Marine Institute Celebrates Scholarship Recipients

The Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland honoured some of its top students on Wednesday, Nov. 24 with its annual Autumn Presentation of Scholarships and Awards. More than 90 scholarships were presented during the ceremony, including 14 that were handed out for the first time

Thursday, November 25, 2010

The Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland honoured some of its top students on Wednesday, Nov. 24 with its annual Autumn Presentation of Scholarships and Awards. More than 90 scholarships were presented during the ceremony, including 14 that were handed out for the first time.

"I want to congratulate all the recipients from Wednesday's ceremony, it was a privilege to take part in such a special event," said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. "The students we honoured are on their way to bright careers in the oceans and marine industries and I'm happy we could offer them academic accolades and financial assistance through these scholarships and awards."

Funding for the scholarships and awards is provided by an assortment of organizations, companies, individuals and MI industry partners. The funding helps MI reward hard working students and plays a role in the Institute's ability to attract new students from across Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.

"The Marine Institute is very appreciative of the support we receive from our donors; their help ensures we can offer scholarships to the young men and women who have worked so hard to earn their place at Wednesday's ceremony," said Blackwood. "These scholarships help MI recruit some of the best students in the country and I want to thank all of the donors for making these scholarships and awards available."

Among the 14 new entrance scholarships presented on Nov. 24 was the J.J. Ugland Memorial Scholarship, named in honour of Johan Jorgen Ugland, a highly regarded Norwegian shipbuilder who passed away in March of 2010. The inaugural winners of the J.J. Ugland Memorial Scholarship were Matthew Parsons of Coley's Cove, NL and Randy Pittman of Cook's Harbour, NL. Parsons is a first-year nautical science student, while Pittman is in his first year of MI's marine engineering program.

"J.J. Ugland was a close associate of the Marine Institute for many years and it was fitting to present a scholarship in his name," Blackwood said. "He made a major impact in the shipbuilding industry and left a legacy that will live on for many years to come."

The Marine Institute's Autumn Presentation of Scholarships and Awards included remarks from representatives of government, industry and academia, including Derrick Dalley, parliamentary secretary to the minister of education, Provincial Government; Glenn Blackwood, executive director, MI; Dr. Evan Simpson, vice president (academic), Memorial University; and Capt. Sid Hynes, chair, Marine Institute Advisory Committee. The event was hosted in the Marine Institute gymnasium, with more than 200 guests in attendance.