Allison White

First-year Naval Architecture student Allison White is this year’s recipient of the Duke Marine Award.

Created in 2022, the Duke Marine Award is granted to a student beyond their first term, enrolled in either the Marine Mechanical Design program or the Naval Architecture program. Applicants must submit an essay detailing how they have overcome a challenge in their life.

“I felt encouraged to apply for this as I have gone through many health challenges and live with a neurological disorder which leaves me with symptoms that I face day to day as I continue to attend school,” Ms. White said.

Ms. White’s father is an alumnus of MI’s naval architecture program, and she knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps.

“He took me to the Halifax shipyard, and I found it fascinating to see the step-by-step process of something going from a computer drawing to the shipyard.”

As for the future, Ms. White is excited about starting her career and travelling the world to gain experience in the field.

“I would like to thank all the MI staff and faculty for all the wonderful opportunities they have given me and for accommodating me and my service dog, Duke, so amazingly.”

Jenna Ryan

Third-year Ocean Mapping student Jenna Ryan is this year’s recipient of the Fry Family Foundation Excellence in Leadership Award at the Fisheries and Marine Institute.

The Fry Family Foundation Leadership Awards at the Fisheries and Marine Institute is awarded annually to undergraduate students enrolled in a program at the Fisheries and Marine Institute. Recipients show outstanding leadership through academic work, professional work placements, and community involvement.

“I was inspired to apply for this scholarship based on the principals of the Fry Family Foundation. They foster educational development and support young leaders within the community, which resonated with me.”

Jenna Ryan,
Third-year Ocean Mapping student

Before starting the Ocean Mapping program, Ms. Ryan was attending Queen’s University and majoring in Global Development.

“My heart wasn’t in it like I thought it would be and I decided to switch to Ocean Mapping in 2021.”

She was drawn to the program after learning that only 25% of the world’s oceans have been mapped.

Ms. Ryan has said that some of her favourite experiences from her program have been completing a summer internship with TCarta and travelling to Grenada as part of a collaboration between MI International and T.A. Marryshow Community College.

This semester, Ms. Ryan also received the Public Service Credit Union Award for Leadership.

“I am very thankful for the things I’ve learned, experiences I’ve been awarded, and the people I’ve met here at the Marine Institute.”

Lacey Simpson

Advanced Diploma in Food Safety student, Lacey Simpson, received the Ed Bowdring Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship was established by the friends and colleagues of Ed Bowdring as a memorial to an exceptional photographer. It is awarded to a student who demonstrates creative use of video or still photography as part of their studies or develops an innovative media-related project for rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

“As someone who grew up in the small, tight-knit community of English Harbour East, I have an appreciation for the stories and heritage that define rural Newfoundland,” she said.

Ms. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Memorial University.

“MI’s Advanced Food Safety program offered the perfect opportunity to blend my interests in microbiology and food safety, providing a platform to make meaningful contributions to public health while pursing my academic and professional goals.”

Ms. Simpson is excited about her upcoming work-term placement to apply her knowledge in a professional setting. In the future, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree.

During this year’s ceremony, Ms. Simpson also received the Dale Howse Memorial Scholarship.