Five School of Business and Economics (SoBE) students have been named 2016/17 Ch’nook Scholars for excelling in their studies and giving back to their communities.
Rochelle DeLaRonde, Sarah Melnyk, Ryan Oliverius, Christen Pretty, and Ed Blakeborough will each receive a $2,000 scholarship, a one-year Cando membership, professional networking and conference opportunities, access to Ch’nook paid-internship programs and other supports. The Ch’nook Scholars Program recognizes and supports Aboriginal business students throughout BC.
Pictured left to right: SoBE faculty member Hafiz Rahman; Ch’nook Scholars Rochelle DeLaRonde and Ryan Oliverius; Director of Aboriginal Education Paul Michel; scholars Christen Pretty, Ed Blakeborough and Sarah Melnyk; TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Alan Shaver and SoBE Dean Mike Henry.
The scholars were recently in Vancouver for their first of two provincial gatherings, where they attended events and had a chance to connect with student scholars from other institutions, Aboriginal business leaders and inspiring guest speakers.
“I feel honoured to be a Ch’nook Scholar,” said Pretty, a third-year Bachelor of Business Administration student. “I have always believed that I am a uniquely strong person, and through Ch’nook’s recognition of my perseverance, I feel confident I am achieving my goal of becoming a leader and positive role model within my community.”
Pretty plans to complete her CPA designation and continue to work in the the finance department at Tk’emlups te Secwepemc after she graduates from TRU. “I believe and exemplify that it doesn’t matter where you come from or how you grew up; with the right attitude and work ethic, you can achieve anything. I look forward to mentoring Indigenous youth and inspiring them to pursue post-secondary education by revealing the opportunities available to them.”
TRU will be hosting the Spring 2017 Ch’nook Gathering and the five scholars from SoBE will help the business faculty and Aboriginal Education plan and host this event.
“We are extremely proud to be contributing five dynamic students as scholars to the Ch’nook Program. We are looking forward to working with the students in hosting the Ch’nook Gathering of Scholars from across western Canada at Thompson Rivers University in March 2017,” said Mike Henry, Dean of the School of Business and Economics.
Learn more about Ch’nook programs and opportunities.
More Information
Paul Michel
Executive Director
Aboriginal Education
250-377-6050
pmichel@tru.ca
