Graduates of the University of the Virgin Islands Orville Kean Campus heard words of praise and reassurance at commencement exercises held Friday on St. Thomas. They heard inspiring words from their guest speaker and shared a sigh of relief from the student chosen from among them to address the crowd.
They also watched as university officials awarded an honorary doctorate to an admired school administrator and military leader.
In spite of ups and downs and facing a changing and uncertain future, they had reached a milestone together — graduation day. More than 150 candidates for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees marched across the stage at the Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center to accept their diplomas.
UVI President Safiyah George encouraged them and the roughly 130 who graduated Thursday on St. Croix to put their talents to work by serving their community in the V.I.
Relatives, friends and fellow students filled the bleachers in the sports center, cheering on the graduates and cheering the words of guest speaker Hill Harper. Harper is known for his work as an actor in numerous television and film projects, but he is also recognized as a Harvard-educated attorney, author, and scholar.
The speaker urged graduates to view their commencement as one step toward a life they design for themselves as architects of their own futures.
“I would suggest to you that after you leave this auditorium, you think every day about opening yourself up, opening doors to new people, new ideas, and new information. The way we win in this world — the way we become creative — is to put ourselves out in front,” Harper said.
Joleen Buchanan thanked the Class of 2025 for giving her a chance to deliver brief remarks. “Let’s be real; nothing here came easy, but that’s what made us tough and tenacious,” Buchanan said.
To prepare her address, the class speaker said she took an informal survey of her fellow students about life in the UVI dorms, life as student commuters, cafeteria food and forming relationships with UVI faculty and staff.
For Harper, the guest speaker, it all added up to a sense of family in the UVI community —something he said would give graduates an advantage as they made their way out into the world.
“There’s a family feeling here that’s so palpable and powerful. You can leverage that here to attract people, but you can also leverage that to go places and spread, and be a leader with that same spirit,” he said.
Spirits in the audience rose moments later as George and the board of trustees Chair Henry Smock honored Ivanna Eudora Kean H.S. Principal Sally Petty with a sash and certificate as an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Petty, who also serves as brigadier general of the Virgin Islands National Guard, is one of two military leaders honored by UVI in 2025.
Both Petty and retired Adjutant General Deborah Howell are UVI alumnae. “We are proud to honor these two remarkable women and UVI alumnae who lives exemplify the highest ideals of leadership, courage, and service. Their accomplishments are an inspiration to our students and to the entire Virgin Islands community,” George said.
