Skyler Recknell od Smithers is a past recipient of the Black Press Business Scholarship.

Skyler Recknell od Smithers is a past recipient of the Black Press Business Scholarship.

Black Press offering $5,000 business scholarship

The Feb. 28 deadline for the Black Press Business Scholarship is fast approaching.

Some of the financial pressure faced by prospective business students in B.C. can be reduced, thanks to David Black, the owner of Black Press.

Graduating high school students in 37 of the province’s school districts intending to study business at the University of Victoria’s Peter B. Gustavson School of Business can apply for a $5,000 scholarship.

The Black Press Business Scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, leadership and a demonstrated desire to make a positive difference in the world. Students must apply to the Gustavson School of Business, Bachelor of Commerce Program before Feb. 28 to be eligible.

Last year’s recipients include Smithers’ Skyler Recknell. He is a first year BCom student, anticipating to one day start his own company. He aspires to affect positive environmental change through his future career and his personal life.

Growing up in a town very immersed in the outdoors has really been the driving factor in his awareness of environmental issues. Skyler is an avid mountain biker and downhill skier, and with the bike trails just minutes away from his hometown and the ski hill just a few switch backs up the mountain, it really is a phenomenal place to have grown up. Even so, he is extremely excited to be going to UVic to start his BCom degree beginning this fall.

The scholarship was established in 2008 by Black to give students from across the province access to a business education.

Black chose the Gustavson School of Business because of the innovative program format. Students spend their last two years of their degree fully immersed in the business school where they can specialize in entrepreneurship, service management, international business or management where they customize a program that suits their interests.

Every student takes at least two paid co-operative work terms, has the opportunity to participate in an international exchange, and learns about sustainable business practices.

Information about the Black Press scholarships is online at gustavson.uvic.ca/blackpress.

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