Mount Allison student wins Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies
2013-03-19 11:18:43
SACKVILLE, NB — Third-year Mount Allison University Commerce student Ben Wilson is the recipient of a 2013 Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies, valued at $15,000. Wilson — one of six students from Atlantic Canadian universities who received the award for 2013 — is the 12th Mount Allison student to receive this award since its establishment in 1989.
Wilson, a resident of Quechee, VT, says, “I am incredibly thankful and humbled by the generosity of the Sobey family and the rest of the Sobeys corporation. I’m glad nobody had a camera when I received the great news, as I was literally jumping for joy with a big goofy grin on my face.”
“These winners are exceptional role models for people of all ages. They exemplify compassion for their communities and demonstrate a healthy balance with everything else in their lives, all while maintaining outstanding academic performance,” said David F. Sobey, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies. “They demonstrate qualities, skills, passion and dedication to their communities, and are the leaders of the next generation. We are proud to recognize and celebrate their achievements and tremendous potential.”
Dr. Tim Hynes, director of Mount Allison’s Ron Joyce Centre for Business Studies says, “The Frank H Sobey Awards are some of the most prestigious and most competitive scholarships in the country. Ben was a most deserving recipient; he has maintained a stellar CGPA while being amazingly active in a variety of leadership roles across campus. I wish to congratulate him on this wonderful achievement.”
In addition to his studies, Wilson is involved in many initiatives on campus outside the classroom. A recipient of Mount Allison’s Bell Scholarship, the University’s most prestigious entrance award, Wilson is co-cordinator of Leadership Mount Allison, the University’s signature leadership development program. He also works as a campus and e-mail ambassador and is a member of the Orientation committee, welcoming first-year students to campus.
When asked what the future holds, Wilson says he’s looking to explore a few options. “I’m interested in exploring entrepreneurial ventures, in particular looking at services to support an aging population. I grew up in the hospitality industry, where I developed a strong appreciation for the impact of social media, branding, and personalized customer support. I’ve been lucky to have internships in different areas of business at several great companies. I may look into grad school as well. Mount Allison has provided me with such an incredible living and learning environment, it’s a great start.”
About the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies
The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies currently presents six awards of $15,000 each. All full-time business students attending Atlantic universities are eligible for consideration. Deans of Business at each university nominate 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 of a Frank H. Sobey Award.
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For further information, please contact: Bernard Doucet, Director, Corporate Affairs, Sobeys Inc. Phone: 902.752.8371 ext. 2301 bernard.doucet@sobeys.com or Laura Dillman Ripley, media relations co-ordinator, Mount Allison University Phone: 506.364.2600 ldillman@mta.ca