The University of the Virgin Islands formally dedicated the "Neil Weiss Education
and Seminar Suite" named in honor of Neil Weiss, who donated $250,000 toward the construction
of the institution's newest student resident facility - West Hall. Weiss, a career
entrepreneur and business man, owned and operated several successful businesses in
the territory. The "Neil Weiss Education and Seminar Suite" is a state-of-the-art
learning suite located directly in a residence hall - a first-time manifestation at
UVI. The suite is equipped with seating for 40, video conference technology connecting
to St. Croix and St. John, high definition projectors, microphones and speakers.
At a ceremony held in West Hall on Nov. 13, UVI President Dr. David Hall thanked Weiss
for his donation, and said that the seminar suite will serve as a model at UVI. "Part
of our mission is to provide the best learning environments for our students," Dr.
Hall said, noting the suite's cutting-edge technology. "This is the type of technology
we want to see in all of our classrooms," Dr. Hall continued. "Your gift Mr. Weiss,
allows us to embrace that standard, not just in our hopes or in our minds, but in
reality," Dr. Hall added. "This is a step towards our pathways to greatness."
After unveiling a plaque at the suite's entrance, Weiss said he supports education
because of its power to level the playing field for everyone. "It has been my contention
that only through education can we achieve equality," Weiss said. During his remarks,
Weiss announced plans to make yet another gift to UVI through his Neil Weiss Foundation.
Weiss said that it is excellent teachers who make a difference in student-learning
and turn good institutions into great institutions. He said his foundation will donate
$10,000 per year to the UVI professor whose students have the highest average.
UVI's Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne V. Jackson thanked Weiss
for his generosity, noting that he joins the ranks of philanthropist who have given
substantially to UVI, such as Henry Reichhold and Kiril Sokoloff.
For more information about making a gift to UVI, call Dionne V. Jackson at (340) 693-1040.
