From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Tennessee couple create scholarship for Bahamian students to attend MTSU
By Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Jan 21, 2015 - 1:11:41 PM
Middle Tennessee State University President, Dr. Sidney A. McPhee announces the pledge of $600,000 in scholarships for students from L.N. Coakley High School in Exuma. Pictured l-r: Mr. Michael Cartwright, Donor of Scholarship Money, Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology and Dr. Sidney McPhee (Photo by Andrew Oppmann).
|
GREAT
EXUMA, Bahamas – A Franklin,
Tennessee, couple who founded a network of substance-abuse treatment clinics
has funded a special, targeted scholarship that will allow students from a high
school in the Bahamas to attend MTSU.
Michael and Tina Cartwright, who have a second home
in The Bahamas, wanted to help students from L.N. Coakley High School in Great
Exuma develop expertise through higher education that, in turn, would help
benefit others on the island of Exuma.
The Cartwrights, who both attended MTSU, established
a $600,000 scholarship fund that will cover tuition, housing and other expenses
for four Coakley students to live and take classes on MTSU’s Murfreesboro
campus. The scholarship will renew after the first group of four honorees
graduate from MTSU.
Michael Cartwright, chairman and co-founder of American
Addiction Centers, announced the gift during events Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan.
21-22) in The Bahamas. MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, a native of The
Bahamas, joined Cartwright in announcing the scholarships.
“Tina and I understand the value of higher
education,” said Michael Cartwright. “We approached President McPhee to
establish a pathway that could recognize and reward future leaders who could
return to Exuma as leaders and will help spur economic development on the
island.”
Jerome Fitzgerald, Bahamian minister of education,
science and technology, said was “humbled” by the Cartwrights’ donation. “I
applaud your initiative and fully endorse this endeavor that will greatly
benefit the students of Exuma, the island of Exuma and, by extension, our country,”
he said.
McPhee said the Cartwrights wanted to make a targeted
gift with an institution they trusted would help mold students into leaders for
Exuma.
“Michael and Tina wanted to invest in MTSU, a known
entity to them, to help people that they knew could benefit from mentoring,
guidance and direction for this archipelago,” McPhee said. “Our university will
help prepare and educate the students selected for this honor to become leaders
and influencers on the island.”
(Photo by Andrew Oppmann).
|
The Exumas, an archipelago of 365 cays and islands,
are located35 miles southeast of Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. They are
divided into three major areas—Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays.
Great Exuma and Little Exuma are known for their
laid-back surroundings, while The Exuma Cays boast private homes, luxury
resorts and beachside condos.
“The Cartwrights hope that the recipients
of their award will return to their home communities and contribute to the
economic, social and cultural growth of Great Exuma,” McPhee said.
McPhee said students must complete two experiential
learning or community service projects in Great Exuma as a requirement of the
award.
“Tina and I wanted to give something back to the
people we’ve come to know, love and respect during our time in The Bahamas,”
Michael Cartwright said. “MTSU offers a unique experience to transform the
lives of those selected for this program.”
Michael Cartwright, a noted behavioral health
entrepreneur, oversees a company that
operates six inpatient substance-abuse treatment centers across the U.S. The
company ranked on Inc.’s 2014 500 list nationally.
The company traded publicly on the New
York Stock Exchange late last year as AAC Holdings Inc., based in Brentwood,
Tennessee.
“We are proud of the Cartwrights and
appreciate the confidence they have placed in MTSU to affect change in a
community that they value,” McPhee said. “Their gift is a significant financial
contribution that over time will transform the lives of the recipients and the
community of Exuma.”
McPhee has made targeted international
enrollment has a strategic priority for the university.
MTSU’s international student enrollment has doubled – from 396 to 789 – in five
years, and it had 335 students studying abroad last summer.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com -