September 13, 2006 – Alumni member and South Florida businessman, Philip Wong, will award two students of St. George’s College in Kingston full scholarships during secondary, and through tertiary institutions.

The scholarships to be presented on Friday (Sept. 15) at the College, will assist with covering tuition, books, clothing and food for both students during their tenure at the College and as they continue their tertiary education.

Mr. Wong also made a donation of $1 million (Ja.) to the school’s ongoing development program.

Last year, he made a similar donation to improving the school’s media center, the playing fields and sanitary conveniences at the campus. Also, that donation helped to outfit the schools’ Manning Cup team.

Mr. Wong, in an interview with JIS, said he was grateful to his alma mater for a solid foundation, which even allowed him the opportunity to continue through college. His early education, he said, help molded him to handle the success and challenges of his South Florida business, today.

Through his mentoring efforts, Mr. Wong committed himself to sharing the same opportunities with ambitious students in a less fortunate situation.

The students will also receive lap top computers to assist them in their daily learning programs. He informed us that through this medium, he would also be able to monitor the progress of the scholarship recipients on a regular basis.

Mr. Wong indicated that this donation is a pilot project that he intends to review next year with an aim to make it an annual effort. He expressed a willingness to do at least one scholarship annually.

At the same time, he challenged the Diaspora to become more involved in the welfare of our youth through individual or collaborative efforts as we find solutions and resources to help schools and students in Jamaica.

Through a committee from the school administration, the two scholarship recipients would be selected from a list of several students, the criteria being excellent grades and also needed assistance to complete their secondary education, he added.

Mr. Wong expressed gratitude to the school’s administration in assisting in the selection process.

The South Florida chapter of St. George’s College Alumni Association was started three years ago and has an enrolment of over 100 members. Through fundraising efforts, members have been contributing to the school’s development and to improvement projects at the North Street campus.