New era for Syracuse set up

MORE changes lie ahead for the Lockerbie-Syracuse scholarship — but questions remain about what form it will take in future and how it will be funded.

The Lockerbie Trust this week announced they are stepping away from the arrangement, as a ‘new era’ comes in.

Going forward, the exchange programme will now be directly organised between Lockerbie Academy and Syracuse University.

However, no confirmation has yet been forthcoming from any of the groups involved on whether the annual scholarship, which sees two youngsters spending a year in the US, is definitely going to be reinstated and who will fund it.

It remains in limbo since Syracuse’s shock cancellation announcement last year, although a new trip is taking place next month which will see ten senior Lockerbie Academy pupils and two

teachers travelling to the American campus to take part in their Remembrance Week.

On that, a Dumfries and Galloway Council spokesperson yesterday said: “Syracuse University is funding a visit for a group of Lockerbie Academy pupils to attend Remembrance Week in October, continuing the strong relationship between the school and the university.”

They went on: “Lockerbie Academy will be working to further develop its connection with Syracuse University and explore future opportunities for young people, including the potential continuation of the scholarship programme in a new form.”

And the local authority confirmed the the trust will no longer be involved in the delivery of the programme, adding: “However, the council has every confidence that the trust’s trustees will continue to use the resources available to them to further their charitable aims in ways that benefit the local community.

“Dumfries and Galloway Council remains committed to supporting initiatives that honour the legacy of the Lockerbie-Syracuse partnership and create meaningful opportunities for young people in our region.”

But the local authority failed to reveal who will fund any future years abroad.

Meanwhile, the Lockerbie Trust released a statement on Wednesday setting out their position.

The trustees, who are Annandale North councillors Carolyne Wilson, Gail MacGregor, Stephen Thompson and Lynne Davis, along with community council chairman Ian McLatchie, said: “Over the last 12 months, Lockerbie and Syracuse Scholarship Trust has engaged in constructive discussions with colleagues from Syracuse University and Lockerbie Academy. These conversations were held in the hope of securing a new agreement that would see the continuation of the Lockerbie Syracuse Scholarship programme, which has been in place since 1990.

“While it has not been possible to reach an agreement that directly involves the trust in the future administration of the programme, we are pleased that a new arrangement between Syracuse University and Lockerbie Academy has been established. This ensures that young people from Lockerbie will continue to benefit from scholarship opportunities in the years ahead.

“The relationship between Lockerbie and Syracuse remains deeply important to both communities. We wish Syracuse University, Lockerbie Academy, and all future scholars every success with this new programme.”

And the trust hinted at their intentions for the funds that they hold, adding: “Looking forward, the Lockerbie and Syracuse Trust will take this moment as an opportunity to reflect, plan, and explore new ways to positively impact the lives of young people in Lockerbie.

“Our commitment to supporting opportunity, aspiration and potential remains as strong as ever.”