There are moments in an institution's history that define its existence. These are moments when great challenges are turned into opportunity, when progress becomes greatness and when dreams become reality.
The founding of Kingston College 82 years ago was one such moment when Percival Gibson and his sister borrowed £90 from the Anglican Church to buy supplies and teach 49 boys in a building at East Street, owned by his sister. The evolution to a school of excellence came by 1934 when Chester Burgess won for the school its first hold on the £80 Scholarship, in 1936 when LL Murad won the Rhodes Scholarship and the school was placed on the School Commissioner’s list of first rate schools and in 1938 when KC took the Geddes Cup, symbol of schoolboy supremacy in cricket.
Today, KC finds itself at yet another defining time, perhaps the most crucial in our history, a time of both need and opportunity.
It is a time for students to leave KC not only with the knowledge and practical skills to advance their careers, but also with the firm belief in the importance of engaging in the civic and social activities of their community. To quote Priest (Percival Gibson) at the time of our 1950 celebration:
“Hundreds of our lads are now filling responsible posts in the island and abroad. A Kingston College Old Boy is to be found in practically every department of our public life. May I appeal to you all to rededicate your lives to those principles for which Kingston College has always stood, and without which it has no raison d'etre."
It is time to ensure that we attract and retain the best faculty, provide them with the resources that will encourage innovation and creativity in the classroom and support them as they mentor and guide students beyond the classroom. It’s a time to provide first rate facilities where the teaching and learning relationship between faculty and students is enhanced by technology and environment and where life outside the classroom is enriched with cultural, community and social opportunities. It’s a time to ensure that scholarships are available to promising students that are in need
An unprecedented opportunity now awaits each and every member of the KC family. We can stress our own narrow parochial interests or we can embrace the big picture. After 24 years of giving back I am more convinced than ever that a trust/ endowment fund is the way of the future.
The list of the top donors shows that two (2) of the donors are not even connected to the school but that intellectually they can relate to what we are trying to achieve. Pickman Foundation, for example, is a business associate of Livingstone (Danny) Young and Frank Colaccino is a business associate of Robert Kelly.
New York (KCOBA USA) has had some success with fund development, measured by remittances to Jamaica and the number of repeat donors. It means building a constituency of givers and directing the school toward new heights of excellence. To the donor it means:
Personalized Thank You Letter
Sending an Annual Report
Showing the donor how the money has helped
This monumental endeavor will require a renewed commitment from all who hold KC dear. It will allow the school to reaffirm and further its position as a renowned and distinctive institution of learning. We are asking all past students, family, friends and associates who have not yet made a contribution to take that first step and make a contribution. The need is great and you are directing your contribution to one of the best run non-profit corporations in Jamaica characterized by: sound administrative practices, professionalism among staff, good internal and external communications and effective board governance,
Donations can be made directly to the Fund bycheck or money order payable to:” The KCDTF” and mailed to The Principal, Kingston College, 2A North Street, P.O. Box 9073, C.S.O
Donors resident in the United States can also get a tax advantage if their donation is routed through KCOBA USA Inc or KCOBA (GA) Inc which are tax exempt alumni associations registered in the United States in support of Kingston College. These checks should be made payable to either
” KCOBA USA Inc” and mailed to P.O Box 3917, New York, NY 10185 for attention of Norman Scott, Secretary.
“KCOBA (GA) Inc” and mailed to P.O. Box 80751, Conyers, GA 30013 for attention of Patrick Hector, Secretary.
Errol G Lecky,
KCDTF Member
October 11, 2007
Tel: 718-282-7894
