Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel addresses the crowd at Gala 2009
“We are especially pleased to name the Heavy Equipment Industry our 2010 Partner of the Year;” says Dr. Tom Thompson, President of Olds College. “In addition to the industry’s contribution of millions of dollars in equipment and cash donations in any given year, the connection between their employment needs and the real-life, hands-on learning offered by Olds College couldn’t be more clear and direct.”
Following an inquiry from a local construction company who needed operator training, Olds College began its first Heavy Equipment Operator program in February, 2007. Since that time, the College has prepared a continuously steady stream of students for industry careers. Fruitful partnerships have been forged with dozens of industry organizations and companies, with specialized courses being created for diverse groups such as Métis organizations and women-specific training programs. College staff, faculty and industry partners concur: An amazing amount of synergy has developed in a very short period of time and it promises to grow exponentially in the years to come.
Wendy Walls, a respected member of the Heavy Equipment Industry, has signed on as volunteer Chair of the Gala event. Co-owner of Red Deer’s Border Paving, Walls has a long track record of community voluntarism and governance leadership, including terms as Chair of the United Way (Red Deer) with the YMCA, the Red Deer College Foundation board and the first-ever female President of the Red Deer Golf and Country Club.
Highlighting the official celebration of this announcement, former Premier Ralph Klein will address Gala guests as keynote speaker. Through work such as the creation of the Supernet, to name just one example, Klein has brought numerous benefits to rural education. Klein also holds an honourary degree from Olds College.
“We are thrilled to have Mr. Klein return to our Gala as a guest once again,” says Thompson. “The practical approach he has demonstrated towards politics and governing makes his keynote address perfectly appropriate as we honour this particular industry as our Partner of the Year.”
Past recipients of the Partner of the Year Award include Olds College’s entire Alumni body (2009), the University of Alberta (2008), the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede (2007), Chinook’s Edge School Division (2006), the Town of Olds (2005), John Deere (2004) and Henry Heuver (2003).
Olds College Growing the Legacy Gala
March 12, 2010, Olds College Alumni Centre
Tickets $225, $1800 per table of 8.
Ticket sales: Judy Edwards, (403) 556-4749, gala@oldscollege.ca
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rick Overwater
Communications Coordinator
Office of Advancement
1-800-661-6537, (403) 507-7717
roverwater@oldscollege.ca
Comments on this entry are closed.