Georgia Tech undergraduate student Onaje LaMont was awarded the $10,000 Pearson Prize for Higher Education. The announcement was made at the Pearson Student Leadership Summit, held at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 15.

The Pearson Prize recognizes excellent students who have distinguished themselves by working towards their undergraduate degree and also serving the community. The Pearson Foundation has awarded the Pearson Prize for Higher Education to 70 students from universities and colleges across the United States.

Originally from Jamaica, LaMont graduated with an associate’s degree in chemical engineering from Broward College. He was a member of the Honors Institute and a campus and regional Phi Theta Kappa officer at Broward College. He was involved in community services, such as: coordinating a cultural project, conducting leadership workshops, mentoring peers, fundraising for cancer survivors, participating in literacy programs and advocating the TerraCycle program, which engages volunteers in recycling while raising money for a campus scholarship fund. He is currently continuing his studies in chemical and biomolecular engineering at Georgia Tech.

 The Pearson Prize supports the Pearson Foundation’s commitment to students, lifelong learning, community service and leadership. It was created to help the students who are facing financial challenges while pursuing academic goals. 

Written by Communications & Marketing student employee Ayesha Patel.