The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is proud to announce the establishment the Candes Mejide Gentry Endowed Scholarship at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business. The initial $25,000 gift from Gentry will be matched with funds from Jay Shidler's $25 million gift, increasing the total value to $50,000. The endowed scholarship is for full-time students majoring in business with preference to students interested in entrepreneurship.

"It is extremely heartwarming to receive an endowment from a recent graduate like Candes especially because she just started her professional career in business," said V. Vance Roley, Dean of the Shidler College of Business. "Candes is a strong supporter of higher education and is committed to helping other deserving students reach their academic goals. She is also a great role model for our younger generation."

"I greatly appreciated the generosity of scholarship donors who made it possible for me to contribute to financing my own education," said Candes Gentry, director of Gentry Pacific, Ltd. " I hope that I can help other deserving students enjoy a balanced life while earning scholarship funds to alleviate the financial strain of pursuing education, which I value so deeply."

"As a highly talented student, Candes had the opportunity to attend any college of her choice," said Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw. "We're honored that she chose the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to pursue her MBA. With Candes' scholarship endowment, she is providing increased opportunities for other great students to receive an excellent business education at home."

Candes Meijide Gentry is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, earning a BS from the School of Travel Industry Management in 1998 and an MBA from the Shidler College of Business in 2004. Gentry is an accomplished athlete, performer, Miss Hawaiʻi 1999 and world traveler. She is director of Gentry Pacific, Ltd., one of the many family-owned businesses in which she is an active shareholder.

Gentry was raised in Hawaiʻi and graduated from Punahou School. As a scholarship recipient, she attended Babson College and Columbia University, but decided to complete her education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.