Two St. Francis Xavier University Schwartz School of Business students have been awarded the prestigious Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies. Gillian Lorraine from Truro, Nova Scotia, and Ben Collings Mackay of Montague, Prince Edward Island, received top honours, receiving a cash award of $45,000.
Gillian Lorraine
"Winning this award is a huge honour, not only for being recognized alongside such impressive alumni but also for the opportunities it brings as I move forward," said StFX business student Gillian Lorraine. "StFX has been key in getting me here, with faculty who genuinely care about their students' success one of them was the one who told me about the Frank H. Sobey Award. The education I've received at StFX has helped me qualify for this award, and with the support of winning the Frank H. Sobey Award, I'm excited to take the next step in my accounting and entrepreneurship career and grow my family's business (RiverBreeze Farm)."
At StFX, Ms. Lorraine is actively involved in student leadership, serving as co-president of StFX Best Buddies and Community Relations Director for the Schwartz Women in Business Society.
"Winning the Sobey Award is a huge honour and privilege," said StFX business student Ben Collings Mackay. "I have wanted to achieve it since my second year, and it has been a culmination of my work thus far. The funding received from this award will bring my life jacket (designed for fishers) one step closer to saving someone's life and changing the Atlantic Canadian fishing industry."
Mr. Collings Mackay has previously won $50,000 from Spark NS and several entrepreneurial pitch events for his marine safety venture.
Ben Collings Mackay
Both students will graduate in the spring with advanced major in accounting.
To win the honour, the students demonstrated excellence in business studies, earning this prestigious recognition among a highly competitive field of participants from across Atlantic Canada universities. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for business have set them apart as exemplary representatives of future emerging business leaders. Each academic year, eight top awards are offered to full-time undergraduate students of business studies in universities in the Atlantic Provinces. The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies has awarded more than $4 million to students since its inception.
The students were selected from 32 outstanding finalists nominated by the Deans of their respective business schools for their exceptional community impact, with a focus on entrepreneurship. The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies also recognize 24 finalists, who will each receive a $3,500 cash prize in honour of their inspiring achievements this year.
The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies began in 1989 to support the development of future business leaders and business programs at Atlantic Canadian universities. This prestigious award honours students based on academics, entrepreneurship, leadership, community involvement, philanthropy, and career aspirations.
The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies extends its congratulations to all award recipients for their continued accomplishments and contributions to the communities in which they live and work.
Students will be honoured with the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies Award on March 27 in Stellarton, Nova Scotia.
