UNB and JDI announce 2026 leadership scholarship recipients
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Jun 9, 2026
Category: Press Releases
The University of New Brunswick and J.D. Irving, Limited are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB.
Valued at $10,000 per year and renewable for up to four years, the J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB is among the university's most prestigious awards.
“Providing talented young New Brunswickers with training, education, and rewarding careers right here at home is central to our business and our partnership with UNB,” said Linda Speedy, VP, Human Resources for J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI). “We are proud to employ over 1050 UNB alumni at JDI and we look forward to increasing that number by encouraging more talented individuals, like this year’s scholarship recipients, to join us and advance their careers.”
The 2026 recipients are Sarah Daigle, Henry Glazier, Eghosa Oronsaye and Ryan Woolard. These outstanding New Brunswickers were selected for their academic achievement, leadership skills, and dedication to community and extra-curricular activities. All four will begin their studies at UNB in the fall.
Sarah Daigle of Saint John is a student at St. Malachy’s Memorial High School and is enrolled in the bachelor of business administration degree program at UNB Fredericton. “I am extremely grateful that I was chosen as a recipient of the J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship. This scholarship will help me achieve higher education while pursuing my passions. I am looking forward to my university experience at UNB, and I am excited to see all of the opportunities university has to offer. I am proud to be one of this year's recipients of the JDI leadership scholarship,” said Daigle.
Henry Glazier of Miramichi is a student at James M. Hill Memorial High School and is enrolled in the bachelor of science in forestry degree program at UNB Fredericton. “Receiving the J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB is an incredible honour and means a lot to me and my family. This scholarship will help take the financial pressure off as I start my bachelor of science in forestry at UNB, and it will allow me to focus more on my education and getting involved in the UNB community. I am very thankful to JDI and UNB for believing in me and supporting my future in forestry,” he said.
Eghosa Oronsaye of Saint John is a student at St. Malachy’s Memorial High School and is enrolled in the bachelor of science in engineering degree program at UNB Fredericton. “This scholarship represents opportunity, recognition, and motivation to keep pushing toward my goals. When I learned I received the scholarship, I felt honoured, grateful, and excited for the future ahead,” said Oronsaye.
Ryan Woolard of Rothesay is a student at Rothesay High School and is enrolled in the bachelor of business administration degree program at UNB Saint John. “Receiving the JDI NB Leadership Scholarship is an incredible honour. It gives me the opportunity to focus on my education and future goals without carrying as much financial stress, while also connecting me with a company whose values around leadership, people, and teamwork strongly align with my own,” said Woolard.
“For many years, UNB and JDI have worked together with a common goal of advancing our region through educational excellence,” said Dr. Kathy Wilson, UNB’s acting president and vice chancellor. “We are sincerely grateful for JDI’s continued commitment to investing in future leaders. These scholarships strengthen our shared efforts to help talented young New Brunswickers build rewarding futures close to home.”
The J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB is open to high school students who are New Brunswick residents entering UNB. Preference is given to those enrolling in business, computer science, engineering or forestry degree programs. Recipients may be offered employment opportunities with JDI throughout their degree program and upon graduation.
About UNB
Established in 1785, the University of New Brunswick is Canada’s longest‑standing English-language university and New Brunswick’s only national comprehensive institution. Located on the unsurrendered and unceded traditional Wolastoqey land, UNB’s Fredericton and Saint John campuses welcome nearly 10,000 students from over 100 countries, offering a world‑class education across more than 250 innovative programs, certificates and diplomas. UNB is New Brunswick's sponsored research leader, advancing knowledge in areas including energy, health, environment and security. Together, UNB is transforming communities and helping shape a more just, equitable and inclusive world.
About JDI
J.D. Irving, Limited was founded in 1882. Today, with more than 18,000 full-time employees, JDI has business units in agriculture, construction and equipment, consumer products, food, forestry and forestry products, retail and distribution, shipbuilding and industrial fabrication, and transportation and logistics. Over the past 135 years, JDI has grown into a diverse group of performance-driven enterprises. JDI believes in investing and building business with the skills of great employees, producing excellent products, giving superior service to valued customers - and then reinvesting again. JDI is giving back to our community by investing in the future. Investing in the next generation of the workforce is part of that commitment.