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Irving Oil and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) are pleased to announce student support totalling $2 million, including the establishment of $40,000 scholarships as well as bursaries to help more young people access education. 

The $2-million gift was committed by Irving Oil as part of UNB’s It Begins Here campaign, the most successful fundraising campaign in the university’s history.

Sponsored by Irving Oil, the Good Energy Scholarship at UNB will support New Brunswick students beginning an undergraduate degree program at UNB, with a focus on supporting students from underrepresented groups. Selection is based on academic achievement, with consideration given to students who are actively involved in community volunteerism and extracurricular activities. Valued at $40,000 over four years, it is one of UNB’s most prestigious scholarship programs. More than 30 Good Energy Scholars will benefit students over the next 10 years.

The inaugural Good Energy Scholars at UNB are Estella Calderon of Richibucto, Veronica Garcia of Florenceville-Bristol, Kaley Paul of Fredericton, and Chani Salomon of Riverview.

All four students will begin studies at UNB in September. Garcia and Salomon are enrolled in the bachelor of nursing program, and Paul is enrolled in the bachelor of science program, all on the Fredericton campus. Calderon is enrolled in the bachelor of health program on UNB’s Saint John campus.

The Good Energy Bursary, valued at $1,000, will be awarded to undergraduate students who are experiencing financial need. A total of 100 Good Energy Bursaries will be awarded over the next four years.

“We are happy to help students realize their dream of a post-secondary education,” says Ian Whitcomb, president of Irving Oil. “We share and support UNB's values of equity, diversity and inclusion and through this program, we will help address the inequities that exist in our province for students in underrepresented groups, and help build a diverse community of Good Energy Scholars over the next decade who will be well equipped to drive meaningful impact in their future work and communities.”

“We are proud to invest in people and education to provide opportunities for students in our communities and help empower the next generation,” says Sarah Irving, executive vice-president of Irving Oil. “Our organization has an important role to play and as our business grows and evolves for tomorrow, we are focused on bringing value and respect to the people, environment and communities where we live and work.”

In addition to the scholarship and bursary programs, a portion of the $2-million gift will support ongoing programming, including annual events for award recipients. Research opportunities will also be developed, aimed at advancing a more sustainable energy future in our region.

“UNB and Irving Oil have a long history of working together for the benefit of our province and its people,” says Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle, UNB’s president and vice-chancellor. “These scholarships and bursaries will have a tremendous effect on the advancement of students from underrepresented communities and those experiencing financial need, and this impact will be felt for years to come. We are grateful to Irving Oil for their generous support of our students and for their ongoing leadership in creating positive change in New Brunswick.”

Media contacts:

Kelsey Pye
Communications Officer
University of New Brunswick
k.pye@unb.ca

Katherine d’Entremont
Corporate Communications
Irving Oil
Katherine.dEntremont@irvingoil.com
(506) 654-7162

Photos: (L-R) Estella Calderon, Veronica Garcia, Kaley Paul and Chani Salomon.