The St. Thomas/St. John Chapter of the University of the Virgin Islands Alumni Association recently elected officers to lead the chapter. The officers are as follows: President, Jacqueline Sprauve; Vice President, Pamela Sanes; Treasurer, Helen Hart; Secretary, Michelle Johnson; and St. John Liaison, Joan Thomas. All of the officers are new to their positions except for Thomas who was elected to a second term as the St. John Liaison. Each officer will serve a three-year term.

President Sprauve said that the chapter's main focus for the first year will be to encourage alumni involvement. "I see the need for re-educating alumni about their role to themselves, the institution and the community," she said. The officers will work as a team to get alumni active in on-campus activities and student life. "I see the potential for the chapter, and ultimately the association, to play a big role in the institution and the territory," Sprauve said. She hopes to capitalize on the skills of the several thousand UVI alumni in the St. Thomas/St. John district to bring the chapter to its fullest potential. Sprauve is a retired UVI Alumni Affairs Supervisor and a UVI alumna.

Sprauve replaces long-time chapter president Deanna Rogers who served in that capacity for 12 years. Rogers is currently the alumni representative on the UVI Board of Trustees. Rogers said that the association's greatest milestone was petitioning the senate to allow a member of the Alumni Association to serve as a UVI trustee. Rogers' leadership was also responsible for the reactivation of the association, the annual Alumni Recognition Breakfast, the establishment of the UVI Alumni Endowment Fund and the creation of lifetime memberships to the association. "I am glad that Jackie Sprauve has assumed the helm," Rogers said. She added that she will continue to be an active member of the association.

There are 12 chapters of the UVI Alumni Association in seven countries and seven states and territories. For more information contact Peggy Fahie at 693-1044.