The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will host a month-long celebration in honor of its 62nd Charter Day anniversary. Charter Day commemorates the University's founding and recognizes its remarkable achievements over the years. This year’s celebrations will include annual events such as Afternoon on the Green and the 13D Innovation Center’s Business Leadership Lecture, as well as alumni socials, musical celebrations, athletic events, and lively activities for students.
“I invite the public to join us as we celebrate UVI’s 62nd birthday and reflect on the bold path this University has taken from its inception to the present day,” said UVI President Dr. David Hall. “This year, I will celebrate 15 years of service to this venerable institution. I feel blessed to be a part of UVI’s transformative story and to have played a part, along with many others, in its contributions to the Virgin Islands and to the region. I am especially proud and impressed by our students and alumni who are affecting positive change here and around the world.”
UVI’s Charter Day Celebrations will kick-off with Alumni and Retiree Soirees planned for Friday, March 8, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the 13D Research & Strategy Innovation Center on St. Thomas and on Saturday, March 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Medical Simulation Center on St. Croix.
The official annual Charter Day Ceremony will be held on Friday, March 15, at 10 a.m. in the LaVerne E. Ragster Administration and Conference Center (ACC) on the Orville E. Kean Campus (OEK) on St. Thomas. The event will also be livestreamed to the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus (AAS) on St. Croix.
One of the highlights of this year's Charter Day program will be the keynote presentation by esteemed guest, Dr. Dietra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Dr. Trent's participation underscores the significance of UVI's commitment to providing quality education and opportunities for its diverse student body.
The Charter Day celebration will be further enhanced by the captivating performances
led by UVI Music Director Dion Parson. Joining Parson is Steve Turre, a renowned jazz
trombonist, composer, and pioneer of seashells as musical instruments. Turre's music is driven by a profound
search for the transcendent, and his arrangements have captivated audiences worldwide.
As Turre himself states, "Music is about giving and about searching, and so that is
the spirit... because without spirit, music is just notes." A Charter Day Social with
festive music and refreshments is planned after the ceremony on both campuses.
Charter Day’s festivities include the following events planned throughout the month
of March:
- Alumni and Retirees Appreciation Soirée - March 8, 5 to 7:30 p.m. - 13D Research & Strategy Innovation Center (OEK Campus) and March 9, 4 to 6:30 p.m. - UVI Simulation Center (AAS Campus)
- 2nd Annual Business Leadership Lecture - March 11, 6 pm - UVI 13D Research & Strategy Innovation Center (OEK Campus)
- Alumni Bingo Night - Thursday, March 14, 8 p.m. - UVI Cafeteria (AAS Campus)
- 62nd Charter Day Ceremony and Social – Friday, March 15, 10 a.m. - ACC Building (OEK Campus) and Great Hall (AAS Campus)
- Basketball Game, Friday, March 15, 8 p.m. UVI Outdoor Court (AAS Campus)
- UVI Charter Day Concert – Saturday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. - Prior Jollek Hall at Antilles School
- Afternoon on the Green – Sunday, March 17, Noon to 5 p.m. - Herman E. Moore Golf Course (OEK Campus)
To stay up to date on events planned for Charter Day visit https://events.uvi.edu
Originally chartered as the College of the Virgin Islands on March 16, 1962, UVI has grown to become one of the leading coeducational, liberal arts institutions in the region. Guided by its cornerstone objective, UVI continues to stimulate and utilize the intellectual resources of the Virgin Islands community, while extending the benefits of culture and education throughout the region.
For more information about UVI's 62nd Charter Day anniversary and the month-long celebration, please visit the University's official website at www.uvi.edu.