Red Deer College: State of the College Address reflects on past and looks to future

Red Deer College opened its doors to members of the community for the third annual State of the College Address today. The event had a 10-year retrospective theme, reflecting Joel Ward’s contributions to RDC, and it also provided an opportunity for RDC’s Board of Governors and President & CEO to share recent highlights from the College, while also looking to the exciting future as Red Deer University.

“When it comes to serving current students, future students and community members, Red Deer College has made tremendous advances in recent years, with the past 12 months really representing the turning point in our College’s evolution,” says Morris Flewwelling, Board Chair. “This is a direct outcome of the strategic and diverse work that the College is undertaking to benefit our learners and the citizens of central Alberta.”

During his speech, Flewwelling pointed to highlights including RDC’s approval to become a university, along with the confirmation that Red Deer University will be the institution’s name of the future. He also noted that RDC has launched eight new programs and opened three new facilities – the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, the Alternative Energy Lab and new Residence – all within the last year.

Planning and partnerships have laid the foundation for RDC’s unprecedented growth, as the College works with its partners to establish pathways and opportunities to serve people from across the region. Recent examples include the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre partnering with RDC to build a Centre for Excellence on RDC’s main campus, and also RDC signing the Colleges and Institutes Canada Indigenous Education Protocol, formalizing our commitment to Indigenous education.

As the College expands, diversifies and becomes increasingly inclusive, it will be able to seamlessly transition into the university of the future. “RDC will be guided by the communities we serve, and we will continue to engage our communities as we learn and grow together,” says Joel Ward, President & CEO. “We will build on our strengths as a college as we transition to a university that offers comprehensive programming, which will ensure the success of our learners and have a direct impact on the economic, cultural and social growth of central Alberta.”

After the Address, guests and community members took part in a public farewell, acknowledging Joel Ward’s upcoming retirement from the College.

For further information, please see the State of the College publication.

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For additional information contact:

Shelley Newman
Communications Strategist – Corporate
RDC
403.342.3299

Brent Forster
Communications Strategist – Corporate
RDC
403.342.3389

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