Doreen Kooy Memorial Prize 2024/25

Doreen Kooy (BEd '88), a proud University of Lethbridge alumna and former Dhillon School of Business Co-operative Education Coordinator, was deeply committed to supporting students in achieving their full potential. Her life and work continue to inspire through the Doreen Kooy Memorial Prize for Co-op Student Excellence, created in her memory.

Supported by generous donations from family and friends, this annual $500 prize honours one outstanding Dhillon School of Business student completing their degree. The recipient is selected for demonstrating exceptional initiative and achievement during their co-op work term, reflecting the values Doreen deeply cherished.

The Doreen Kooy Memorial Prize for Co-op Student Excellence recipient for the 2024/25 year is Bachelor of Management, finance major Cody Ives, currently in his fourth year of study.

Brittany Lewis, a ULethbridge work integrated learning instructor who nominated Cody says that Cody demonstrated exemplary commitment and achievement during his 12 months at Campus Energy, located in Calgary.

"His supervisor has consistently praised his reliability, strong work ethic and conscientious approach," Brittany says. "As his co-op instructor, I would like to highlight his exceptional work ethic and meticulous attention to detail, which are qualities essential for success in his desired field of investment banking."

Growing up in Lethbridge, Cody developed a deep appreciation for its strong sense of community, which inspired his decision to pursue studies at the Dhillon School of Business. This choice allowed him to immerse himself in his field of passion while staying rooted in Lethbridge and remaining close to family and friends. Here he delves in to his co-op experience while at the school.

Where did you complete your co-op work term?

I joined Campus Energy Partners in Calgary as a corporate development analyst in the Fall of 2023 for an eight-month term which was extended to 12-months. In this role, I was responsible for supporting due diligence efforts, collaborating on pitch deck creation and constructing discounted cash flow (DCF) models for potential investment opportunities. Additionally, I performed ad hoc tasks for the risk and corporate planning functions.

How did your co-op experience contribute to your personal and professional growth? 

 Joining Campus Energy Partners provided me with the opportunity to gain invaluable insights in finance, while also teaching me about my working style and how to best leverage that as I contribute to and learn within any organization. Working in a high-pressure environment where I was able to learn key technical skills has been an exciting chance to develop within an organization and team while still a student. This has allowed me to gain practical industry experience and apply that to my education at the Dhillon School of Business. 

Would you recommend completing a co-op to other students? If so, why? 

 Absolutely. The co-op program is an indispensable experience which allows students to examine their skills and tailor their education to the areas of interest they most enjoyed during their co-op term. The co-op program has offered me a unique opportunity to learn from experienced industry professionals while developing my career and continuing my education and I think many students could benefit from this opportunity! 

How did it feel to receive the Doreen Kooy Memorial Prize for Co-op Student Excellence? 

I am honored to have been chosen to receive the Doreen Kooy Memorial Prize for Co-op Student Excellence. Although I never met Doreen Kooy, I am inspired by the anecdotes regarding her resilience in the face of adversity as well as her willingness to exceed expectations when helping students realize their full potential. I believe these characteristics define what makes the Co-op program at the University of Lethbridge great. 

What are your plans and aspirations moving forward in your career? 

The co-op program provided me with the ability to move ahead in my career in a tangible way. After completing my co-op term with Campus Energy Partners, I joined SAF Group as an intern analyst on the investment team; I also signed an internship with one of the Big 6 banks as a summer analyst on the Credit Capital Markets team. As I advance in my career, I am committed to exceeding expectations while continuing to learn and gain valuable insights from the knowledgeable teams I have the opportunity of working with.

Doreen Kooy's sister, Julie Kooy Klok says she was delighted to hear that Cody learned something about who Doreen was while being awarded the prize, adding he is a wonderful recipient.

"What I read of Cody, his work ethic, attention to detail and his appreciation of community would align very well with what Doreen valued," Julie says. "She would have been proud. Congratulations to Cody on this well deserved award!"

To learn more about the Doreen Kooy Memorial Prize and numerous other scholarships and awards available through Dhillon and ULethbridge, click here.