June 21, 2008 – Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. will present a check for $25,000 to the University of the Virgin Islands at 1 p.m., on Monday, June 23, at the Cruzan Rum headquarters on St. Croix. Gary C. Nelthropp, president and CEO of the company, will present UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster with the donation to support scholarships at the university.
"The University of the Virgin Islands continues to be grateful to Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. for the scholarship funds that it provides in support of students attending UVI. These scholarships are an investment in the people and future of the Virgin Islands and the region," Ragster said. "It would be wonderful if more of our corporate citizens in the territory understood how important their support for higher education is to the economic health of the community. Thank you, Cruzan VIRIL Ltd."
Marvin Pickering, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Cruzan and a graduate of UVI's Class of 1985, said UVI has been and continues to be vital in providing higher educational experiences for the people of the territory. "Once again, we are pleased to be able to make this investment in the future of the Virgin Islands. We look forward to continuing this relationship," Pickering said.
Since 1987 Cruzan VIRIL Ltd. has made annual contributions to UVI totaling more than $500,000.