Cornèr Bank Supports Art Scholars at University of The Bahamas with $20K Gift

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – In a gift that will directly contribute to increasing the capacity of promising art scholars, Cornèr Bank (Overseas) Limited has made a $20,000 gift to University of The Bahamas (UB) to support eligible undergraduate Bahamian students.

The gift was executed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding held on Wednesday, 22^nd November for the Cornèr Bank Direct Art Scholarship Award.

The scholarship will fund ten full-time Associate of Arts degree in Art majors for one year each with an approximate $500 award for art supplies. Scholars must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

“As a great supporter of young Bahamians, Cornèr is very happy to collaborate with UB to implement the “Cornèr Bank Art Scholarship Award. We believe in creating opportunities for our youth to thrive in whatever field they choose to pursue,” said Cornèr Bank Chief Executive Officer, Christine Russell. “Being avid art lovers ourselves, we saw this as a great opportunity to positively impact young people through education and the arts.”

UB President (Acting) Janyne Hodder commended Cornèr Bank for supporting the talents and dreams of university students as well as their transformative potential.

“As the national higher education provider, UB has been offering academic degrees for nearly 50 years,” said President Hodder. “Our mandate is enshrined by law and we are publicly funded by the government and the people of The Bahamas. Cornèr Bank recognizes, though, that the work of national development and supporting the best and brightest in our country cannot be done with public funds alone, and requires committed donors. It’s long been my view that adequate public support of universities is essential. What makes us grow from good to great is the support of private donors.”

Assistant Professor of Art and Art Education and Head of Visual Arts & Design, Kishan Munroe, extended his thanks to Cornèr Bank for supporting the future of The Bahamas. Munroe is a documentarian, researcher and interdisciplinary artist whose practice comprises, amongst other things, painting and drawing.

“Your investment is a significant investment, and I think it’s going to impact the nucleus of this nation in terms of education, because that is what the university is, and that is where we want to continue to take our Visual Arts and Design programme,” said Munroe. “So, we want to take this and we want to grow it. And we are very thankful for your contribution, for your investment.”

Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs, Dino Hernandez, also heralded the partnership with Cornèr Bank as a big step in the right direction for UB’s Visual Arts & Design Department, and the wider university.

“It is always nice to interface with donors with the heart to help students meet their tangible needs, and in this instance, our creatives,” said Hernandez. “We are tremendously grateful for this generous $20,000 gift and partnership”.

In a celebrated legacy, many of the nation’s outstanding artists have their roots in UB and the former College of The Bahamas, having studied, taught and worked collaboratively with the institution over the years.

Cornèr Bank seeks to create a tradition of making an indelible mark on future generations of leaders.