Dr Joy Spence, the master blender at J Wray & Nephew Limited is going back to her roots and her first love, of sorts, with benevolence.
Spence recently donated over JM$4m to the chemistry departments of seven institutions across the island.
Students from the University of the West Indies, Mona, will start the new school year with brand new chemistry equipment.
J Wray & Nephew Master Blender Dr Joy Spence (4th L) presents a symbolic cheque worth JM$1.5m to the Chemistry Department at UWI, Mona. They are (l-r) Dr Donna Minott Kates, head of the Chemistry Department, UWI, Mona; with colleagues Dr Marvadebe Singh Wilmot, lecturer and academic dean for student experience; Dr Robin Rattray; Dr Novelette Sadley McKnight; Professor Emeritus Robert Lancashire and Dr Winklet Gallimore. (Photos: Contributed)
Dr Joy Spence signs a symbolic cheque before presenting it to members of the academic staff of the Department of Chemistry at UWI, Mona. (Photos:)
The Chemistry lab at UWI will receive JM$1.5m towards the purchase of an electronic analytical Balance, a much-needed tool for chemical experiments.
“As a student, the Chemistry Department of the UWI played a major role in my decision to become a chemist.
40 years later, I am the Master Blender for a global brand, Appleton Estate and celebrating my wonderful career at J Wray & Nephew which has allowed me to give back to the next generation” said Dr Spence.
Dr Spence, who joined JWN as the chief chemist in 1981, rose through the ranks to become the industry’s first female master blender in 1997 and was recently named one of Jamaica’s Tourism Brand Ambassadors by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.