The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) joins the Virgin Islands community in mourning the passing of Dr. Alexander Moorhead, former VI senator, business leader and UVI Board Chair Emeritus.
“On behalf of the University of the Virgin Islands and our Board of Trustees, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Alexander Moorhead,” said UVI President, Dr. David Hall. “Alexander Moorhead provided the Board and committees with the benefit of his vast experience from his work in the private and public sector as well as his knowledge of higher education. He was the most meticulous Board member and leader whom everyone relied upon for excellence and leadership.” Over the last two and a half decades, few have dedicated more personal time and interest to the advancement of the University than Moorhead. Having served in a voluntary position in various capacities on the UVI Board for 24 years until his retirement in 2020, Moorhead was a steady force of progress, bringing discipline, strategic thinking, integrity and absolute commitment to the post. In June of 2020, the UVI Board of Trustees granted Moorhead the status of Board Chair Emeritus in recognition of his long and distinguished service on the Board, during which he served both as chairman and vice chairman. Additionally, the Board of Trustees voted for Moorhead to receive an Honorary Degree at their October 2020 Board meeting. In May 2021, he was presented with an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters during the University’s commencement ceremony.
Elected to the Board of Trustees for UVI in March 1996, Moorhead served continuously until May 2020. He was re-elected every five years to serve as a member for five terms. During his long tenure, he served under three University presidents and as vice chair for 16 years. He served as chair for five years. While on the Board, Moorhead served on the Audit Committee, Building and Grounds Committee, Finance and Budget Committee, Governance Committee, as well as two Presidential Search Committees, and participated in and supported numerous key initiatives and projects of the University. By virtue of his position as the Chair of a Committee, he served on the Executive Committee of the Board for 24 years.
In addition to his service on the UVI Board, Moorhead was a member of the UVI Foundation Board and served on the Research and Technology Park Board of Directors and was Chair of that Board for the entire time that he was chair of the UVI Board. He was also a member of the Board of the Virgin Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Born on St. Croix, Moorhead held a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Moravian College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard. Elected to three terms in the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, from 1971 to 1976, Moorhead served as a Senate Minority Leader. He was employed by the V.I. Water and Power Authority from 1977 to 1979, first as director of Management Services and later as deputy executive director, the number two position in that public utility. After earning his master’s degree in 1980, Moorhead was hired by the Hess Oil (later HOVENSA) refinery on St. Croix, and served as HOVENSA’s vice president, Government Affairs, Community Relations and secretary until his retirement in June 2010.
For more information contact the Public Relations Office at pr@uvi.edu.