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Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies Awarded: Six Students Celebrate the New Year with Major Scholarships

Over $1,000,000 awarded from the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies since 1989

Six business students studying at Atlantic Canadian universities will each receive $15,000 as recipients of the 2014 Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies. Four other students will receive an honorable mention award of $2,000. All finalists, nominated by the Dean of Business at each university, receive a $500 honorarium.

The award recipients were chosen from 30 finalists based on academic standing, entrepreneurial interest, extracurricular and community activities and career aspirations.

“These winners are exceptional young leaders and outstanding academic achievers. They exemplify compassion for their communities and demonstrate a healthy balance with everything else in their lives, all while excelling in the study of Business,” said Paul D. Sobey, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies. “They are all leaders of the next generation and we are proud to celebrate their achievements through Frank H. Sobey’s vision for fostering young business potential from Atlantic Canada.” The award recipients are:

• Andrew Quinlan is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student at Dalhousie University, majoring in marketing management. While maintaining a cumulative GPA of 4.05, he has been actively involved in business case competitions at multiple universities. Andrew is actively involved in campus life at Dalhousie as a member of the Dal Commerce Society, the Dalhousie Allies and the Commerce Mentorship Program.
• Bryan McLaughlin is studying for his BComm at Saint Mary’s University and is the third generation working in his family’s construction business. While maintaining a cumulative GPA of 4.24 he has been active and provided leadership in the Commerce Society, Impact Fund and in Enactus. Bryan is particularly proud of his involvement in helping small businesses through his community engagement.
• Ryan Cassidy is a business student at the University of Prince Edward Island majoring in accounting. As an A+ student, Ryan is executive member of the UPEI Business Society. He is the winner of numerous awards and recognitions including the Ethics in Action Case Competition (Nov 2013), the Harry M. MacLauchlan Scholarship in Entrepreneurial Leadership (2013) and the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal, to name a few.  
• Jake Wildman-Sisk is pursuing a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Business Administration concurrently at the University of New Brunswick. While maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.7, Jake plays UNB varsity soccer and multiple musical instruments. Jake’s volunteerism includes the Fredericton Food Bank, Fundraising for Right to Play, the United Way Central New Brunswick Student Impact Committee and Athletes for Africa. 
• Keith MacDonald is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student at Mount Allison University, majoring in accounting. He earned the highest GPA in the first, second and third years of his program and is the recipient of the Ernst and Young Award for Excellence in Financial Accounting. Keith’s campus involvement includes active participation in the Commerce Society, serving as an Academic Tutor and as a participant in the Business Case Competition. Off campus, Keith coaches lacrosse and is an active volunteer at Saint David’s United Church.
• Stéphanie Doiron is a Dean’s Honour Role student at the Université de Moncton’s Faculty of Administration. In addition to consistently outstanding academic achievement, Stéphanie is an award-winning athlete, coach and volunteer in the athletics community of New Brunswick. In addition to her academic and athletic commitments, Stéphanie runs a small business “Sew Cozy” through which she sells her own products at local venues and online.

Rowe School of Business Director Greg Hebb and Peggy Cunningham, Dean, Faculty of Management. presented Andrew with the first instalment of the scholarship in a private ceremony at the start of the Christmas holiday break

The following students each received Honorable Mention and a prize of $2,000.

• Peter Abels – St. Francis Xavier University
• Michel Comeau – Mount Allison University
• Andrew Flemming – Mount Saint Vincent University
• Patricia McCann – Cape Breton University

About the awards

There are six Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies of $15,000 each. All full-time business students attending Atlantic Canadian universities are eligible for consideration. The Dean of Business at each university nominates candidates based on academic standing, entrepreneurial interest, extracurricular and community activities, employment history and career aspirations.

Established in 1989, the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies have awarded more than $1,000,000 to business students in the four Atlantic Provinces. Each university in the region offering a business program has had at least one recipient.