A capacity crowd filled the fifth annual Dean’s List Reception on the University of the Virgin Island’s St. Croix campus Sunday as families and friends of students who had earned a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher applauded and celebrated their academic achievements.
Nereida Washington, director of campus operations, said she was reminded of how people celebrate every step in a child’s life, from the first word and step, to the academic achievement today. Washington said the majority of the students on the list had 3.8 GPAs.
Denver Mike, a senior in the school of business with a 4.0 GPA for both the spring and fall, said it was a very meaningful event recognizing all the hard work of the students.
Greta Welch-Williams, mother of Afiya-Marie Williams in the school of business, said she was extremely proud of her daughter.
A total of 141 students made the dean’s list, some in spring or fall and some in both sessions of 2013.
“These individuals have met the high standards set by the deans,” UVI President David Hall said. “They have reached a high level of excellence.”
Hall said it is important for the school to recognize the accomplishment of making the dean’s list. He said the reception was started five years ago at the request of the students, instead of just sending out a congratulatory letter.
Deans from the schools of business and education and the Colleges of Science and Mathematics, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences were there to congratulate the students. Hall gave certificates to the students in attendance.
The students stood and recited the Pledge to Pursue Excellence and sang the school song, “Alma Mater by the Sea.”
The Albert A. Sheen Campus Steel Ensemble and the UVI Voices of Inspiration chorus presented musical selections.
A similar reception was held last Sunday on St. Thomas at the Reichhold Center.
