UVI The monthly newsletter of The University of the Virgin Islands February 25, 2003 vol. ix, number 2 In an enchanting evening of pageantry, Alba Harrigan was crowned Miss University of the Virgin Is- lands on Saturday, February 15, at the Island Center on St. Croix. Harrigan, a sophomore psychology major attending UVI’s St. Thomas campus, also won the titles of “Miss Congeniality,” “Best Ambas- sadorial Presentation,” “Best Talent,” “Best Evening Wear” and “Miss Intellect.” The first runner up was Demelza Lawrence. The second runner up was Michael Lake, who was also Feb. 26 VIMAS Seminar, STT March 9 Afternoon on the Green, STT March 12 Public Forum, STT, STX March 14 Faculty Colloquia, STT, STX March 15 Cultural Extravaganza, STT March 16 Presidential Inauguration, STT March 24-26 Volleyball Tournament, STT Harrigan Wins Miss UVI Title The University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service (CES), which each year organizes UVI’s par- ticipation in the USVI Agricultural and Food Fair on St. Croix, has co-spon- sored the event since its inception. So it was a great honor when one of UVI’s own was given one of the fair’s top awards — farmer of the year. Aberra Bulbulla, a research analyst at UVI’s Agricultural Experiment Station, was named Produce Farmer of the Year at the official opening ceremony of the 32nd annual Agricultural and Food Fair on February 15. Bulbulla, who has been farming for eight years, said he felt “great” about winning the award. At his four-acre farm in Mountain Estate, Bulbulla grows 30 different va- rieties of fruit trees and plants. “I still want to plant more, but I’m running out of space,” Bulbulla said. Alba Harrigan Miss UVI 2003-2004 named “Miss Photogenic.” Keischa Brooks, the third runner up, was named “Miss Popularity.” This year marked the first time that the competition was held on St. Croix. UVI Employee Named Farmer of the Year   Aberra Bulbulla, a research analyst at UVI’s Agri- cultural Experiment Station on the St. Croix cam- pus, was named Produce Farmer of the Year at the 32nd annual USVI Agricultural and Food Fair. Agriculture on St. Croix, if de- veloped properly, could boost the eco- nomic situation on that island and lessen the territory’s need for im- ported produce, Bulbulla said. He is looking forward to the next two years when his farm will be in full produc- tion and he will be able to “harvest every day all year round.” Some of UVI’s many offerings were showcased, including many dis- plays from the Research and Public Service component, like crops and ani- mals from the Agricultural Experiment Station, literature on the Small Busi- ness Development Center and books from the Research Publications Unit. Also on hand were representatives from Health Services who provided various health screenings and a rep- resentative from Recruitment and Ad- missions who provided information and literature to potential students.   2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu   is a production of the UVI Public Relations Office. Contact us by telephone at (340) 693-1056 FAX: (340) 693-1055 GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu Financial Aid Office Opens Resource Centers The University of the Virgin Islands Financial Aid Office held its first annual Financial Aid Awareness initiative from February 3-7 on both campuses. The week of activities be- gan with the grand opening of the Financial Aid Resource Centers, which are equipped with computers providing internet access for students to electronically apply for financial aid. Students who do not have access to the internet may visit the resource center on the St. Thomas campus on the second floor of Roupe House or on the St. Croix campus in the Fi- nancial Aid office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the resource cen- ters students may fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), make corrections to their applications, check on the status of their applications and conduct scholar- ship searches. UVI’s Director of Financial Aid Mavis Gilchrist explained that the U.S. Department of Education is promoting electronic processing in hopes of totally phasing out paper processing within the next few years. “Everything we do with the U.S. Department of Education is electronic and they’re trying to filter it down to the students,” Gilchrist said. Ardrina Scott-Elliott, financial aid supervisor on the St. Thomas campus, said that responses to electronic processing are more immediate than paper processing. When the FAFSA is completed and signed electronically students can expect a response in three to five working days, as compared to the four weeks paper processing takes, she said. To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid log on to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students may also search for financial aid information by logging on to www.studentaid.ed.gov and click on funding. For more infor- mation call the Financial Aid Office at 693-1090 or 692- 4193. Dr. LaVerne Ragster will be installed as the fourth president of the University of the Virgin Islands on Sunday, March 16, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts on the St. Thomas campus. There will be a week of events leading up to the installa- tion, beginning with Afternoon on the Green on Sunday, March 9, on the St. Thomas campus golf course. For a complete list of in- augural activities log on to the UVI Inaugural Web Page at www.uvi.edu or directly at http://www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/inaugural/index.html. Presidential Installation Scheduled for March 16 President LaVerne Ragster UVI Student Jacob Hood navigates the Federal Student Aid website with help from Financial Aid Administrative As- sistant Mary Myers at the opening of the Financial Aid Re- source Center on the St. Thomas cam- pus.