Gregory Linton and Madison Tennant, two StFX Schwartz School of Business students, have been recognized for excellence. Ms. Tennant and Mr. Linton are among nine recipients this year awarded the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies, valued at $35,000.
Recipients are selected by the Frank H. Sobey Awards Board of Trustees, comprised of Atlantic Canadian business and academic leaders. The winners were chosen from 30 exceptional nominations provided by the deans of their respective business schools based on their entrepreneurship, supporting the communities in which they live and work, their employment experience and academic excellence.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our students. The field of nominees is incredibly competitive,” says Schwartz School of Business Dean (Acting) Dr. Bobbi Morrison.
“The award value has the ability to significantly change a student’s life and we are tremendously grateful to the Frank H. Sobey Awards for their continuous support of Atlantic Canadian business schools.”
Dr. Morrison says the latest awards build on StFX students’ tremendous success in the competition. StFX has had two award winners each year for the last four years. As well, 13 StFX students have received the award in the last 10 years.
“The success rate of StFX students speaks to how well-rounded our students are – they demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, are actively engaged in their communities, have earned significant work experience, and, of course, are academically inclined,” Dr. Morrison says.
VALIDATES HARD WORK
“Winning the Frank H. Sobey Award means a lot to myself and my family. It validates the hard work and sacrifice,” says Mr. Linton, who has returned to school from a more than 10-year career serving in the Canadian Armed Forces including a tour in Afghanistan. He’s currently a third year BBA student in the Schwartz School, completing an advanced major in management and leadership and a minor in psychology.
Mr. Linton has received multiple military awards for his service including the Sacrifice Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
His passion to serve extends to other areas as well. He volunteers with Real Canadian Recreation, an eco-adventure park and resort for veterans in Pictou County, engages in public speaking activities through the National Veterans’ Speakers Program, gives generously of his business knowledge and skills to mentor other student entrepreneurs at StFX, ensures his business, Tightline Anchor, gives back to the community through philanthropic donations, and assists with his son’s hockey team. He has demonstrated a remarkable level of service to his country, to veterans, and to his peers, all while raising a young family and earning top marks in his business program.
He says future career aspirations include returning to the Canadian Forces as an aerospace control operator and expanding his business, Tightline Anchor. Today, his product is globally distributed through retailers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany.
“This award will help with the marketing aspect of our business and it has given me the confidence in my ability to go back to school as a mature student and perform much better that I expected really.”
FEEL RECOGNIZED
"I feel very recognized for all my hard work,” says Ms. Tennant, a fourth year management and leadership student from Parrsboro, NS.
Ms. Tennant has channeled her entrepreneurial skills to advance the causes of others for most of her life beginning as a child with various fundraising initiatives for the Canadian Cancer Society. She has shown a sustained commitment to community engagement through her longtime participation in the Best Buddies program and numerous other community organizations.
She is also the president of the Schwartz Women in Business Society through which she is responsible for hosting the largest student business conference in Atlantic Canada and has initiated the ‘Make Your Mark’ fund that oversees the awarding of funding to students to carry out an innovative project that has positive impact in the community.
While actively involved in her community and performing very well academically, she also holds two part-time jobs throughout the school year, including with StFX Campus Tours.
She says she’s gained much leadership experience during her time at StFX and hopes to pursue a master’s in education and fulfill her lifelong goal of becoming a business professor, hopefully at StFX.
“Earning the Frank H. Sobey Award has alleviated financial pressures so I’m now able to look forward to my Bachelor of Education and to continue supporting and motivating the next generation of leaders.”
SUPPORTING STUDENTS
"We continue to be inspired by the talent, leadership and entrepreneurialism shining through students at Atlantic Canadian business schools," said Paul D. Sobey, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Since 1989, the Frank H. Sobey Awards have been awarded to 207 emerging business leaders from Atlantic Canada.
This year’s awards were presented March 17th during a ceremony at the Crombie House.
ABOUT THE FRANK H. SOBEY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS STUDIES
The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies presents awards of $35,000 each. All full-time business students attending Atlantic universities are eligible for consideration. Deans of Business at each university nominate candidates based on entrepreneurship, supporting the communities in which they live and work, and their employment experience.
Established in 1989, the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies have awarded more than $2.5 million to business students in the four Atlantic Provinces.
