The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) will mark the historic inauguration of its sixth President Dr. Safiya George with a series of events culminating with the official Investiture Ceremony on Monday, March 17, at 10 a.m. in the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas. As part of the inauguration celebration, UVI will commemorate the 63rd anniversary of its charter when the University was formed by an act of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in 1962.
“I am honored to have the privilege of leading the University of the Virgin Islands, an institution that has been so central to the growth and prosperity of the people of the Virgin Islands for more than half a century,” said Dr. Safiya George, the University’s first alumna president. “I am grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from the community and from my team as we work together to take UVI to even greater heights and fulfill our important mission of improving the social and economic wellbeing of Virgin Islanders.”
The inauguration schedule includes events on both St. Thomas and St. Croix, many of which are open to the public. The community is encouraged to visit the Inauguration Celebration webpage for the most up-to-date schedule of events. Listed by date, events include:
Friday, March 14, 2025
63rd Charter Day Ceremony & Campus Social
The official Charter Day Ceremony and a Crucian Breakfast Celebration will take place at 10 a.m. at the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. This is open to the UVI Community and by special invitation to members of the public.
Inauguration Celebration Concert & Fundraiser
Hosted by the Reichhold Center for the Arts, the musical concert will take place at
7 p.m. in the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus,
St. Thomas. It is open to the public. Ticket information will be announced.
Saturday, March 15, 2025
President's Pickleball Social
President Safiya George will host a tournament and social at 8:30 a.m. on St. Thomas.
Location and details will be announced.
Alumni & Friends Luncheon
President Safiya George welcomes UVI alumni and friends of the University to a luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. at the Biomedical Research and Training Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus, St. Thomas. By invitation only.
Annual Charter Day Concert
Hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Communication and Performing
Arts Department, the musical concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Prior Jollek
Hall on the Antilles School Campus, St. Thomas. Ticket information to be announced.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Afternoon on the Green
UVI’s annual “friendraiser” features family fun, food and entertainment from noon to 5 p.m. on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course on the Orville E. Kean Campus, St. Thomas. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Edward Thomas Volunteer Scholarship Fund. Open to the public. For more information visit https://aog.uvi.edu.
Monday, March 17, 2025
Investiture Ceremony
The formal ceremony officially welcomes Dr. Safiya George as president of the University
of the Virgin Islands. The event will take place at 10 a.m. at the Elridge W. Blake
Sports and Fitness Center on the Orville E. Kean Campus, St. Thomas. The event will
be live-streamed with a watch party in the Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus
on St. Croix. The event on St. Thomas is open to the public with advance registration
required. The live stream can be viewed on UVI’s social media channels.
For more information, visit the Inauguration Celebration webpage.
For media inquiries, contact pr@uvi.edu.
