Phillip Wong, founder and CEO of Deltana Enterprises—one of the biggest hardware equipment merchants in the United States—has bestowed J$50 million to alma mater St George’s College to build and equip a modern gymnasium.

For years, Wong has continued to make significant donations as a proud old boy who graduated in 1959. He has also bestowed a number of scholarships on students of the North Street-based school. His generosity is a way of giving back to  his school  that set him on his path to fortune.

On Tuesday (September 23), he was the special guest speaker at St. George’s College’s lecture series ‘A Knight’s Dialogue’.

“Georgians, when you get an opportunity to go to a school like St George’s College,  embrace it and give it your all. Study hard and do your homework. Do not waste time. Do your best.

“If you get an opportunity to go and study abroad, go and stay positive. When you get a job to advance your purpose, do it earnestly. The job doesn’t matter; it is the end result that matters. When a terrible disappointment occurs, do not despair; stay positive, better will come. When you have achieved some success, give back whatever you can, whether it is in kind or service.  When you give back, it is empowering, and it always seems to come back to you tenfold.

“Today, I am making a pledge to you of J$50 million to accomplish two purposes. One is to build the Barbara and Phillip Wong STGC Gymnasium at Emmet Park. The gymnasium will encompass about 4,000 square feet of space, which will have bathrooms, stalls and security locks. It will have special flooring for exercises, it will be fully air-conditioned. The gymnasium will have state-of-the-art equipment.

“We hope this gymnasium will build the bodies and minds of Georgians and faculty members alike. The gymnasium will take about 80 per cent of that commitment, and the other 20 per cent will be used to hire bright teachers. Principal Margaret Campbell will take care of that,” said Phillip Wong during his presentation at St George’s College.