Dr. George and Mariamma Thomas Establish Scholarships for Manatee County Graduates at USF Sarasota-Manatee
After decades of service to the Bradenton medical community, Dr. George Thomas and his wife Mariamma are investing in the next generation by endowing two scholarships at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus.
The Thomases, who immigrated to the United States from India more than 50 years ago, donated $100,000 to support students pursuing degrees in education and STEM fields such as biology and biomedical sciences. Their gift will fund scholarships for Manatee County high school graduates, with priority given to students from Title I schools, where financial resources are often limited.
Dr. Thomas, co-founder of Bradenton Cardiology and a longtime leader in state and local medical organizations, said the scholarships aim to inspire others in the community to support educational opportunities for local students.
The scholarships will be awarded beginning in fall 2025. One scholarship will benefit a student in the College of Education, while the other will assist a student in the College of Arts and Sciences pursuing a STEM major.
The Thomases were partly inspired by their friends Kailash and Mona Jain, Mona Jain being a USF alumna, and by their daughter, Dr. Anila Jain, who co-chairs the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Board.
USF Sarasota-Manatee Interim Regional Chancellor Brett Kemker praised the Thomases' generosity, emphasizing the profound impact that donor support has on student success and the broader community. Many USF Sarasota-Manatee graduates, he noted, have gone on to teach in local schools and lead area businesses, achievements made possible by community-backed scholarships.
Dr. Thomas expressed hope that their contributions will help students achieve their academic goals and encourage them to build successful futures within the local community.
The Thomases' scholarships add to the growing support network to strengthen educational opportunities for Manatee County students and foster lasting community development.
