(ZIZ News) — As the University of the Virgin Islands celebrates its emerald anniversary, it is undertaking a new initiative: “55 for 55: The Great Alumni Challenge!” which encourages UVI alumni to achieve a 55 percent alumni giving rate.
This is being done in honour of the institution’s 55th anniversary.
Locally alumni are also being encouraged to donate towards academic scholarships for any local individual who is attending or is interested in enrolling at the University.
ZIZ News spoke with president of the UVI Alumni Association St. Kitts Chapter, St. Clair Hodge who outlined how persons can donate to the institution.
“We have several different options. The easiest and most popular is online. We have a link via uvi.edu, where you can give using credit or debit card and make a donation. This donation is then housed by the university and once the process is completed sometime in September it will be governed by the institutional advancement where they will select the individuals who will be awarded the scholarship,” he said.
Hodge explained how the recipients of the scholarships will be chosen.
“The process would be pretty simple. You write an essay, you will be reviewed, not necessarily by us alone here in St. Kitts but it will be overseen by us in St. Kitts and the selection process will take its course,” he explained.
He said this year there is an additional incentive for alumni who donate 55 US dollars or more.
“Being that its 55 years. Any alumni who donates 55 US dollars or more to the scholarship fund or to UVI is eligible to win a trip for 2 to Washington DC and tickets to the new Smithsonian Museum so that’s a weekend trip to Washington DC, all expenses paid. It’s a little bit of impetus for us to give a little bit more of course we’ll take the dollar or five dollars as we are happy for the contribution but to qualify for the promotion its 55 dollars or more,” he said.
According to Hodge, donations will be accepted until September 2017.
Upon completion of the donation process, persons will be invited to apply for the scholarships which will be awarded shortly thereafter.