Brette Holland
Enhancing the quality of life for others
By: Michelle Thompson
Brette Holland has a passion for learning, sports and fitness.
A regular volunteer in her community and a gifted athlete, Brette enjoys helping people and seeing others succeed.
“Brette is an exceptional student-athlete,” said Dal AC Athletics Director Judy smith. “She participated in soccer and golf while a student at the Faculty of Agriculture and excelled in both,” she added. “A dedicated, coachable athlete, she has a competitive sport spirit and is a supportive teammate. She was a pleasure to have in the “Rams Family.”
A Mechanical Engineering student on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Brette was named Rookie of the Year for Golf in 2014-15 and MVP for 2015-16. She was named a CCAA Academic All-Canadian, ACAA All Conference and Dal AC All Academic Athlete for 2014-15. She is also an avid runner, having participated in many local races and competing in the Nike Women’s half marathon in Washington, DC in 2014.
“As a student athlete at the AC, playing on both the women’s varsity soccer and golf teams, I had many great experiences,” said Brette. “As a member of the 2015 women’s golf team, playing in the national championships in BC will be a memory I will always treasure,” she added.
Brette was most recently awarded the Nova Scotia Power Centennial Scholarship for 2016. This scholarship is awarded annually to students commencing full-time studies at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Engineering and is renewable for two years.
“I am very honoured to be a recipient of the Nova Scotia Power Centennial Scholarship,” said Brette. “As a student, financial aid goes a long way when pursuing an education. I am very grateful and appreciative of this scholarship.”
Brette graduated from Dalhousie University with distinction in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Mathematics and a Certificate in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics. She has been named to the Dean’s List every year of her university studies, both during her first degree and her current Engineering Diploma.
Brette grew up in Shortts Lake, NS surrounded by many supportive people. “I was drawn to Mechanical Engineering because of my passion for math and physics along with my keen interest for problem solving,” explains Brette. “Throughout my life I have been fortunate to have had the opportunities and support of my family to participate in many sporting and community events,” she added. “I was always encouraged to help others achieve their goals in both academics and athletics.”
In her spare time, Brette is also a certified Zumba and ZumbAtomic instructor, having taught regular classes in Halifax, Enfield and Brookfield, NS. She has volunteered her Zumba skills for a multitude of fundraising events, including Relay for Life, Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia and Girl Guides. She also tutors math at all grade levels.
“The Department of Engineering is delighted to have Brette as our alum. She is equally recognized for her intelligence and diligence as her kindness and leadership,” explains Mandi Wilson, Administrative Coordinator, Department of Engineering. “She aspires to excellence in every activity. Brette is a well deserving recipient of the Nova Scotia Power Centennial Scholarship. We are proud of her academic accomplishments and look forward to her future contributions to the engineering program.”
Brette completed her two-year Mechanical Enginnering Diploma on the Ag Campus and will compete her degree on Dalhousie University’s Halifax campus in September as a third year Mechanical Engineering student in the co-op program.
“When I graduate from the program, I plan to pursue a career in biomedical engineering developing prosthetic limbs due to my strong passion for sport and fitness as well as helping others. I want to enhance the quality of life for others.”