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News > Endowment for The Performing Arts Memorializes Winston Saunders
Endowment for The Performing Arts Memorializes Winston Saunders From left are: Chair, School of English Studies, Dr. Marjorie Brooks-Jones; Mr. Deon Simms, English major and bursary recipient; Endowment for the Performing Arts members Mrs. Christiane Oakes, Mr. Terry North and Mrs. Ruth Cleare; Dr. Gail Saunders, widow of the late Winston Saunders; College President Dr. Betsy V. Boze; Lady Joan Foulkes, Patron of the Endowment for the Performing Arts; Mr. Emmanuel Mosko, Chairman of the Endowment; Endowment members, Mr. Antonius Roberts, Mrs. Deborah Lotmore and Mrs. Dawn Davies; Mr. Je'Rome Miller, artist and Mrs. Marina Knowles, mother of COB bursary recipient Mr. Deon Simms. 24 January 2011 Memorializing the man who was the driving force behind its establishment, The Endowment for the Performing Arts of The Bahamas made a $25,000 contribution on Friday, January 21st to the Winston Saunders Memorial Endowment at The College of The Bahamas. The Winston Saunders Memorial Endowment supports the continued development of the arts and plays a key role in cultivating the country's creative genius. The endowment funds an annual bursary to a student enrolled in the baccalaureate English Studies programme at The College and who has distinguished him or herself in an artistic endeavour. According to the Chairman of The Endowment for the Performing Arts of The Bahamas, Mr. Emmanuel Mosko, it was an honour to memorialize the late Winston Saunders in this way. A former attorney and staunch advocate for the development of literature and the arts in The Bahamas, Mr. Saunders is widely regarded as a cultural and artistic icon. "The College of The Bahamas, when announcing the establishment of the Winston Saunders Memorial Scholarship for English Studies majors, said that they have "taken the decision to memorialise Mr. Saunders in a way that honours the focus of his life's work: education, language, literature and culture". The members of the Board of Trustees feel that it is very fitting that we echo these sentiments, honouring Mr. Saunders, the driving force behind the establishment of the Endowment so many years ago," said Mr. Mosko during the press conference at Government House. In 2006, The College of The Bahamas established the Winston Saunders Memorial Endowment with an initial contribution that has since grown to more than $50,000 through the generosity of donors and friends of The College, including Mr. Je'Rome Miller, an artist and former protégé of Mr. Saunders. Mr. Miller has been consistently raising funding for the Winston Saunders Endowment through the annual auctions of his new paintings. "By making this significant contribution to the Winston Saunders Memorial Endowment, The Endowment for the Performing Arts is supporting the talents and passion of both current and future students with a vested commitment to the arts, the quest for infinite discoveries and national development," noted College President Dr. Betsy V. Boze. "In essence, this is what the late Winston Saunders lived and the legacy that he left through his deep involvement, connection and leadership in the arts and cultural communities. Today's gift honours that commitment." The $25,000.00 gift brings the total for the Winston Saunders Endowment fund to over $75,000. The interest earned from the funds in the endowment provides an annual bursary in perpetuity for a student of The College. English major, Deon Simms, is the first beneficiary of the bursary. The Endowment for the Performing Arts has, over the years, awarded grants totaling over $60,000 annually, to assist qualified applicants, both individuals and groups, in their creative efforts. Currently under the patronage of wife of the Governor General, Lady Joan Foulkes, the organization is now in full planning mode for its next fund-raiser – "Spring Into The Arts" – a gala luncheon at Old Fort Bay scheduled for Saturday, March 12th. "All around the world, artists, playwrights, poets and composers stir within us the kind of passion, creativity and imagination that cause us to think differently and more deeply, perhaps challenge long held conclusions and beliefs and bring new dimensions of observation and enquiry with the potential to uplift the human condition," said Dr. Boze. "Exploring new ways of thinking is what inspires the private wealth manager, economist, agronomist or engineer to consider variables that they might not have considered before. This is why the arts are so invaluable and why The College of The Bahamas supports, nurtures and encourages this kind of expression and academic commitment."
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