Two StFX Gerald Schwartz School of Business students, Ben Collings Mackay of Montague, PEI, and Gillian Lorraine of Truro, NS, are among eight student recipients in Atlantic Canada recognized for their exceptional achievements as recipients of the prestigious Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies.
These outstanding students will be honoured with the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies Award taking place on March 27, 2025 in Stellarton, NS. Each recipient will receive a cash award of $45,000.
“Winning this award is a huge honour, not only for being recognized alongside such impressive alumni but also for the opportunities it brings as I move forward,” says Ms. Lorraine, who is graduating from StFX with an advanced major in accounting degree.
“StFX has been key in getting me here, with faculty who genuinely care about their students' success—one of them was the one who told me about the Frank H. Sobey Award. The education I’ve received at StFX has helped me qualify for this award, and with the support of winning the Frank H. Sobey Award, I’m excited to take the next step in my accounting and entrepreneurship career and grow my family’s business (RiverBreeze Farm).”
Ms. Lorraine has been active in student leadership at StFX. She is in her second year as an executive member of the Schwartz Women in Business Society, where she serves as the community relations director. Ms. Lorraine also serves as the co-president of StFX Best Buddies and is a recipient of the Schwartz Scholar of Distinction.
“Winning the Sobey Award is a huge honour and privilege. I have wanted to achieve it since my second year, and it has been a culmination of my work thus far,” says Mr. Collings Mackay, who is also graduating from StFX with an advanced major in accounting degree, and who is the proponent behind CM Marine Safety Equipment, a lifejacket company that is working to create life jackets made specifically for commercial fishing. The lifejackets will be made to meet the everyday needs of fishermen to ensure their safety.
“The funding received from this award will bring my life jacket (venture) one step closer to saving someone's life and changing the Atlantic Canadian fishing industry,” he says.
Mr. Collings Mackay has previously won $50,000 from Spark NS and several entrepreneurial pitch events for his marine safety venture.
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS STUDIES
The Sobey award recipients all demonstrated excellence in business studies earning this prestigious recognition among a highly competitive field of participants from across Atlantic Canada universities. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for business has set them apart as exemplary representatives of future emerging business leaders.
The students were selected from 32 outstanding finalists, nominated by the deans of their respective business schools for their exceptional community impact, with a focus on entrepreneurship. In addition, the remaining 24 finalists will each receive a $3,500 cash prize in honour of their inspiring achievements this year.
About the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies
The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies began in 1989 to support the development of future business leaders and business programs at Atlantic Canadian universities.
This prestigious award honours students based on academics, entrepreneurship, leadership, community involvement, philanthropy, and career aspirations.
Each academic year, eight awards are offered to full-time undergraduate students of business studies in universities in the Atlantic Provinces. The Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies has awarded more than $4 million to students since its inception.
