UVI Bulletin Board for June 2

UVI School of Business to Host Third Webinar with SBDC – Focus on Business Processes UVI’s School of Business is continuing its webinar series that focuses on strategies that provide help for USVI Small Businesses.  The third webinar in the overall series is entitled “Small Business Conversations from the Frontline: Business Process – Improving Your Cash Flow.”  This webinar will take place from 3-4:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 17.  It will be hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands School of Business in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center.

This webinar is a continuation of a series that focuses on providing information to small businesses.  In particular, as we begin to attempt to emerge from COVID-19, it has become more and more evident that not all businesses have been following standard business processes.  Aside from this fact being a shortcoming for businesses, in the past, businesses that have followed these processes have been in a much better position to qualify for federal funds in times of business disruptions.

This webinar will showcase small businesses that have constantly used business processes to improve operations and achieve steady cash flow.  In addition, the VIEDA, the USDA and the SBDC will provide insights regarding how businesses benefit from using standard business processes.

Businesses and individuals can register for the webinar at:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUldO-rqDgqHd3gsmILxhMQLS4JyXnPgxJi

$6 Million Sussman Donation Anchors Vision for UVI Medical School ‘Incredible Gift’ is the Foundation for Exciting, New Opportunity for Students and Community. University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) President Dr. David Hall announced today that former Board of Trustees member Donald Sussman, a noted philanthropist, financier, and St. John homeowner, has made a $6 million landmark donation to establish a medical school at the university.

This project will become only the fifth historically black medical school in the United States and its territories, subject to receiving approval by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

“This is an exciting milestone for our university and, more importantly, our entire community. The S. Donald Sussman School of Medicine will improve the quality of education and health care across the Virgin Islands, and this donation reinforces Donald’s passion for and belief in the transformative power of both,” said Hall. “Donald has long been a supporter of the university, and his incredible gift is the foundation upon which we build moving forward.”

Sussman, the founder of Paloma Partners, was a member of the UVI Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2012. This gift follows a previous gift from Sussman for the naming of the medical school classroom building in honor of his scientist father, William.

“UVI embodies all that I love about the Virgin Islands – its beauty and resilience, and the incredible strength and warmth of its community. The establishment of a medical school will serve to further enhance those qualities and ensure that more young people will have the opportunity to learn, grow and live here,” said Sussman. “Moreover, this medical school will have a tremendous impact on the physical and mental health of residents, and I am proud to be a part of this critical, ongoing effort to improve overall quality of life on the islands.”

More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI Website www.uvi.edu/

UVI School of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service presents Caribbean Healthy Homes Webinar UVI’s School of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service presents “Caribbean Healthy Homes,” a webinar providing homeowners, families and the community with household practices that promote a healthier, safer home environment.

This webinar will be held between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (AST), Thursday, June 24. To register or for additional information, call 693-1086 or email dmorton@uvi.edu.

Public Invited to Use of Farm Inputs in Sustainable Agriculture Practices Webinar Attention all Locals farmers, Mentor Farmers & Outreach Professionals!

The University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service invites you to the “Use of Farm Inputs in Sustainable Agriculture Practices” informational lecture and webinar. Join us, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, online via Zoom with Louis E. Petersen Jr., Ph.D., Agriculture and Natural Resources assistant director STT-STJ and USVI Southern SARE outreach coordinator; Vanessa Forbes, USVI Southern SARE assistant outreach Coordinator; and Amy J. Dreves, Ph.D., Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Education.

For farmers, mentor farmers, agricultural outreach professionals and others interested in learning about identifying appropriate inputs and practices that promote and support sustainable agriculture systems. Topics include sourcing locally available inputs, reduced-risk products, pest prevention tools, low-impact implements, water issues-retention, drainage and efficient use, and the use of seasonal flowering plants.

To register, contact Louis E. Petersen Jr. at 693-1083 or email at louis.petersen@uvi.edu or Vanessa Forbes at 6924092 or email vforbese@uvi.edu

Sign Unveiling Commemorates Renaming of UVI St. Thomas Campus to Orville E. Kean Campus University officials, government leaders and members of the Kean family assembled at the entrance to the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) campus on St. Thomas this afternoon to witness the unveiling of the newly installed sign marking the renaming of the campus to the Orville E. Kean Campus of the University of the Virgin Islands. The event, honoring UVI President Emeritus, Orville E. Kean, Ph.D., who dedicated more than three decades of service to the university, included remarks from Kean, his daughter and UVI alumna, Dr. Catherine Kean, Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and UVI President David Hall.

“President Kean’s leadership and commitment to the university and the territory is worthy of recognition that will allow his name and contributions to be reflected upon by students, faculty, staff and this community for years to come,” said Dr. Hall. “As President of the University, I am very grateful for the contributions of Dr. Kean, and the other presidents that preceded me for creating a strong and vibrant foundation upon which we could continue to build this University into a great university.”

“It is a great honor that no one in my family expected,” said Kean. “I believe the university of the Virgin Islands has surpassed the expectation of the people who created it. It has created more knowledge and more skills than they anticipated.” Apart from his family, Kean noted, “Working at the University of the Virgin Islands and helping to create this difference has been the best thing of my life.”

Kean began his career at the then College of the Virgin Islands as professor of mathematics in 1966. He advanced to vice chair of the Science and Mathematics Division, to dean of instruction, then acting director of the Caribbean Research Institute, executive vice president and director of the Eastern Caribbean Center and acting Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1990, the UVI Board of Trustees appointed Kean to serve as president of UVI. He held the position for 12 years until his retirement in 2002.

More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI Website –  www.uvi.edu/

UVI’s Inclusive Childcare Lab and Diagnostic Center Seeking to Fill Two Teacher Positions UVI’s Inclusive Childcare Lab and Diagnostic Center are seeking to fill two teacher vacancies on the Albert A Sheen Campus on St. Croix.

Successful candidates’ primary responsibility will be teaching and educating students according to the educational needs, abilities and attainment potential of individual students entrusted to his/her care by the center director and/or coordinator.

See this link (Teacher of Inclusive Child Care Center) and (Teacher Assistant of Inclusive Child Care Center) for details for the position, including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

For more information, contact Makeida A. Phillip, coordinator for the Inclusive Child Care Center on St. Croix, by email at makeida.phillip@uvi.edu.

UVI Students Awarded $47K in 13D Entrepreneurship Business Launch Competition Three University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) student entrepreneurs were awarded $47,000 at the annual 13D Entrepreneurship Business Launch Competition held virtually in May providing them with valuable start-up funds to pursue their business ventures. Jessica LaPlace, Christina Lee and Lateefah Evans earned $24,000, $17,000 and $6,000, respectively, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Viya and 13D Research, the namesake sponsor. The 13D Competition is designed to eliminate the obstacle of financing for UVI student entrepreneurs who have great ideas for potentially profitable businesses but no access to start-up capital.

“This year’s competitors overcame incredible odds to successfully compete in this competition,” said Tim Faley, Ph.D., the Kiril Sokoloff Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship at UVI. “The COVID-induced excess demands on student’s time – school, work, family obligations—definitely took its toll on the competitors this year. Our hearty congratulations to all of them!”

In the competition, students present a “Shark Tank”-like pitch before a panel of judges for startup funds. Christina Lee impressed judges with her digital media marketing company, Fall in Love with the Virgin Islands, which proposed digital media devices installed in taxi cabs in the Virgin Islands. The devices showcase the best of the Virgin Islands through informational videos and advertisements that enhance the passenger experience and assist the driver in providing positive and accurate information about the island.

“I decided to enter this competition because of the opportunity for me to be innovative and evoke change in my community,” said Lee, a graduate student in UVI’s Ph.D. program for Creative Leadership for Innovative and Change. “I found the experience of working with Dr. Glenn Metts, professor of management and entrepreneurship, each week to be rewarding because he helped me and other students build upon our visions. I also got to meet and interact with others associated with this program and received valuable advice and guidance.”