Beyond the scholarship: scholars past and present.

Being a Currie Scholar isn't just about receiving financial support toward your education. It's about having the opportunity to realize your dreams and potential -Each year, UNB's Chancellor, Richard J. Currie, brings together the new Currie Scholars with those of the past to connect this group of bright minds for the rest of their lives. something many students might not be able to do without support. And it's also about building a network of young leaders.

Each year, UNB's Chancellor, Richard J. Currie, brings together the new Currie Scholars with those of the past to connect this group of bright minds for the rest of their lives. He also takes great care to connect with each student personally.

"It's important to me that the students see the person putting the money behind them is genuinely interested in how they are making out and what they want to be," commented Dr. Currie. 

Deeply connected 

Indeed, the students feel deeply connected to their benefactor.

Sean Hayman, a PhD candidate in civil engineering and Currie Scholar said, "I met Dr. Currie eight or nine times and every time he sees me he knows my name and he'll never forget a name. He's an amazing person. He's put me above and beyond where I ever thought I'd be."

The Currie Scholars gather each fall for a private dinner with Dr. Currie and catch up on each other's accomplishments. Students and alumni have the opportunity to gain great insight and knowledge from a celebrated Canadian business leader and philanthropist.

Paying it forward

Receiving a scholarship that pays your way to university is no small thing and Currie Scholars find it inspiring.

Ryan Brideau, a Currie Scholar from Miramichi, New Brunswick, said, "I've always wondered, 'What can I possibly do to repay this man?' and I realize that the best I can do is to try to do the same in the future."

The Currie Scholarships create a domino effect as alumni "pay it forward" in honour of Richard J. Currie. In fact, scholars witness this even before they are selected. Each Spring, past scholars meet with the current year's finalists at a private dinner to offer them advice and encouragement before they're even selected. The role that past scholars play and the value of the network is immeasurable.

Watch the video of Ryan Brideau's story.

The List - Currie Scholars present and past

Click to view the list of scholars for each year:

2013  2012    2011    2010    2009    2008    2007    2006    2005    2004  

2013

Calder Agnew, Child’s Creek, NB, Bonar Law Memorial High School
Delaney Collins, Middleton, NS, Middleton Regional High School
Katherine MacDonald, Saint John, NB, Saint Malachy's Memorial High School
Chelsey Walker of Ellerslie, PE, Westisle Composite High School

2012

Jaclynn Beckett, Saint John, NB, Harbour View High School
Megan Smith, Cornwall, PE, Bluefield High School
Jordie Taylor, Red Rapids, NB, Southern Victoria High School
Tyler Young, Rexton, NB, Bonar Law Memorial High School

2012 Currie Scholars gather for the annual dinner with Dr. Currie and past scholars. Front row seated, from left: Jonathan Kummer (2011), Megan Smith (2012), Katie Wallace (2011), Dr. Currie, Michelle Plante (2009), Taylor Steele (2008). Back row, from left: Emma Jost (2011), Jaclynn Beckett (2012), Brad Poirier (2008), Brendan Wood (2004), Holly Sampson (2005), Keillor Steeves (2009), Brandon Wilbur (2005), Greg Bailey (2010), Nikki Chapman (2010), Sean Hayman (2004), Tyler Young (2012), Jordie Taylor (2012), Jeffrey LeBlanc (2011), Shannon LeBlanc (2010).

2011

Emma Jost, Cambridge-Narrows, NB, Oromocto High School
Jonathan Kummer, Little Shemogue, NB, Tantramar Regional High School
Jeffrey Leblanc, Carlton, NS, Yarmouth High School
Katie Lynn Wallace, O’Leary, PE, Westisle Composite High School

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2011 Currie Scholars with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie and past scholars. Seated, from left: Brendan Wood (2004), Holly Sampson (2005), Allan Kember (2007), Nikki Chapman (2010), Taylor Steele (2008), Jeffrey Leblanc (2011), and Keillor Steeves (2009). Standing, from left: Greg Bailey (2010), Sean Hayman (2004), Michelle Plante (2009), Emma Jost (2011), Dr. Currie, Katie Lynn Wallace (2011), Justin Lawson (2010), Bradley Poirier (2008), Jonathan Kummer (2011).

2010

Gregory Bailey, Gander, NL, Gander Collegiate High School
Nikki Chapman, Smithfield, NB, Harvey High School
Justin Lawson, Cails Mills, NB, Bonar Law Memorial High School
Shannon LeBlanc, Margaree Harbour, NS, Cape Breton Highlands Academy 

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2010 Currie Scholars with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie and past scholars. Front row, from left: Nikki Chapman (2010), Michelle Plante (2009), Shannon LeBlanc (2010), Deidre Allaby (2009), Holly Sampson (2005), Jessica Yeates (2004) and Justin Lawson (2010). Middle, from left: Brandon Wilbur (2005), Taylor Steele (2008), Ryan Brideau (2005), Dr. Currie, Layton Reynolds (2008), and Keillor Steeves (2009). Top, from left: Sean Hayman (2004), Bradley Poirier (2008), Allan Kember (2007), Greg Bailey (2010) and Zachary McNeil (2007).

2009

Deidre Allaby, Woodstock, NB, Woodstock High School
Michelle Plante, Riverview, NB, Riverview High School
Keillor Steeves, Moncton, NB, Harrison Trimble High School 

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2009 Currie Scholars with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie and past scholars. Kneeling, from left: Allan Kember (2007), Sean Hayman (2004). Seated, from left: Michelle Plante (2009), Desmond Connolly (2008), Ryan Brideau (2005), Lauren Henderson (2008), Brendan Wood (2004), Taylor Steele (2008), Deidre Allaby (2009). Standing, from left: Layton Reynolds (2008), Brandon Wilbur (2005), Keillor Steeves (2009), Bradley Poirier (2008), Dr. Currie, Jonathan O'Kane (2006), Zachary McNeil (2007), Travis Payne (2009).

2008

Desmond Connolly, Miramichi, NB, James M. Hill Memorial High School
Lauren Henderson, Saint John, NB, Rothesay Netherwood
Bradley Poirier, Moncton, NB, Moncton High School
Layton Reynolds, Lutes Mountain, NB, J.M.A. Armstrong High School
Taylor Steele, Truro, NS, Cobequid Educational Centre 

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2008 Currie Scholars with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie and past scholars. Front row, from left: Jonathan O'Kane (2006), Holly Sampson (2005), Taylor Steele (2008), Dr. Currie, Miles Goff (2006), Laura Higgins (2007), Brandon Wilbur (2005). Back row, form left: Coleman Ward (2007), Allan Kember (2007), Layton Reynolds (2008), Bradley Poirier (2008), Desmond Connolly (2008), Zachary McNeil (2007), Sean Hayman (2004), and Ryan Brideau (2005). Missing from the photo Lauren Henderson (2008).

2007

Allan Kember, Summerside, PE, Three Oaks High School
Zachary McNeil, Bridgetown, NS, Bridgetown Regional High School 

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2007 Currie Scholars with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie and past scholars. Front row, from left: Coleman Ward (2007), Jonathan O'Kane (2006), Allan Kember (2007), Tyler Edwards (2006). Standing, from left: Brendan Wood (2004), Megan Hurley (2004), Miles Goff (2006), Holly Sampson (2005), Zachary McNeil (2007), Ryan Brideau (2005), Laura Higgins (2007), Jessica Yeates (2004), and Dr. Currie.

2006

Miles Goff, Wickham, NB, Belleisle Regional High School
Jonathan O’Kane, Saint John, NB, Saint John High School 

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2006 Currie Scholars with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie and past scholars. Front, from left: Sarah Schwartz (2005), Megan Hurley (2004), Holly Sampson (2005), Kristen Murray (2006). Back row, from left: Jonathan O'Kane (2006), Tyler Edwards (2006), Brandon Wilbur (2005), Ryan Brideau (2005), Miles Goff (2006), Brendan Wood (2004), Jessica Yeates (2004) and Dr. Currie.

2005

Ryan Brideau, Miramichi, NB, Miramichi Valley High School
Holly Sampson, Glace Bay, NS, Glace Bay High School
Brandon Wilbur, Hampton, NB, Hampton High School 

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2005 Currie Scholars with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie and past scholars. From left: Dr. Currie, Jessica Yeates (2004), Ryan Brideau (2005), Sean Hayman (2004), Holly Sampson (2005), Brandon Wilbur (2005), Brendan Wood (2004) and Sarah Schwartz (2005).

2004

Sean Hayman, St. Stephen, NB, St. Stephen High School
Megan Hurley, Bloomfield, NB, Hampton High School
Brendan Wood, Deer Lake, NL, Elwood Regional High School
Jessica Yeates, New Maryland, NB, Fredericton High School

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2004 Currie Scholars Brendan Wood, Jessica Yeates, Sean Hayman and Megan Hurley with UNB Chancellor Richard Currie.

More information

To learn more about Dr. Richard J. Currie, click here.

For information on applying to the Richard J. Currie scholarship, click here.

Apply for more UNB Scholarships.

It's easy to establish a scholarship for students at UNB. To learn more about establishing a scholarship, you can view information online or contact us to walk you through it. You can also make a contribution to existing scholarships and bursaries at UNB by donating online, by mail or in person.