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Last Updated: Sep 29, 2021 - 4:20:32 PM |
$125,000 Gift to Create New Pipeline of Scholarships for English and Education Majors at UB
By University of The Bahamas, Office of University Relations
Sep 29, 2021 - 10:14:17 AM
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Benefactors of the Pearinder Foundation’s Dr. Randall A. Pinder Scholarship Fund at University of The Bahamas, Dr. Randall Pinder and Mr. Paul Pearson during the virtual MOU signing ceremony.
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Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — As a student at the former College of The Bahamas (COB), Randall Pinder dreamt of making his mark on the world. When he returned to his alma mater as a faculty member in the School of English Studies he helped to shape future scholars of English.
Through a generous gift to University of The Bahamas (UB) by the Pearinder Foundation, Dr. Randall Pinder will continue to impact aspiring English scholars and educators. With a generous donation of $125,000, the Pearinder Foundation’s Dr. Randall A. Pinder Scholarship is being established to fund the academic studies of English and education majors at UB. The execution of the Memorandum of Understanding happened on Dr. Pinder’s 50thbirthday and will allow students to have the same opportunity he had to establish a firm foundation for his academic and professional success.
“It’s been an absolutely fantastic journey,” said Dr. Pinder during the virtual MOU signing. “As we always know, sometimes life takes you away from where you start, brings you back again, allows you to move away and then you return again. So I guess I can look at this as yet another return to the University of The Bahamas and establishing, I hope, a permanent place in making sure that those who come after are successful.”
UB President Dr. Rodney D. Smith expresses his thank you to the donors
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The scholarships will be renewable for two years based on each scholar’s continued academic achievement. Dr. Pinder’s husband, Mr. Paul Robert Pearson, revealed the award as a birthday gift.
“This is a dream that we’ve had ever since the time we went to the University of Michigan on a scholarship programme from the then College of The Bahamas and we were extremely blessed in that he got his tuition paid for by the University of Michigan, but also got his salary paid for by the College of The Bahamas. So it was always our intention to give back,” said Mr. Pearson.
UB President Dr. Rodney D. Smith expressed his profound appreciation for the act of philanthropy that will positively impact the lives of future scholars.
“Your contributions to the education of deserving students will be impactful, and your gift will surely strengthen their chances of successfully graduating from the University,” said Dr. Smith. “Please know that our Board of Trustees, faculty, students, staff and alumni are very appreciative of your donation.”
UB Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs Mr. Dino M. Hernandez agreed.
“The $125,000 fund will create a lasting and enduring legacy that supports the academic achievements of scholars in English and Education,” said Mr. Hernandez. “This scholarship fund is a strong demonstration of Dr. Randall A. Pinder’s legacy and support of our University, and this will help to position our students to make a profound, lasting impact on The Bahamas and the wider world.”
Dr. Pinder’s journey began at COB 33 years ago when he enrolled as an Accounting major. But after a conversation with a few COB counsellors, he decided to become an English major in the then School of Education and the Joint Board of Teacher Education. He said it was that opportunity that changed his life and his world for the better. He subsequently completed his Associate’s Degree and Teaching Certification 1991, then earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, before returning to COB in 1999. For the next 17 years, Dr. Pinder taught students as an Assistant Professor, as well as a Writing Programme Coordinator in the School of English Studies.
“I had nothing but great memories and recommendations during my time as a student all those years ago—I started as a 16-year-old at the College of The Bahamas,” recalled Dr. Pinder. “And so I look forward to giving the support to those who have a drive to be there, and now we can make their life maybe a little bit easier with this support on their academic journey.”
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