In a twist over previous Olds College galas, the 11th version of the event on March 22 – celebrating the institution’s centennial – honoured not only the partner of the year but also of the decade and of the century.
In a twist over previous Olds College galas, the 11th version of the event on March 22 – celebrating the institution’s centennial – honoured not only the partner of the year but also of the decade and of the century.
Roughly 650 people came out to the black-tie event— entitled Pastport to the Future— which included fine dining, entertainment from local musicians and children’s choirs, a keynote speech by Canadian actor, musician and activist Tom Jackson, the awarding of five honorary degrees and living sculptures throughout the Ralph Klein Centre, where the gala was held.
The Pomeroy Inn and Suites was recognized as the partner of the year while the Olds College Students’ Association (OCSA) was named the partner of the decade and the provincial government named the partner of the century.
Tom Thompson, president of the college, told the sold-out gala that while the college has a long partnership with the provincial government, dating back to its founding, the institution really came into its own following the government conferring college status on it in 1978. Prior to that, the institution had been an agent of the department of agriculture.
"This college has progressed each year and decade since 1913, but in my estimation, it has done so exponentially since we placed our trust in our board of governors. (The government continues) to see the value proposition in this college’s highly unique and valuable niche education," he said.
Premier Alison Redford said she was honoured to "celebrate Olds (College) as one of the brightest lights in Alberta’s post-secondary sector…. It truly is wonderful for me to be able to be here, not only on behalf of the provincial government, but the people of Alberta to celebrate your college’s partner of the century."
Redford said she will continue to work with the college, championing its programs and supporting partnerships that allow the college to respond to the circumstances of the provincial economy.
"We recognize that people who graduate from Olds College are valuable and indispensible in Alberta’s future. And it’s one of the reasons we’re partnering with the province’s post-secondary sector to make Alberta’s institutions even more effective. And I do believe that what we are trying to do will play to Olds’ strengths," she said.
In honouring the partner of the year, Thompson said that when the hotel and conference centre opens its doors in July, it will solidify a partnership two years in the making.
"(The hotel) will double as a learning centre for the Canadian Institute For Rural Entrepreneurship. This multi-million dollar facility has been integrated into the academic programming by housing … the Canadian brewmaster operations management program," he said.
Thompson said the partnership extends to the meat program supplying the restaurant with its meat, the fashion program designing the staff uniforms and the horticultural program designing the grounds of the facility.
"This partner will play a key role in the college’s future programming, will serve as a rural business incubator for the college and the community," he said.
The OCSA was recognized for its key role in developing programming, facilities, policy and projects. The OCSA pledged $1.01 million for the college’s capital campaign between 2005 and 2009, making it the largest non-government donation to the college at that time.
"Few post-secondary institutions work so tangibly and cooperatively with their student association," Thompson said.
During the live auction, six items raised $24,600 for the Olds College Opportunities Fund.
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