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Three New Brunswick ÐßÐßÊÓƵdents have been rewarded for their hard work in and out of the classroom.

 

Sydney VanWart, Emily Singleton and Mallory Thompson were selected as the inaugural recipients of the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarship, which covers their full tuition and is renewable over four years.

 

This new entrance scholarship at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ is generously funded by the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation and Irving Oil in honour of former St. Thomas University President Dawn Russell. It also recognizes Arthur Irving’s lifetime of dedication to education. Mr. Irving was a visionary and extraordinary leader who passed away in May of 2024. The scholarship represents his steadfast commitment to community and supporting students in Atlantic Canada. 

 

“We are very grateful to the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation and Irving Oil for celebrating and supporting our students and for recognizing the excellent education we offer at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ,” said Dr. Nauman Farooqi, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ President and Vice-Chancellor.

 

“We know these Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholars will contribute to our campus and their communities after graduation. We can’t wait to see them grow and flourish at St. Thomas.”

 

Sydney VanWart – Fredericton, NB

 

Sydney VanWart says receiving the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarship means she can focus on her studies, instead of worrying about how she will fund her education.

 

“Hard work has always been so important to me, in school and outside of school, so to be recognized in this way has been incredibly meaningful.”

 

In high school, Sydney was an active volunteer in her school and local community. She was also a student athlete, worked two part-time jobs, participated in the University Now program at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, and maintained high academic marks during her four years.

 

At ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, she hopes to major in Psychology and Criminology with a minor in Communications and Public Policy. She has joined the ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Pre-Law Society and hopes to attend law school after finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree.

 

“Taking part in the University Now program was a big part of the reason that I chose ÐßÐßÊÓƵ to continue my academic journey. I loved the small class size, getting to know the professor, and the beautiful campus,” she said. “ÐßÐßÊÓƵ has continued to be full of positives for me. I feel so engaged in my courses, and I am thoroughly enjoying the content and assignments. I feel so excited to continue learning and growing within the ÐßÐßÊÓƵ community.”

 

Emily Singleton – Quispamsis, NB

 

Emily Singleton says receiving the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarship opened the doors to opportunities she never knew could be available to her.

 

“It gives me financial liberty to move to another city, encouraging me to explore different opportunities. It has made my goals attainable and realistic, while giving me new goals to aim higher,” she said.

 

Emily is a passionate advocate of child and youth mental health. In high school, she led the Motivational Mural project, the Mental Health Monday project and the Suicide Prevention Awareness Day. She is a member of the New Brunswick Youth Council’s Mental Health and Social Media Branch. She also volunteered with her school, community and her church, was a competitive swimmer, and maintained high academic grades.

 

At ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, she is studying Psychology with the goal of becoming a child psychologist. She continues to serve on the New Brunswick Youth Council and is also a Project Manager with Enactus ÐßÐßÊÓƵ.

 

Emily chose ÐßÐßÊÓƵ because of its small, tight-knit and inclusive community.

 

“I’ve always heard that the St. Thomas community is extremely supportive of their students and strive for their successes. This fact has lowered my stress immensely and I have realized that I could have access to many amazing resources as a student at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ.”

 

Mallory Thompson – St. Stephen, NB

 

Mallory Thompson knew that getting a university degree meant she would have to leave the tiny town where she grew up. But when she arrived on the ÐßÐßÊÓƵ campus, she said she felt right at home.

 

“The moment I went to St. Thomas University’s Fall Open House, I knew that I would find the kind of education I was looking for.”

 

Mallory said receiving the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarship meant she was able to attend university with less financial stress.

 

“This scholarship also serves as motivation to put my best work into every single one of my classes,” she said. “Because of this, I am truly grateful for receiving this scholarship.”

 

In high school, Mallory was involved with her school’s drama productions and TV Club, all the while maintaining high academic grades. In Grade 10, her drama club travelled to ÐßÐßÊÓƵ for Drama Fest, and she said she instantly fell in love with the campus.

 

At ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, Mallory plans to major in Psychology but is also interested in Criminology and Fine Arts. She hopes to pursue grad school after ÐßÐßÊÓƵ to become a therapist and return to work in her hometown. When she is not in class, she can be found in the Black Box Theatre, where she is rehearsing for A Voice in the Dark: A Salem Story.

 

“When I was applying to universities, I applied to St. Thomas first and got accepted. I was so thrilled; I did not even bother applying anywhere else. I love ÐßÐßÊÓƵ because it feels so tight knit, and it will give me the opportunity to meet new and interesting people along my journey.”