The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE City of Freeport Council, in partnership with The College Of The Bahamas’ northern campus, has established a new scholarship fund to provide financial aid to students pursuing higher education at the college in Grand Bahama.

The fund was officially launched on Wednesday at the council’s office, with an initial contribution of $2,500 by the City of Freeport District Council.

Nevar Smith, deputy chief councillor, is a former alumnus of COB and initially came up with the idea of creating a scholarship fund that would benefit all students, and not just those with 3.0 grade point averages (GPA).

Attending the announcement was Dr Coralee Kelly, associate vice president of the COB northern campus.

Mr Smith said that COB plays a pivotal role in providing tertiary education for Bahamians, and encouraged the private sector to also support the scholarship fund.

“From this ($2,500) seed investment, I envision that this fund will blossom into a six figure fund so it can make a huge impact at the college,” he said.

“For the very first time the City of Freeport Council and COB have come together to form a new scholarship fund to defray the cost of books and all other associated expenses that COB students face in their pursuit of higher education.”

Mr Smith said the fund would make college education more accessible and affordable to anyone needing assistance.

“We know the economic times we now live in… and so this is a ray of hope and light for the entire community,” he said.

Mr Smith is encouraging the wider business community and fellow alumni of COB to support the fund, which is expected to start in January 2016.

“As an alum of COB I feel truly blessed in playing a part in getting this initiative off the ground and to do something to make things better for students that are presently there and those who are to come,” he said.

Dr Kelly thanked the City of Freeport Council for its assistance in establishing a fund to provide financial assistance to students.

“It is so heartwarming when students who went to COB like Mr Smith keep connected to the institution and give back,” she said. “We are delighted that the council has decided to partner with us and to help students (in this way) because the need is so great,” she said.

According to Dr Kelly, many students at the college are denied financial assistance because they do not have BGCSEs or 3.0 GPA, but who have potential to succeed.

“One of the things I discussed with (Mr Smith) in putting together this award was that we needed to have it flexible enough to meet the needs sometimes of those who do not make the GPA,” she said.

“We have seen a student who started from basic upgrading who did not meet BGCSE or BJC component, and who worked hard and became president of COBUS, and valedictorian at graduation, and so we know the power (of education).”

Bianca Stuart, COB Student Union representative, extended appreciation to the council on behalf of students at COB.

“This fund provides the opportunity for students to receive financial assistance so they can continue their college education,” she said.

Chief Councillor Chervita Campbell said the council would also look at the possibility of providing scholarship funds to assist other educational institutions on the island.