GraceKennedy Foundation Awards $1.5 Million in Bursaries to Students

As usual at the start of the school year, the private sector has been generous in its donations to assist needy students. GraceKennedy is, as always, a great corporate citizen year-round – not just for back to school. Here’s a release and some photographs (provided by ProComm) from their presentation to schoolchildren earlier this week.

CONGRATS ASHLEY! : Ashley McPherson (left) is all smiles as she receives her Carlton Alexander Bursary Award from Cathrine Kennedy, Group Chief Risk Officer, GraceKennedy. Mcpherson. who is a repeat recipient. was one of 26 children of GraceKennedy employees who were awarded with bursaries valued at $1.5 million at the presentation ceremony on August 30, 2016 at GraceKennedy’s head office in Kingston.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, AUGUST 30, 2016:

The GraceKennedy Foundation awarded 26 Carlton Alexander Bursaries, valued at a total of $1.5 million, to assist employees across the GraceKennedy Group with their children’s back-to-school expenses for the 2016/2017 academic year. The bursaries were presented to the students during a ceremony at GraceKennedy’s Head offices at 73 Harbour Street on August 30, 2016.

Named in honour of the late Carlton Alexander, former Chairman and Chief Executive of GraceKennedy Limited, the bursaries are given to students attending secondary and tertiary level educational institutions. The bursaries given to students in high school, from grades 7 to 11, are valued at $40,000 each. Students in sixth form receive $60,000 for each of their two years. The bursaries given to students attending tertiary level institutions are valued at $100,000 each.

The bursary awards are given as a means of encouraging academic excellence among the dependents of GraceKennedy staff. The bursaries are highly competitive and candidates for the awards are judged on their academic performance, participation in extra-curricular activities, and leadership potential, among other criteria. Having received an initial bursary through the Foundation, the beneficiaries can continue to receive additional awards throughout their years at school. Mrs. Caroline Mahfood, Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation, pointed out that the process was not automatic as in order to receive a renewal, the student must maintain at least a B average. According to Mrs Mahfood, “The bursary award is a good incentive for students to perform at their best. Most of the recipients work hard at obtaining good grades in order to receive the bursaries each year.” Mrs. Mahfood pointed out that the Carlton Alexander Bursaries exemplified the Group’s “We care” philosophy as tangibly benefiting staff members and their families. “It also demonstrates GraceKennedy’s commitment to using education as a vehicle for nation building,” she added.

There were smiles all around from the 26 recipients of the Carlton Alexander Bursary Awards who along with their parents and GraceKennedy employee gathered at GraceKennedy’s head office in Kingston on August 30 for the awarding of the bursaries. The bursaries, which are being awarded for the 26th year, are valued at a total of $1.5 million and were awarded to the children of employees of the GraceKennedy Group to assist with back-to-school expenses.

 Mrs Grace Burnett, CEO, GraceKennedy Financial Group, who spoke at the ceremony, used the opportunity to recognise the parents of the awardees. In speaking of the contribution of the parents, she said, “All of you are GraceKennedy employees and I thank you for what you do to keep the wheels of the company turning. I also have to commend you for guiding your children along a positive path. I am a parent and so I know that it is a tough job, especially with all our other responsibilities. I also know though, that it is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, especially when you see them succeed like they are doing today.”

The GraceKennedy Foundation actively promotes well-being, primarily by supporting educational and environmental programmes and processes. It was established as a corporate- endowed foundation by Carlton Alexander in 1982 to mark the 60th anniversary of GraceKennedy Limited.

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Contact: Dionne Rhoden
Corporate Communication Officer