‘Fellowship’ trips to replace Syracuse scholarship

THE year long Lockerbie-Syracuse scholarship has reached the end of the road, to be replaced with week long annual trips for ten students instead.

Since 1990, two young people have been chosen every year from Lockerbie to spend a year at Syracuse University in the USA.

Their role was to represent the 11 Lockerbie residents and 35 Syracuse students who were killed in the 1988 Pan Am disaster.

However, the last scholars to go were in 2024 and the town has been left in limbo since, wondering what the future held.

That answer has now been given with the announcement of a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between the university and Lockerbie Academy, which both describe as ‘an exciting new chapter’.

A statement from the school this week said: “Lockerbie Academy’s longstanding relationship with Syracuse University continues to grow stronger through a new Fellowship Programme from 2026 and beyond, that stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance, partnership and shared humanity.

“Following a successful trip last October, a new Lockerbie Fellows programme will allow ten Lockerbie Academy senior students to visit the Syracuse campus each year during Remembrance Week. Accompanied by staff, the Fellows will participate in commemorative events, acts of service and academic engagement with university students and faculty.”

Future participants will be selected for their academic excellence and their understanding of the significance of Pan Am 103 to both communities.

The academy will also hold regular assemblies and community reflection, to ensure that young people locally understand the impact of that dreadful night — not only as a historical event, but as a reminder of compassion, dignity and global connection.

They added: “The Fellowship Programme is not simply a visit abroad; it is an opportunity for our young people to act as ambassadors for Lockerbie, to honour those who were lost, and to carry forward a legacy of service and understanding.

“In a world that can often feel divided, the partnership between Lockerbie and Syracuse stands as a powerful example of how communities can respond to tragedy with friendship, education and hope.

“Lockerbie Academy is immensely proud of its Scholars and Fellows — and of a relationship that continues to inspire future generations on both sides of the Atlantic.”

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