The University of New Brunswick (UNB) announced yesterday (Oct 21) that its largest scholarship endowment, the Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship, has grown to more than $8 million thanks to a generous bequest of $1.35 million from the late Drs. David and Wendy Betts.
Photo caption: Dr. Paul Mazerolle with the Betts family and current and former Betts/Wilbur scholars.
Valued at $50,000 over four years and awarded to graduates of New Brunswick high schools, the Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship is one of UNB's most prestigious awards. There are currently 22 Betts/Wilbur Scholars at UNB.
David (BSE'59, DLITT'14) and Wendy Betts (BA'63, DLITT'14) established the Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship in 2009 as a way to give back to the province and the university that had given them so much. A Beaverbrook Scholar himself, David knew firsthand the tremendous benefit that scholarships offer throughout a recipient's life. The Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship was established in honour of David's parents, LeRoi and Audrey Betts, and Aletha Wilbur, who was his teacher in a tiny three-room schoolhouse in Millerton, N.B.
"This bequest is testament to two lifetimes of generosity and love for this province and this university. Thanks to David and Wendy Betts, students will continue to experience the benefits of a UNB education for many, many generations to come," said UNB's president and vice chancellor, Dr. Paul J. Mazerolle.
"The University of New Brunswick was incredibly important to both of my parents, and it meant a great deal to them to be able to support deserving students through this scholarship," said Dr. Donna Betts, daughter of David and Wendy. "They treasured their many trips to Fredericton to meet with their scholarship recipients and looked forward every year to hearing updates on the successes of former scholars. This bequest is a perfect example of their lives of kindness and generosity."
