Two students from Saint Francis Xavier University have received a prestigious award.

Gillian Lorraine from Truro and Ben Collings MacKay from P.E.I have won the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies and a cash reward 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,” said St.  FX business student Gillian Lorraine.

Lorraine is actively involved in student leadership, serving as co-president of the St. FX Best Buddies and Community Relations Director for the Schwartz Women in Business Society.

“St. FX 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 St. FX 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).”

Collings MacKay says winning the award is a not only a huge honour but also a privilege.

“I have wanted to achieve it since my second year, and it has been a culmination of my work thus far. The funding received from this award will bring my life jacket (designed for fishers) one step closer to saving someone’s life and changing the Atlantic Canadian fishing industry.”

Collings Mackay has previously won $50,000 from Spark NS and several entrepreneurial pitch events for his marine safety venture.

Both students will graduate in the spring with advanced major in accounting.

They were selected from 32 finalists nominated by the Deans of each of their schools for their impact on community.

This award has given out more than $4 million to students since it began.