March 2, 2003 – A series of events is planned as part of the celebration at the University of the Virgin Islands leading up to the inauguration of fourth president, Dr. LaVerne Ragster, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on the March 16 Charter Day, which customarily features special activities.
The week begins with the annual "Afternoon on the Green" from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, on the St. Thomas campus' golf course. Afternoon on the Green, the Virgin Islands' best outdoor party, features cuisine from around the world prepared by some of the Virgin Islands' finest cooks.
Other events of the week:
Intellectual, literary and arts exhibits, Monday, March 10, through Sunday, March 16, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
— Intellectual and literary work from past and current UVI faculty will be on display at the Ralph M. Paiewonsky Library on the St. Thomas campus and the Melvin Evans Library on the St. Croix campus.
— The Reichhold Center for the Arts on St. Thomas will present a visual arts display titled "Reichhold Center's 25 Year Retrospective," showcasing the center's growth over the past 25 years.
A Public Forum on the Political Status of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Wednesday, March 12, from 8 to 10 p.m.
The public forum will take place as a special edition of WTJX's "Face to Face" with Addie Ottley as moderator. The four invited panelists who will participate in the discussion are: retired UVI professor Dr. Ruth Beagles, who served as a delegate on the Fourth Virgin Islands Constitutional Convention; Dr. Paul Leary, a retired UVI professor and author of "Major Political Documents of the United States Virgin Islands;" Basil Ottley, former writer for Pride Magazine and The Street Speaker; and former V.I. Sen. Violet Anne Golden.
A question-and-answer period will follow the discussion.
The venue will be UVI's St. Thomas campus Chase Auditorium (room B-110), with videoconference link to the Little Theater (room EC 401) on the St. Croix campus and live broadcast to the WTJX television audience.
Faculty Colloquium, Friday, March 14, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Dr. Roy E. McClean will appear as distinguished presenter at the Faculty Colloquium. McClean, a native St. Thomian and graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, graduated from the College of the Virgin Islands in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry with physics. He earned his doctoral degree in chemistry and presently is a professor of chemistry at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He will trace his own educational career and speak of the role that the Virgin Islands and the University have played in his personal development. McClean, affectionately known as "Kiddo," will also provide a glimpse into his exciting chemical research.
McClean will speak from the Little Theater (room EC 401) on the University's St. Croix campus, with videoconference link to the Chase Auditorium (room B-110) on the St. Thomas campus.
A question-and-answer period will follow the discussion.
Cultural Extravaganza, Saturday, March 15, from 7 to 9 p.m.
The Cultural Extravaganza will feature music, art, poetry and dance from the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. The event will be held at the Sports and Fitness Center on UVI's St. Thomas campus. Scheduled to perform are UVI's Concert Band and Concert Choir, the Louis Taylor Trio, the Caribbean Chorale and Roan Creque. There will also be quadrille dancers and a poetry and drama choral reading.
Also part of the Cultural Extravaganza is an art exhibit which will be on display in the Sports and Fitness Center VIP room. The exhibit will feature the work of local artists. There will be a "family corner" chronicling Dr. Ragster's life and ancestry through art.
All events are free. For more information visit UVI's Web site at www.uvi.edu.
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