Impact of Giving
ALUMNI NEWS MAGAZINE | Fall 2022
UNB’s largest scholarship endowment, the Betts/Wilbur Memorial, has grown to nearly $6 million thanks to the generous support of Dr. David Betts and his late wife, Dr. Wendy Betts.
Valued at $44,000 over four years and awarded to graduates of New Brunswick high schools, the Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship is one of UNB’s most prestigious awards.
Since its inception in 2009, 62 Betts/Wilbur Scholars have benefited from the scholarship. There are currently 21 Betts/Wilbur Scholars at UNB.
David (BScEE’59, DLitt’14) and Wendy Betts (BA’63, DLitt’14) established the Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship as a way to give back to the province and the university that had given them so much. A Beaverbrook Scholar himself, David knows firsthand the tremendous value of scholarships – value that extends throughout a recipient’s life.
The Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship was established in honour of David’s parents, LeRoi and Audrey Betts, and his teacher at Derby Superior School, Aletha Wilbur. “My dad was a tireless worker on the family farm and in the fishing business and he served the community in many ways. He encouraged us to not follow in his footsteps, but instead to pursue a higher education,” says David, adding that under the tutelage of Aletha Wilbur, nine students from the tiny three-room school went on to attend UNB.
The 2022-23 Betts/Wilbur Scholars are:
Konan Brown of Saint John, enrolled in the bachelor of science program on the Saint John campus;
Dryden Doucette of Saint John, enrolled in the bachelor of science program on the Saint John campus;
Kallum Fletcher of Richibucto, enrolled in the bachelor of science in engineering program on the Fredericton campus;
Lily Glazier of Miramichi Bay, enrolled in the bachelor of science program on the Fredericton campus;
Gabe Keith of Petitcodiac, enrolled in the bachelor of business administration program on the Fredericton campus;
Jessica Palmer of Nerepis, enrolled in the bachelor of science program on the Fredericton campus.
“It means a great deal to us at UNB when alumni like David and Wendy Betts feel inspired to give back, and the Betts/Wilbur Memorial Scholarship represents the very best kind of full-circle generosity,” says UNB’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Paul Mazerolle.
“David came to UNB on a Beaverbrook Scholarship. Like Lord Beaverbrook, he is ensuring that generations of New Brunswickers will have all the benefits of a UNB education and a community of fellow scholars that lasts a lifetime.”
IMPACT OF GIVING
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