UVI representatives to the 2004 HBCU Substance Abuse Conference are, from left, Dr. Agatha Nelson and students Raymond Huntt, Tameka Browne, Gaetan Gentius, Samantha D. Fox and Dionne Williams. Dr. Doris Battiste was not present for photo.

Five students from the University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas Campus are participating in the Sixth Annual Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell HBCU Substance Abuse Conference on March 30 to April 2, in Baltimore, Maryland. The students along with one faculty member were awarded all expense paid for travel and attendance at the conference.

The students who were selected are: Gaetan Gentius - freshman, biology major; Raymond Huntt - freshman, engineering major who is also a UVI Peer Health Educator; Tameka Browne - sophomore, nursing major who is also a UVI Peer Health Educator; Dionne Williams - sophomore, nursing major; and Samantha D. Fox - junior, psychology major who is also a UVI Peer Activities Leader.

Faculty member and Psychology Professor Dr. Agatha Nelson, and Dr. Doris Battiste, Associate Chancellor of the St. Thomas Campus and member of the National HBCU Substance Abuse Consortium, will be accompanying the students.

The Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell HBCU Substance Abuse Conference will focus on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention issues that are impacting African Americans and other minority groups. Participants will be informed and educated by various representatives from HBCU and faith-based institutions, prevention organizations, and local, state and federal government agencies from various states and countries.

The conference was established in honor of the late psychotherapist, educator, administrator and policy advisor Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell worked in areas of substance abuse, community mental health, human services, youth problems, anti-poverty and career development. He also helped to establish the National Consortium for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

For more information on the Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell HBCU Substance Abuse Conference visit this Web site: http://www.drlonnieemitchell.com