April 10, 2010

Marvin E. Williams, R.I. P.



UVI Director of Academic Administration Maria Fleming has informed the University community of the passing of Marvin Williams, Associate Professor of UVI's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Williams died quietly on Wednesday, April 7, at his home. Williams joined the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus August 1992 as a visiting faculty member for the academic year. He later rejoined the faculty in 1995 in another visiting capacity and became permanent in 2001. He became the Editor of The Caribbean Writer in 2002. He ended his tenure with the University in September 2008, when he became ill. Further information will be forthcoming.



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I met Marvin a few years ago when I was invited to read at the University of the Virgin Islands. He was a gracious and generous host , and without his expert knowledge of the islands' history,  I would have only seen the tourist version of the Virgin Islands. 

Marvin's tenure with The Caribbean Writer, especially during the early years was important and he and Erika Waters nee Smilowitz have built an important cultural institution that is now under the capable leadership of Opal Palmer Adisa.

Marvin, I know, will be missed by many of us within The Caribbean Writer family and beyond. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

1Love,
Geoffrey

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