Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre Commemorative Booklet

A Celebration of INNOVATION

Program of Events

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 11:30 a.m.

Welcoming Remarks

Patrick Machacek, Vice President, Development & Strategy, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Leona Staples, Chair, Olds College Board of Governors

The Honourable Nathan Cooper, Speaker of the House, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, Government of Alberta

The Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education, Government of Alberta

Ray Block, President, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

David Werklund, Chairman, Werklund Family Office

Celia Sutton, President, Students’ Association of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Lunch & Building Tours

Introduction

Welcome to the new Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre, a modern facility designed to enhance the learning experience for students through high-tech learning spaces.

The new $14 million facility features 3,000 square metres of technology focused learning space, including a lecture theatre, three large handson ag-tech labs, collaboration and group areas for students, as well as a student commons space located in the heart of the building.

The Centre houses the Werklund School of Agriculture & Technology programs, including the College’s new Bachelor of Digital Agriculture Degree — the first baccalaureate degree to be offered by Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.

Project History

In July 2020, thanks to financial contributions from the Government of Alberta and David Werklund and Susan Norman-Werklund, the construction project for the Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre began.

The College’s vision was to repurpose the existing James Murray Building. Forty per cent of the existing building structure was used, and an expansion was added expanding the building to 3,000 square metres.

Building Features

3,000 square metres

Bob & Carollyne Collier Student Commons

Three large hands-on ag-tech labs

Four learning labs

Four practical classrooms

Lecture Theatre

10 collaboration and group meeting rooms

Werklund School of Agriculture & Technology offices and faculty lounge

Student kitchen

Building History

The original Plant Science Building was opened in 1962 by Alberta Premier Ernest Manning. In 1970, Robert Clark, Minister of Education and Youth officially named the James Murray Building in honour of James Murray, Principal of the Olds School of Agriculture from 1930 to 1946.

A plaque has been placed near the front entrance of the Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre commemorating James Murray’s accomplishments and great contributions to the success of Olds College.

Original Plant Science Building

David Werklund & Susan Norman-Werklund

The Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre is named after David Werklund and Susan Norman-Werklund in recognition of their leadership, investment and unrelenting support that has transformed the College into one of Canada’s premiere agriculture and agri-food learning and research institutions.

David and Susan are community leaders and dedicated philanthropists. Their commitment and enthusiasm for agriculture and student learning has shaped Olds College for generations of learners, producers, and industry partners. The Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre is an innovative new learning space that stands as a testament to their ardent belief in the ag leaders of tomorrow who are developing the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to evolve and transform Canada’s ag sector.

“We are honoured to have this incredible learning space named after us. The programs offered through the Werklund School of Agriculture & Technology will lead the way to a revolutionary change in agricultural learning. We believe in Olds College’s vision — they want to become recognized as a world-leading educator in innovation technology in the agricultural industry. We firmly believe in investing in youth and education. Olds College of Agriculture & Technology was a natural choice for us because of its longstanding commitment to agriculture education.”

- David Werklund and Susan Norman-Werklund

School of

& Technology

Bob & Carollyne Collier Student Commons

In recognition of the support from Bob and Carollyne Collier, the heart of the Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre is named the Bob & Carollyne Collier Student Commons, a central gathering space for students, faculty and guests of Olds College. The Student Commons is as an informal learning space for students to study, meet, relax, or socialize and features a design focused on technology essentials helping students thrive in a modern educational environment.

“We continue to be so inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit shown by the students at Olds College. We hope that when the students look up at the beautiful ceiling in the Student Commons, they feel inspired to take on any challenge that comes their way.”

- Bob & Carollyne Collier

Special Thanks

Debbie Thompson, VP, Academic & Student Experience Patrick Machacek, VP, Development & Strategy Tom Raineri, Director, Facilities James Benkie, Former Dean, Werklund School of Agriculture & Technology Blayne Meek, Director, Marketing & Communications Derek Kennedy, Project Manager Connie Young, VP, Corporate Services Mike Rogers, Senior Accountant Kristeen Hall, Project Coordinator Ashley Armstrong, Executive Assistant

David Werklund & Susan Norman-Werklund

Bob & Carollyne Collier

Government of Alberta

Olds College Board of Governors

Nathan Cooper, MLA, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Student’s Association of Olds College College Steering Committee

Leona Staples, Chair

Gordon Cove, Public Board Member

Meghan Dear, Public Board Member

Marnie DesJardins, AUPE Representative

Mabel Hamilton, Public Board Member

Roy Weasel Fat, Public Board Member

Kami Tams, SAOC Representative Donna Maxwell, Public Board Member

Paul McLauchlin, Public Board Member

Ted Menzies, Public Board Member

Celia Sutton, SAOC President Brendan Richardson, OCFA Representative

Jennifer Wood, Public Board Member Ray Block, President

Stuart Cullum, Former President

Anita Heuver, Former Board Member

Mark Kaun, Former Board Member

Laurie Newsham, Former OCFA Representative Jeffrey Bengtson, Former Student Rep Angela White, Past SAOC President Keith Smyth, Former OCFA Representative Michael Frankiw, Past SAOC President Paige Whitehead, Former Student Rep Andrew Thun, Past SAOC President David McKinnon, Former Student Rep Chandos Construction Gibbs Gage Architecture