Maritza Lutchman, a second-year law student at the University of Guyana, has been named the 2023 recipient of the prestigious McGowan Foundation Scholarship.
Maritza Lutchman collecting her award [Photo: McGowan Foundation Scholarship]
FINANCIAL AID OF $1 MILLION
The scholarship comes with a staggering $1 million award. It was presented to Lutchman during the annual scholarship award ceremony and dinner held recently at the Herdmanston Lodge Hotel in Georgetown.
Humbled by the recognition, Lutchman expressed her gratitude to the McGowan family. She vowed to honour the scholarship through hard work and dedication.
My assurance is given to stay dedicated to my obligations and responsibilities, while simultaneously using this experience to motivate and encourage other students who may be faced with feelings of doubt and despair that I’ve once felt. I intend to serve as a testament of what is possible through prayer, faith, and hard work.
She noted that this initiative not only serves as a benefit to her but also to other awardees, families, future generations of leaders, and Guyana as a whole.
It enables us with the tools necessary to venture into the world of academics and make meaningful contributions to the economic development of our communities and country at large. Foundations and initiatives such as this are a beacon of hope and comfort to financially challenged students who are willing to use their knowledge and skills in a meaningful way. It shows that you have faith in what students like myself can achieve if only they are given great opportunities.
Maritza Lutchman (seated centre) holds the award while surrounded by members of the McGowan Foundation Inc.
This aspiring attorney was selected from a competitive pool of applicants. The scholarship seeks individuals who not only excel academically but also demonstrate a strong desire to serve their communities.
As a condition of the award, Lutchman will be required to complete 25 hours of community service. In addition, she will have to maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
SERVICE, COURAGE, AND FELLOWSHIP
During the ceremony, the former President of the McGowan Foundation, Lourdeth Ferguson, emphasised the core values that underpin the foundation’s mission. These values are love, perseverance, honour, faith, scholarship, integrity, service, courage, and fellowship.
Ferguson reminded attendees of trailblazers like Basil, Hulbert, Irma, and Winston, whose legacies of education and service continue to inspire the foundation’s work.
The McGowan Foundation Inc. scholarship is a testament to those who laid the foundation. We are reminded of our forefathers who paved the way in education and service. They were trailblazers, leaving an indelible legacy of faith, love, charity, courage, integrity, and respect.
The scholarship, which began in 2021, is funded through an annual fundraiser and generous donations from family, friends, and supporters.
The current President of the foundation, Melissa Harding, reinforced the importance of education in transforming lives, saying:
The McGowan family is committed to facilitating this transformation one student at a time.
Harding also highlighted the challenge of selecting a single recipient from the many talented UG students who apply each year.
As the foundation gears up for its signature summer scholarship fundraising event, Curry Q, scheduled for August 10. Harding encouraged more students to apply for the 2024 scholarship cycle, which will open shortly after the fundraiser.
As we approach our fourth phase of the scholarship process, The McGowan Foundation, Inc. endeavours to continue to impact the lives of the broader Guyanese community by offering an opportunity for deserving students to attend the University of Guyana.
