Julie Calderwood’s Continuous Support

Student Awards Spotlight

Julie Calderwood’s Continuous Support

For over a decade, Julie Calderwood has made her mark on Olds College. From creating student awards and scholarships to participating in the Olds College Alumni Association, Olds College Foundation and Board of Directors, she has been pivotal to a number of the College’s successes. Most recently, Calderwood helped establish an engagement program called the Olds College Student Industry Engagement Fund.

“Julie has been a tremendous supporter of Olds College for many years now,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Olds College. “She continually contributes to the College in meaningful ways — not just financially but through her time and energy. Julie is always looking forward in creative ways, which is really valuable to our students.”

Together, Calderwood and Michael Frankiw, Student Experience Coordinator at the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, helped bridge the gap between students and the industries they aspire to work in by building this mentorship program. The program sends students to industry-led events, such as Agribition, and brings in industry leaders and alumni to speak to the students at the College.

“I’d like to give a big thank you to Julie for her part in the Student Industry Engagement Fund and giving our students access to formative, foundational experiences,” Frankiw says. “All these opportunities are possible because of donors like her who support this Fund, which gives students a chance to progress in their educational and professional fields. I’ve really enjoyed my conversations with Julie over the years and I look forward to bolstering my relationship with her as time goes on.”

To date, the Student Industry Engagement Fund has connected over 150 students to various industry-led events and experiences. These are not only tremendously valuable networking and career development opportunities, but also memories and experiences the students will hold dearly for the rest of their lives.

“This is a good example of where Julie saw the vision and value of an idea, recognized the need for support and jumped right in as our first contributor for the Fund,” Cullum adds. “As a result of her initial seeding of $14,000, we’ve been able to raise over $70,000 towards the Fund, getting closer to our goal of $100,000. Most importantly, however, has been the impact of Julie’s generosity and the Student Industry Engagement Fund on the students. It’s wonderful seeing students excited about their futures.”

Tribute Programs

You can Set In Stone the path for student education! Personalizing a paving stone within Olds College’s “Walkway up Celebration Hill” will not only reflect your own Olds College pride and support, but it can also become a memorable gift and personal keepsake. Honor a friend, family member, mentor, or other loved one, or mark a wedding, graduation, new arrival, memorial, or other important life event. Paving stones may be purchased at any time throughout the year. Olds College's Memorial Bench Program gives you an opportunity to adopt a bench in memory of a loved one, to dedicate a bench to a friend or family member or to commemorate a special event. The Memorial Bench Program is immersed within our on-campus green spaces and Botanic Gardens that will commemorate a moment and enhance the campus and community for everyone.