OLDS — Olds College has received a $2 million gift from Bob and Carollyne Collier to enhance the learning experience for students studying in the college’s Werklund School of Agriculture Technology.
The money will go toward development and provision of enhanced academic programming as well as opportunities for students to attend conferences, forums, educational courses, guest lecturers and speakers.
They will also help fund smart ag applied research and further development of the Olds College Smart Farm as a cutting-edge learning, demonstration and applied research environment for students, producers and the agriculture sector, not only in Alberta, but across the world.
Some of the money also went toward construction of The Hive, a student lounge created in the college’s Learning Resource Centre.
In recognition of the gift, the heart of the new Ag-Tech Learning Hub will be named the Bob & Carollyne Collier Student Commons. It will serve as a central gathering space for students, faculty and guests of Olds College.
“The Student Commons will act as an informal learning space for students to study, meet, relax, or socialize and will feature a design focused on technology essentials, helping students thrive in a modern educational environment,” an Olds College news release says.
The Ag-Tech Learning Hub is expected to open for classes this September.
The Colliers’ connection with Olds College dates back to when Bob was a member of the Alberta Flying Farmers (AFF) Association.
Then in 2017, the Colliers met Alex Villeneuve, who got the idea to utilize spent grains created via the college’s Brewmaster and Brew Operations program to grow high-protein mushrooms for restaurants and farmers markets.
The grain can also be refined to be sold to farmers as feed for their animals. Also, they can be used to clean up diesel and oil spills.
Villeneuve’s entrepreneurial spirit and vision spurred the Colliers to create the Bob Collier Award, pledging $300,000 over 10 years to support innovation and entrepreneurship among Olds College students.
Each year, five awards, featuring a $6,000 bursary are handed out to students nominated by instructors.
“We wanted to create an award that provided financial assistance to deserving students at Olds College who embodied creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” Carollyne Collier said in the college’s news release.
“We continue to be so inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit shown by the students who receive our annual award each year. We hope that the students look up at the beautiful ceiling in the Student Commons and feel inspired to take on any challenge that comes their way.”
Bob Collier grew up on the family farm near Caster.
After graduating from high school, he moved to Calgary and enrolled in the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) where he obtained certification as a heavy duty diesel mechanic and later certification as a master electrician.
In the 1950s, he began investing in real estate, including rental properties and apartments in Calgary.
“With over 50 years in the real estate game, Bob is a true entrepreneur who is focused on investing in the next generation of business and agriculture leaders,” the release said.
