Lockerbie and Syracuse Trust

Update September 2024

We have news to share regarding the Syracuse Scholarships.

The Syracuse Scholarships are evolving. 

Dear All Lockerbie Students, Citizens and the Lockerbie community

Syracuse University has requested that the current scholarship model be changed enabling a new and modern approach, allowing more Lockerbie students to travel to Syracuse University.  This new proposal will further ensure the relationship between Syracuse University and Lockerbie remains relevant and reflects the modern age we live in. However, this does mean the end of the scholarships as they stand and there will be no new scholars selected for 2025/26. The educational element will be removed from the scholarships going forward. The university has intimated their ongoing and enduring partnership with Lockerbie and wish to continue that as they have done for the past 35 years but have intimated that recent trends have made it clear to them that there now needs to be a new approach.       

The scholarship programme is a partnership between the Lockerbie Syracuse Trust, Syracuse University and Lockerbie Academy. Last year, the Lockerbie Syracuse Trust undertook and agreed a full review to further build on the established process and furthermore enhance the interviews to ensure a consistent, professional, and fair process for the students and all those scoring. The review was further designed to forge stronger links between the Lockerbie Syracuse Trust, Lockerbie Academy and Syracuse University. This fresh approach culminated in the selection of this year's scholars. Although this is the end of the scholarship programme in its current form, feedback from this year's scholars proves the valuable educational and personal experiences they are gaining.

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. There were of course limitations to the scholarship programme of up to two scholars selected per year but under the new proposal, more students may be able to travel to Syracuse to get a flavour of university life.    

The detail of what the new model will fully look like is still to be fully worked out, but please be assured that the Lockerbie Syracuse Trust will work with Syracuse University and Lockerbie Academy with ensuring that the best possible model is agreed upon. 

We will keep you posted with updates as this new opportunity evolves.

Lockerbie Syracuse Trust

Councillor Carolyne Wilson (Chair)

Councillor Gail MacGregor

Councillor Stephen Thompson

Councillor Lynne Davis