MacKenzie Family Scholarship Fund

Established by:  Allan and Mabel MacKenzie

Established on:  March 1, 1996

Purpose of the fund: The primary purpose of the Fund shall be to award a yearly scholarship to a financially disadvantaged but worthy African American student athlete to further their education at the community college level.

Background:  When Allan was a McGill University student, he ran out money after his second year of pre-med and was thinking of dropping out for a year to re-group financially.  All of a sudden, a certain Mr. William Barter entered his life.  Mr. Barter was the Vice President of Pepsi Cola (Canada), and had no children of his own.  His plan was to sponsor a worthy, but financially distressed, African-American student athlete.  His criteria included being a B+ student and excelling in a traditional sport, and he stipulated that both he and his wife had to meet and approve of the recipient’s demeanor and character.   Allan met these criteria successfully and Mr. Barter granted Allan several thousand dollars, which enabled him to complete his undergraduate studies.  He went on to graduate in medicine.

Regarding repayment, Bill Barter’s only request was that Allan and his wife, Mabel, “pay it forward” and provide the same opportunity for future minority student athletes.  In memory of Mr. Barter, The Mackenzie’s have established funds to support these students in Montreal, Ventura and Oregon. 

Grants distributed:

Mr. Regie A. Barcena—04/23/2008
Ms. Isis Benitez—04/23/2008
Mr. Jaime R. Cobian—05/01/2007
Gustavo De Haro—05/01/2001
Ms. Donielle N. Griggs—05/01/2007
Oswaldo G. Lopez—05/05/2003
Ms. Guadalupe Moreno—05/01/2007
Mr. Adam R. Perez—05/05/2003
Ms. Margarita Ramos—04/25/2002
Mr. Michael Reed—05/01/2001
Ms. Jessica R. Serrano—05/05/2009
Ms. Anthony C. Urban—05/04/2004