In the coming week, grade twelve students across the province will be donning caps and gowns to celebrate their graduation from high school. For three New Brunswick students, there will be something extra to celebrate: they are receiving financial aid from J.D. Irving, Limited to pursue the next step in their education. 

Caleb Waite, Ashlyn Moody, and Cameron Arthurs have been selected as recipients of the JDI UNB Scholarship. These scholarships are valued at $8,000 per year, and are renewable, based on academic performance, until graduation. The scholarships are funded by a $1 million gift made in 2007 by J.D. Irving, Limited to UNB. 

Caleb Waite of Belleisle Creek, accepted into forestry at UNB, said the scholarship will help him pursue his dream of working to conserve the forests of the New Brunswick he is so fond of. “Finding out that I’d won the JDI scholarship was some of the best news I’ve ever received,” said Waite. “I’m not sure who was more excited that day, my family or me! I’m really excited about heading to UNB this fall.  I’ve done my research and know that UNB’s Forestry program is nationally recognized as one of the best.”

The 2016 JDI UNB Scholarship Winners: Caleb Waite (top left), Cameron Arthurs (bottom left), Ashlyn Moody (right)

The scholarships aim to allow talented students to fully apply themselves to their coursework and to better prepare for their future careers. That’s exactly what Cameron Arthurs of Carter's Point anticipates.  “The scholarship will make my post-secondary career much less stressful. I’ll be able to focus on my coursework without the burden and stress of student debt.” Arthurs was not the only one excited about his award, “When I found out that I had been granted a JDI Scholarship, I was sitting alone, and all I could do was smile! Next I called my mom. My whole family is excited for me.”

Recipient Ashlyn Moody of Blackville New Brunswick is excited by the prospect of studying close to home. “As a young person who desires to stay in my home province, this scholarship means so much.” Moody looks forward to studying Chemical Engineering at UNB. “Thank you JDI for this amazing opportunity, I could not be more excited for what the future holds!”   

Colleen Baxter, Vice President of Human Resources at J.D. Irving, Limited is pleased with the UNB partnership as the school’s alumni are an important part of JDI’s workforce and leadership. “We are committed to growing the potential of New Brunswick’s young people and to keeping them home with rewarding careers,” said Baxter, “We are proud to have over 600 UNB grads on our team and 94% of them are working here in New Brunswick.  We value our partnership with UNB and our shared efforts to develop the next generation of New Brunswick’s leaders.  We look forward to the next award of scholarships in 2017. Incoming students from New Brunswick can apply before the March 1, 2017 deadline.” 

"New Brunswick's future is tied to the opportunities available to its young people,” said Eddy Campbell, President and Vice-Chancellor, UNB.  "We deeply appreciate JDI's generous support for our best and brightest students through this scholarship program.  It not only furthers their education, it also offers confidence that there is a place for them in the provincial economy.” 

• Randi Watson of Hazelton, Computer Science, UNB Fredericton  
• Kyle Woods of Moncton, Chemical Engineering, UNB Fredericton  
• Lucas Loughead of Grand Bay-Westfield, Business Administration, UNB Saint John   
• Kylor Doyle of Rothesay, Business Administration, UNB Saint John 
• Jacob Wall, of Waais, Chemical Engineering, UNB Fredericton

The programs eligible for the JDI NB scholarships include the following:

UNB Fredericton  

Bachelor of Business Administration  
Bachelor of Computer Science  
Bachelor of Information Systems  
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering  
Bachelor of Science in Forestry  
Bachelor of Science in Environment & Natural Resources  
Bachelor of Science in Engineering 

UNB Saint John  

Bachelor of Business Administration  
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science  
Bachelor of Information Sciences  
Bachelor of Science in Engineering   

For further information and to apply for the JDI NB Scholarships at UNB, visit: www.unb.ca/scholarships/highschool/jdi-nb-scholarship