UNB University of New Brunswick
Student Stories
At UNB, our goal is to ensure qualified students, regardless of their means or backgrounds, have the opportunity to pursue an education. For many, going to university is a life-changing experience that gives them the confidence and knowledge to follow their dreams. Here are just a few stories of students who are following their dreams, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Bethany Reinhart
Armed with scholarship, will make a difference
 |
| Bethany Reinhart |
“I could never have travelled there if it weren’t for the donors. The
term I spent in Tasmania was the best experience of my life” says Bethany. “After graduation I would love to be an intern for an organization like Ducks Unlimited or perhaps a group that is removing contaminants from our soil.”
Bethany Reinhart, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science student majoring in environmental biology, received the Leslie E. Bruce Environmental Scholarship.
Jonah Tremblay
Passion sparked for a career and a lifetime of learning
 |
| Jonah Tremblay |
Jonah Tremblay’s initial interest in electrical engineering started innocently enough when, at a young age, he began tinkering with a small magnetic motor kit his grandparents gave him as a gift. Naturally curious, the Hanwell, NB native vividly recalls the first time he received an electrical shock, “after having put together an old electric motor circuit and holding the switch in my hand as I turned it on.” Now, in his final year in the University of New Brunswick’s electrical engineering program, Jonah has a vision of making a difference in the energy field.
“I am really passionate about the environment and trying to conserve it,” says Jonah, who worked in the co-op program with Irving Oil in Saint John.
Jonah says the impact donors have on the university experience is immeasurable. “The assistance has allowed me to put more time into my studies and achieve a better understanding of the material as well as having the time for extra-curricular activities, like student societies and volunteer firefighting,” he said.
As challenging as earning his degree is, he is not going to stop his pursuit of knowledge when he leaves campus. “I would love to find a company to work for that continuously challenges me, and puts me in a position to use my business courses in conjunction with engineering.”
Jonah Tremblay is a fourth-year electrical engineering student who received the Dr. Douglas G. Pincock Electrical Engineering Scholarship. Donors who give each year to our Alumni Annual Giving program create opportunity for students like Jonah every day. Click here to find out how you can help students.
Dulanga Ranasinghe
A huge relief and motivation to do more
 |
| Dulanga Ranasinghe |
Dulanga Ranasinghe gained an unexpected benefit after she was named one of the inaugural recipients of the Schulich Leader Scholarships at UNB – a boost in self-confidence.
“This is a huge relief for my family and me and I’m very grateful for it,” she said. “Winning such a prestigious scholarship has also given me a lot of self-confidence. It has motivated me to put more effort into everything that I do.”
Dulanga is one of 40 Canadian students recognized for excellence in academics and community leadership who plan to study science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Immersed in UNB’s biology-chemistry honours program, Dulanga is focused on preparing for medical school and being active within her community. She hopes to volunteer with Doctors Without Borders someday. For now, she is enjoying the university experience and volunteers as treasurer for her residence house committee.
Dulanga, a graduate from James M. Hill Memorial High School in Miramichi, NB, was impressed by UNB’s reputation as one of the top four schools in Maclean’s annual university rankings.
“I knew UNB was the university for me,” she said. “Professors are very friendly and approachable. They go out of their way to make everything as clear as possible. And residence is truly a home away from home. I have made great friends.”
Dulanga Ranasinghe is a second-year biology-chemistry major and has received the Schulich Leader Scholarship.
Andrew Martel
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music, I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music…I get most joy in life out of music.” – Albert Einstein. It’s a quote with which UNB chemical engineering student Jackson Wo can identify.
“If I were not in chemical engineering, I would probably be in music. I feel that what makes the intense workload bearable is the idea of playing music periodically,” Jackson said.“Often, I end up doing thermodynamics by day and then performing Rossini’s William Tell Overture by night.” A violinist with the world renowned New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO), when Jackson arrived at UNB, he noticed the lack of a classical orchestra. He decided to change this. What he started was the UNB String Orchestra of which Jackson is the musical director and principal conductor. So far, he said the performances of the String Orchestra – which made its debut in 2010 – have been well received and he’s working on getting more publicity for the group. Jackson’s love of music has not only led to the UNB String Orchestra, but has taken him around the globe as a member of the NBYO. While world travel and recognition are great, Jackson said it’s the feeling he gets from playing that keeps him coming back. “Personally I believe that music can instill and train many admirable qualities in a person. It’s a language that transcends all linguistic barriers and reaches deep into the soul,” he said.
Monica Graves
Andrew Martel
Jackson Wo
 |
| Jackson Wo |
“If I were not in chemical engineering, I would probably be in music. I feel that what makes the intense workload bearable is the idea of playing music periodically,” Jackson said.“Often, I end up doing thermodynamics by day and then performing Rossini’s William Tell Overture by night.” A violinist with the world renowned New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO), when Jackson arrived at UNB, he noticed the lack of a classical orchestra. He decided to change this. What he started was the UNB String Orchestra of which Jackson is the musical director and principal conductor. So far, he said the performances of the String Orchestra – which made its debut in 2010 – have been well received and he’s working on getting more publicity for the group. Jackson’s love of music has not only led to the UNB String Orchestra, but has taken him around the globe as a member of the NBYO. While world travel and recognition are great, Jackson said it’s the feeling he gets from playing that keeps him coming back. “Personally I believe that music can instill and train many admirable qualities in a person. It’s a language that transcends all linguistic barriers and reaches deep into the soul,” he said.
Monica Graves
Chris Watson
 |
| Chris Watson |
Chris Watson has shunned New Brunswick summers in favour of an arctic climate. He’s done this because of a compulsion, an addiction of sorts, which began during his undergraduate years.
While earning his Bachelor of Science (Physics) degree, Prof. P. T. Jayachandran asked Chris if he was interested in working on research projects. “I did it for a couple of summers and really enjoyed it; I even got to publish a paper during my undergrad.” Watson said. “It was a big thrill for me to discover something no one had before. From then on I was hooked on the research and I’ve been doing it ever since.” The research bug has carried him into his PhD where he’s part of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN). The group was created in response to the need for greater understanding of planetary environments affected by short and long-term solar output variability. As part of CHAIN, Chris has contributed to three research papers in the past two years. Chris has spent the past few summers in the arctic installing GPS receivers and antennas, as well as doing annual equipment maintenance as part of CHAIN. He’s also enjoyed seeing a remote part of the world. “The further North you go, the more isolated it gets. Not much to do there but go for a run across the tundra,” Chris said. “Overall, it’s been a great experience and I’ve got to see an area and a way of life I had never been exposed to before.”
While earning his Bachelor of Science (Physics) degree, Prof. P. T. Jayachandran asked Chris if he was interested in working on research projects. “I did it for a couple of summers and really enjoyed it; I even got to publish a paper during my undergrad.” Watson said. “It was a big thrill for me to discover something no one had before. From then on I was hooked on the research and I’ve been doing it ever since.” The research bug has carried him into his PhD where he’s part of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN). The group was created in response to the need for greater understanding of planetary environments affected by short and long-term solar output variability. As part of CHAIN, Chris has contributed to three research papers in the past two years. Chris has spent the past few summers in the arctic installing GPS receivers and antennas, as well as doing annual equipment maintenance as part of CHAIN. He’s also enjoyed seeing a remote part of the world. “The further North you go, the more isolated it gets. Not much to do there but go for a run across the tundra,” Chris said. “Overall, it’s been a great experience and I’ve got to see an area and a way of life I had never been exposed to before.”
Source: http://www.unb.ca/donations/students/
|
Academic Employment Opportunity
The Department of Anthropology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton invites applications for a tenure-track appointment in socio-cultural anthropology at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a preferred effective start date of July 1, 2016, subject to final budgetary approval. Candidates should hold a PhD in anthropology, demonstrate the potential for excellence in both teaching and research, and be willing to participate actively in service.
Alumni Advancement Officer - Strategic Engagement
Reporting to the Executive Director of the UNB Associated Alumni, the Alumni Advancement Officer plays a lead role in the development and implementation of the Marketing and Communications strategy in support of the five-year Alumni Engagement Plan, and provides marketing and communications support to the Alumni office, including initiative-specific marketing communications campaigns and collateral.
Electron Microscopist/Confocal Microscopist
This position is responsible for operation and training of users of light (confocal, wide-field epifluorescence, and various transmitted light modalities) and electron beam (both transmission and scanning) microscopes in a multi-user facility. Users are from throughout the Faculty of Science, as well as other fields and industry, but predominantly from the biological sciences.