New Scholarship in Tourism and Hospitality to Honour David W. Rodd
A Nova Scotia family well known for its commitment to quality and integrity in business has created a new student scholarship at UPEI. A $100,000 endowment from the John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation will allow the University to award $2,500 every year to a student entering the Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Degree program.
The two-year renewable award will be known as the David W. Rodd Scholarship in Tourism and Hospitality. It honours PEI businessman David W. Rodd who has dedicated much of his life to being a leader in the development of the hospitality industry in PEI and throughout Atlantic Canada. David Rodd will receive an honorary degree from UPEI on May 13.
"It is great that UPEI is recognizing David Rodd. David is a tremendous entrepreneur. He has provided exceptional leadership to the tourist industry of PEI, as well as being a community leader. On top of this, he has been a true friend to many," says John Bragg.
From his early days, David Rodd assisted his parents in the operation of the family tourist business that they started from two cabins in Winsloe, in 1935. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1962 with a BA and returned to the family business in 1966. Under his leadership, it has grown into the largest privately-owned hotel chain in Atlantic Canada. At peak season, Rodd Hotels and Resorts employ 1000 people at 11 properties. Rodd has also been active in community organizations, including serving as chair of the Heart Fund Campaign for the PEI Division of the Canadian Heart Foundation, as a board member of the PEI Division of the Canadian Cancer Society, and honorary chair of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He has been president of the PEI Tourist Association and a director of the Tourist Industry Association of Canada.
"We are delighted to have this award recognizing business and community leadership established in honour of David Rodd," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "We look forward to students being the beneficiaries of this scholarship, through which the Braggs demonstrate their well-known support for Maritime universities and their lifelong friendship with David Rodd."
The Bragg family is the majority shareholder in all companies operating under the EastLink name. EastLink provides communication services to business and residential customers across the Maritimes. The family also has interests in a variety of Maritime companies in a range of industries, including agri-products such as wild blueberries and frozen vegetables, real estate, and forestry.
The UPEI Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality degree program is a joint program with Holland College. The David W. Rodd Scholarship will be awarded to a student who has performed well academically in the first two years of the program, shows combined qualities of leadership and contribution to the community, and demonstrates capacity to enhance the tourism and hospitality industry. The first award will be made in September 2006.
Applications will be received through the UPEI Registrar's Office in May. The recipients will be determined by the UPEI Admissions, Scholarship, and Degree Committee, with input from the Dean of the School of Business.
Since 2001, the number of named scholarships, bursaries, awards, and prizes at UPEI has increased by almost 50 per cent and many other student awards have increased in value through the generous support of businesses, individuals, and families.
