to be a part of this special event by contributing cooked dishes or food items. For more information or to find out how to contribute to the Afternoon on the Green, call UVI at 693-1040 or send e-mail to lmargol@uvi.edu.
