Helping Africans With U.S. Education

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30897, 2 November 1965, Page 16

Helping Africans With U.S. Education

A Christchurch man’s work in the United States to help young African students was described recently in the Oakland, California, "Tribune.” The man is Mr J. B. Grubb, who was born in Christchurch and went to the United States as a young man. He met a former schoolmate by chance in Oakland, and decided to settle there. Mr Grubb began as a carpenter but later branched into mass building and real estate operations. He made a fortune and set off on a world tour, including two months in Africa. In 1963 he and Dr. F. C. Michell, assistant superintendent of Oakland Public Schools, decided to set up a foundation to provide financial assistance for young, dedicated African scholars to complete their formal education in the United States.

The foundation has been at work for two years and has already helped a number of young Africans on the way to their doctorates. Three were assisted last year and four are being helped by the

foundation this year—at Stanford University, the University of California, and at the Los Angeles campus of the University of California. Qualifications

Candidates for Mr Grubb’s aid must be African students with some education behind them who have gone to the United States for additional schooling through government, church or private endowment, but who cannot complete their doctorates because of diminishing funds.

Mr Grubb has made five trips to Africa, and feels there is a big need for leaders who, by example and teaching, can combat communism and at the same time boost educational standards. “I realised education was the answer,” he told the newspaper. “Dedicated, informed leaders could influence the masses. So the plan eventually was evolved and it is going well. Lasting beneficial results may be long in coming, but patience and endeavour—yes, and moneywill work wonders.”