Olds College hosted its largest-ever gala on Friday, seating about 500 patrons at the Ralph Klein Centre. The evening honoured Jack Anderson as the Partner of the Year for his recent donation of 100 vintage cars – valued at roughly $2 to $3 million, the largest-ever donation to the college – that will be auctioned off next year during the college's centennial.
In recognizing Anderson's commitment to the college, Barry Mehr, chair of the Board of Governors, told the assembled audience that Anderson's donation will have a broad effect on the college and its programs, potentially including upgrading college infrastructure, adding to available student financial awards and contributing to the Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship.
“(Anderson's) way is a modest approach of quiet dignity,” Mehr said, noting that Anderson has always had three principles in mind when considering where to put his resources: being in the right place at the right time, recognizing an opportunity and acting on it.
Previous to his donation this year, Anderson contributed $1 million to the college in 2007.
Anderson said he couldn't have donated his collection without the help of neighbour Warren Armstrong who put an estimated 3,000 hours of volunteer labour toward restoring the cars. Anderson said any naming opportunities in his honour that the college might consider in the future should also include Armstrong's name as well.
In an interview before the main festivities kicked off, Anderson said he has always appreciated what Olds College does for its students.
“I've had a soft spot for Olds College for many years and it came time to do something with my collection so I thought that they could benefit from it better than anybody else,” said the Springbank resident, adding that since he was in the cattle business – among a host of other entrepreneurial activities – the college was a natural place to put his donation. Anderson's collection includes several Jaguars, Thunderbirds, Mustangs and Studebakers, among other models.
Deputy Premier Doug Horner was among several sitting politicians and candidates at the gala. He said the provincial government has always supported what the college does. As a past honourary degree recipient of the college, Horner said it was fitting that Sharon Carry, this year's recipient, talked about the benefits that Campus Alberta brings to all post-secondary institutions across the province. Carry, now chief executive officer of Bow Valley College, has spent the last 40 years working at a number of post-secondary institutions in Alberta, including past vice-president of student services at Olds College.
“Olds College was one of the advocates of Campus Alberta. For me to come down and represent (the government) here in Olds, it's a natural, because this is the epitome of what Campus Alberta is all about. I'm exceptionally pleased to be here … I think the community has come out in support of what is a really grassroots college,” he said.
Horner said he is always ready to support institutions like Olds College that have an entrepreneurial spirit.
“It really comes back to the base of the pioneering spirit. Pioneering spirit is an entrepreneurial spirit, because you're taking risk, you're putting everything you have into something that's going to hopefully turn into something … That's the kind of thing we want to see in this province,” he said.
Tom Thompson, president of the college, said the institution was proud to once again host a top-quality event that was the largest gala ever. With the addition of the RKC, Thompson said after last year's event, preparations immediately began on how the college could top it by including more ticket sales, and that will be the focus now, trying to expand the event to include all three gymnasiums at the RKC – especially since next year will mark the centennial of the institution.
“It's one of those few opportunities every year that we get to have what we call high corporate and high political visitors to our campus,” he said.
A final tally on the amount raised from the festivities Friday wasn't available on Monday.
"I've had a soft spot for Olds College for many years and it came time to do something with my collection so I thought that they could benefit from it better than anybody else."Jack Anderson, Olds College, 2012 Partner of Year
