As April nears, I think back to those days on campus when the first onset of warmer weather arrived and fellow students jumped at the chance to pull out shorts and t-shirts (sometimes still wearing toques).
This spring, I’m looking forward to attending a number of UNB chapter events, just as I did over the winter. In January, for example, I spent some time on our Saint John campus and, while I was there, had the privilege of joining a group of remarkable students for the Alumni/Alumnae Student Scholarship Luncheon.
Each year the Associated Alumni/Alumnae awards over 100 scholarships to very deserving students on both campuses in recognition of their leadership and academic excellence. The gratitude they expressed to have received scholarship support was a true testament to how we, as UNB alumni, can have a positive impact on the student experience and future generations of UNB graduates.
This time of year is also one to celebrate the many accomplishments of our talented student athletes. In February, UNB Saint John hosted the ACAA volleyball championships and the men took home the silver medal. It was heartwarming to hear how many alumni came out to cheer on their fellow Seawolves, decked out in UNB gear. The men’s basketball team also competed in the ACAA championships in March and the women’s soccer team made a much-anticipated return to playoff action.
UNB Fredericton hosted the CIS women’s basketball championships March 17 to 20. Our V-Reds played a hard-fought game, coming close to defeating the number one team in the league in front of a full house at The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER. We should all be proud of their effort. The weekend also saw a tremendous return of women basketball alumni who came back to support the team and reconnect with each other. Our men’s volleyball team brought home the AUS championship banner and earlier in the year the men’s soccer team won CIS silver. And if all of that was not enough , the V-Reds men's hockey team won CIS gold, the fifth national championship in 10 years.
From an individual perspective, I must say I was also particularly excited to hear that V-Reds wrestler Alyssa Cleaves won gold and was named outstanding female wrestler of the CIS championships, and men’s basketball player Javon Masters became UNB’s all-time leading scorer in just three years of play. I feel a great sense of pride to belong to an institution with so many talented athletes
Our alumni truly do remarkable things, and I am looking forward to our annual Proudly UNB Awards ceremony on April 21 in Fredericton. We recently announced our 2016 award recipients and what another amazing roster of alumni we’ll be toasting. If you’re able to attend, I guarantee you’ll walk away inspired and proud as ever.
Until next time,
Brooke
