On Sunday UVI held the inauguration of the 5th
President – Dr David Hall. It was an evening rich with accolades, commendations
for the new president and punctuated with music that was composed for the event.
Hall’s son Rashaan David Hall introduced the new President after a series of
speeches hailing Hall for his deep commitment and spiritual connection with the
University. Alex Moorhead, the Chairman
of the Board of the University conferred the position of President on Dr Hall. The president’s acceptance speech was a call to Greatness as Hall pointed to
the areas that are ready to move toward world stature. He singled out Math and Science, a commitment
to the teachers in the territorial school system and a commitment to the men of
the university to raise them from just 25% of the student population to a share
equal to their presence in the community. He also noted the sad fact that 70% of UVI
students leave the university before they earn a diploma – either dropping out
or leaving for other universities. The new presidents has called for new
buildings, dorms on both islands, new math and science facilities and he says
there will be a focus on things like Aquaponics that can transform food production
in the territory. He said “We must be bold enough to claim that this university
will be the destination of choice for students throughout this region and the nation.”
The Virgin Islands legislature is meeting today with a full
agenda. They have Luz Suarez ° Highfield
and Carol Nicholson Flup to the UVI Board of Trustees, Matthias Eckstein,
Gerville Larsen, Rupert Pelle and Rebecca Mervin to the Historic Preservation
Commission, A bill to name the Labor and Delivery unit of Schneider Hospital for
Cynthia Browne Stapleton, the lease agreement between the government and Alpine
energy, a bill to stop child pornography, a bill regarding the medical
qualifications of Dr Roy Schneider, a bill regarding a holiday for Fireburn
Day, they have the interstate compact on juveniles, the Farm to school program,
the bill to create a Centennial commission to celebrate Transfer day, a bill to
require hiring local workers on government contracts, a bill regarding noise
pollution and reprogramming of the Community Development Block Grant.
Department of Health is warning about pink eye – also known
technically as Conjunctivitis. Pink eye is an inflammation of the cornea of the
eye – it is characterized by redness and an itchy feeling in the eyes. It is not
particularly dangerous but it is highly contagious and requires treatment to
stop the infection. Parents are urged to
keep children with pink eye at home and away from school and day care center
until the symptoms have been cleared. Avoid touching eyes and never touch
someone else’s eyes without protection. Wash hands and disinfect doorknobs and
water faucets.
The Cultural Heritage Institute and the Department of
Education's Cultural Education and the Council on the Arts will host the
Territory's Fourth Annual March Music Series, titled "Tradition Meets 21st
Century". the 21st Century Band will perform their final
concert Tuesday, March 9th in Emancipation Garden from 10:00 AM to noon 30.
The Forum has an event Tuesday March
9 at Prior-Jolleck Hall at Antilles School. The Pacifica Quartet is performing at the
Casals festival in Puerto Rico and they are coming to St. Thomas for a one
night concert. The Pacifica Quartet "the 2009 Ensemble of the Year" and they
won the 2009 Grammy for Best Chamber Music
Performance. They are performing:
Haydn’s String Quartet in D Major, Opus 64
Mendelssohn’s String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Opus 12
Schubert’s String Quartet in D Minor, D. 810 (Death and the
Maiden)
Tickets are available through Reichhold (693-1559) and at these outlets:
Dockside Bookshop, Interiors at Fort Mylner and Home Again in Red Hook. Call
690-4350.
Good News Maker of the Day are the students in the Poetry
Out Loud Competition who raised their voices to compete at the Competition on Saturday. Marissa Duberry was third place, Thea Knight
was second and Shantelle Eddy of Ivanna Eudora Kean School said she was
surprised to win the competition. Eddy
now goes to Washington in April to compete in the nationals. Of course we all remember Shawntay Henry who
won that national competition. Hearty Congratulations to Shantelle Eddy