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“One of the reasons I chose Dal was because of the opportunity to pursue both degrees,” Narayan explains. “I appreciated that the MBA allowed me to gain practical work experience. However, while most students were taking four or five courses, I was managing six or seven, which meant sacrificing much of my free time.”

That, Narayan says, left little room for a part-time job to help cover daily expenses and the additional costs of relocating from Mississauga, Ontario. It also meant sacrificing time for the extracurricular activities he had hoped to explore at Dal—opportunities that, he notes, enrich the student experience, foster lifelong connections, and provide valuable skills sought by employers. But Narayan somehow found time to give back.

“I joined the Law Society Sports Committee and had the honour of chairing it for a year, where I oversaw the organization of intramural sports for the entire school,” he says. “I was also an executive with the Business Law Association of ������Ƶ, organizing a variety of social and educational events. It was a lot of fun!”

Recognized for excellence

Narayan’s contributions to university life did not go unnoticed. He was selected to receive the donor-supported Benson T. Douglas prize. This annual prize is awarded to students like him who demonstrate excellence in community and school involvement and who self-identify as being a member of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Colour) community.

“Having that financial support gave me the flexibility to make the most of my time at Dal in ways I otherwise couldn’t have,” Narayan says. “It also helped reduce the burden of student loans as I begin my career.”

The award also provided Narayan with valuable validation during his combined degree. “It’s rewarding to be recognized for the effort you put into both your studies and the Dal community,” he says.

“I was dedicating around 10 hours a week to school initiatives, so receiving the award felt like affirmation that I was on the right path.”  

But the most meaningful aspect of the Benson T. Douglas Prize for Narayan was that it includes an opportunity for the recipient to make a gift to a non-profit of their choice. Narayan chose Feed Nova Scotia. “Students are increasingly relying on food banks, and I wanted to do something to help,” he says. “I think this kind of giving opportunity should be expanded to other awards as well because, as students, once you get help, you also want to help others.”

That spirit of giving continues as Narayan articles at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Toronto. He remains committed to community involvement as a member of the firm’s United Way Committee.  Having experienced the impact of donor generosity firsthand, he sees how he can make a difference too.

“You’re recognizing a student’s hard work and validating their efforts, and that’s an incredible feeling,” he says. “It meant so much to me that someone believed in me, and I look forward to paying that forward.”