The Fr William “Bill” J Nicholson Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Fr William J Nicholson, SJ, the first Chairperson of the Department of Economics at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

The Department of Economics was formally instituted in March 1958 under the leadership of then University President, Fr. Francisco Araneta, SJ. Fr Nicholson, who earned his doctoral degree in Economics from Saint Louis University in Missouri, USA, played a pivotal role in developing the undergraduate and graduate programs in Economics at Xavier Ateneo.

His significant contributions to research on economic development, particularly in Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao, continue to leave a lasting academic and social legacy. In recognition of his enduring impact, one of Fr Nicholson’s former students established an endowment fund dedicated exclusively to supporting incoming AB Economics freshmen.  

The fund aims to provide full scholarship grant to deserving students, enabling them to pursue excellence in Economics while fostering future leaders who can contribute to regional and national development.

This year, the Department of Economics is pleased to announce the awarding of the scholarship to its 5th recipient and Batch 4 Scholar, Mr Gene Axel L Galarrita, who successfully qualified through the application and interview process.