Ricks Offers Scholarships Worth US$120,000
July 7, 2014 - By C.Y. Kwanue - Daily Observer
According to him, the intent of the scholarships was to provide opportunities that would transform the country though productive citizens.
Speaking at the Institute's graduation convocation in the Washington Chapel on the Ricks campus in Virginia, Rev. Menjay also announced the provision of two additional scholarships to two members of the graduating class, Moselyn H. Wilson and Shaynpue Guzeh. The two scholarship beneficiaries are to study at any university of their choice in Liberia for four years. Student Moselyn graduated as Salutatorian of the school, while Shaynpue graduated as Valedictorian of the class of 2013/2014.
The school, Dr. Menjay disclosed, has also provided a scholarship to a student to study at Mercer University in the United States of America.
Three other students were also offered scholarships to study at two separate schools, including Oak Hill Academy in the United States.
Each of the scholarships, according to Dr. Menjay, is valued US$40, 000.
The Ricks principal told the graduation audience, which included President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, that since 2007, Ricks has provided 13 scholarships for students to study at Mercer University.
Convocation speaker, Andrej Tos, Jr. congratulated the students, and said that the definition of success is not always written in money or fame.
Success, he told the graduates, is also helping a community to get clean water, helping a church gather food for people or providing education for people in need.
"In fact, real success is achieving your own personal expectations," Mr. Tos said.
Mr. Tos, an American businessman, said his expectations are to strive to make a world a better place.
He explained his vision to drastically lower the prices of bottled water on African markets.
"I wanted to make it affordable for everyone, everywhere. The idea was reasonable yet it needed to be better. We were then looking for purifying machines that would make my water not just clean, but actually healthy to drink," Mr. Tos indicated.
According to him, with the help of some brilliant scientists and engineers a machine was developed that is able to do just that.
Mr. Tos also explained that his father developed a modular power plant to help communities get electricity where it is otherwise impossible.
He disclosed that his company, Artos Group, is currently in most countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, and said, he intends, with the generous help of Dr. Menjay, to introduce its products in Liberia, and help to make the people's living standards higher and more affordable.
Ricks Institute, located in Virginia, Montserrado County, was founded in 1887 by the Baptist Church in Liberia to cater to the academic and spiritual needs of the children of Liberia. Forty-one students graduated on Sunday.
