DEAR FRIENDS,
IN THE PAGES THAT FOLLOW, you will learn more about how Providence aims to enhance our ability to serve the needs of our region and beyond through a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Whether we are focused on engaging students in innovative and experiential learning, serving as a spiritual, intellectual, and cultural hub for the community, or investing in building a talent pipeline for business and industry in the region, this potential campaign is designed to support students on their own journey of becoming, enveloped by a culture of care along the way.
Based on the priorities outlined in our plan, we believe this faith-filled campaign will allow Providence to partner with alumni, friends, and leaders in service to our mission. We are hopeful you will find the same inspiration we feel as we embark on this journey together.
Ultimately, your participation matters to our students, our community, and our institution, and your support will strengthen Prov’s viability into the future. Thank you for all you do for Providence and our students.
Sincerely,
KENTON C. ANDERSON, PH.D. President
AHEAD BY A CENTURY
1925
Providence Founded as Winnipeg Bible Training School (WBTS)
1948
Recognition as 1st Bible School in Canada to Grant Bachelor Degrees
1964
Full DegreeGranting Status Obtained
1970
Acquisition of Former Collège St-Joseph in Otterburne
1972
Theological Seminary Opens
1984
Aviation Major Begins in Partnership with Harv’s Air
1992 College Enters Transfer Agreement with University of Manitoba
2007 Buller School of Business Established
2017
Senate approved first Bachelor of Science degree
2022 Providence Downtown Opens in Winnipeg
TRUE TO THE FOUNDING MISSION
ORIGINS // 1925
Since its foundation in 1925, the school has focused on providing quality, faith-centred education to those in and around Manitoba. The school has always been interdenominational, and both women and men were active participants as faculty, staff and students.
“ It is a school on the Prairies, taught and administered by those who know the spiritual need and conditions on the Prairies, for the young men and women of the Prairies.”
BULLETIN OF THE W. B. I. (1935)
Muriel Taylor, Professor
“ The Institute holds and teaches the great truths which form the historic faith of the Church Universal, as based upon the Holy Scriptures. For the sake of spiritual unity, points of controversy as between the great evangelical bodies are not emphasized. The school is distinctly nonsectarian.”
THE KING’S HERALD (1945)
EVERGREEN // 1947
The school has had many temporary homes in Winnipeg over the years – including Evergreen Place where it remained for 20 years – and has ever been staffed by gifted instructors who have sacrificed much in service to their students and for the sake of the institution.
“The soul of an educational institution is its teachers. It is not fine buildings that make a school, not elaborate courses of study, not even a large student body, but the character and calibre of those who teach.”
THE W. B. I. WITNESS (1952)
“The institution stands for the unity of all true believers in Christ, irrespective of denominational affiliation or non-essential doctrinal views.”
THE KING’S HERALD (1958)
IMPACT & EXPANSION
PROVISION // 1970
Following the sale of its property in Winnipeg, the school moved south to a new campus at the former St. Joseph’s College in Otterburne, where it has been situated for over 50 years. It remained Winnipeg Bible College until 1991 when it was rebranded as “Providence College.”
“W. B. C. is an inter-denominational college, training young people in the Word of God and sending them back to their denominations to serve the Lord. It’s a college which demands high academic performance along with solid spiritual emphasis.”
THE KING’S HERALD (1970)
“The quest of many young people today is for meaning and purpose in life. It is no longer sufficient to merely ‘make a living.’ One must know how to live. That is one of the functions of a Bible College. Each person is an individual loved by God and gifted for service…so we enter to learn, and go forth to teach.”
THE KING’S HERALD (1977)
PROVIDENCE // 2024
Almost 100 years later, the school remains committed to its early motto – i.e. “holding fast to the faithful Word” (Titus 1:9) – while looking ahead to the future. This has involved expanding program options in Otterburne, as well as returning to Winnipeg with Prov Downtown.
“Providence teaches people to grow in knowledge and character for leadership and service, as defined by its institutional values of being ChristFirst, encouraging Diversity of Thought, supporting one another in Community, facilitating Exploration, and pursuing Academic Excellence.”
SUMMARY OF PROVIDENCE’S MISSION AND VALUES (Circa 2015)
“One thing Providence is well known for is the diversity of students from all over the world who come here to pursue higher education and then return to their home country to be differencemakers. It is so fascinating to be in a place full of different cultures, traditions, and beliefs which makes this lovely community a perfect place to grow in our faith and as a person.”
THE KING’S HERALD (2023) Alexander Cedeno Quijije, Student
LOOKING AHEAD
TODAY, AS PROVIDENCE LOOKS AHEAD and casts a vision for the future, Phase One of the campaign will focus on raising funds for four key initiatives: upholding our spiritual foundation, revitalizing the student experience, creating a more welcoming campus, and ensuring day-to-day excellence.
On the next pages, we’ve outlined the key focuses and initiatives for each phase of the campaign.
PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGN GOALS & PRIORITIES
PHASE 1 (2025)
Resetting a Faithful Legacy Fundraising Goal - $19 Million
Providence is preparing itself for growth as it builds on the past, pursuing a dynamic second century. While Providence will continue to develop its broader new directions in the city of Winnipeg and beyond, the multi-stage Centennial Campaign will focus on its Otterburne campus, facilitating growth beginning from its home base with a vision for the world.
Phase One will modernize the Otterburne campus to attract a new and vital student population. This campaign will be symbolized by the redevelopment of the existing bell tower into a usable “Prayer Tower” - providing a space to our Providence community for reflection, contemplation and imagination from this heightened vista.
FOUR KEY INITIATIVES
As Providence continues in its mission to teach people in knowledge and character for leadership and service, the following key initiatives and fundraising focuses have been identified.
Ensuring Day-to-Day Excellence - $3M
Increased support for the Providence Fund
Revitalizing the Student Experience - $5M
• Upgraded Otterburne classrooms, gymnasium, and technology
• Expanded student scholarship support
Creating a More Welcoming Campus - $10M
Installation of accessibility ramps as well as an elevator
Improved campus walkways, roadways, parking, and landscaping
Upholding our Spiritual Foundation - $1M
• Redevelopment of the existing bell tower into a usable Prayer Tower
• Renovation of chapel
Other areas of focus such as debt reduction and endowment building will be funded through donations, bequests, and budgetary surpluses.
FUTURE & GROWTH
PHASE 2 (2030)
Providence is also casting a vision of growth for our future beyond the initial revitalizing campaign goals of Phase One.
To support future students enrolled in envisioned program initiatives such as Athletic Therapy, Sports Management, Education, and Nursing, Phase Two
Facilitating a Growing Opportunity will feature the construction of a major new building on campus featuring vital components of these programs, such as a health science wing complete with classrooms, labs and clinic space in addition to a modern gymnasium and fitness centre, allowing Providence to grow into its anticipated future.
PHASE 3 (2035)
Housing the Next Generation
Owing to the introduction of new programs in Phase Two, the resulting growth in the student population will need to be accommodated. Phase Three will feature the construction of a new men’s residence to match the quality of our women’s
residence: Muriel Taylor Hall. The existing fourplexes will be upgraded into modern apartments suitable for senior students and families. Housing these students will greatly enhance the university’s retention strategy.
“We envision a transformative fundraising campaign that will be deeply rooted in our unwavering Christ-centred faith, will ensure that each student’s journey is marked by excellence, opportunity and profound spiritual growth, and will catapult us towards our goal of becoming a fully comprehensive university.”
CAMPAIGN GOAL SUMMARY
PHASE 1 (2025-2030)
Resetting a Faithful Legacy
1. ENSURING DAY-TO-DAY EXCELLENCE
• Increased support for the Providence Fund
2. REVITALIZING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
• Upgraded Otterburne classrooms, gymnasium, and technology
• Expanded student scholarship support
3. CREATING A MORE WELCOMING CAMPUS
• Installation of accessibility ramps as well as an elevator
• Improved campus walkways, roadways, parking, and landscaping
4. UPHOLDING OUR SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
• Redevelopment of the existing bell tower into a usable Prayer Tower
• Renovation of chapel
PHASE 1 CAMPAIGN GOAL
$19 Millon