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Twenty-one students become Sir Howard Douglas Scholars

Author: Rachel Ramkaran

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

Category: UNB Fredericton , UNB Saint John

 (Front row, from left) Jami Horne, Julia Evans, Jackson McElman, Fatan Islam, Laura Pitts, Vera Chen, Sophie Patriquin. (Middle row, from left) Bernard Morgan, Andrew Gweon, Marlee Hansen, Emma Vittoria Dunnett, Isabelle Shepard, Luke Boateng. (Top row, from left) Casey Flanagan, Sylvia Okpata, Isaac Groom, Victoria Patterson, Aishi Chakraborti, Ghazal Motamedi, Kayley Gregoire, Serena Woolridge.

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is honoured to welcome 21 students to the Sir Howard Douglas Society. The induction ceremony took place on the Fredericton campus on March 23, where the new inductees were recognized for their exceptional contributions to UNB and their communities. Each one exemplifies the society’s motto: Non Nobis Solum—Not for Ourselves Alone.

"The new Sir Howard Douglas Scholars exemplify the promise and responsibility of leadership,” said Dr. Kathy Wilson, acting president and vice chancellor of UNB. “They are ambitious and thoughtful about their own futures, and they are equally committed to using their talents to serve others, strengthen our communities, and help shape a better society."

For 20 years, faculties have nominated scholars who have completed at least two years of their undergraduate degree programs and have demonstrated academic excellence while actively participating in co-curricular or extracurricular activities.

The inductees for 2026 were:

  • Luke Boateng, from Ghana, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Health, honours in Biomedical Sciences and Health.
  • Aishi Chakraborti, from Kolkata, India, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing.
  • Vera Chen, from New Maryland, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology, minor in Biology and a specialization in Neuroscience.
  • Emma Vittoria Dunnett, from Moncton, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology.
  • Julia Evans, from Grand Bay-Westfield, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Juris Doctor.
  • Casey Flanagan, from Saint John, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing with a Mental Health Nursing Certificate.
  • Kayley Gregoire, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with honours.
  • Isaac Groom, from St. Stephen, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Health, honours in Biomedical Sciences and Health.
  • Andrew Gweon, from Fredericton, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.
  • Marlee Hansen, from Riverview, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with joint honours in Law in Society and Political Science.
  • Jami Horne, from Windsor, Nova Scotia, who is pursuing a Juris Doctor.
  • Fatan Islam, from Fredericton, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology-Chemistry.
  • Jackson McElman, from Quispamsis, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in Chemical Engineering and minors in Mathematics and Biology.
  • Bernard Morgan, from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, who is pursuing a Juris Doctor.
  • Ghazal Motamedi, from Saint John, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Health, honours in Biomedical Sciences and Health.
  • Sylvia Okpata, from Obeledu, Anambra state, Nigeria, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Health with a major in Biomedical Sciences and Health.
  • Sophie Patriquin, from Amherst, Nova Scotia, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology-Psychology and a specialization in Neuroscience.
  • Victoria Patterson, from Saint John, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work.
  • Laura Pitts, from Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, who is pursuing a Juris Doctor.
  • Isabelle Shepard, from Burtts Corner, New Brunswick, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, honours in Psychology.
  • Serena Woolridge, from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science, honours in Mathematics with a minor in Physics.

Established in 2006, the Sir Howard Douglas Society of Scholars now has 328 members, including this year's inductees.

Sir Howard Douglas served as lieutenant governor of New Brunswick from 1823 to 1831. During his term, he encouraged development, sought support for Indigenous Peoples, improved communications and promoted education. He was a founder and the first chancellor of King’s College Fredericton, predecessor to UNB.

Photo caption: (Front row, from left) Jami Horne, Julia Evans, Jackson McElman, Fatan Islam, Laura Pitts, Vera Chen, Sophie Patriquin. (Middle row, from left) Bernard Morgan, Andrew Gweon, Marlee Hansen, Emma Vittoria Dunnett, Isabelle Shepard, Luke Boateng. (Top row, from left) Casey Flanagan, Sylvia Okpata, Isaac Groom, Victoria Patterson, Aishi Chakraborti, Ghazal Motamedi, Kayley Gregoire, Serena Woolridge.