News Article

MIP student receives national award


11/5/2004 4:09:34 PM


Michelle Robertson, Music Industry and Performance student at CNA's Bay St. George Campus, is the winner of the 2004 Fairfax Financial Holding scholarship.

By Melissa O’Quinn

Michelle Robertson, a second-year Music Industry and Performance (MIP) student at College of the North Atlantic’s Bay St. George campus, was recently awarded the $3,500 Fairfax Financial Holding Limited Scholarship, a national award that recognizes both financial need and academic merit of students at university and college levels.

Robertson applied for the college-level scholarship in August of 2004, and was originally told she didn’t qualify. However, after the scholarships’ national committee reviewed their decision, they overturned it and she was notified in early September that she had indeed won the renewable $3,500 award.

“I’m putting a lot of work into my program and as a result, I’m getting a lot out of my classes,” says Robertson.

“I do feel I’m deserving of this scholarship.”

The college can recommend two full-time students, registered in a two or three-year diploma-level program, based on academic standing, financial need and instructor recommendation.

When it came to instructor recommendation, Robertson didn’t have any worries.

“I feel that Michelle is a top student, as well as a stellar musician with a very promising career,” says coordinating instructor of the MIP program, Wade Pinhorn. “She most definitely deserves this scholarship.”

Though there isn’t a lot of funding for musical education at the college level, College of the North Atlantic does award an MIP scholarship through the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, Robertson says she didn’t qualify this year, so she’s glad there were other opportunities available to her. She’ll be using the money to help with tuition and living expenses this year, and she feels extremely happy with the program she’s chosen.

“I feel like winning this scholarship is acknowledging my efforts and encouraging me further.”

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