NSAC Honours Outstanding Academic Performance at Annual Scholarship Banquet

In 2008 NSAC presented close to $1 million dollars in scholarships and other awards to 316 its students. Approximately 38% of NSAC’s students are recipients of scholarships or other financial award.

The Scholarship Banquet, which was attended by NSAC scholars and award representatives on Oct. 23, 2008 is an opportunity for NSAC to recognize its scholarship sponsors and a time to celebrate with the scholarship recipients.

“We are very proud of our students,” said NSAC Co-President and Vice President Dr. Bernie MacDonald. “They have made significant achievements in their studies and that is very promising for the future. I have no doubt that many leaders of tomorrow will come from the students in the room this evening.” Dr. MacDonald brought greetings on behalf of NSAC to the donors and scholars.

Among the list of this year's winners were Truro area residents (from left to right ) Andrew Lynds, Krista Brouwer, Kenton McNutt and Sarah Weatherby (seated).

NSAC is fortunate to have the support of the agriculture industry, alumni and businesses in the region, many of which that have been contributing to the NSAC awards program for a long time. At the banquet, several awards celebrating their 20th and 25th year were recognized. The awards program has grown significantly and this year NSAC is fortunate to have several new scholarship sponsors. A total of $23,500 in new scholarship funds, including the Alumni Family Bursary, was presented to students in 2008.

NSAC Alumnus Barb Whiston was guest speaker at the banquet. Ms. Whiston, a current donor and a previous scholarship recipient, spoke to the audience about her experiences. Barb entered NSAC as a mature student and earned a B.Sc. Agricultural Economics while continuing to work a full-time job on weekends.

NSAC has one of the best students to scholarship ratio of any university in the region. In 2008 there are 201 scholarship recipients from NS, 32 from NB, 20 from PE, 13 from NL and 12 from other Canadian provinces. There are also 38 international students receiving scholarships including 30 from China, three from India, two from Sri Lanka, and one each from Pakistan, Jamaica and Finland.

“Having sponsors to provide scholarships for our students are crucial to our institutional goals. It is exciting and inspiring to see a room full of scholarship representatives,” said Dr. MacDonald.