Program that helps propel Immokalee students to college in the Midwest celebrates a decade

A local program that helps land Southwest Florida students in college in the Midwest is reaching its decade mark.

The Immokalee Scholarship Program celebrated Feb. 12 at Hole-in-the-Wall Golf Club, in Naples, its 10th anniversary. 

The program helps Immokalee students land scholarships at St. John's University, in Collegeville, Minnesota.

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To date, 18 Immokalee students enrolled at St. John's University. 

Fifteen students have graduated. Three of them now teach in Immokalee.

Their tuition and living expenses are funded by two Naples benefactors: John Lyden and Jack Marshall.

The two have been friends since the first day of their freshman year at Brown University; both were the first in their families to attend college. After graduating, Lyden went on to co-found a stock trading firm, and Marshall founded an international construction company.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.