MBCC students gain new support through Hawthorne Foundation grant

WESTERN BUREAU:

Students at Montego Bay Community College (MBCC) in St James, including those disadvantaged by the destructive impact of Hurricane Melissa, can now apply for scholarship support, thanks to the Lowell F. Hawthorne Foundation.

At a signing ceremony at MBCC on September 10, which formalised a partnership between the two institutions, the foundation committed US$8,000 to the college. Of that amount, US$5,000 will fund student scholarships annually over four years. The scholarships will be awarded to two final-year business or entrepreneurship students who are Caribbean nationals or of Caribbean descent.

The remaining US$3,000 will be used to purchase equipment for MBCC’s culinary arts programme.

Responding to the foundation’s contribution, MBCC Student Council President Mikhalia Mason expressed gratitude for the scholarships, saying they would help ease students’ financial burdens.

“Financial challenges can sometimes create additional obstacles for students, and this support will help to ease some of those challenges, while encouraging students to remain focused on their academic goals,” she said. “We are grateful for the foundation’s commitment to our development and look forward to seeing this partnership create even more opportunities for students in the years ahead.”

Lorna Hawthorne, chairman and president of the Lowell F.Hawthorne Foundation’s Board of Directors, said the contribution underscored the foundation’s commitment to investing in the educational development of MBCC students.

“This contribution represents an investment in the future of our students. It removes barriers, creates opportunities, and strengthens our ability to provide the quality education our students deserve. We are truly grateful for this meaningful partnership,” said Hawthorne.

“The foundation’s board believes that a student’s circumstances should not determine the limits of their future. Partnering with the MBCC gives the foundation a meaningful way to invest in students and the opportunities ahead of them,” continued Hawthorne. “Hurricane Melissa reinforced the importance of showing up for the community, but the reason for this partnership reaches further, as we believe in what MBCC students can accomplish when they have support.”

Meanwhile, MBCC Principal Dr Darien Henry said the foundation’s contribution had come at a crucial time, as the college had been carrying out student welfare initiatives to assist those adversely affected by Hurricane Melissa last year.

“Many of our students were severely impacted by the hurricane, and almost a year on, we are still in the recovery phase. We are truly grateful for this donation, as it will go a long way in providing students with the support needed to complete their studies,” said Henry.

“We are particularly pleased that, as part of this agreement, funds will be directed towards the purchase of much-needed equipment for our culinary arts laboratory, which was significantly affected by Hurricane Melissa,” he added.

The Lowell F. Hawthorne Foundation was established in 2018 in memory of Lowell F. Hawthorne, founder of Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant, to support higher education and leadership development among Caribbean nationals and people of Caribbean descent.

christopher.thomas@gleanjerm.com