Last Lockerbie scholars for Air Disaster study legacy
Dumfriesshire’s Cameron Colville and Anna Newbould will be the last Syracuse Lockerbie scholars of the current scheme. The plug has been pulled on the annual year’s study abroad for Lockerbie Academy pupils at Syracuse University in the USA’s New York State. The Lockerbie and Syracuse Trust has confirmed that the educational element will be removed from the scholarships going forward.
The announcement stated, “The Lockerbie Syracuse Trust absolutely understand that this is a huge and momentous change to the scholarship programme but one in which the trustees will fully engage with to ensure the best possible experience for young Lockerbie citizens. We are very aware that this news will be disappointing to some students but very much hope that overall, it provides more opportunities for young Lockerbie citizens over the coming years.”
The programme was established in the aftermath of the December 21, 1988, Lockerbie Disaster to foster connections between the Dumfriesshire town and Syracuse, which lost 35 students to the tragic event. Every year, after a rigorous selection process, two scholars have been chosen from Lockerbie Academy to spend a freshman year across the Atlantic. However, the 2024/25 scholars, Anna Newbould and Cameron Colville, who recently relocated to the US for their studies, representing Lockerbie at various events including the October Remembrance Week, will be the final scholars.
The Lockerbie and Syracuse Trust has declared that the Syracuse Scholarships are evolving, leading to the end of the scholarships in their current form, with no new scholars to be selected for 2025/26. Syracuse University has requested the change, stating that the current scholarship model needs to be modernised to enable more Lockerbie students to travel to the university.
The trustees of the Lockerbie Syracuse Trust, including ward councillor Carolyne Wilson and councillors Gail MacGregor, Stephen Thompson, and Lynne Davis, emphasised that the new proposal aims to maintain the relevance of the relationship between Syracuse University and Lockerbie in the modern age. They highlighted the enduring partnership between the university and Lockerbie over the past 35 years and the need for a fresh approach to the scholarship programme.
Although the new model is still being developed, the trustees assured that they will collaborate with Syracuse University and Lockerbie Academy to ensure the best possible model is implemented. The programme review conducted by the trustees last year aimed to strengthen the partnership and enhance the selection process for students, ensuring a consistent and fair procedure.
While this marks the end of the scholarship programme in its current form, feedback from this year’s scholars highlights the valuable educational and personal experiences they are gaining. The Lockerbie Syracuse Trust will provide updates as the new opportunity evolves. Overall, the change signifies a shift towards a more inclusive and updated approach to benefit a greater number of Lockerbie students in the years to come.