Two institutions of learning harvested benefits under the ’40 years of Joy’ initiative piloted by J Wray and Nephew last week in recognition of the spirit company’s Master Blender Dr Joy Spence, who is observing 40 years with the organisation.

Mona High School’s chemistry laboratory, and The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus’s Department of Chemistry profited from donations valued at $1.1 million and $1.5 million respectively, during short ceremonies held at the institutions last Tuesday.

Head of the Department of Sports and Science at Mona High School Michelle Jones expressed delight during the first stop, suggesting that the school was in need of the offering, and would take full advantage of what was provided.

“Thank you for the donation of conical flasks, beakers, Bunsen burners, and other items. We are grateful to you and your team… we are appreciative of this donation, and we will let you know how it has improved our performance,” Jones said.

Dr Spence described the moment as a “very special day for me”, adding that Mona High was chosen by her as a beneficiary for a particular reason. “J Wray and Nephew donated $20 million to me to select my favourite charities, and I chose to select high-performing non-traditional high schools, like Mona High, to encourage them,” said Dr Spence, a former teacher of chemistry.

The donation to Mona High also covered the painting of the chemistry laboratory and the provision of stools made from rum storage barrels. A cabinet was also handed over.

The short trip from Mona High to The UWI’s Department of Chemistry brought back fond memories for Dr Spence and members of the academic staff, in particular Dr Novelette Sadler McKnight, who Dr Spence encouraged to spend more time on chemistry while she attended Holy Childhood High School, Dr Spence’s alma mater. Dr Spence taught her in third form – a situation which paved the way for the lecturer’s now “no regrets” academic choice.

“She converted me in third form,” Dr Sadler McKnight revealed. “She had some amazing teaching skills. She brought chemistry to life, and I still remember learning the first 25 elements of the periodic table while in third form.”

Reminiscing on the time that she spent at The UWI’s Department of Chemistry since she enrolled as a student in the late 1960s, Dr Spence observed that “little had changed”, structurally, and expressed the hope that more contributions like those made by her will continue to advance the growth of the department.

“I could never leave out the chemistry department of The UWI. This is the foundation. This is where it started for me. Some wonderful lecturers… and in my 40th year at J Wray & Nephew I am giving this donation with pride.

Head of the Department of Chemistry Dr Donna Minott Keyes said the the electronic balances that will be acquired for the department will assist the undergraduate programme in honour of late Professor Kenneth Magnus.

“You fly the flag of the department and the university so high,” she told Dr Spence.

Other educational institutions which have benefited under the programme are Denbigh High School, deCarteret College, Dinthill Technical High School, Edwin Allen High School, College of Agriculture, Science and Education, and Montego Bay Community College.