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The University of New Brunswick and J.D. Irving, Limited are pleased to announce the 2021 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 one of the university's most prestigious awards. 

“Supporting capable young New Brunswickers with training, education and through a rewarding career here at home is at the heart of our business and our partnership with UNB,” said Jim Irving, co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited. “We are proud to have more than 880 UNB alumni employed with JDI and are looking forward to increasing that number by having more talented young people – like this year’s scholarship recipients – join us and grow their careers.”  

The 2021 recipients are Nathaniel Dryden, Benjamin Durette, Benjamin Hogan, Lucy Kidney, Colin Matthews and Kendehl Taylor. These New Brunswick students were selected on the basis of their leadership ability, academic achievement, and involvement in community/extra-curricular activities. They will begin their studies at UNB in September. 

Nathaniel Dryden of Moncton is a Grade 12 student at Bernice MacNaughton High School and will be studying engineering on UNB’s Fredericton campus. He said he was speechless when awarded the scholarship. “I couldn’t believe this amazing opportunity I was given and what it means for my future,” said Dryden.

Fredericton’s Benjamin Durette is graduating from Leo Hayes High School and will pursue a bachelor of computer science degree at UNB in Fredericton. "I was honoured and overwhelmed when I found out that I had received this prestigious award,” said Durette. “I am beyond grateful to J.D. Irving for enabling me to head into UNB fully focused on my education and my future career in New Brunswick. I love this province and I look forward to my future here.”

Benjamin Hogan of Quispamsis is a student at Kennebecasis Valley High School. He plans to study business on UNB’s Fredericton campus. “The J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB is a tremendous honour, and I am beyond excited to be a recipient,” said Hogan. “This gives me the opportunity to pursue an excellent education and career in my home province."

Salisbury’s Lucy Kidney attends J.M.A. Armstrong High School. She will study engineering on UNB’s Fredericton campus. "I am thrilled and grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB,” she said. “I have grown up in New Brunswick and I am honoured to continue my education here and eventually begin my career here with the intention of making it a better place." 

Colin Matthews of Fredericton is graduating from Fredericton High School and is enrolled in engineering on his hometown campus. “Receiving this scholarship means I can focus on my studies and not be worried about a massive debt load,” said Matthews. “Also, the possibility of summer employment and learning on-the-job at JDI locations – well, that’s worth as much as the scholarship itself!”

Saint John’s Kendehl Taylor is in Grade 12 at Saint John High School and will study computer science on UNB’s Saint John campus in September. “I am honoured to have been selected for this scholarship,” said Taylor. “I always knew that I wanted to study locally, and I am very grateful to J. D. Irving, Limited for supporting me on this journey. It means so much to me that J. D. Irving, Limited and UNB recognize value in what I have accomplished so far and my aspirations for the future.”   

Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, UNB’s president and vice-chancellor, noted that UNB and JDI have a shared history of commitment to addressing societal and scientific challenges to help build a better New Brunswick. 

“These scholarships help keep New Brunswick students studying and working in New Brunswick,” said Dr. Mazerolle. “In line with our strategic vision, UNB Toward 2030, these awards provide an excellent opportunity for UNB and JDI to respond together to the looming skilled labour shortages in our province while fostering an environment in which students thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. We are tremendously grateful to JDI for their support of our future leaders.”

The J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB is open to high school students entering UNB who are New Brunswick residents. Preference is given to those enrolling in business, computer science, engineering or forestry. 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 (UNB) is Canada’s oldest English-language university and New Brunswick’s only comprehensive university. With more than 75 undergraduate and graduate programs across its Fredericton and Saint John campuses, UNB serves over 10,000 students from more than 100 countries. A full 50% of high school applicants receive scholarships. UNB is responsible for 70 per cent of all publicly funded research in the province of New Brunswick and attracts more than $50 million in external research funding annually. The University of New Brunswick is committed to enhancing educational attainment across the community.

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.

Media contacts

• J.D. Irving, Ltd.: Anne McInerney, (506) 651-9092
• University of New Brunswick: Kelsey Pye, Communications Officer, k.pye@unb.ca, (506) 453-4508

Photo: Nathaniel Dryden, Benjamin Durette, Benjamin Hogan, Lucy Kidney, Colin Matthews and Kendehl Taylor.