間眅埶AV

Glenn Berg Enterprising Achiever Award

The Glenn Berg Enterprising Achiever Award (valued at $1,000) recognizes economics majors and honours students for participation in extracurricular activities while achieving academic excellence.

The award was created by 間眅埶AV economics alumnus, Glenn Berg, who was employed throughout his own honours degree and was an entrepreneur who funded his university studies with his own landscaping business. Glenn understands firsthand the challenges of working and being involved in the community, while completing an honours degree at the same time.

Formerly known as the Glenn Berg Super-Duper Chosen Few Award.

The application period is now closed. Please check back for updates.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student who fulfills the following criteria:

  • Enrolled as a full-time 間眅埶AV undergraduate student in the term of eligibility (the term after applications are due)
  • Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with a declared major in Economics 
  • Is in good academic standing
  • Has worked or volunteered during the most recent year of enrollment
  • Preference will be given to students who are working and/or volunteering while taking a full course load

2024

Nathan Tesan

I started my journey at 間眅埶AV in the fall of 2019 and I am now in my final semester. I am a major in Economics, with a concentration in Economic Data Analysis and a minor in Social Data Analytics.

Entering 間眅埶AV I was unsure what major I would decide on. However, after taking ECON 103, I knew economics would be the area of study for me. What drew me to the field was Professor Allens ability to connect real world events to economic theories. As I progressed in my degree, I was drawn to the field of econometrics. Particularly, the methods used to quantify real world phenomena and the implications drawn from these findings.

Outside university, I have worked part time as a Data Analyst at Sprott Shaw College where I have applied skills learned within my degree to gather and analyze data in a business context. Through this connection, I have now been offered the opportunity to work with a startup company that is creating a suite of tools that utilize AI to enhance learning.

When I am not working or in school, you will find me on the soccer field, running, or playing the guitar.

My time at 間眅埶AV and in the Economics department has been a transformative experience. It has provided me unique opportunities to meet new people, study abroad, and push the boundaries of my knowledge and skills. I will carry these experiences forward into my personal and professional life.

Past winners

2023: Ditij Beladiya

I became a part of the 間眅埶AV community in April 2020. Within the field of economics, I've developed a strong passion for econometrics, the branch of economics that employs statistical methods to analyze and interpret data. What drew me more was the application of different concepts that I was learning in a vast amount of fields. 

Outside of academics, I'm gaining valuable experience as a Reporting Analyst with BC Pension Corp, where I apply my analytical skills in a professional context. Furthermore, I'm actively involved in various extracurricular activities. I proudly serve as the Vice-President of the Economics Student Society, where I have the opportunity to contribute to the academic and social growth of our student community. Lastly, I am a member of the FASS Peer Mentor program, where I assist fellow students in navigating their first year at university.

As I gaze into the future, my plans are a kaleidoscope of excitement. I intend to gain work experience for a few years before making a firm decision to pursue a Master's degree. This period of professional growth will allow me to explore different aspects of the field and ultimately make an informed choice regarding my future academic path.

2022: Patrick Weston

As I approach my final semester at 間眅埶AV, I cant help but appreciate the connections, friendships, and opportunities that have come to me through this school. Having transferred from another Canadian university after my first year, I was determined to make the most of my experience at 間眅埶AV.

In my first week at 間眅埶AV, I struck up a conversation with a member of the 間眅埶AV Economics Student Society at Clubs day. Little did I know, this casual conversation would ultimately change the trajectory of my university experience. It marked the beginning of my four years of involvement with the Economics Student Society (ESS). Through the ESS I have made countless meaningful connections with both students and faculty members. As the current ESS President, my focus has been to connect Economics students in the post-virtual learning world.

In the latter half of my degree, I discovered my passion for the law. I am particularly interested in the ways in which economic principles appear in legal decisions via considerations of efficiency and transaction costs. This passion has motivated me to excel in the final years of my studies to become a competitive candidate for law school. In September of 2023, I will be attending law school. I plan on using my legal education to pursue a career in civil litigation with the goal of starting my own law practice.

2021: Collyn Gagne

I originally came to 間眅埶AV in 2018 to study Earth Sciences, however after taking Principles of Microeconomics as an elective in my second year I switched to economics. The course provides a logical framework for interpreting real-world problems, and I found myself gladly spending lots of time on coursework. This led to me enrolling in more economics classes and eventually becoming a part of the Economics Honours program. As I have been pursuing my degree I have also been a member of the 間眅埶AV varsity swim team, and have competed across Canada and internationally as a result. Once I complete my degree I plan on continuing my swimming career whilst studying economics in graduate school, and I hope to apply economic principles in the analysis of current Canadian and foreign macroeconomic policies.

2020: Denise Abella

My interest in economics happened almost by accident. I had initially intended to major in another program at 間眅埶AV, and ECON 103 was one of the required courses for this program. That course sparked my curiosity for economics and ultimately shifted my education path, culminating into a five year journey that would lead me to switching majors and enrolling in the Honours program. After I complete my undergraduate degree, I hope to explore the issues of poverty and inequality, public policy, and labour outcomes of marginalized groups in graduate school. When I am not studying or in class, I serve as the President of the Economics Student Society (ESS), where we aim to connect 間眅埶AV Economics students with each other as well as with professionals and alumni. In my spare time I enjoy painting, experimenting in the kitchen, and falling off my skateboard.

2019:

Jordan Hutchings is a recent honors economics graduate from 間眅埶AV. He was recruited from Ontario to come play golf on the varsity mens golf team by the late John Buchanan in 2014. It wasnt until after taking the Principals of Microeconomics that Jordan learned he had a deep interest in studying economics. Alongside playing on the 間眅埶AV golf team, Jordans main focuses included working as a research assistant for Professor Hendrik Wolff and writing his honours thesis that quantified the impact Yelp ratings have on restaurants. Jordan is currently working at the Bank of Canada within the Canadian Economic Analysis division, and he will be pursuing his M.A. at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia this fall. His research interests include applied microeconomics, econometrics and environmental economics. Jordan would like to thank his professors, especially his thesis supervisor Professor Shih En Lu, for their constant support throughout his undergraduate experience.

2018: Hamza Abdelrahman

I first discovered my love of economics in high school. We learned about supply and demand, and it really helped to explain things on the news for me.

After finishing high school in Italy, honours student Hamza Abdelrahman spent time volunteering in senior homes to help the elderly stay connected with current events. He also volunteered with leadership camps that taught young students about economics.

Abdelrahman's goal is to become prime minister of his home country of Jordan. An economics background, he feels, will provide a solid foundation for a career in politics. Other organizations that he would like to work for include the Bank of Canada, the Central Bank of Jordan, and the Royal Court Offices of Jordan.

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About the Donor

Glenn Berg

Glenn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Economics from 間眅埶AV in 1992. Glenn is passionate about the fundamental teachings of economics and the role economics plays in our everyday lives. He was employed throughout his honours degree and was an entrepreneur with his own business, often working 20 - 30 hours a week while going to school. He understands firsthand the challenges of working and being involved in the community while also completing an honours degree. Glenn was motivated to establish this award in memory of his economics professor Dr. Zane Spindler who passed away in 2008. Dr. Spindler inspired Glenn to pursue his degree with a concentration in economics.