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UNB and JDI announce 2019 scholarship recipient

Author: UNB Newsroom

Posted on Jun 5, 2019

Category: UNB Fredericton , UNB Saint John

The University of New Brunswick and J.D. Irving, Limited are pleased to announce the 2019 recipient of the JDI NB Scholarship at UNB.

Ethan Higgins Watson of Saint John will attend UNB Saint John in the fall to pursue a degree in engineering.

The entrance scholarship is valued at $8,000 and is renewable each year up to a total of $32,000, based on academic performance.

“I was so excited to find out I was the recipient of the JDI NB Scholarship at UNB,” says Mr. Higgins Watson. “With this scholarship, I will be able to accomplish some of my life goals like studying engineering at an excellent university. I know it will change my life and because of that I am beyond grateful.”

The scholarships are funded by a $1-million gift made in 2007 by J.D. Irving, Limited to UNB to allow New Brunswick students to fully commit and concentrate on their studies and to better prepare for their future careers.

“I will be able to focus my time and energy on my studies and I cannot thank either JDI or UNB enough for the incredible opportunity they have given me,” says Mr. Higgins Watson. “This all feels like a dream come true, and I cannot wait to begin studying in the fall at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John.”

“We are very pleased to provide assistance to Ethan,” said Colleen Baxter, vice-president of human resources at JDI. “He has demonstrated energy and enthusiasm as he prepares for his next step to UNB Saint John. We value our partnership with UNB and are proud to employ more than 830 graduates of the university on the JDI team."

“Investing in our youth is critical to ensuring a prosperous New Brunswick, something the JDI NB Scholarship has proven since its creation,” said Dr. Petra Hauf, UNB vice-president (Saint John). “JDI’s support of students through the scholarship continues to make a difference. Congratulations to Ethan on his success and we look forward to him joining the UNB family.”

Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievement, self-motivation, contribution to community, extra-curricular activities and financial need. The scholarships are awarded to students entering the faculties of forestry, computer science, information systems, business administration, software engineering, environment and natural resources and engineering.

The programs eligible for the JDI NB Scholarship at UNB include:

UNB Fredericton campus

  • Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Information Systems
  • Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Forestry
  • Bachelor of Science in Environment & Natural Resources
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering

UNB Saint John campus

  • Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • Bachelor of Information Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Media contact: Kelsey Pye

Photo: Ethan Higgins Watson, centre, the 2019 recipient of a $32,000 JDI NB Scholarship at UNB, is joined by Colleen Baxter, vice-president of human resources at JDI, and Perry Riley, chair of the department of engineering at UNB Saint John. Credit: Kelly Lawson Photography.