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Mount Allison announces a $1,000,000 gift for new scholarships at the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

24 Jun 2021

SACKVILLE, NB – Five new scholarships honouring business and community leaders have been established for Mount Allison University students of the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) by the John and Judy Bragg Foundation.

John Bragg

“My life, my family’s, and our businesses are better because of the great relationships we have with tremendous people and I wanted to recognize just a few of these special friends with scholarships at the Frank McKenna School of PPE,” says John Bragg. “Some of these individuals I knew when we were students at Mount A, some have been advisors to me in business – all of them have added value in my life. I am happy to be able to honour them in this way and help future Mount Allison students at the same time.”

The five scholarships are named in honour of the late Donald Sobey, David Cuthbertson, Dr. Barry MacLeod, Ivan Duvar, and Edward Reiger. The awards recognize a wide range of interests for students studying in the Frank McKenna School of PPE and include:

Donald Sobey Scholarship

Named in honour of the late Donald Sobey (LLD ’08), businessman and student of business, mentor, philanthropist, and arts patron, the scholarship in the Frank McKenna School of PPE will be awarded to students who participate in or take a course in fine or performing arts.

Dr. Barry MacLeod Scholarship

Named in honour of Dr. Barry MacLeod, one of the founders of Atlantic Smiles Dentistry based in Amherst, NS. The scholarship will be awarded to students, preferably those from Cape Breton, where MacLeod is from originally.

Ivan Duvar Scholarship

Ivan Duvar (Class of ’60) grew up in Charlottetown and was the long-time President of Maritime Tel & Tel (MT&T). He has served on the Boards of many prominent Maritime companies and organizations. The scholarship will be awarded with a preference given to applicants with a PEI background.

David Cuthbertson Scholarship

A member of the Class of 1962 and Mount Allison’s 29th Rhodes Scholar, David Cuthbertson has had a distinguished career in law. In recognition of his accomplishments as both an athlete and a scholar, preference will be given to student athletes.

Ed Reiger Scholarship

Ed Reiger graduated from Mount Allison in 1962, a Don Norton Award recipient and Athlete of the Year. While still at Mount A, Ed Reiger and John Bragg began business ventures, establishing a corporation which immediately built an apartment building in Sackville in their graduating year. The scholarship will be awarded to a student athlete.

The five scholarships are supported by a gift of $1,000,000 to be endowed, ensuring the scholarships are available in perpetuity. These scholarships will assist students of the Frank McKenna School of PPE beginning in the fall of 2022.

“This new suite of scholarships available to students of the McKenna School at Mount Allison recognize some of our region’s leaders in both business and their communities,” says Mount Allison University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau. “The awards will help support and inspire the next generation. On behalf of the entire University community, thank you John and Judy Bragg for this forward-thinking gift in support of Mount Allison students and future leaders.”

A Mount Allison graduate, honorary degree holder, and past Chancellor, John Bragg is one of Canada’s most successful business founders, establishing Oxford Frozen Foods Limited and EastLink Telecommunications in Nova Scotia. Judy Bragg is also a Mount Allison graduate, as are three of their four children and many extended family members.

About the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Mount Allison University

Established in 2020, the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics will complement new learning and scholarship, build the next generation of critical thinkers, global citizens, and career-ready graduates (mta.ca/mckennaschool).

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