New, transfer and exchange students from the University of the Virgin Islands got to hear about the merits of the school from a panel of proud accomplished UVI alumni during orientation at the Alumni Give Back activity Thursday.
The Office of Student Affairs’ Orientation Planning Committee sponsored the discussion geared toward uniting new students with their alumni counterparts. It was held at the St. Croix campus Student Center and Cafetorium,
“We did this to get students connected early so that they can see an expected end. By the time they’re alumni they’ll want to give back,” said Activity Coordinator Miriam Osborne Elliott, UVI’s associate campus administrator for Student Affairs on the St. Croix campus. The Alumni Give Back program is in its second year.
The program presenters chosen are alumni who give back to the community, including Col. Caroline Adams, the first V.I. female pilot, or Calypsonian Campbell Barnes. Also presenting was Sen. Louis Patrick Hill, Lydia Logie Moolenaar, Gary Moore, Carmelo Rivera, Sen. Samuel Sanes, and Wendy Wheeler.
Rivera, an accomplished Virgin Islander, gave a Power Point presentation on Caribbean and world events current while he was at UVI from the late ’60s to 1971. A student questioned him on the “Black Power” movement.
Linda I. Smith, UVI’s director of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs, says connecting with alumni gives meaning to the student experience.
“Our sole purpose is for incoming students to remain focused towards the pursuit of academic excellence,” Smith said. “By our alumni sharing their experiences and their success stories, we are confident that this event will continue to positively impact students and UVI retention rates.”
She added that there is a record of 283 new students, some from as far away as India.
Osborne Elliott said UVI believes that if you take new students and match them with successful alumni, you’ve got a winning combination.
“I hope that it becomes a tradition of the institution, for all incoming students, so that every incoming class has the same experience,” Osborne Elliott said.
“I really got a lot of tips on UVI,” said local incoming freshman Ebony John. “I will keep it in mind for my future.”
Further information about the Alumni Give Back program can be obtained by contacting Miriam Osborne Elliott at 692-4188 or Linda I. Smith at 692-4023.
