Koo donates $100,000 in scholarships

Students at LaGuardia Community College pursuing degrees in nursing, physical and occupational therapy and veterinary technology, will have an easier time affording their education thanks to $100,000 in scholarships donated by Peter Koo.
Koo, who is the President of StarSide Drugs and a founding board member of the LaGuardia Community College Foundation, recently announced his plans for the scholarships in memory of his father Wan Ng Koo.
“As an immigrant who came to the United States 35 years ago, I understand the struggles that students go through in similar circumstances,” Peter Koo said. “My father encouraged me to persevere and to succeed. This donation is intended to free students to focus on their studies, not worry about how to pay for their tuition and books.”
The Wan Ng Koo scholarships are not the first time that Peter Koo has donated to LaGuardia. He has donated more than $40,000 to the school, which has helped 14 students graduate through the years.
“LaGuardia has a special place in my heart,” said Peter Koo, who is also the President of the Flushing Chinese Business Association. “It welcomes students with diverse backgrounds, while providing an excellent education.”
LaGuardia Community College educates more than 54,000 students per year, and its 60 percent graduation rate is above the national average for community colleges.
“Immigrants are the future of our city and our country,” said LaGuardia President Gail O. Mellow. “Successful earlier immigrants like Peter Koo are now in a position to help young men and women who are new to this country achieve their dreams of a better life.”