Published: 06-11-2019
Pensacola State’s Culinary Arts program received a more than $30,000 boost from the McGuire Martin family, husband of Molly “McGuire” Martin; Jim Reeves, longtime friend of Molly McGuire and real estate attorney; the Irish Politicians Club (IPC), and friends of Molly McGuire.
Martin and Reeves made the donation to the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowed Scholarship fund. Molly “McGuire” Martin, the matriarch of McGuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola, died in August 2014.
In June 2015, the more than $200,000 scholarship endowment was established at the college with contributions from more than 200 Pensacola area residents and businesses. Interest from the endowment funds annual scholarships for Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowed Scholars. Also, the college’s culinary arts dining room was renamed the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Dining Room. An additional $10,000 was donated to the scholarship in December 2016 by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Reeves said the donation comes from the hearts of the Irish Politicians Club (IPC) members.
“The IPC and its members all knew the personable Molly McGuire and how much she loved her employees and customers,” revealed Reeves. “It is only fitting that we continue our financial support of the PSC Culinary Arts Program. This is what Molly would have wanted – the IPC helping Pensacola State students financially to complete their degree in the culinary field.”
“I know that Molly would be so humbled and honored to see the endowment continue to grow,” stated Martin. “She believed in Pensacola State College and knew the value of a skilled and well-trained culinary staff. This is such a special way to honor her memory. I sincerely thank everyone for their support.”
Pensacola State President Ed Meadows said he and the entire Pensacola State family continue to be touched by the generosity of Molly McGuire’s family and friends.
“This donation will enable several worthy students to enter into the Culinary Arts program at PSC,” Meadows said. “Many of our students have full-time jobs, are parents, and caregivers. But they are willing to make sacrifices to earn a degree or certification because they realize education is the pathway to a better life.”
To learn more about the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowed Scholarship, contact the Pensacola State College Foundation at 850-484-1477.