Senator Raphael Warnock to Speak at University of the Virgin Islands Convocation

The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) has announced that Senator Raphael Warnock, the first African American senator from Georgia, will deliver the keynote address at a notable convocation on April 3rd. This event marks a significant moment as it will be the last convocation presided over by UVI President David Hall.

President Hall expressed his enthusiasm about Senator Warnock’s participation, highlighting the senator’s lifelong dedication to promoting equality, social justice, and the importance of education. “Having Senator Warnock as the keynote speaker for my final convocation as president is both an honor and a perfect alignment with our university’s mission. His remarkable career in public service and advocacy embodies the spirit of what we strive to instill in our students: to be critical thinkers and proactive members of society,” Hall stated.

The relationship between Senator Warnock and UVI traces back to 2017 when he invited Dr. Hall to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he served as senior pastor, to receive donations for the university in the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria. This church, renowned as Martin Luther King Jr.’s spiritual home, hosted Senator Warnock’s keynote speech at UVI’s virtual commencement ceremony in 2021, where he was also awarded an honorary doctorate.

The upcoming convocation’s theme, “In Search for the Soul of the Nation,” promises to inspire and motivate attendees to contemplate the vital roles of education and civic engagement. Dr. Hall has expressed a desire to reach a broad audience for this pivotal event, and to ensure accessibility, UVI plans to broadcast the ceremony live on their Facebook page and YouTube channel, inviting community-wide participation.