The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will confer 264 degrees to graduates at its Commencement Ceremonies this week.
The ceremonies will take place on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas, and on Friday, May 10, 2024, under the tent on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. Both ceremonies will begin at 1 p.m.
“The UVI family is excited to gather to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our 2024 graduating class. This is a moment in time like no other for our graduates, their families, and friends, and also for me as President,” said UVI President Dr. David Hall, who will be celebrating his last commencement as president. “Commencement marks a significant milestone for the academic journey of our graduates, who have shown resilience, perseverance, and dedication in reaching this momentous day. We have every confidence that these men and women will become our future leaders, visionaries and difference-makers, carrying with them a great sense of responsibility to apply their hard-earned successes to real-world problems.”
At this year’s Commencement the University will bestow Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees upon musical geniuses Theron and Timothy Thomas, the dynamic sibling duo known as “R. City,” and aviation trailblazer Caroline Fawkes at the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses, respectively, in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the Virgin Islands community.
This year’s class speaker on the Orville E. Kean Campus will be Jackeima Flemming, who is graduating Summa Cum Laude after earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration Marketing. Nadeje Barber, who is graduating after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a minor in Communications, will address her fellow graduates as class speaker on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.
Parking – St. Thomas
UVI’s normal parking regulations, which designate selected parking for students, staff and the public on the Kean Campus, will be suspended from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 09, 2024, to accommodate parking for the Commencement Exercises.
Shuttle service to the Sports and Fitness Center will be provided for members of the public parking in following areas:
DaVybe 107.9 FM will also broadcast the commencement ceremonies. Listen to DaVybe on your F.M. dial or streaming service.
Additional information related to commencement day activities can be found at http://commencement.uvi.edu.
A Glimpse at the UVI Class of 2024 – Graduate Stories
Tamia Grant: Reaching for the Stars at UVI
Tamia Grant always gravitated toward science and mathematics in her studies and focused on advanced placement and honors studies while attending high school in St. Croix. Originally from St. Kitts and Nevis, the double major (chemistry and physics) always dreamed of studying biology and becoming an obstetrician and never imagined having a different set of goals.
“I wanted to be an obstetrician, but in 11th grade after Hurricane Irma, I went into a deep state of depression. I lost motivation to do anything, and it skewed my view on college and my future,” said Grant. “When it came time to apply to colleges and explore future endeavors, I just wasn't motivated.”
Recognizing the challenges her daughter was facing and not wanting her to give up on her dream, Grant’s mother delivered an ultimatum: she could either stay at home with her in St. Croix and find a job or go to college. Grant chose to attend UVI, after applying as part of her high school’s requirement, and ultimately embarked on a journey that would lead to profound growth, exploration, and a new sense of community.
In her freshman year, Grant immersed herself in pre-med courses after choosing biology as her field of study. During her first semester at UVI, she took a chemistry class that made a deep impression and opened a path for a new direction in her life.
“I started as a biology major. I was doing pre-med, but I found a love of chemistry when I took my first chemistry class at UVI, so I switched my major,” said Grant.
Grant started to dive into her experiences at UVI, joining the National Society of Black Physicists on campus.
To learn more about Grant’s journey see this link - https://uvitoday.blogspot.com/2024/05/tamia-grant-reaching-for-stars-at-uvi.html
Nadege Barber: It Takes a Village
Native to Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Nadege Barber moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2019, shortly before beginning her college journey. She recalls her upbringing with great fondness, crediting many of her early achievements to the unwavering support of her mother, brother, and village.
“I believe my upbringing was one of the best. I was mainly raised by my mother. I love my culture and how community-based we are. I know nearly everyone from my village, and it has really developed me into the person that I want to be, and I consider myself to be,” said Barber.
Encouraged to dream big and aim high, shortly after moving to the Virgin Islands she decided to attend the University of the Virgin Islands after being spurred by a positive influence, Jana Austrie, a staff member at the University, who led her to what now considers her second home.
“She basically sold the school to me. She also committed to assisting me to sign up for classes,” Barber recalled.
In her home village, Barber had been considered a student with a great deal of potential. However, as her journey of self-discovery began and she took steps toward academic and personal growth, she realized that she did not know what having potential truly meant.
See this link to learn more about Barber’s Journey - https://uvitoday.blogspot.com/2024/05/nadege-barber-it-takes-village.html
For more information visit www.uvi.edu or contact pr@uvi.edu.
