Scholarship Students Honoured at College

Outstanding academic performance will be honoured at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with the presentation of more than 200 scholarships and bursaries on Wednesday, Oct. 28, during the school's annual Autumn Assembly.

"The Nova Scotia Agricultural College is one of the best educational institutions in the region," said Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine. "Strong leadership, advanced programming and an awards program supported by the community have meant the college continues to attract those individuals who will be the agricultural industry's future leaders."

A special highlight of this year's program will be the presentation of renewable entrance scholarships to 13 first-year students. The entrance scholarships, the most awarded to date, will provide the full cost of tuition and residence --a potential value of $25,000 over the four years of a degree program.

"We are delighted with the continued strong support of our scholarship sponsors and grateful for our new donors, whose generosity means a great deal to our students and to all of us at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College," said principal Garth Coffin. "This investment in human capital is highly appropriate as we prepare for the knowledge economy."

The Autumn Assembly at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College provides an occasion both to recognize the college's scholarship students and acknowledge the contributors to the college's awards program.

Guest speaker for the evening will be alumnus and dean emeritus Dale Ells. Mr. Ells is currently president and CEO of Agrarian Development Services, a company specializing in information, co-ordination and educational support services for the agricultural and agri-food industries.

Mr. Ells has enjoyed a diverse career with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College both as an associate professor and dean of vocational and technical education and its first director of international development. He was instrumental in the development and management of the technician and technology diploma programs, which have had a positive impact on generations of students, as well as on the expanding Atlantic agricultural industry.

Mr. Ells was also instrumental in the development of the college's international activities. He supervised several scholarship and student exchange programs, linkage projects, and rural development projects, and he customized educational courses for participants from more than 35 countries.

The Autumn Assembly is open to the public and will be held in the college's Alumni Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For a list of scholarship recipients, please contact Brian Crouse at the above numbers or e-mail address.