Coldbrook country singer lauded for college accomplishments

BY JENNIFER HOEGG

jhoegg@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Matt Balsor is more comfortable in a cowboy hat than a suit and tie, but the local country music singer is a star business student.

The accomplished student, student leader, church and community volunteer was shocked to be a major award winner at this year’s Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec graduation. “I was almost crying. I was completely humbled. I didn’t do anything special,” a poised and professional Balsor said in an interview.

The 20-year-old won five awards, including the Geoff Wright Memorial Plaque for most outstanding citizen on campus, and one of the Nova Scotia Community College’s new Foundation awards for “outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to service and leadership which has made a difference in the lives of others.”

The Coldbrook native also received the Jennifer Dawn Palmer Award, Kingstec’s School of Business Faculty, award and the Pepsi Bottling Group Award.

Heart set on university, but …

If not for chance, Balsor might not have ever set foot on Kingstec’s campus. “I had my heart set on university,” the Central Kings graduate said, but he balked at Acadia’s tuition. Under the misconception Kingstec was still a vocational school, he planned to head to Memorial University in Newfoundland.

Balsor’s course changed when his parents, Tom and Sharon, heard about a Nova Scotia Community College articulation agreement with Acadia University on the radio. The plan allows graduates of the college’s two-year Diploma in Business Administration to enter the third year of Acadia’s Bachelor in Business Administration.

So off to Kingstec he went and, with an honours diploma and a Certificate in Supervisory Management in hand, Balsor will join Acadia’s class of 2011 this fall.

NSCC convert

To say Balsor is an NSCC convert is an understatement. During his two years at Kingstec, he went from “scared to death” to a successful, engaged student.

In his first year, he entered the NSCC College Idol competition, winning the provincial title. A familiar name “opened other doors of opportunity” and he went on to win election as Vice President, Finance, to the Student Association executive.

Singing onstage was familiar. Balsor has performed since the age of 10, but student government was a new and rewarding experience. “I loved it. It was a true privilege to be able to represent the thousand-plus students we have at Kingstec. “We had people sit on student government from all different programs and all age groups,” he noted.

The job offered some hands-on business experience, involving managing a $100,000 budget, planning events and serving on committees at the campus and college level. He also partnered with Kingstec principal Isabel Madeira-Voss in designing a Kingstec-specific class ring.

Madeira-Voss describes Balsor as “wonderful to work with, “ethical and trustworthy” and “very, very thoughtful. “He’s academically very engaged and very clear about what it means to be a responsible student leader,” she added. “He was never hesitant to step up when there was a challenge. We certainly enjoyed having him on campus very much.”

Campus community touched his life

Balsor enjoyed the college, too. “Every campus reflects the college in its values and standards, but we all have our unique customs. Kingstec is one of the oldest of the 13 campuses (and) has a very diverse community which I feel gives us an advantage. “We have people fresh out of high school at 18 to people approaching 60, from all walks of life,” he said. His classmates offered “mutual encouragement in realizing their aspirations.”

It was not only students who touched Balsor’s life during his two years at Kingstec. He praises the dedication of his teachers and the meaningful way they encourage character development. “The people are so heartfelt and they really believe in what they do,” he said.

The personal attention he received was greatly appreciated. “I could write an e-mail at 10 at night and have an e-mail back within an hour. For students who struggle, that can make a difference in whether they succeed or fail.”

Professional approach

In addition to his academic and co-curricular achievements, Balsor completed a work term with the Canadian Institute of Management (CIM).

CIM mainland Nova Scotia’s director, Wanda Balsor (no relation), said the student’s work was valuable, helping “CIM to visit procedural and policy areas as the growth of the organization continues. “Matt’s work demonstrates his professional approach to management and his keen work ethic,” she added in a statement. “He also provides a fresh view from a younger generation whose ideas will fuel the future of not-for-profit organizations like (ours.)”

After working at Valley Credit Union this summer, Balsor will continue on to Acadia to pursue his BBA. Not surprisingly, he is already comfortable with his new school. “It’s a smooth transition” so far, he said. “I registered with no problem at all.” And he is excited about contributing to student life at his new school. Given new president Ray Ivany’s background as NSCC head, Balsor says, “it’s an excellent opportunity to advance the relationship” between college students and the university.

After Acadia? Balsor loves singing and will continue to perform for fans at Valley venues. His favourite gig is to play for seniors at Grandview Manor in Berwick. “To see their toes tap and a smile on their face; that makes it all worth it.”

However, Nashville is not on the agenda,. The accomplished young singer dreams of returning to Kingstec some day as a business teacher. He can’t think of anything better than having “a front row seat to students changing their lives.”

To future Kingstec students, including his younger brother Shane, Balsor advises: “Get involved, but don’t do it for the recognition. Just be yourself and try to make a difference. In trying to make a difference in someone else’s life you can be guaranteed they will make a difference in yours.”