July 6, 2009
Region Celebrates Post-Secondary Education - Northwest Transition
Well over a thousand people from the region gathered on GPRC Fairview College Campus July 4th to celebrate the merger of Grande Prairie Regional College with the historically rich campus in Fairview, Alberta. Official ceremonies included a message from the Honourable Doug Horner, Alberta Minister of Advanced Education and Technology who joined platform guests including local political leaders, members of the Northwest Transition Steering committee, and College officials from both campuses.
From the first strains of the ceremonial bagpipes in the morning to the last happy shrieks of children on the carnival rides late in the afternoon, the GPRC Fairview College Campus was busy with visitors, activities, and above all thanks and congratulations to all of those involved in the Northwest Transition project to facilitate this merger guided by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.
"This moment is about service to learners, service to our region," said Don Gnatiuk, President and CEO of Grande Prairie Regional College. "We are proud to assume the stewardship responsibility for post-secondary education in our region. These two campuses are now united through our common Vision, Mission and Core Values, to which we are committed and accountable.
"It is our Vision that our combined institution 'be recognized by its learning communities for leadership in education excellence,'" Gnatiuk explained. "Our Mission is 'creating connections to knowledge, experience and community, one life at a time.' In all that we do, we are guided by our Core Values; Student Centred; Integrity; Respect; Accountability; Innovation and Passion."
The combined strengths of GPRC Fairview College Campus and GPRC Grande Prairie Campus ensure that opportunities in post-secondary education for the people of northwestern Alberta will continue to include everything from academic upgrading through certificates, diplomas, apprenticeship and trades, through to university transfer and degree completion programs. The program mix at both campuses will continue to grow and evolve in response to the needs of learners, industry and communities, strengthening the social and cultural wellbeing of the region.
The merger celebration "College Carnival" event spanned the entire GPRC Fairview College Campus, and included numerous free activities for the whole family. Over one hundred volunteers from the Fairview community and both campuses helped with everything from entertainment to parking management to tours, and the enthusiastic participation of groups and businesses in the Fairview area combined to make the event a huge success.
Mayor Lloyd Campbell on behalf of the Town of Fairview spoke during the merger celebration, expressing support for the merger and welcome to GPRC as stewards for the region. "We are looking forward to continuing our relationship and our dialogue about the needs of our community," he said.
The Honourable Hector Goudreau, MLA for Dunvegan-Central Peace also brought congratulations and enthusiasm for the opportunities presented by the Northwest Transition.
Michael O'Connor, Chair of the GPRC Board of Governors and an alumnus of Fairview College Campus, assured the assembled crowd that the Board and the Administration are committed to strengthening and building both campuses and the Peace Region communities they serve, through steadily enhanced opportunities for post-secondary education.
Grande Prairie Regional College, Community Relations
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June 24, 2009
GPRC Student Honoured for Highest Academic Standing
The Governor General’s Academic Medal was presented June 24th at Grande Prairie Regional College to Ms. Diane Gour, the student with the highest academic standing at the College in the 2008-2009 Academic Year.
President Don Gnatiuk bestowed the medal, with congratulations, at a ceremony in the Alumni Lounge at GPRC. "Diane graduated this year from the Office Administration program," Gnatiuk explains. "She is not only an exemplary student, but also an athlete on the Wolves volleyball team. We are very proud of her achievements, and proud that she is an alumna of Grande Prairie Regional College."
The Governor General's Academic Medal is one of the most prestigious awards that a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive. Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, continues this tradition of encouraging scholarship across the nation and recognizing outstanding students.
The Collegiate Bronze medal is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma-level, postsecondary program (minimum two-year, full-time duration).
GPRC Recipient Diane Gour has completed the two-year Office Administration Diploma program, and consistently achieved academic excellence in her classes. Prior to attending GPRC, Diane was a student at Peace Wapiti Academy where she achieved Highest Academic Standing in her grade level all three years. Volleyball has always been a passion, and as a member of the Wolves volleyball team, Diane received the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) and CCAA (Canadian Colleges Athletic Association) awards for academic achievement.
Diane Gour is now pleased to be employed as Administrative Assistant in Public Works, County of Grande Prairie.
Grande Prairie Regional College
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May 12, 2009
GPRC Launches Three New Certificates to Meet Community Needs
A great deal of hard work and community consultation over the past year has gone into the three new certificates in Office Administration which will be offered by Grande Prairie Regional College beginning September 2009. Basic Bookkeeping, Dental Office Specialist and Oil and Gas Office Administration are all designed to meet the stated needs of employers in our region - and the interest expressed by prospective students.
Chair of the Office Administration department, Sharron Barr, who emceed the launch event and Dr. Jerry Petryshyn, Dean of the School of Health, Wellness and Career Studies, were among the members of faculty and staff who "put in long hours of good, positive work" toward achieving these new options - and they both expressed appreciation for the contributions of many members of faculty, staff and community to the process.
Community advisors to all three programs were present yesterday at a celebration to officially launch the new certificates, and offered their perspectives. Kerri Reichelt, officer manager of Davis, Kay & Co., who is an alumna of Office Administration at GPRC, spoke about the importance of good bookkeeping to the clients of an accounting firm. "I am confident that the College will graduate very competent bookkeepers," she said, pointing out that a good bookkeeper for the business means lower accountant fees.
Dental Hygienist Cynthia Lipon and her husband Dr. James Lipon, DDS, started their dental practice together right after graduation and quickly learned the importance of skilled and trained office staff. Dr. Lipon, a GPRC alumnus who started his studies at the College prior to transferring to the UofA, and Cynthia Lipon were very enthusiastic when invited to provide their input to the development of this new program. "We were very excited when the College came to talk to us about this," says Cynthia Lipon. "Skilled, trained specialists will be invaluable to us and to other dental practices in the region."
Rob Petrone of Devon Canada (the Canadian division of Devon Energy) says his company is pleased to have this opportunity to further solidify an ongoing relationship with the College. Petrone has served on the GPRC Foundation, and has been a frequent employer of GPRC graduates. "We know that students will complete this certificate well-trained and valuable to our company," he says.
"The support from our region has been nothing short of phenomenal," says Susan Bansgrove, GPRC Vice-President Academic. "We received over 40 letters of support for this new initiative - from both industry and from prospective students. This is a very proud and positive moment for our College, and I commend the many members of our staff who have worked so hard over the past year to add these certificates to our program offerings."
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April 30, 2009
Tailgate Party adds Collegiate feel to Classic
Fanfare, feasts, entertainment and exciting pre-tournament events will all build the "college" atmosphere for the 2009 Canadian Tire College Classic golf tournament on June 5th. The annual fundraising event was sold-out within days of distributing registration packages, and 148 golfers will enjoy a day at the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club. Through the cash and gift-in-kind contributions of sponsors and the enthusiasm typically generated by the live and silent auction in the evening, the event is expected to generate close to $80,000 for the benefit of students of Grande Prairie Regional College.
Event planning chair Kevin Chrenek says the "collegiate" theme of the day will help golfers to keep students and the "Student Life on Campus Campaign" in mind as they enjoy the day. "We have a great deal of fun at this event," Chrenek says, "but part of the fun is knowing that we are contributing to higher learning in our community."
The tremendous generosity of sponsors and volunteers has poised the 2009 Canadian Tire College Classic golf tournament for success. Major sponsors Canadian Tire and Servus (formerly Common Wealth) Credit Union were recognized at a news conference hosted today at the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club.
Canadian Tire Grande Prairie has been the title sponsor of the Classic since 2006. General Manager, Ron Regnier, representing owners Jim and MaryHelen Boccioletti, says "Canadian Tire Grande Prairie is proud to once again support the Canadian Tire College Classic. We believe that a strong educational system is a critical component of our community and that it becomes even more critical at this time in Grande Prairie when many people are beginning to reevaluate their post secondary needs. We are happy to be able to assist the college in any way we can to meet those needs."
Servus Credit Union has been a major sponsor of the Classic since 2005, and is Bronze sponsor for the 2009 event. The College extended its thanks to Wendy Rowe, Regional Manager, Peace Region, who attended the news conference.
The Canadian Tire College Classic tournament is organized by a volunteer committee which meets regularly for several months to secure sponsorship, prizes, and to plan the exciting features which make each Classic unique.
Kevin Chrenek, of RBC Dominion Securities, Chrenek and Dion Investment Advisors, is Chair of the volunteer committee, and is enthusiastic about the experience in store for participating golfers. "The event is going to have a "Collegiate" feel to it from the time people arrive at the course until long after they’ve finished playing," Chrenek says. His committee has been committed to ensuring that golfers are having a great time and gaining awareness of the College which their patronage supports.
"We are going to have some incredible live and silent auction items for people to bid on, including a Vegas Adrenalin package, and a week for two at the Olympic Curling Trials in Edmonton," Chrenek says. "It is going to be a great day for everyone involved and we are excited that at the end of the day we will be making a major contribution to the "Student Life on Campus" campaign at GPRC."
Don Gnatiuk, President and CEO of GPRC, expressed appreciation for the generosity of sponsors and golfers. "This is an amazing community, and the generosity shown by sponsors and participants at the Canadian Tire College Classic is greatly appreciated by the learners of this region. These contributions have helped us to leverage matching funds totaling over $4.2 Million in the past two years; together we are building a stronger future through higher education for the people of our region."
Grande Prairie Regional College, Community Relations
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April 28, 2009
Dr. Scott McAlpine named as new president of Douglas College
The Douglas College Board today announced the appointment of Dr. Scott McAlpine as the new president of Douglas College effective August 17, 2009.
“We are very happy that Scott will be joining Douglas College as our new President. Douglas is growing fast to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve so we’re delighted to bring on a President who is a good communicator, and a big-picture thinker with an eye for detail and the human touch,” said Andrew Taylor, Board Chair.
Dr. McAlpine is currently Dean of Arts, Science and Upgrading at Grande Prairie Regional College in Alberta and has also served as Acting Vice President at GPRC. With a PhD in Political Science, he has taught for over 20 years. He is well known in the community as a public commentator on local and Canadian politics, and as a leader in a variety of community organizations such as the South Peace Social Planning Council which established a youth emergency shelter while he was President.
“I’m excited about becoming the new President. Douglas College has tremendous diversity of students and high-quality programs, and I’ll be working in a comprehensive degree-granting College that is dedicated to student success. I look forward to joining a great team of dedicated faculty, staff and administrators,” McAlpine said.
“Douglas College has a great past and is known far and wide for excellence and educational leadership. I’m looking forward to working with everyone to make sure we have a great future,” he added.
McAlpine also brings considerable experience in community-based research. He becomes Douglas College’s 7th president, succeeding Susan Witter who is retiring after 12 years at the College.
“Susan Witter has built a solid foundation that we can take into the future,” said Taylor. We can welcome Scott and look forward to the future because of Susan’s work.”
Douglas College is one of the largest colleges in British Columbia providing a variety of bachelor’s degrees, university transfer, career and developmental programs for over 20,000 students each year. The College will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year.
Grande Prairie Regional College, Community Relations
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April 28, 2009
GPRC Dean Scott McAlpine Appointed President at Douglas College
It is with both pride and regret that Grande Prairie Regional College congratulates Dr. Scott McAlpine on his appointment as President of Douglas College in BC’s lower mainland.
Dr. McAlpine will assume the presidency of Douglas College in mid-August of this year, leaving GPRC and the Grande Prairie community after over 20 years of commitment to students, to the College, and to a wide range of community-building initiatives.
Since arriving at GPRC, Dr. McAlpine has been the voice of political commentary in this region, providing background and analysis to news media during every local, provincial or federal election, and offering insight into events throughout the world.
He taught political science classes on campus in Grande Prairie and was among the first instructors to engage students in more remote locations via video conference, and has always been a proponent of access to advanced education for students of our region. Dr. McAlpine served as Chair of Arts, Commerce and Education at GPRC from 1999 to 2005, when he was appointed Dean of Arts, Science and Education.
Dr. McAlpine has many strong connections with the greater Grande Prairie community, through work with the Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures (formerly SMEDA), South Peace Planning Council, School Boards and Canadian Parents for French, to name a few. As leader of the Integrated Research Unit at the College for several years, and a key player in the eventual establishment of the Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) by the College and PREDA (Peace Region Economic Development Authority), McAlpine has contributed enormously to the research activities of this region.
Douglas College is a comprehensive post-secondary institution with some 8,000 full-time students in programs from upgrading to degree completion. Dr. McAlpine says Douglas College and GPRC have a similar commitment to students and to enhancing accessibility for learners. That is one of the things that attracted me to Douglas, he says. It is all about excellence in instruction and access for learners. This is a bittersweet moment in my career, McAlpine says. I am delighted at the opportunity now available to me at Douglas, and very much look forward to serving as President. I am, however, leaving GPRC at a time when there is great momentum at GPRC, a great energy in the community and in the current leadership team to open opportunities in education to the people of northern Alberta. I will miss being part of this community and this institution.
Grande Prairie Regional College President Don Gnatiuk says the College is extremely proud to be sending an esteemed colleague to the top role at another institution. We are very, very proud of Dr. Scott McAlpine. He has been a valued and honoured member of the GPRC team for over two decades, and we are proud that his experience here has helped prepare him for this leadership at Douglas College. We will greatly miss his contributions to our College and our community.
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