UNB News
News and stories from one of Canada’s top universities

The University of New Brunswick and J.D. Irving, Limited are pleased to announce the 2022 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 810 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 2022 recipients are Lauren Dysart, William Gusarov, Alexi Melanson, Thomas Patstone and Camden Silliker. 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.

Lauren Dysart of Saint John is a Grade 12 student at Saint John High School and will be studying engineering on UNB’s Fredericton campus. “Being awarded the J.D. Irving Limited NB Leadership Scholarship is a great honour and a highlight of my Grade 12 year,” said Dysart. “Attending UNB to pursue my engineering degree means that I can combine my career path and my passion for helping others right here in my home province.”

Fredericton’s William Gusarov is graduating from Fredericton High School and will pursue a bachelor of computer science degree at UNB in Fredericton. “It is a great honour and excitement for me to be the recipient of this prestigious award. I am grateful to J. D. Irving, Limited for enabling me to receive an excellent education at such a strong university as UNB,” he said.

Alexi Melanson of Hampton is a student at Centre scolaire Samuel-de-Champlain. He plans to study business on UNB’s Fredericton campus. “I am honoured and truly grateful to be a recipient of the J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship at UNB,” said Melanson. “This opportunity will enable me to get the most out of my post-secondary education as I shape my future and career path in New Brunswick.”

Thomas Patstone of Grand Bay-Westfield attends Harbour View High School and plans to study business on UNB’s Saint John campus. “This scholarship will enable me to be fully focused on my education and personal growth while attending UNB Saint John,” he said, adding, “I will work my hardest to respect this opportunity and make UNB and J.D. Irving, Limited proud of their decision.”

Camden Silliker of Lyttleton is a student at North & South Esk Regional High School. He will study business on UNB’s Fredericton campus. “I am grateful to be selected as a recipient of the J.D. Irving, Limited NB Leadership Scholarship and for the opportunities this will provide. I am looking forward to pursuing my career aspirations in business while staying in my home province,” he said.

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

“These scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for UNB and JDI to work together toward a common goal: helping New Brunswick students thrive while studying and working at home in New Brunswick,” said Dr. Mazerolle. “Both our university and our province benefit from our students’ successes. 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 140 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

• Kelsey Pye: Communications Officer, University of New Brunswick, k.pye@unb.ca, (506) 443-4508
• Anne McInerney: V.P. Communications, J.D. Irving, Ltd. (506) 651-9092