Scotiabank Vice President and Country Manager Lawrence Aqui and Marketing Manager Sadie Taylor-Clendinen presented a $20,000 check to the University of the Virgin Islands for UVI scholarships on Oct. 22. The donation brings the total amount of Scotiabank scholarship funding given to UVI to $250,500. The bank made its initial gift to the UVI/United Negro College Fund in 1986.
Following
the check presentation, a newly installed Scotiabank Scholarship
commemorative plaque was unveiled on the University's St. Thomas
campus. The plaque includes the names of 22 UVI students who
received Scotiabank Scholarships, including those of 2012-13
recipients Kimberle Smith, Aquila Dorsey, Rochella Davis and Aliyah
Parris. The new plaque is located at the entrance to UVI's Access
and Enrollment Office in the Administration and Conference Center.
The legend below the bank's logo on the large, walnut plaque reads:
Supporting education throughout the world and providing opportunity
for UVI students.
UVI President Dr. David Hall and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dionne V. Jackson accepted the check on the behalf of the University, along with St. Thomas campus student recipients Smith and Dorsey.
"It's a real pleasure for Scotiabank to make this donation," Aqui told the assembled students, family members and supporters. "This is something that Scotiabank does in all the communities where we do business," he said. "We're represented in 50 countries around the world and its part of our responsibility as a Scotiabanker to give back to the community. That's what we're doing today."
He
also offered his hearty congratulations to this year's Scotiabank
scholarship recipients. St. Croix students Davis and Parris were
not on hand for the presentation. "We know that you will make great
use of the funds and we appreciate that very much," Aqui said.
President Hall thanked Scotiabank for its generosity on the behalf of the University. "It does make a difference," Dr. Hall said. "It's an investment in the best ingredients that we have - that is our students. It's clear that you've been doing it for quite some time and that there are newer students who are benefiting from it. We really are very thankful."
Dr. Hall also said the University looks forward to the relationship continuing "so that we grow even stronger in future years."
Vice President Jackson echoed Dr. Hall's thanks and noted Scotiabank's overall support for all the community. "I have paid attention to what the organization has done, not just for UVI," Jackson said. "Today's gift is a real testament to Scotiabank's commitment to the territory. We are delighted about this continued partnership with Scotiabank; it is not just about the money. I commend Mr. Aqui, Mrs. Clendinen, and the entire Scotiabank team for their philanthropy as well as their community engagement," Jackson said. "We look forward to growing and diversifying Scotiabank's commitment to UVI."
After both students added their thanks, Aquila Dorsey's father, Andre Dorsey, also spoke briefly. "I'd also like to thank the bank for making this contribution for the young people. I'd like to thank the University and that section of the University that handles finding funds for the young people (Office of Institutional Advancement). I really appreciate that."
Scotiabank has served the U.S. Virgin Islands since 1963. It offers a full range of retail banking and selected commercial services through five branches in the territory. Information on Scotiabank is available from Marketing Manager Sadie Taylor-Clendinen at (340) 715-9605 or via e-mail at sadie.clendinen@scotiabank.com.