The University of the Virgin Islands has published the alumni e-newsletter, "The UVI Alumni Chronicles." This first edition of the quarterly e-newsletter was published in November and is available on the Alumni pages of the UVI website - www.uvi.edu - and from this direct link.
The issue takes a look at how the University has helped to shape the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, through the large number of that nation's residents who have earned degrees from UVI. The segment "Where are they Now," features a photo and asks alumni to identify the former students. Another segment, "Best of the Best," asks alumni to tell the best memory of something experienced as a student. Finally, "Did You Know," provides a tidbit of information that should be useful.
"We are really excited about this newsletter," said UVI Director of Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving Linda I. Smith. "Alumni from the federation were really involved and proud to share stories of themselves as well as other members of the alumni family," she said. Alumni are encouraged to further share their personal experiences or feelings on this exciting issue on the University's official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UVI.edu.
Smith hopes that the publication will serve as a catalyst for reconnecting UVI alumni in time for the institution's Golden Jubilee next year. "The UVI alumni family boasts over 7,645 traditional and 4,500 special alumni. Some traditional alumni are second and third generations," Smith said. Special alumni are students who attended the institution for a minimum of 12 months, who did not graduate, but maintain a special tie or relationship with the institution. UVI will celebrate 50 years of existence in 2012, with celebrations throughout the year. The official launch of the celebration will be a reception on the campuses on St. Thomas and St. Croix, and the St. John Academic Center. One event of particular significance, Smith said, will be the performance of the UVI Golden Jubilee Reunion Choir on March 3, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. It will be history-making reunion of UVI alumni from the Virgin Islands, Eastern Caribbean, British Virgin Islands and parts of the United States. Other Golden Jubilee alumni events will be announced shortly, Smith said.
While the newsletter is designed to be distributed via e-mail, a limited number of copies were printed and mailed to alumni for whom the institution does not have e-mail addresses, Smith said. She urged all UVI alumni to update their contact information, including adding their current e-mail addresses. "As UVI joins the rest of the nation in 'going green' it is our hope that we can reach our alumni in real time, and reduce our carbon footprint by sending them e-mail instead of traditional mail," Smith said.
Smith said her office is always looking at additional ways of reaching alumni. "We hope that this e-newsletter serves as a precursor to a larger alumni magazine," Smith said. "I'm always passionate about connecting with alumni and sharing their success stories. It shows institutional pride."
UVI alumni may reach Smith by calling (340)-692-4023 or sending e-mail to lsmith@uvi.edu.