The College of the Virgin Islands group is grieving the lack of its third president, Dr. Orville E. Kean. Kean’s management reworked the establishment throughout his 12-year tenure from 1990 to 2002.
Dr. Kean handed away lately, leaving a legacy marked by important developments within the college and territory. UVI’s present president, Dr. Safiya George, expressed deep condolences on behalf of the college group, highlighting Dr. Kean’s dedication to schooling and compassionate management. “The College and the territory have misplaced an incredible mental, a person with a heat and beneficiant coronary heart, and a visionary chief,” stated Dr. George, extending her sympathies to Dr. Kean’s household.
From Professor Kean to President Kean
Dr. Orville E. Kean’s contributions to UVI have been pivotal. Below his presidency, the college recovered from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Hugo and Marilyn, implementing important infrastructural enhancements that modernized the establishment. Amongst his most notable achievements have been planning and finishing important capital tasks, together with establishing a analysis and extension heart on St. Croix, new residence halls on each campuses and the extremely regarded Sports activities and Health Heart, inaugurated in 2001.
His progressive imaginative and prescient positioned UVI as a frontrunner in financial growth throughout the Virgin Islands. Notably, he secured legislative approval for the Analysis and Know-how Park, which has attracted almost 70 firms and considerably advantages the native financial system. By means of these initiatives, Dr. Kean paved the way in which for future development and alternatives for UVI college students, together with a beneficiant $5 million donation from entrepreneur Kiril Sokoloff that helped launch an entrepreneurship program.
Dr. Kean started his journey at UVI as a arithmetic professor in 1966 and shortly ascended by way of varied roles. His intensive service was acknowledged when UVI’s St. Thomas campus was renamed the “Dr. Orville E. Kean Campus” in 2021, following laws sponsored by Sen. Myron Jackson.
Plans for commemorative preparations might be introduced quickly. In honor of Dr. Kean, donations may be made to the Orville Kean Endowment.
This text sources data from the College of the Virgin Islands.