MONTEGO BAY, St. James – The Lowell F. Hawthorne Foundation, Inc. has strengthened its partnership with Montego Bay Community College (MBCC) with a commitment of US$8,000 to support student scholarships and equipment for the College’s Culinary Arts programme.
Representatives of the Foundation, including Lorna Hawthorne, Omar Hawthorne, Daren Hawthorne and Erin Campbell-Hawthorne, visited the College on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to formally hand over a cheque and sign the partnership agreement.
MBCC Principal, Dr. Darien Henry, welcomed the partnership, noting that the contribution comes at an important time, as the College continues to strengthen support for students affected by Hurricane Melissa through student welfare initiatives.
“Many of our students were severely impacted by the hurricane. 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 with providing students with the support needed to complete their studies. Furthermore, we are particularly elated that, as part of this agreement, funds will be directed towards the purchase of much-needed equipment for our Culinary Arts Lab, which was significantly affected by Hurricane Melissa,” Dr. Henry said.
The Lowell F. Hawthorne Foundation was established in 2018 in memory of Lowell F. Hawthorne, founder of Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant. The Foundation was created to support higher education and leadership development among Caribbean nationals and individuals of Caribbean descent.
Through its partnership with MBCC, the Foundation has pledged a contribution of US$8,000. Of this amount, US$5,000 will support student scholarships, while US$3,000 will be directed toward equipment for the College’s Culinary Arts programme.
The scholarship component will provide financial assistance to full-time undergraduate students who are Caribbean nationals or of Caribbean descent and are in their final year of study, with preference given to students majoring in Business or Entrepreneurship. Two final-year students will receive the scholarships each year, with each student receiving US$625. The scholarships will be awarded annually to different eligible final-year students over a four-year period.
In a statement, the Foundation said the contribution represents a commitment to investing in the educational advancement and future success 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.”
Meanwhile, MBCC Acting Vice Principal of Academics, Dr. Sonja Madden, stated that this direct partnership will benefit MBCC students tremendously.
“The Foundation’s support comes at a critical time as MBCC continues to enhance its programmes, strengthen student support and pursue opportunities that contribute to the academic and professional development of its students. We thank the Foundation for its continued support to the College,” Dr. Madden said.
The Lowell F. Hawthorne Foundation’s relationship with MBCC extends beyond its financial contribution. Members previously visited the College in 2023, where they toured the Fashion Design Lab and Hospitality Labs and gained firsthand insight into the facilities supporting student learning and skills development.
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Foundation representatives returned to the College to view the impact of the disaster on the campus. Their subsequent contribution underscores their continued commitment to MBCC students and the institution’s efforts to rebuild and strengthen its learning environment.