When scholarship donor meets recipient
David Ward, BBA’62, D.Litt.’07, proved his skill with numbers when he earned his CA designation shortly after graduation, but he encountered some unfamiliar math when he met Andrew Baird, the first recipient of the Ward Family Scholarship.
“I asked him what his GPA was and he said ‘4.3,” says Ward. “I said, ‘Well, how high can you get?’ He said ‘4.3.’”
As a biochemistry major who works part time as a teaching assistant, volunteers at the Veteran’s Health Unit and represents his faculty on the University of New Brunswick Student Union, a perfect GPA is no small feat. And as a fourth-year student applying to medical school, the $8,000 scholarship was a huge boost.
Efforts recognized
“I work hard so it means a lot to have my efforts recognized,” said Baird. “And it was really nice to meet David and know where the money’s coming from.”
Dr. Ward created the scholarship to encourage young students from the Maritimes to pursue a career in medicine and to help his alma mater in a significant way.
“A scholarship helps the university compete, it helps the student, and you can make it meaningful by naming it in honour of someone,” said Ward.
Lasting legacy
He established the award in memory of his father, the late Dr. R. Vance Ward, who attended UNB from 1916-1918.
He left to serve in the war, after which he completed a medical degree at McGill where he presented a paper at the first meeting of the Osler Society of McGill University, an achievement that always brought him a great deal of pride. Remembering this, Ward gave Baird a copy of “William Osler: A Life in Medicine” when they met in October.
Despite his busy schedule and heavy course load, Baird’s found himself absorbed in the biography in his spare time.
“It’s a really interesting read about medicine in the early 1900s and the changes that were taking place.”
Personal connection
UNB President Eddy Campbell is delighted to hear of the personal connection between donor and beneficiary.
“Andrew is one of our top students and David is one of our most accomplished alumni and I think each was quite impressed with the other.”
He added, “UNB has always been about opportunity. For generations, thoughtful and generous alumni like David have stepped forward to help ensure our students have the chance to pursue their goals.”
Dr. Ward is a successful businessman, active volunteer, and generous philanthropist. He is a Director with Cormark Securities Inc. and former Vice Chair of TD Securities. He has lent his time and talent to the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, and the Bloorview Kids Rehab Foundation.
A valued advocate and supporter of UNB, he served on the Forging Our Futures Campaign Cabinet. In recognition of his abilities and achievements, he was named a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for Ontario and received an honorary degree from UNB.
The Ward Family Scholarship is awarded to a Fredericton campus student who is a graduate of a Maritime high school and is enrolled in the third or fourth year of the bachelor of science program intending to attend medical school. Selection is based on scholastic achievement.
