The University of the Virgin Islands will receive a gift of $25,000 from Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. at a check presentation at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 23, at the Cruzan Rum headquarters on St. Croix.

Gary C. Nelthropp, president and Chief Executive Officer of Cruzan VIRIL Ltd., will present UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster with the donation to support scholarships at UVI.

"The University of the Virgin Islands continues to be grateful to Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. for the scholarship funds that it provides in support of students attending UVI. These scholarships are an investment in the people and future of the Virgin Islands and the region," Dr. Ragster said. "It would be wonderful if more of our corporate citizens in the territory understood how important their support for higher education is to the economic health of the community. Thank you Cruzan VIRIL Ltd."

Marvin Pickering, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Cruzan VIRIL Ltd., and a proud graduate of UVI's Class of 1985, said UVI has been and continues to be vital in providing higher education experiences for the people of the territory. "Once again we are pleased to be able to make this investment in the future of the Virgin Islands," he said, adding that Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. is honored to provide scholarship support to UVI students. "We look forward to continuing this relationship," Pickering said.

Since 1987 Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. has made annual contributions to UVI. The company has donated more than $500,000 to UVI.