More than 100 business students received awards, scholarships and bursaries at a special ceremony on June 3 at Memorial’s business faculty.

This year, about $200,000 in financial support was handed out to 105 students who achieved scholarship standing in their programs and were recognized for their academic achievements and community involvement.

About 80 donors, students, faculty and staff attended the ceremony, which recognizes those who donate to or have established scholarships as well as the students who have received them.

“To be considered for a scholarship means achieving a high academic standard and in so doing, today’s recipients are leaders in the classroom and among their peers,” said Dr. Wilfred Zerbe, dean, Faculty of Business Administration, at the event. “They are also leaders outside the university. Many of today’s awards require community involvement, and the winners are dedicated volunteers here in our faculty and in the university and are making real contributions to the community. To today’s recipients, I offer my congratulations and thanks for your work and dedication and for the impact you are having in the community.”

Growing donor support

Dr. Zerbe also acknowledged the continuing support of individuals, businesses, organizations and community partners, which enables the scholarship program to grow every year. This year, eight new awards and scholarships were established.

“We are grateful that the continued support of our donors and community allow us to grow this program every year and further enable our students to pursue excellence in their programs,” he said. “We truly could not do this without your support and on behalf of our faculty members, staff, students and, indeed, other leaders at Memorial University, I thank you.”

Krista Burton, who graduated from the commerce program last week and earned the DaimlerChrysler Scholarship this year, says that the support of awards, scholarships and bursaries allows students to gain an education beyond their studies by allowing them to volunteer, start businesses, study abroad and join student groups.

“For me, it was being part of Enactus Memorial, where students work to tackle some of the major challenges facing today’s society such as environmental sustainability, employment for vulnerable groups and food security,” she said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to attend several Enactus competitions, network with top executives and present as part of our national champion team. Experiences like these are an important and valuable part of our education, and I was able to pursue that in large part thanks to the support of generous donors like you. Thank you for enabling us to pursue our passions and broaden our educational experiences far beyond what we learn in class.”

“Experiences like these are an important and valuable part of our education, and I was able to pursue that in large part thanks to the support of generous donors like you. Thank you for enabling us to pursue our passions and broaden our educational experiences far beyond what we learn in class.”

Ms. Burton also says achieving scholarships is an important means of instilling confidence in students and supporting their personal and professional growth.

“Your support acknowledges our achievements in areas such as academics, community involvement, extracurricular activities and leadership. This recognition instills in us that we are capable of amazing things and that we should be proud of these accomplishments. It is motivating to know that you believe in us, and we are inspired to continue to strive for excellence in all of our future endeavours.”

A meaningful gift

Lynn Zurel, representing the Zurel Family Bursary that was established in 2012, says supporting students is one of the aims of those who donate.

“In our case, we established the Zurel Family Bursary to recognize the contribution of the Faculty of Business Administration and Memorial to our province,” she said. “We wanted to assist and reward a student in a meaningful way by making their education more attainable in the knowledge that their education and success would likely, and will, I know, translate to good fortune for all of us.”

Upon being called a “philanthropist” by Dr. Zerbe, she added, “I think that’s just a fancy way of saying, or doing, what you can for your community to make it a better place for everyone. I believe that’s something we can all do, and I think there are many ways to do it, big and small.”

For a full list of award, scholarship and bursary winners, please visit here.