Every year when Dr. Gary Gorman, dean of the Faculty of Business, meets new students he urges them to participate both inside and outside the classroom. The university experience, he says, involves a lot more than studying and attending classes.

At the annual Faculty of Business Awards Ceremony in March, it became clear that many students have taken Dr. Gorman’s message to heart. Over $90,000 was awarded to 86 students and many of the awards required leadership abilities, community service and demonstrated international interest in addition to strong academics.

Jordan Wright was one of the first students called to the stage to accept his award. He was the inaugural winner of the Fry Family Foundation MBA Leadership Scholarship and as the name suggests, the scholarship recognizes more than academic excellence. Winners of this scholarship must show a strong commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador and strong leadership capabilities.

One look at the list of organizations Mr. Wright dedicates his time to shows the appropriateness of this award. He is the VP Social Affairs for the MBA Student Association, former treasurer of the MUN Ballroom and Latin Dance Society where he continues as a teaching assistant, a former coach with St. John’s minor soccer and Avalon Celtics minor hockey, he has also been a longtime volunteer with Canadian Parents for French Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition to his community involvement, throughout his MBA he has worked on several special projects with faculty members and been employed as a member of the Shad Memorial team.

Receiving recognition from the Fry Family Foundation meant a lot to Mr. Wright. “I’ve won other scholarships before, but they were solely based on academics. Winning an award based on leadership and community involvement makes me very proud,” Mr. Wright explained. “Being associated with the Fry Family Foundation is an honour. I strongly believe in their values and the outreach work they do in the community, especially for students.”

Mr. Wright had the opportunity to meet Frank Fry at the Awards Ceremony, when Mr. Fry presented him with the $5,000 award.   “It is always very inspiring and motivating to meet the student scholarship winners,” Mr. Fry said. “I was really impressed with Jordan. He appears to be a very well-rounded and giving individual and I look forward to the other trustees from the Fry Family Foundation meeting him at our own scholarship dinner.”

Mr. Wright, who has a previous degree in French and Economics from Memorial, is set to graduate this May.