UVI Inauguration Week 2003 Activities

Text - Inaugural Address

Dr. LaVerne Erina Ragster

President of the University of the Virgin Islands

The following is the text of the address Dr. Ragster presented during her inauguration.

There are many signs that our immediate future as a country and territory will be negatively impacted by armed conflict, loss of lives, tension and uncertainty. However, it is important to focus on the actions and attitudes that will improve any future ahead of us. I believe, that despite our many challenges as a community, we are blessed, extremely fortunate and should be very grateful that we live where we can hear the sounds of waves splashing against the shoreline, the calls of boobies and terns, the swishing of the leaves of the gri-gri and thibet trees, smell fresh ocean air, feel the cool touch of the trade winds and listen to the sounds of conversation and laughter from men and women taking a morning sea-soak. Thank you all for being here to share in this extraordinary moment in the history of the University of the Virgin Islands. Your presence makes what could be a fairly common academic ritual a rich family and community experience.

Good evening and a warm welcome to the Honorable Governor of the USVI and Faculty Emeritus, Dr. Charles W. Turnbull, Delegate to Congress Donna Christiansen, Congressman James Clyburn, President of the Legislature Senator David Jones and members of the 25th Legislature, Territorial Court Judge Audrey Thomas (my classmate) and members of the Judiciary, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Auguste Rimpel and members of the UVI Board of Trustees, President Emeritus Dr. Orville Kean, members of the Cabinet, distinguished platform guests, dedicated faculty, valued students and alumni, my precious family and friends, delegates from the national and regional institutions, ladies and gentlemen - good evening.

My journey to this place in my life and to this extraordinary moment requires me to humbly say thank you to the spiritual power that is greater than all of us and that has been wonderful to me though the good and hard times. I must express my heartfelt gratitude and great joy for a very special person in my life. The mind I respect and enjoy engaging, the shoulders I lean on for support and the arms I run to for solace and love belong to a remarkable and amazing man - my life partner, best friend and husband - Lloyd Gardner.

With respect for our African heritage, I pour a libation for those that have come before in gratitude for all they have left behind and done for us. Ashe. I must give special honor and appreciation to my parents Agatha Eugenie Oliver Ragster and Albert Ragster Sr. Although they are no longer in this world, their love of learning, understanding of the value of education and demonstration of the power of compassion and caring will always be inspirational to me. A heartfelt thank you goes to the members of my family, the Oliver clan, for the love, acceptance and support they provide in remarkable ways. I believe E. Benjamin Oliver, the great educator, would be very pleased with the way that the Ebbesen, O'Bryan, Oliver, Ragster and Ross families carry on his legacy. A special extra warm thank you is necessary for my sister Eva Ragster Lans who is my inspiration for a caring and compassionate human being.

I am here today, beginning a new chapter in my career and life, because I was fortunate enough to have my life touched and changed by a lot of friends, mentors and colleagues. To you all, I say thank you a thousand times over for your kindness and support.

At this time of acknowledgement of another stage of the evolution and maturation of UVI, it is appropriate to remember that the story of our University is a compelling and heartwarming one. The Univeristy's existence is due to groups of people over the last 50 years understanding the value of higher education to the development of individuals and the community. We are here because some people had the courage to dream of a better future for the Territory and had the confidence and faith in the people of the US Virgin Islands and the rest of the Caribbean to use education as a means of securing more control over their collective destiny. Former Governor Ralph Paiewonsky was one of the leaders in the initiation of this bold dream, but he had the support and assistance of a number of people in this audience and our community today, including our present Governor, Dr. Charles Turnbull. The establishment and subsequent development of the College and later the University of the Virgin Islands required collaboration and cooperation from numerous institutions and groups of people; innovative thinking was necessary to overcome many obstacles to success; constant focus on quality in academic and other programs remained a mandate, and a clear understanding of the value of the institution to the lives of the people in the Virgin Islands was essential. These values are interwoven in the history and outcomes of our institution.

Over the last 41 years, faculty students, staff, administrators and Trustees have worked together and with the community to overcome the challenges of growth, the physical, social and financial trauma of natural disasters, and the dampening effects of negativity and economic downturns. Our determination to succeed, a relentless quest for excellence, and resilience in the face of adversity and change are seen in the many documented and undocumented stories that make up our history.

These stories indicate that innovation has been a major tool for overcoming shortages in resources at the University over the years. The first van to support the field activities of the marine biology program in the Division of Science and Mathematics on the St. Thomas Campus was purchased in the early 1980s with funds raised through the efforts of students, faculty, staff and community members. One fundraising activity involved a group of students, faculty and staff collecting pledges for the 16 miles completed walking from UVI to Coki Point Beach and back. The Library Security System for the St. Croix Campus was purchased with funds raised by students who understood the vital need to protect information resources for their educational development.

Most people who know the institution are aware that faculty and staff demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the students and their programs. After every hurricane or storm over the last 13 years, despite lost homes, personal injuries, displaced familes, damages to cars and property, faculty and staff at UVI helped to restore the campuses, reassure students and complete the disrupted semesters in such a manner that our students did not have defficiences in their learning experience. Innovation, teamwork based on collaboration and cooperation, and dedication to the mission helped us to continue to graduate students every year despite the many challenges.

It is always heartwarming to remember that the story of UVI includes many versions of students and their families making sacrifices to attain an education and of faculty assisting students to be successful in the learning process and in life. Such educational attainment has led to a positive development in the growth of the middle class in the Territory and in the rest of the Caribbean where a number of alumni reside. UVI can boast of having had the privilege to educate and further the careers of a number of families. The Stout/Hodge/Callwood/Davis family counts at least 30 members, spanning 5 generations, who have been a part of UVI. I ask the faculty to please stand and be recognized for your dedication and contributions to the University fulfilling its mission.

Outstanding achievement is also evident in the stories of outreach and research programs and their stories always involve partners. Collaborations with the public and private sectors have resulted in capacity building that supports social and economic development in the Territory and other commuities in the world as far away and Nepal and Guam. We are very proud that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could begin recovery efforts in the Territory after hurricanes using the geographic information system maps and data available through the Conservation Data Center in our Eastern Caribbean Center. The Territory was able to develop a marine park management plan through a collaborative effort between the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the Research and Public Service area of the University. Yes, there are many stories that say the dream of the founders of UVI was a brilliant one - we indeed make a difference in the community.

One of the greatest demonstrations of the difference that the University of the Virgin Islands makes is in the thousands of stories created, recreated and enhanced every day by our alumni. We are very proud that our two Rhodes scholars, a premier, numerous lawyers, thriving entrepreneurs, corporate and government executives, dedicated teachers, nurses, professors, pilots and a myriad of other caring and competent professionals are critical and contributing members of communities in the Caribbean and the world – making a difference. (Ask alumni present to stand to be recognized). To the current and future UVI students I hope you will see possibilities and inspiration in the educational and career journeys of our alumni. They are wonderful examples of the benefits of higher education, and specifically of obtaining a degree at UVI.

Every success story at UVI involves people working together and being positive about what can be gained by the people and institutions of the Territory through our academic programs, research and community outreach efforts. I know that we are at a point in our history where we can see the maturation of the institution and realization of its potential in community development because of the dreams, dedication and commitment of a lot of people. It is a privilege and a pleasure to say thank you to the three former presidents of the University, Drs. Wanlass, Richards and Kean, for their courage and leadership. To my predecessor, mentor and friend, Dr. Orville Kean, I extend a special thank you. The Board of Trustees presently chaired by Dr. Auguste Rimpel, has been responsible and caring in its role of oversight for the University. The Board provided a buttress and guide for the University through many difficult times and we are appreciative of their contributions to our success. Governor Turnbull has also demonstrated his understanding of the value of higher education to the development of the people of the VI through his strong support of the University over the last 4 and a half years. Thank you Governor. I know that we can count on you and your Cabinet to continue to work with the University as we advance the social and economic transformation of the Territory to meet the demands of this century.

We must also express our gratitude for the assistance and cooperation received from Delegate Christiansen and from the Legislature. I hope you will continue to seek opportunities for UVI to work with you to provide the VI Community with the information and skills it needs to continue its development in these difficult times.

We are grateful to the many Virgin Islanders who have served on our foundation boards and advisory committees and councils. Students and programs at the University have benefited from your advice, skills, financial support, contacts and commitment to the mission of the institution. Thank you, we know that your time is valuable.

It would not be possible to fulfill the mission of the university if we did not have competent, professional faculty who cared about providing a quality learning experience for our students and helping them to be successful in life. I thank the faculty and the staff for their dedication and frequent demonstrations of creativity in the face of fiscal resource constraints. I reiterate my pledge to work with the Board of Trustees, our vice president for Institutional Advancement and other members of the Cabinet to diversify and improve our revenue generation streams in support of the important work of building the intellectual capital of the USVI and the rest of the Caribbean region. In other words, we intend to leverage more dollars and support for quality faculty, staff and programs to produce graduates and other outcomes for a more highly skilled and economically sound Virgin Islands and Caribbean.

My pledge will not be realized if the University is not able to continue to build local, regional and national support for its programs and vision. We have made it to this point because many of you in the USVI Community have recognized the value of UVI and have supported our efforts in various ways. Thank you very much - you have made a difference to this community through your contributions. One of my goals is to have many more people in our community and the region realize that we are an institution of place that understands its role in the social and economic development of the Territory and the region, and, that their support for this institution advances the positive development of the Territory and the region.

Consequently, UVI, as it moves into its fifth decade of existence, must address the demands that go beyond the traditional portfolio and resources of a comprehensive university. We must stay focused on the mission of the institution, on excellence in service and programs, and on the implementation of strategic objectives that will promote sustainability, especially in the face of demands (and need) from many sectors and insufficient resources to meet the demands. The men and women who have agreed to help me to take on these challenges at the executive level are an extremely well qualified, dedicated group of professionals –a wonderful team. I have great confidence in them and truly appreciate their willingness to serve the University and the people of the USVI in these critical times. Thank you Provost Gwen Moolenaar, , Acting Vice President for Administration and Finance, Vincent Samuel, Chancellors, Jennifer Jackson and John Leipzig, Chief Information Officer, Susan Anderson , Vice Provost for Research and Public Service, Henry Smith, Interim Executive Director for the Research and Technology Park, Malcolm Kirwan, and Special Assistant to the President, Deborah Fontaine.

Governor Turnbull, Dr. Rimpel, ladies and gentlemen – I believe it is important to share the direction and strategy of the University as we move forward. The next stage of the transformation of the University into a responsive, excellent community partner and provider of academic, research and outreach programs will be guided by our current Strategic Plan and a soon to be approved 10-year Master Plan for the campuses. These planning documents put UVI in the group of progressive institutions who are seeking a high level of productivity and effectiveness in a changing higher education environment.

Our mission to develop the intellectual capital of the US Virgin Islands and the rest of the Caribbean through an integrated program in instruction, research and public service will be expressed by the realization of a powerful vision that designates the University of the Virgin Islands as a facilitator of social and economic transformation in the Territory and as a model of excellence in collaboration and service. The Strategic Plan requires us to focus programs and efforts on community engagement and on the approaches and actions that will ensure the existence and growth of the University into the future. We aim for sustainable development.

The goals we have set for the University evolve from an acknowledgement of the following environmental conditions:

(a) Increased competition from other higher education institutions and distance learning,

(b) The necessity to integrate today's technology, the Internet and future technology into all areas of the University,

(c) Decreasing public funding in light of the rising costs of education,

(d) The importance of the role of higher education institutions in the economic development of communities they serve.

In order to address these and other challenges, over the next five years UVI will:

1. Ensure that all academic, research and outreach programs are aligned with the vision, and therefore, support the social and economic development of the Territory.

2. Build a more diversified financial base, balancing operating funding needs against long-term financial requirements.

- Increase sponsored programs awards to $15 million per year.

- Increase traditional enrollment to 3000 students

- Initiate in-kind and direct revenues from the UVI Research and Technology Park

- Build a more qualified workforce through training courses, certificate programs and other offerings to serve 500-1000 students per year.

- Increase the endowment by $2 million

- Conduct a successful capital campaign and increase private gifts and donations to $900,000 per year

- Increase government appropriations by 15%

- Develop new revenue sources

3. Increase and strengthen collaborative agreements with government agencies, the private sector and higher education institutions on the US mainland and the Eastern Caribbean for academic and research programs, technical assistance and revenue generation.

4. Serve as a facilitator of dialogs necessary to advance and resolve community issues through sponsored research, forums and investigations, beginning with the issues of political status and a VI constitution, education system reform and the role of agriculture in the VI economy.

5. Provide high quality instructional programs and student services.

- Obtain funding for 3 endowed faculty chairs – science, business and communications

- Ensure faculty development

- Integrate technology and hands-on experiences in learning

- Maintain accreditation status with Middle States Association

6. Establish the VI Technology and Education Center as a part of Phase I of the Research and Technology Park. This will provide a space and increased opportunity for the development of a range of technology skills for members of our VI community and help to build the necessary workforce for the Research and Technology Park.

7. Realize phase one of the Master Plan, which will include among other actions completion of new student dining facilities and centralization of university administration in the Harvey Center on St. Thomas and infrastructure improvements and expansion of research and training facilities on St. Croix in conjunction with signage and image enhancements on both campuses.

Fellow Virgin Islanders and visitors, I believe most of us would agree with Clif Wharton's words at the last National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) meeting when he said:

"Education has always been the key- the key for personal intellectual growth, the key for greater individual opportunity, the key for increasing economic productivity, the key for greater economic growth and human progress." In these times of uncertainty and serious challenges I ask you to remember that the University of the Virgin Islands will continue to transform itself into an excellent example of a steward of place, an institution of place. According to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) this means we are committing the institution to direct, two-way interaction with USVI public and private sectors through the development, exchange and application of knowledge, information and expertise for mutual benefit. It is my sincere hope that very soon this community and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean will have no doubts about the value and role of UVI in social and economic development and it will be obvious that we specialize in futures. The futures of our students and that of this community need a strong UVI and your support of this institution. I close with an invitation on behalf of the Board, faculty and staff of the University of the Virgin Islands to join us as we collectively shape all of our futures.

Thank you.