Alumni & Friends Newsletter
Fall 2010
Land purchase secures alumni connection with future student benefits Lakeland College’s most significant land deal in its 97-year history has grounded the life’s work of a Lakeland alumnus and his family with the college’s future and its students. This spring, Lakeland College purchased 100 per cent of the shares of Barrhill Farms Ltd. of Vermilion. In the deal, the college acquired 10 quarters of land (1,449 acres) and a yard that borders the west side of the Vermilion campus. Features of the extensive yard include three houses, two shops, grain bins and various other buildings. The opportunity to purchase the shares was one the college had to act on, says Glenn Charlesworth, president and chief executive officer of Lakeland College. “The proximity of this parcel of land is ideal for our college. Much of it is adjacent to our Vermilion campus which ensures we will have the land base to expand the college as needed not only in the near future, but really for the next 100 years,” he says. Initially the land will be used mainly for student labs related to agricultural and environmental sciences programs. The yard will be the site of numerous applied research and renewable energy projects. The Barr family and Lakeland College have strong ties dating back to 1913. William Barr, the grandfather of Barrhill Farms owners Dean and Greg Barr, was a student in the college’s first class. Dean and Greg’s parents Jim and Alice met while attending the college in the early 1950s. Throughout the years the Barrs did custom seeding and silaging for the college, lent equipment as needed and toured hundreds of college students through their dairy barns. see Land purchase, continued on page 2
www.lakelandcollege.ca/alumni
Alumni Coordinator: Darla Yonkman 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8628 Editor: Cathy MacKenzie Creative Design: Denise Allen
Upcoming Events
Lakeland College motto:
Lakeland College’s 97th Birthday
EVER TO EXCEL
Join us for cake at the Vermilion & Lloydminster campuses November 17
LakelandxL (circ. 12,000) is published by Lakeland College’s Department of Advancement. LakelandxL is also available on Lakeland College’s website at www.lakelandcollegexL.ca The Alumni Office distributes mailings, invitations and class lists. Anyone wishing to be excluded from certain mailings should notify the Alumni Office and ask to be placed on the “do not contact” list.
Accepting Advertising Advertising in LakelandxL is welcome. For rates and sizes, call the Alumni Office at 780 853 8628 or email alumni@lakelandcollege.ca. Contributions Special thanks to all alumni who contributed to this edition of LakelandxL. Letters, photographs and news are welcome. We reserve the right to edit contributions. Submitted photographs must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Please address all correspondence to the Alumni Office. Publications mail agreement No. 40009099 Return undeliverable items to Lakeland College Alumni House 5707 College Drive Vermilion, Alberta, Canada T9X 1K5 1 800 661 6490 www.lakelandcollege.ca
Alumni Rodeo Vermilion campus November 20 & 21, 2010 Alumni Social Yuma, Arizona February 5, 2011 Alumni Spring Social Edmonton, Alta. April 16, 2011 Homecoming 2011 Vermilion campus June 10 - 12, 2011 Alumni Social Grande Prairie, Alta. July 20, 2011 Alumni Golf Tournament Tofield, Alta. July 21, 2011 New events for 2010-2011 Lakeland College Staff Alumni BBQ – September - 2010 Kelowna Social – July 2011 1987 - 2011 Class reunion – July 2011
www.lakelandcollege.ca/alumni P Watch for updates & announcements
In memoriam
Condolences to the families and friends of alumni we’ve lost: Verne Purcell ’47 James Ellett ’49 Mike J. Matoga ’56
James A. Lindsay ’86 Myrna L. Sieben ’96
Top stories & college news
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An AHT triple crown
Lakeland College’s Animal Health Technology program and staff were honoured this year by the Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists (AAAHT) for program excellence and instruction. Instructor Dr. Terri Rowat (right) was named Veterinarian of the Year, lab technician Kim Eremko (left) received the Appreciation Award, and Lakeland College, as an educational institution, received the Industry Appreciation Award for providing training excellence to support the animal health technology field. “We are very flattered,” says Rowat, who has taught at the college for 23 years, “but we do what we do because we love working with students.” Eremko adds that the relationships that program staff have with students and alumni, many of whom are now colleagues and fellow AAAHT members, play an important role in career satisfaction. “Every year, we see Lakeland alumni doing amazing things,” says Eremko. “That is very rewarding and satisfying.”
Provincial Awards Celebrating Excellence (PACE) Nominations are currently being accepted for one candidate in each of two categories: 1. Distinguished Achievement: A living alumni (an individual who graduated more than seven years ago) who has earned distinguished career success and who has modeled leadership and community service.
Robert C. McLeod ’89 (left), was chosen to be Lakeland College’s first Distinguished Alumni and officially welcomed graduates from the Class of 2010 to the Alumni Association during the college’s convocation ceremony at the Vermilion campus. He is pictured above with Phil Allen, vice president of Advancement.
2. Outstanding Alumnus: A recent graduate (within the last seven years) who has been formally recognized with a national or international honour, major championship or appointment to high office. For nomination forms, call the Alumni Office at 780 853 8628.
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Cover story and alumni news
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Land purchase, continued from front page
900
acres of crop land
500
acres of pasture land
120
acres of wetland
The 900 acres of cultivated land and 500 plus acres of pasture land will be used by many of the college’s 250 agricultural sciences students. Lakeland previously owned only 400 acres of agricultural land, leased about 650 acres of crop land, and rented pasture in northwestern Saskatchewan. This purchase will secure the continuation of the college’s unique Student Managed Farm (SMF) training model which allows students to be actively involved in operating and managing livestock units or a crop enterprise. The oil leases, reclaimed land, native grasslands and 120 acres of wetlands will serve as a lab site for the 220 students in the environmental sciences diploma and applied degree programs. Students will be able to assess old lease sites, examine the productivity of reclaimed land, evaluate riparian areas, study wetland plants, soil test and do much more all within 10 minutes from campus. It’s a welcome change from previous years when environmental sciences students had to spend a lot of time and money to travel to industry and public land sites to complete labs. Now students can actively sample without disturbing the land owner or industry representatives and will be able to do long-term analysis. Lakeland College used unrestricted net assets to purchase the land, says Charlesworth. “About six years ago we made a commitment to grow the college’s unrestricted net assets so we could take advantage of unexpected opportunities. This is one such opportunity. I think years from now when we look back at this purchase, we’ll be very happy with our decision,” he says.
To donate and assist in the recovery of this land purchase contact the Fund Development Office at 780 871 5732.
Meet your Alumni Association There are some new and familiar faces on the Lakeland College Alumni Association executive. Laurie Weatherill ’68, President Bill Fox ’58, Vice President Lynda Hughes ’68, Treasurer Charlie Jamieson ‘84, Secretary Maurice Lowe ’97, Director Vaughan Demetrick ’97, Director Debbie Holden ’96 & ’98, Director Dave Osborn ’97, Director Ed Henneberg ’59, Director Delia Morgan ’99, Director Olen Hillaby ’10, Class Director Ashley Eisel ’10, Class Director Kirk Kiesman ’10, Class Director Bert Featherstone ’59, Past President Darla Yonkman ’04, Alumni Coordinator Margaret Snelgrove ’47, Historian
If you’d like to be involved in the Alumni Association, call Laurie Weatherill at 780 662 3382.
Fore during the fair! Class of 2010 grads Atlee Stirling, Stefan Wicharuk, Ryley Andersen and instructor Peter Walsh hit the fairways of the Vermilion Golf Course at the Young Alumni Reunion golf tournament held during the Vermilion Fair weekend. More fairway fun is in the works for next year. Watch www.lakelandcollege.ca/alumni for updates.
Alumni Spotlight
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Former instructor creates new endowment while enjoying new challenges overseas During his nine years as an instructor and program chair of Lakeland College’s university transfer program, Byrad Yyelland was known for his ability to connect with students. Now living 10,000 km away, he continues to support Lakeland students —this time by establishing a new endowment to fund student scholarships. The Dr. Byrad and Kelly Yyelland University Transfer Humanities Award which will result from the new endowment will be distributed annually to deserving second-year students in the university transfer program at the Lloydminster campus. The award will be distributed as part of the college’s centennial awards beginning in 2013. “I believe it’s important to give in meaningful ways,” says Yyelland. “Scholarships offer students a better chance to be successful at college. For my wife Kelly and I, this is a great way to show our support for students and to maintain a connection with the college into perpetuity.” The Yyelland family also supported the college’s Brick Campaign in 2008 to help fund construction of the new Bill Kondro Wing at the Lloydminster campus. It officially opened just before he left the college to take on the position of liberal arts and sciences director at the Virginia Commonwealth University campus in Qatar (UVCQ). Now part of Qatar’s post-secondary education system, Yyelland is finding more ways to give of his talents and abilities. Soon after he completed a doctorate in education with a specialization in higher education administration, he signed on to conduct two new research projects; one that will study the impact of western education in Qatar over the last 10 years, and the second to address how individualism and identity is established in cultures through clothing. Part of this work will examine the evolution of the Abaya, the Qatari long black garment worn by women. Yyelland and his family are enjoying life in Qatar but it did take some adjusting. “When we decided to go to Qatar, we planned to give it five years,” says Yyelland. “Now that we’ve become more familiar with the culture, we are loving the experience. There have been so many positives in terms of personal and professional growth for all of us including my wife and our children. Who knows what lies next?” Go to www.lakelandcollege.ca/friends for the full story.
Thanks for the memories … Graduates of the Class of 2010 were stylin’ in new alumni t-shirts as they moved from being Lakeland College students to alumni. Hillary Lovell, one of Lakeland’s newest alumni, shows off her new wardrobe addition.
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Alumni Spotlight
A conversation with Kristine Veenstra The interior design expertise of Lakeland alum Kristine (Johnsrude) Veenstra ’06 was featured in the May/June 2009 issue of Better Homes & Garden—a huge career boost for this young Canadian designer. Find out about that experience and about her life as she now lives and works south of the border. Meet Kristine Veenstra. How long have you been with Kitchens By Krengel in St. Paul? I started with Kitchens By Krengel in May 2008 just after getting married and moving to Minneapolis. Prior to that (after graduation), I was in Regina, Sask., with a commercial design firm Neher & Associates. I’m originally from Regina—born and raised. Love brought me to the U.S. and I made the choice to move here when I got married. It was difficult to move from my family in Canada, and the start of my career here was very difficult due to the economic situation that has dominated much of the design/remodeling/homebuilding industry since late 2008. Things are picking up now, which I’m very grateful for! Tell us about the project that appeared in Kitchen and Bath Ideas. Better Homes and Gardens contacted Kitchens By Krengel about doing a project for their hi/lo kitchen feature. Kitchens By Krengel has been a contributor to the magazine in the past and I was excited when my boss turned it over to me to design and compile, and helped guide me through the process. This was my first time personally as a magazine contributor. I was and still am very grateful for the opportunity. It was a huge boost to me personally, as the opportunity came early in my employment with Kitchens By Krengel. Professionally, it never hurts to have your name/photo in a national magazine! Another one of my real-life projects recently won first place in an NKBA design competition and was featured in a local magazine here in Minneapolis. That was exciting too! How did your Lakeland education prepare you for your career? Lakeland’s focus and affiliation with the National Kitchen and Bath Association has been a tremendous asset to my career. Their training gave me an advantage that I wouldn’t have had otherwise—and now I’m grateful (seriously!) for all the sleepless nights spent on kitchen and bath design projects! What kinds of things do you like to do when you’re not at work? I love spending time with my husband and working on our new house that we just bought! The itch to design/re-design and renovate doesn’t go away when I’m not at work, and we’re entering phase one of a multi-phase renovation on the home (new to us, but old) we’re hoping to live in for quite a few years to come! What were some things you found most interesting or challenging as you moved to the U.S. from Canada? Culturally, life here is pretty similar except that everyone makes fun of my “Canadian” accent, which for the record, I think is far less noticeable than the crazy accents these Minnesotans have! Do you keep in touch with program faculty, classmates or other alumni? I’ve kept in touch through e-mail with some of my friends from Lakeland as well as instructor Cindi Plant. I was so privileged to have a couple of friends attend my wedding in 2008. I am grateful for the memories I have of my time at school “up north”! Kristen recently passed the Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer exam and continues to work on attaining certification for the interior design industry.
Class Notes
Class Notes Great news for Human Services grads! Lakeland alumni from the child and youth care, early learning and child care, and educational assistant programs are now eligible to receive advance standing at the University of Saskatchewan for the bachelor of arts in northern studies program. For more information go to www.lakelandcollege.ca. Nikki Owen ’09 was named Volunteer of the Year by Youth Challenge International, a non-profit youth development organization that does work around the world. She and two co-ambassadors were nominated for their work in Ghana to implement several health promotion programs that addressed healthy human relationships and reproductive health. Nikki remains an active volunteer, global citizen and outdoor recreation and adventurist at heart. In addition to her development work, she’s explored Ghana’s north countryside and went on an elephant safari and a hippo safari in a canoe! After beginning her university studies at the Lloydminster campus, Megan Mainville ’03 is now an accomplished study. This fall, she convocates from a Master of Science, Occupational Therapy program at the University of Alberta. In October, she begins her career as a school-based occupational therapist with the Lloydminster Public School Division. Crystal Clarke ’02 is now a busy mom to sons, Thayne and Riley. She and her family live in Prince Albert, Sask. She works in La Ronge as community development coordinator with the Lakeland
District for Sport, Culture and Recreation. Crystal credits her love of her career to her great experience as a Lakeland student in the adventure tourism and outdoor recreation program. Here’s to more great adventures!
Environmental sciences grad Joey Halter ’99 has teamed up with a business partner to form a green technology company called Biostel. Biostel is a water testing and treatment company. Check out their website at www.biostel.ca.
P Kwan ’91. After completing a bachelor of commerce degree in Canada, he returned to Singapore and is now a regional business development manager for a company spearheading strategic sales programs across Asia. Meng describes life as ‘pretty hectic but full of great experiences.’ Despite being miles away from Lakeland in Canada, he enjoys staying in touch with the college news via the Internet. Terry Willoughby ’83 remembers fondly his days as a Lakeland student back in the day when current Lakeland President Glenn Charlesworth and now retired instructor Patty Pidruchney were rookie instructors. During a visit to his ol’ alma mater he left his old college jacket at Alumni House for nostalgia’s sake. In his career, he and another Lakeland alum Don Sheridan ’78 have partnered to create a new company called Municipal Property Consultants (2009) Ltd. Al Zukiwski ’70 would love to jam with fellow Lakeland alumni in a band. If you’re interested email him at azukiwski@mcsnet.ca or call 780 365 2296.
Lisa (Wesner) Mercer ’97 & ’99 is a busy woman with her own reclamation consulting company, Breeze Environmental Consulting Ltd., and a new daughter. Lisa and her husband Shane welcomed the birth of Alleigh June Mercer on May 10, 2009. They live in Balzac, Alta.
Good luck to Sharon (Holgate) Symes ’64, a nominee in the UFA’s Small Town Heroes contest. The contest salutes people who make their communities better places to live and help others. Nominated by friends in her hometown of Paradise Valley, Sharon has a long record of community service and supporting people in need. She organizes fundraising campaigns, leads community beautification projects, and supports the local agricultural society, youth programs and theatre productions.
The next time you’re in Singapore, take the time to look up Toh Meng
Cast your vote for Sharon at www.smalltownheroes.ca.
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Class Notes
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Look out, Hollywood! Ruth Andrishak ’60 has entered the entertainment world by writing a feature film. Her work, The Diefenbunker, was featured in the May 21, 2010 edition of the Interlake Spectator. Go to www.interlakespectator.com to search out the article. Ruth says “hi!” to all her ol’ college friends especially her great roommate Jean (Craig) McGuckin ’59.
When Sandy Chibree ’48 arrived at Lakeland in 1946, she was a self-proclaimed shy farm girl. Since then, this enthusiastic alumni has covered a lot of ground. After graduating from Lakeland, she moved to Edmonton to attend the U of A. She began a career in pharmaceutical field sales and later switched to work in the disability income insurance sector in Canada, Arizona and, eventually,
Homecoming 2010 Homecoming was filled with laughs and Kodak moments for the almost 300 alumni and their families who attended. They also toured the campus and learned how to use Facebook to stay connected with fellow alum.
Alumni came from near and far including Juan Nemi ’60 from Peru, South America. Juan’s classmates feared he was lost in the political upheaval and natural disasters but they were delighted when Juan and his wife Lourdes attended the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1960. “We were afraid he died in a revolution,” says Stan Chevraux ’60, Juan’s former roommate. While Juan did lose one farm in a revolution, experienced more loss and a move after an earthquake, and has had to watch out for terrorists, he still is growing olives for table and oil on a family farm.
California. She now operates her own insurance brokerage business in the Golden State. She always looks forward to hearing the latest Lakeland news and still appreciates how her Lakeland experience opened the world to her as a young girl. “It has been a wonderful life!”
Relive all of this year’s alumni moments. Join us on Facebook and fan Lakeland College Alumni.
“I’ve always kept my friends in mind,” he says. He also has fond memories of Mr. Bentley who helped him get enrolled, Jack Harcus who taught him about the physiology of a cow and Rocky Dubinville, who had the boys settle some disputes by boxing.
They arrived in style! Dwight Smith-Gander ’65 and his wife Marlene arrived at Homecoming in a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk 400 series they bought in 2008.
Eddie Willard ’50 from Wyoming, U.S., came to VSA in the late 1940s when his father worked for Husky Oil. After graduation, he returned to Riverton, Wy, hitchhiking home from Calgary with 55 cents in his pocket. He has been back to visit Lakeland a few times prior to this year’s Homecoming including 1951, 1959 and 1980.
Homecoming 2011 Alumni of 1913 - 1986 June 10 - 12, 2011
Alumni of 1987 - 2011 Dates TBA, July 2011
Mark your calendar!
Celebrate our 100th Anniversary in 2013
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Introducing …. Lakeland College’s Comprehensive Centennial Campaign Looking ahead to celebrate an amazing 100 years Get ready, alumni and friends. In 2013, Lakeland College celebrates its centennial! Since 1913, Lakeland College has established itself as a vibrant, complex institution offering post-secondary educational programs and training that result in long-lasting economic and societal benefits. Currently with campuses at Vermilion and Lloydminster, Lakeland serves over 8,000 students and apprentices in more than 65 full-time and parttime programs. During our near 100-year history, student, graduate and employer satisfaction has flourished. In surveys, Lakeland College consistently receives high satisfaction ratings (more than 90 per cent). This is a direct result of Lakeland’s commitment to providing hands-on learning environments, personalized attention and instructional excellence. For alumni, Lakeland College has meant many things during this incredible journey. 1. L akeland College provided you with opportunities to pursue your career path, increase your pay scale, and generate more life abundance. 2. L akeland College provided you with the tools to move towards a life affirming, inspiring vocation. Any time a college can direct a person towards their true calling, it benefits society. 3. L akeland College helped you satisfy your learning desires and expand your horizons. We are proud to have been able to do this for students for 97 years and counting. 4. L akeland College connected you with other motivated, dynamic and like-minded students on similar career tracks and with faculty who had shared interests. This resulted in great friendships and long standing relationships. These are witnessed each year at Homecoming events and other alumni gatherings.
To celebrate Lakeland College’s centennial, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Comprehensive Centennial Campaign. It is by far the largest and most aggressive fundraising campaign the college has ever embarked upon. Its success will provide Lakeland students with access to expanded and strengthened programs, increased scholarships, and new capital projects that will further advance educational opportunities and learning experiences. Extending the opportunity to as many people as possible to be part of this campaign is important if we want to address the biggest concerns identified by students. These are the ever-increasing costs associated with post-secondary education (i.e. student debt) and quality post-secondary educational programs and facilities. The Comprehensive Centennial Campaign addresses both.
Building for the future Lakeland College’s 20-year campus master plan and the annual business plan reveal an urgent and immediate need for upgrading learning labs and technology. These are not “nice to have” upgrades but “need to have” upgrades. High priority areas to be developed or supported are: 1. Sustainable Environmental Sciences Building Vermilion 2. Heavy Oil and Gas Energy Building - Lloydminster 3. Emergency Training Centre (upgrades) - Vermilion 4. Student Leadership Centre - Lloydminster 5. Agricultural Sciences Dairy Barn and Animal Health/Animal Sciences teaching facility and labs - Vermilion 6. Student Scholarship and Bursary Endowment Fund (All programs) - Vermilion and Lloydminster The Comprehensive Centennial Campaign will help address these immediate and critical needs by revitalizing the college’s learning labs and thus advancing its reputation as an outstanding mid-sized educational institution.
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Centennial Comprehensive Campaign
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Support for brighter futures Lakeland College firmly believes that students’ ability to access post-secondary education must be encouraged but not at the risk of incurring an unreasonable amount of student debt or unmanageable hardship on parents or family members. As well, because most Lakeland students must relocate from their hometown to pursue their academic pursuits, additional living costs for accommodation, food, etc. are incurred. All of these necessary costs factor greatly into students’ ability to pursue their academic dreams. The Comprehensive Centennial Campaign will help alleviate these pressures for students into perpetuity with the establishment of the Scholarship & Bursary Endowment Fund. Endowed funds result in: 1. A commitment to preserve, protect, enhance and sustain access to a Lakeland College education.
As alumni, how can you help? Alumni & friends donate $3 million for students Think about this. Lakeland College has over 13,000 alumni and friends —many of whom have made previous donations. Thanks to this support, over $615,000 in financial aid was awarded to 815 students in the last year. These awards all came from donated money and interest from endowment funds and dollars allocated by the college’s Board of Governors. To reach a goal of $3 million by 2013, here’s how we can do it. It’s not impossible!
2. Reduced debt for graduating students and/or reduced impact on families.
If 10,000 alumni donated $100 (tax deductible), the result is $1 million. If donations were repeated for three years, we will have achieved our goal! That’s $3 million for future students.
3. Reward and encouragement to pursue educational and career growth by attending Lakeland College.
Let’s look at this with fewer alumni participating. If only 5,000 alumni donated $200 each for three years, guess what? We will still reach the goal of $3 million.
4. Less financial burden for up to 65 per cent of students who need to relocate and incur additional costs to attend Lakeland College. If you’d like to make your donation now or for more information, please call the Fund Development Office at 780 871 5401 or 1 800 661 6490 ext. 5401 or email delia.morgan@lakelandcollege.ca.
As you see, $3 million is possible. Together, we know our alumni will meet this challenge. You are, after all, Lakeland alumni. In last year’s Annual Giving Campaign, the average gift was well over $135—many were over $500. You are indeed a special, generous and caring group!
The dream is possible! Come on, Lakeland College alumni. Make it happen. We know you can! More information will be coming your way soon.
Planned Giving
Planned Giving for Lakeland College Lakeland College receives several questions about planned giving opportunities. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers. What is planned giving? A planned gift is a charitable donation arranged during a donor’s lifetime but not available until sometime in the future. A planned gift is made from one’s assets, commonly by way of: • Bequest in a will • Life insurance • Annuity or retirement plan • Real estate • Qualifying securities • Non-cash assets In making a planned gift, you can be assured that you will meaningfully influence generations of young people. Your gift helps strengthen the college’s endowment fund which provides individual support and bursaries, funds for program enrichment and more. Your gift ensures that the college will be able to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. A carefully arranged planned gift can be tax effective and at the same time, balance the needs of you and your family. It can allow you to leave a lasting personal legacy while providing for stable funding for Lakeland College and its students over the long term without reducing the estate available to your heirs or jeopardizing your future financial independence.
P Through planned giving, you can distribute your assets to the following three groups: 1. Children and grandchildren 2. Canada Revenue Agency 3. Favourite charities But how do you leave more for your children and grandchildren and the college as a charity, and less to Revenue Canada? The answer is easy. You may designate your planned gift to any aspect of Lakeland College, its general scholarships and bursary program, a specific program, area of greatest need, improved technology or facilities. The possibilities are abundant and rich with the excitement of giving! What are the financial benefits? Bequests and other types of planned gifts can provide meaningful tax benefits to the donor. A planned gift to Lakeland College may significantly reduce by means of a tax credit the income tax payable by the donor or the donor’s estate. It may eliminate or reduce the capital gains that arise when capital property is donated. We highly recommend you consult the appropriate tax and legal professionals to discuss planned giving options that best suit your personal financial situation. For more information or to discuss options, please contact Phil Allen, Vice President of Advancement phil.allen@lakelandcollege.ca or 780 871 5785.
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Young professionals making a difference Mark ’07 and Kristine Alexander ’08 are two of the youngest donors to Lakeland College. As former Lakeland students and now working professionals in the Lloydminster community, they are doing their part to support Lakeland students and the college. “We’ve always believed in giving back because the community and the college have given us so many things. We’ve been blessed with unique opportunities and we are very motivated to encourage growth, development and progress. We can do this by donating to Lakeland College to support students. It wasn’t too long ago that we once walked in their shoes,” says Kristine. Mark echoes his wife’s comments. “Both Kristine and I had to work evenings and weekends while we were in school. Now as alumni, we wanted to help lighten the load for other students in similar situations. We feel it is important to give back to a place and a cause that has given us so much.” The Alexanders emphasize that anyone can make a difference by becoming a donor. “You don’t have to be a millionaire to give back in a meaningful way. The support you show makes a big impact and enhances the life experiences of students,” says Kristine. “For us, the experience of being donors fills us with a sense of pride, accomplishment and joy.” “We all have a responsibility to give back,” says Mark, adding that his experience as the student member of the college’s board of governors during his final two years at Lakeland helped him learn how business and strategic decisions are made at the highest level. “The college is transforming students each day to realize their potential and as alumni, it’s our responsibility to help in any way we can.” Kristine is now employed as the marketing and development coordinator with the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation. Mark is the chief financial officer at Larson Management Inc., a private oilfield company. Both are graduates of business diploma programs and the bachelor of commerce degree program at the Lloydminster campus. If you’d like to be a donor too, please contact the college’s Fund Development Office at 780 871 5401.
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