Acadia student Kirsten Lawrence honoured for entrepreneurial excellence
Acadia University business student Kirsten Lawrence has been awarded the prestigious Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies in recognition of her exceptional qualities in entrepreneurship and innovation. Lawrence was one of only eight students in Atlantic Canada to receive the $45,000 scholarship.
“This award is a testament to Kirsten’s talent, dedication, and altruistic vision, proving that one person can make a significant difference in their community,” says Paul Callaghan, Director of the Manning School of Business.
Winners were selected from 34 exceptional nominations provided by their deans based on their entrepreneurship, supporting the communities in which they live and work and their employment experience.
“Receiving The Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies has been truly amazing,” says Lawrence. “It was an incredible honour to meet the Sobey family and their board of trustees, and it was a great experience getting to know the seven other award recipients from across Atlantic Canada. I look forward to starting the mentorship program and staying connected through the alumni network.”
Lawrence's leadership skills proved invaluable in resuscitating Enactus, an on-campus club at Acadia, which had faced a decline in participation during the pandemic. Her dedication to the organization resulted in its growth to 15 members, five active projects, and impressive rankings in regional and national competitions.
Most recently, Lawrence was awarded the HSBC Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Award and a $2,500 bursary by Canada’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, at its National Exposition in Montreal in May.
Dr. Ryan MacNeil, Rath Professor of Entrepreneurship at Acadia, says, “Kirsten is one of the most exceptional current business students in Atlantic Canada.”
A PASSION FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Lawrence's interest in entrepreneurship began in high school, where she honed her photography skills. At Acadia, she pursued a major in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and offered professional headshots and graduation photos to fellow students through her role in the Acadia Business Society. Her passion for social impact led her to take courses like Social Entrepreneurship and join Enactus, a student-run entrepreneurial organization.
Lawrence has an impressive track record of serving as a Marketing & Promotions Coordinator for the Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre (AEC), an entrepreneur-in-residence for The Path, and an active participant in Launchbox programming at Acadia. She was also hired by CaseNet, a cloud-based platform that streams multimedia teaching cases, as a website designer and collection manager. During her co-op position as a Business Development Assistant at the Valley REN (Regional Enterprise Network), Kirsten focused on connecting students with the business community through suitable projects and initiatives. Her exceptional work ethic in these key organizations, which play a vital role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Acadia University, is a testament to her exceptional skills.
Lawrence joined her residence's House Council, took over the Humans at Acadia project on Facebook, and became part of the Community Outreach Acadia group, which offers students volunteer opportunities for projects that benefit the community. She also volunteers for the annual Relay for Life event to support cancer research and serves as a gymnastics coach and business student mentor.
She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the mentorship program and alumni network. Her achievements serve as an inspiration to all aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders.
Learn more about Enactus Acadia on its official Facebook and Instagram accounts.