Impact of Giving

Shannex and UNB partner for aging research and nursing education

UNB Newsroom

Posted: May 29, 2024 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: News and Events , Donor Stories



Shannex RLC Ltd. and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) have signed a $1 million partnership agreement to expand education and research in the field of life transitions and older adult care. The agreement was announced jointly by Shannex and UNB at Shannex's Halifax headquarters today. Half of Shannex’s strategic investment – $500,000 – will be used to establish the Shannex Research Chair in Aging Transitions as part of UNB’s Integrated Health Initiative...

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A legacy for advancing physics education

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: January 15, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , Bequests



Emma and Clyde Gross had no interest in promoting themselves through the scholarship in their name; they only wanted to promote physics and encourage bright students in that field. “I hope someone will discover all kinds of wonderful things we don’t know about now,” said Clyde, on the motivation behind the award. The Emma and Clyde deVeer Gross Scholarships will be valued at $6,500, covering tuition for two third- or fourth-year physics students every year. Although neither...

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Sir James Dunn Foundation donates $1M to UNB's Integrated Health Initiative

UNB Newsroom

Posted: January 9, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: News and Events , Donor Stories



The University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) Integrated Health Initiative (IHI) has received a twofold boost thanks to a $1 million gift from the Sir James Dunn Foundation. Read on to find out how this gift will support the ambitious vision for excellence in health and social innovation.

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A lifetime of gratitude

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: January 2, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories



Bill Baker (BSc’55) has spent a lifetime feeling grateful for the opportunities opened up for him at UNB, and nearly 50 years giving back with an annual gift of a size he could afford. “I’m not a famous grad or a distinguished grad,” Bill said, “I’m just a guy from Moncton who was really, really lucky and got to go to UNB on a Beaverbrook scholarship. I was grateful then, and I have been grateful every day since. It changed my life.” In the summer of...

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Empowering accessibility

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 14, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories



In 2006, when Jim McLean (BScEE’70) and his wife, Rilla (BT’68, BA’70) were considering including UNB in their gift planning, they reached out to the Office of Development and Donor Relations to discuss a potential bequest. Over the next few years, they worked together with development staff to create an award that was both meaningful to them and supportive of the diverse community of students at UNB. The James and Rilla McLean Memorial Bursary, valued at a minimum of...

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A family affair: empowering future foresters

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 11, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories



Every member of the Erdle family has experienced the benefits of a UNB education, and each of them wished to extend those opportunities to students in years to come. Thom (BScF’79, PhD’90), Marianne (BScF’83, BEd’94), Alanna (MScFE’13) and Heidi (MF’13, MBA’18) Erdle, each of whom earned degrees in forestry, have come together to fund the Erdle Family Prize in Forest Management. Valued at $4,000, the prize is awarded annually to a Bachelor of Science...

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A History of Philanthropy at the University of New Brunswick

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: June 26, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , Scholarships and Bursaries , Creating Opportunities for Students , News and Events



Pictured above: Sir George E. Foster (BA 1868, LLD 1894) made a proposal in 1923: the establishment of a $500,000 endowment fund, supported by donations from alumni and other friends of the university. He announced that he himself would guarantee $50,000 in contributions. The story of philanthropy at UNB spans the last century and beyond. From our first informal campaign, with a goal of half a million dollars, to the record-breaking $125 million It Begins Here campaign in the 2010s,...

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Helping arts students benefit from the co-op experience

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 21, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , Scholarships and Bursaries



UNB graduates John and Laura Runcie drew on their own memories of university life in establishing a co-op bursary program for arts students on the Saint John campus.John (BA’12) and Laura (BN’13) say they both received financial support from UNB during their undergraduate years and realize how much it helped them succeed in their studies.John said he wishes there had been a co-op program he could have applied for while he was a student because he believes work experience provides...

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UNB family leaves enduring legacy for students and colleagues

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 12, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , Bequests



Professor Jack Iwanicki and his wife, Eileen (Haworth), made many students feel welcome in their 31 years of service to UNB. Students and faculty members will continue to benefit from their generosity thanks to the couple’s $2.8-million bequest in support of student financial aid, engagement and faculty research.Jack joined UNB’s department of philosophy in 1965. Eileen worked for CBC and the federal Department of Consumer Affairs before joining UNB’s office of human...

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UNB advancing artificial intelligence and data science with $2.5 million commitment

UNB Newsroom

Posted: November 24, 2022 9:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events



University of New Brunswick (UNB) alumnus Dick Carpenter (BA’72) and the McKenna Institute are pleased to announce a gift of $2.5 million to advance the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science at UNB. AI and data science have become essential elements in the creation of effective digital products and services. AI depends on large data sets for developing reliable predictive models and data science relies on AI algorithms to extract meaningful features from data...

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UNB announces $1.25 million commitment to digital education for economically disadvantaged communities

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: October 21, 2022 1:30:00 PM ADT

Category: News and Events , Donor Stories



The Joyce Family Foundation and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) are pleased to announce a gift of $1.25 million in support of The Promise Partnership peer-to-peer mentoring and tutoring program. The gift will be used to create The Promise Partnership Digital Literacy Initiative. This initiative will see UNB’s successful Promise Partnership peer-to-peer mentoring and tutoring program for children in economically disadvantaged communities expanded to include a new digital literacy...

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UNB announces $2.8 million commitment to benefit students

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: October 5, 2022 4:00:00 PM ADT

Category: News and Events , Donor Stories



The estate of Jack and Eileen Iwanicki and the University of New Brunswick are pleased to announce a gift of $2.8 million in support of students and faculty. It is among the largest gifts ever made to UNB from a faculty member. The gift was committed as a bequest by UNB professor Jack A. Iwanicki, who taught philosophy on the Fredericton campus for 31 years. The bequest includes support for scholarships in both Jack and Eileen’s names and the creation of endowments on the Fredericton...

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UNB opens $1 million Shankar Computer Science Laboratory

UNB Newsroom

Posted: September 28, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events



The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is pleased to announce a gift of $1 million to establish the Shankar Computer Science Laboratory. The 1,900 square foot state-of-the art laboratory was created through the generous support of alumnus Subramonian Shankar. It includes 74 workstation class machines and, in an historic first for UNB, an additional 70 machines with infrastructure allowing access to the computer science laboratory’s resources globally. This enables the lab to be used...

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McKenna Scholars Program at UNB grows with $300,000 gift from John Khoury

UNB Newsroom

Posted: September 15, 2022 11:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events , Scholarships and Bursaries


John Khoury The McKenna Institute at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) has announced a $300,000 gift from John Khoury to support women and Indigenous students studying in UNB’s faculty of computer science. The most recent addition to the prestigious McKenna Scholars Program at UNB, the John Khoury Scholarships are valued at $15,000 each. They will be awarded annually to four outstanding students enrolled in the bachelor of computer science or the bachelor of science in...

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Frank and Julie McKenna establish scholarship for UNB students from Miramichi

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: August 10, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: News and Events , Scholarships and Bursaries , Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories



The McKenna Institute at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) has announced a $300,000 gift from The Hon. Frank McKenna, PC, OC, ONB, QC, and Julie McKenna to establish the Frank McKenna Computer Science Scholarship at UNB.Awarded to students from Miramichi-area high schools and valued at up to $15,000, the Frank McKenna Computer Science Scholarship is the latest addition to the prestigious McKenna Scholars Program at UNB. The McKenna Scholars Program is an integral part of the McKenna...

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UNB and McKenna Institute announce Barrett Chair in Entrepreneurship for Digital Transformation

UNB Newsroom

Posted: May 17, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: News and Events , Donor Stories



The McKenna Institute and the University of New Brunswick are pleased to announce the launch of the Barrett Chair in Entrepreneurship for Digital Transformation, funded by a $2.5-million commitment from Edward (Ed) and William (Bill) Barrett. Based within UNB Fredericton’s faculty of computer science, the Barrett Chair in Entrepreneurship for Digital Transformation will further the mission of UNB’s McKenna Institute to drive digital progress and prosperity in New Brunswick. In...

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50 years of giving

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: January 19, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events



His UNB education changed his life, so for 50 years Gordon Tracy Alexander (BScE ’48) has shown his gratitude by giving back to UNB.Gordon came to UNB in 1944, aged 17, from a tiny school in Fredericton Junction. He credits the Lord Beaverbook Entrance Scholarship with opening the door to a university education, giving him the opportunity to fulfil his dream of becoming a civil engineer.He loved his time at UNB and immersed himself in the university community, playing intramural hockey...

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A history scholarship endowed for the future

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 13, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Bequests , News and Events , Donor Stories , Tribute Gifts



Professor Tom Evans was passionate about teaching history, and thanks to a scholarship he established in his parents’ names, generations of students will benefit from that passion.Born and raised in Fredericton, Tom completed his bachelor of arts in history at UNB in 1960, taking part in many campus activities. His entry from UNB’s Up the Hill yearbook said of Tom, “his quiet and easy manner have made him well liked by all who know him.”After graduation and with the...

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Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation contributions give UNB a competitive advantage

UNB Newsroom

Posted: November 29, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events



Building on a longstanding reputation in leading research, entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of New Brunswick, the Harriet Irving Library Research Commons and Rose Garden are now officially open. With a $6.4-million gift from the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation, these newly constructed spaces create interdisciplinary and multifunctional learning and gathering spaces on campus. Spanning the third floor of the Harriet Irving Library, the Research Commons is designed to...

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UNB opens new facility, advances leadership in prosthetics and rehabilitation research

UNB Newsroom

Posted: November 18, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events



The University of New Brunswick has officially opened a new research facility that builds on six decades of specialized research leadership in its Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME). Thanks to the financial support from private, provincial and federal funders, the Centre for Adaptive Rehabilitation Engineering (CARE) enables specialized neurological rehabilitation in a research space furnished with advanced equipment. “Our new facility provides an amazing range of technologies...

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$3 million milestone for Beaverbrook Scholars Award

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: October 27, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Alumni Annual Giving , Donor Stories , Scholarships and Bursaries , News and Events , Creating Opportunities for Students



As the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Beaverbrook Scholars Award drew to a close, the founders and supporters of the award proudly reached a milestone of paying it forward: they have awarded more than $3 million dollars to 92 students.Founded in 1979 by a small group of alumni who wanted to support others as Lord Beaverbrook once supported them, the scholarship is valued at $50,000 over the recipient’s degree program and is awarded to outstanding New Brunswick high school...

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UNB Announces Arthur and Sandra Irving Primrose Scholarship recipients for 2021-22

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: July 22, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , Scholarships and Bursaries , News and Events , Creating Opportunities for Students



The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is proud to announce the 2021 recipients of the Arthur and Sandra Irving Primrose Scholarship at UNB Saint John. This year’s recipients are Colby Arsenault, Benjamin Talbot and Patrick Talbot.The Arthur and Sandra Irving Primrose Scholarship, valued at $40,000 over four years, recognizes outstanding students for their academic achievement, community involvement and athletic leadership. The scholarship is supported by Arthur Irving, O.C., O.N.B....

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90-year-old scientist paves way for future researchers

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: January 22, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events ,



When asked, Dr. Friedrich (Fritz) Grein will concede that he is a “good researcher.” His extraordinary record shows that “good” is an understatement. Professor Emeritus in the department of chemistry, Dr. Grein remains an active researcher after 60 years with the University of New Brunswick. Having generously established two research awards at the University of New Brunswick, he has ensured that future UNB researchers will have more opportunities than ever to pursue...

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Supporting UNB – a family tradition

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: January 14, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , Creating Opportunities for Students , Alumni Annual Giving



A family’s tradition of studying at UNB has grown into a tradition of supporting UNB. Both Gary Lawson (BBA 1976, LLB 1979) and his daughter Sarah Birch (BBA 2001, LLB 2004) studied at UNB’s Saint John campus for their undergraduate degrees, and both went on to complete law degrees at UNB’s Law School. In fact, Sarah’s sister is also a UNB graduate, like many of Gary’s siblings. Even Gary’s father attended UNB. Gary and Sarah both feel strongly about giving...

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A legacy of love

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: January 5, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Donor Stories , Scholarships and Bursaries , Alumni Annual Giving , Bequests , Creating Opportunities for Students , Tribute Gifts



Marilyn Garland considered herself “small but mighty.” A force to be reckoned with, she easily held her own in the company of UNB’s basketball teams, which she so loved. A steadfast donor to UNB during her life, upon her death in 2018 Marilyn (BT 1979) left the university a generous bequest of $100,000, divided evenly between an athletics scholarship for New Brunswick students and an engineering scholarship she established in her late husband’s name. A teacher by...

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New education awards honour late dean Ann Sherman

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 23, 2020 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , News and Events , Scholarships and Bursaries , Tribute Gifts



Students in the University of New Brunswick’s faculty of education have the opportunity to carry on the legacy of the faculty’s late dean Dr. Ann Sherman, thanks to a generous commitment of $400,000 from the John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation in support of early childhood education. The gift supports the annual awarding of four undergraduate Dr. Ann Sherman Scholarships in Early Childhood Education, valued at $5,000 each; two Dr. Ann Sherman Graduate Fellowships valued at...

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Foundation extends support for Beaverbrook Scholars Award

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: August 25, 2020 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Scholarships and Bursaries , Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , News and Events



The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation will continue its support of UNB’s Beaverbrook Scholars Award for a further two years, matching donations from Beaverbrook Scholars to a maximum of $100,000 per year. This will bring the foundation’s total contribution to the award to $500,000 over five years. In 2018, the foundation announced a commitment to match gifts to the award up to $300,000 over three years. The renewed commitment of a further $200,000 extends the matching program until...

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UNB alumni match COVID-19 Student Relief Fund donations

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: April 17, 2020 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Alumni Annual Giving , Donor Stories , News and Events , Creating Opportunities for Students



Dear Alumni, In these uncertain times, I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. As you may be aware, last month UNB’s president Paul Mazerolle created a special COVID-19 Student Relief Fund to support students who have been directly impacted by the coronavirus crisis. The response from students has been overwhelming. The need for these funds to help ease the hardships many now confront is real and urgent. We at the UNB Associated Alumni have been touched and...

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A dedication to students

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: February 20, 2020 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , Bequests , News and Events , Scholarships and Bursaries



Catherine Sutherland (BA '78, BBA '94) has a long history of commitment to UNB, and she has ensured that dedication will continue for years to come.   A UNB family Catherine comes from a UNB family, and because her father didn’t finish his degree at UNB, it was important to him that Catherine had the opportunity to finish hers. Like her late husband Gerald, Catherine came from humble beginnings. While a student at UNB, Catherine always worked part-time to avoid incurring a large...

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The McLean family legacy

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 30, 2019 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Scholarships and Bursaries , Tribute Gifts , Bequests , Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , News and Events



Alan and Joyce McLean always believed in the importance of sharing – not just their financial resources, but also of themselves.Alan, or “Al,” was born and raised in Saint John. One of five children with a widowed mother, Al and his siblings all worked to keep the family afloat, and he learned early that it is important to both work hard and look out for the well-being of others. Al’s strong work ethic led him to become a successful businessman. He was president of...

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Celebrating GivingTuesday at UNB!

Development and Donor Relations

Posted: December 2, 2019 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: , News and Events , Donor Stories , Alumni Annual Giving , Scholarships and Bursaries , Creating Opportunities for Students



It's GivingTuesday! On Tuesday, Dec. 3, UNB is joining the 24-hour, worldwide fundraising effort celebrating philanthropy! Thanks to support from donors like you, our students have more opportunities to succeed with scholarships and bursaries, library resources and more. Be a part of GivingTuesday We asked alumni why they give and here is what they said: John: "My wife and I graduated from UNB in 1986 and 1987 respectively and then began our professional careers to obtain our Chartered...

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University of New Brunswick graduate credits Beaverbrook Scholarship for extensive involvement

Development & Donor Relations

Posted: May 31, 2019 12:00:00 PM ADT

Category: Alumni Annual Giving , Scholarships and Bursaries , Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories



Back in late spring on the UNB Fredericton campus, the mid-morning sun broke the lingering crispness in the air as Hannah Meneley juggled another busy day. Dressed in a bright red blazer for a 30-minute photo shoot, the Canterbury native was living UNB life to the fullest, effectively mixing her academic and extracurricular responsibilities.  Her roles varied from sitting on the Women in Engineering Society’s executive to chairing the Engineering Undergraduate Society’s...

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Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund grant announced during opening of Psychological Wellness Centre’s new location at UNB

Development and Donor Relations, UNB

Posted: November 29, 2018 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: News and Events , Donor Stories



FREDERICTON, NB, November 29, 2018 – The Psychological Wellness Centre (PWC) at the University of New Brunswick is pleased to receive a $19,500 Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund grant to help expand the PWC’s group therapy program for adolescents and teens. The grant was announced during the opening of the Centre’s new location in the C.C. Jones Student Services Centre. The PWC’s trans-diagnostic program helps teens who have symptoms of depression and/or anxiety but...

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Bob and Barbara Pickett support research facility for adaptive rehabilitation engineering at UNB

Your Name

Posted: October 23, 2018 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events



The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME) at UNB will be adding new space for the Centre for Adaptive Rehabilitation Engineering thanks to the generosity of alumnus Bob Pickett (BSc CE ’61, MSc CE ’63) and his wife, Barbara. The Picketts’ leadership gift of $400,000 has leveraged $4.5 million from the Province of New Brunswick and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. This funding will be used to construct a new wing at R.N. Scott Hall and to purchase the technology...

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UNB’s It Begins Here campaign celebrates raising $125 million

UNB Development and Donor Relations

Posted: September 28, 2018 1:00:00 PM ADT

Category: Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , News and Events



The University of New Brunswick wrapped up the largest fundraising campaign in its history on Sept. 28, 2018 with a bi-campus victory party that gave students 125 million reasons to celebrate. It Begins Here: The Campaign for the University of New Brunswick was launched in November 2016 with the goal of raising $110 million for student support and faculty research. “10,000 alumni worldwide joined in to help bring us to this moment,” said Dr. Eddy Campbell, UNB president and...

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Indspire, CIBC launch new bursaries for Indigenous students

UNB Development and Donor Relations

Posted: September 11, 2018 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: News and Events , Creating Opportunities for Students , Donor Stories , Scholarships and Bursaries



Indigenous students enrolling in the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and Saint John now have access to a special bursary program, thanks to a $500,000 gift from CIBC to UNB’s It Begins Here campaign. The CIBC-University of New Brunswick Indigenous Bursaries will be awarded to undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students enrolled in Bachelor of Business Administration programs. The bursaries are open to First Nations, Inuit and...

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OSCO funds research in off-site construction at UNB

UNB Development and Donor Relations

Posted: September 6, 2018 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events



OSCO Construction Group is investing $2 million in the University of New Brunswick to establish a new Centre for Off-site Construction and to fund research led by the new OSCO Chair in Off-site Construction. In contrast to conventional “stick-built” construction at a jobsite, off-site construction consists of planning, designing and fabricating building elements in a factory-controlled environment for rapid assembly in a “plug-and-play” fashion at the jobsite. Off-site...

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Shannex donates $100,000 to establish nursing scholarships at UNB

UNB Development and Donor Relations

Posted: April 17, 2018 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , Creating Opportunities for Students , News and Events , Scholarships and Bursaries



Thanks to the support of Shannex, University of New Brunswick nursing students showing promise in the area of gerontological nursing will be eligible for three Shannex New Brunswick Scholarships beginning in September. The Shannex New Brunswick Scholarships were announced today at a news conference at Parkland Saint John hosted by Jason Shannon, president and chief operating officer of Shannex, Eddy Campbell, president of the University of New Brunswick, and David Ganong, co-chair of...

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Fredericton family creates scholarship endowment at the University of New Brunswick

Development and Donor Relations, UNB

Posted: April 21, 2017 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Donor Stories , News and Events , Scholarships and Bursaries , Creating Opportunities for Students



Siblings Bob, Tim, John and Iris Bliss were all active students when they attended the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus in the 1950s – they participated in student societies and sports teams, and excelled academically. In the years since graduating, their ties to their alma mater have remained strong. From their support of athletics facilities and teams, to leadership with the Beaverbrook Scholars award committee, to service with the UNB Alumni Association and the...

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