University of the Virgin Islands Closed for Carnival Friday on May 3 The University of the Virgin Islands will be closed in observance of the Carnival Children’s Parade on Friday, May 3.
Classes and administrative offices will reopen on their regular schedules on Monday, May 6.
The University of the Virgin Islands to Hold Nurse Pinning Ceremony The University of the Virgin Islands will celebrate its Nurse Pinning Ceremony at 4 p.m., Monday, May 6, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix in the Great Hall and at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, in the LaVerne E. Ragster Administration and Conference Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas.
The nursing pinning ceremony is a symbolic event for nursing students as it marks the hard work and dedication of their coursework and clinical rotations. Each student receives a traditional nursing pin that marks their transition from a student to a professional nurse.
Nursing integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion and optimization of health and human functioning while keeping one from the prevention of illness and injury and facilitating healing and staggering through compassionate presence.
At the ceremony, students take a sacred oath of commitment – the Florence Nightingale Pledge. The community, family and friends are invited to attend this auspicious occasion.
UVI Celebrates its 60th Commencement Ceremonies The University of the Virgin Islands 60th Commencement Exercises will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 9, in the Eldridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas and at 1 p.m., Friday, May 10, on the grounds of the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix.
The event’s keynote speaker will be former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who previously served as senior advisor and director of the White House Office of Engagement. Lance Bottoms’ unique background includes serving in all three branches of government: as a judge, city councilmember and mayor marking a first in Atlanta’s history. Her administration was marked by significant achievements in enhancing Atlanta’s resilience and economic growth despite the economic downturn during the pandemic era.
The university will also bestow an honorary doctorate on Theron Thomas and Timothy Thomas, siblings and recording industry celebrities known professionally as “Rock City,” for their contributions to music with Caribbean influences, hip hop, rap and R&B. The St. Thomas natives topped the charts in 2015 with their debut album, “What Dreams Are Made Of,” which catapulted them into the spotlight.
Caroline Fawkes, Supervisor of the Virgin Islands Election System, will also be presented with an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters degree, honoring her trailblazing accomplishments as an aviator and the role she plays as a mentor and inspiration to the Tterritory’s youth. The St. Croix native made history as the first female pilot of the U.S. Army’s C23 Sherpa airplane and the first female state aviation officer in the Army National Guard.
Admission to the commencement exercises on both campuses is by ticket only.
