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Mico grads gift $1.2m in scholarships

Published:Saturday | December 4, 2021 | 12:07 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
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Nola Phillpotts-Brown (second right), chairperson of the Mico Old Students Batch 146, presents a symbolic cheque for $1.2 million in scholarships to (from left) Mico University College President Dr Asburn Pinnock; student Donice Gardener; and Sharon Wolfe,
Rudolph Brown/Photographer
Nola Phillpotts-Brown (second right), chairperson of the Mico Old Students Batch 146, presents a symbolic cheque for $1.2 million in scholarships to (from left) Mico University College President Dr Asburn Pinnock; student Donice Gardener; and Sharon Wolfe, director of alumni and development at Mico, at the Marescaux Road-based institution on Thursday. The donation will help 12 students cover school fees and other expenses.
Beneficiary Ray-Jay Thompson said that the funds were well appreciated.
Rudolph Brown/Photographer
Beneficiary Ray-Jay Thompson said that the funds were well appreciated.
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Twelve aspiring educators at The Mico University College in St Andrew were on Thursday awarded a total of $1.2 million by past students from Batch 146, the institution’s graduating class of 1984.

“They, graduates who left her 41 years ago, have been coming back since last year to give back to the college and to do it in terms of student scholarships. Last year, they sponsored partial scholarship for 10 students at the tune of $1 million. This year, they’ve upped it ... . We really appreciate that,” Mico President Dr Asburn Pinnock told The Gleaner.

The donation will help to cover school fees and other immediate expenses for the academic year 2021-2022.

Nola Phillpotts-Brown, chairperson of Batch 146, said the group was aware of the challenges and hardships that college students continue to experience, especially in light of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and so decided to make a donation for a second year.

“Batch 146 wants to give back to The Mico. Our batch went into high gear when we heard how the need is increasing. There was a drive with batch members all across the world with 99-strong persons. We decided that we must raise the funds that students this year can [again] benefit from scholarships,” she briefly said.

While $100,000 may seem like a drop in the bucket for some, one of the beneficiaries, Ray-Jay Thompson, said that the funds were well appreciated.

“Being the recipient of the Batch 146’s scholarship is a big moment. With this scholarship, I’ll [be able to] focus on my studies for this semester. I will be here to continue and get my extremely high grades and increase my GPA,” he said.

Another awardee, Donice Gardener, was equally grateful.

“I was so thrilled to learn of my selection and I’m deeply appreciative. The financial assistance you have provided will be of great help to both my grandmother and I in paying for my educational expenses for this semester,” she said, adding, “My grandmother works every day as a domestic helper to help pay for my education.”

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com