US $1.7M pledged for USM
in major fund-raising drive
By Judy H. Fitzpatrick
DAWN BEACH--An evening of fine dining ended lucratively for University of St. Martin (USM) Saturday when a cross-section of representatives of the business community dipped into their pockets and pledged close to US $1.7 million.
Most of the pledges rolled in within a three-hour period, but the groundwork to encourage the businesses to make the donations had been laid over a period of several months.
The US $1,678,000 raised during a gala fundraising dinner at The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort and Spa far surpassed the organisers’ original target of $1,000,000.
The event was a major fundraising drive organised by the university’s Fundraising Committee and the institution’s patron Scotiabank, the first to make a large donation of $100,000 earlier this year to qualify as a USM “Partner.”
There was prolonged and loud applause in the elegantly decorated dining hall at Westin when Princess Group of Companies (Port De Plaisance) owner/president Sudi Özkan announced his donation of $420,000 dollars.
Özkan told The Daily Herald on Sunday that $50,000 of the amount had been earmarked for the construction of a new and improved entrance to the university building, while the remaining $370,000 would be used for the general USM expansion.
“It’s a very good investment for me, because we have to invest in our young people and in education. It’s the best investment we can make,” Özkan said, adding that he had also contributed to building many schools and hospitals in his native Turkey. “I like charity. If we do this now, then the future will be brighter.”
NAGICO Insurances was the night’s second biggest donor: $300,000. Several businesses pledged $100,000, thereby also qualifying to become “Partners.” They included Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), utilities company GEBE, Le Grand Marché, and Boolchands.
The businesses that donated $20,000 each included Orco Bank, Philipsburg Liquors, the Wathey Family, Dr. A.C Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities, Lucky Cosmetics, and Taloula Mangos. Windward Islands Bank pledged $40,000.
There were many other pledges by businesses and individuals, including a pledge of $3,000 by attorney-at-law Denicio Brison.
The evening’s programme, which was chaired by businessman and former Island Council member and commissioner Michael Ferrier, was crowned off with tasteful live entertainment by Anastacia Larmonie Jazz Ensemble featuring vocals by Angelique Hazel and one song by USM President Josianne Fleming-Artsen.
Depending on the amount donated, the patrons will be recognised as “Partners” “Friends,” “Patrons,” “Sponsors,” or “Leave Your Legacy” contributors, and their names will be emblazoned on plaques strategically mounted in the USM building. Examples of the different plaques were on display at Westin.
The funds raised will be used to continue USM’s expansion programme and to offset expenses to secure accreditation from the United States-based Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Dutch-based Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NAVO) for USM’s programmes.
Before the pledges started rolling in, USM board chairwoman Dr. Lockie Johnson had said the university had a dream to overcome its obstacles. “USM is poised to be the University of Country St. Maarten,” Johnson said.
Scotiabank’s Managing Director, Caribbean East Stephen Cozier challenged St. Maarten to strive to produce a university graduate in every household, a sentiment echoed by Fleming-Artsen.
“Supporting USM is a no-brainer,” Cozier said, alluding to the trend set by the bank’s St. Maarten branch when it donated $100,000 to the university earlier this year. “As St. Maarten enters a new phase of separate status we must look at the natives of the country to be the future leaders of that country and USM, and the university must play a bigger role. … We must be the architects of our own destiny,” Cozier said.
The evening’s hostess Education Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams saw the evening’s gala affair as a probably “turning point” for the university. “Once we are committed to the goal that has been set and when you put your minds to one common goal, then the results can be achieved. We are working towards one goal and one vision for education and for Country St. Maarten,” Wescot-Williams said. “When asked if we are ready for Country St. Maarten, we should answer yes.”
She said Scotiabank had set a trend when it donated $100,000 to USM earlier this year.
Fleming-Artsen had said the university might be small, but was a powerful place. She added that the tertiary institution had positioned itself to compete in the global market. “An educated population can only enhance St. Maarten, because universities play significant roles in building nations.”
She said USM had faced numerous obstacles over the years, but had overcome them all.
Fundraising Committee chairman Danny Ramchandani, one of the architects behind the evening’s success, who was also honoured at the end of the evening for his efforts in the Fundraising Committee, underscored the importance of investing in education.
He said USM had been in existence for almost 20 years, a period during which the island’s population had experienced significant growth, and noted that education would play a major role now more than ever. “Educating our island should be our first priority,” he told the gathering at Westin.
USM has been battling to secure funds to construct its second phase for many years. The funds raised yesterday evening will go towards securing and maintaining accreditation of its programmes and constructing more classrooms, laboratories, offices, a library, and other facilities.
The SACS accreditation is being sought primarily for all Business and Liberal Arts Associate Degree Programmes, while the NAVO accreditation is primarily being sought for the Hospitality and Education Bachelor’s Degree Programmes.
