Louise Gardiner was happy that her grandchildren were able to have a sleep over at her place last weekend and that they had a great outing to the Jurassic World exhibition in Mississauga that she highly recommends.
Shawky Fahel is very pleased that his son’s wedding, cancelled previously due to COVID, will now occur on August 5.
Neil Swayze is happy that he and Donna celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this past weekend and were able to do so with high school friends, attending a festival in Unionville.
Pete Gray is happy to be a part of a great community and that the Children’s Ground Water Festival will be back in person this year after a three-year break due to COVID.
Garden Project at A Better Tent City
As part of our ongoing support of A Better Tent City we will be assisting with the construction of some raised gardens for them and your assistance is requested.
The project is scheduled for Saturday, June 24 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at A Better Tent City on Ardelt Avenue in Kitchener (beside the Board of Education Offices).
Some equipment will be needed - wheel barrows, shovels and garden tools. If you are able to join us please indicate what, if anything, you are able to bring in the comment box.
Please register (or decline) when you receive the invitation.
Children’s Ground Water Festival
This year the in person festival will be held at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area (7743 Conservation Rd RR4, Guelph, ON N1H 6J1). From Tuesday June 6th to Friday June 9th, from 9am to 2pm. They are seeking for volunteers that could help them lead varied and interesting activities for all participants on Friday, June 9th. They ask that volunteers commit to one full day, from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested please let Pete Gray know via email at pgray@mte85.com OR members and Friends of Rotary Volunteers can use the following link to register:
https://forms.gle/FZ4X8Rwg2KjVhiv67
KidsAbility Superhero / Fun Day
Members are reminded that the KidsAbility Superhero campaign wrap up day is set for Saturday June 17. Email messages have been sent but any one still wanting to sign up to help should contact Jill Melanson (jilldianemelanson@gmail.com) or at 519-502-5259.
Club Turnover Meeting
Be sure to have this date marked on your calendar and plan to attend. Our annual Turnover meeting and social will be on Monday, June 26 at the KW Art Gallery. Look for the invitation later this week.
Special Recognitions / Presentations
Program Highlights
Our program today, part of our Speaker Series: Notable People in our Community, was Dr. John Tibbits from Conestoga College, introduced by Shawky Fahel.
Dr. John Tibbits has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning since 1987, working as a tireless advocate and champion for polytechnic education and guiding the institution to its current role as a leader in Ontario’s college system. Prior to joining Conestoga, he held senior administrative positions at Dawson College in Montreal, Touche Ross & Partners in Ottawa and Canada Post Corporation in Ottawa.
He has served on boards for a wide variety of industry and community organizations, including Grand River Hospital where he served as Board Chair. He has been recognized with multiple honours and awards for his leadership and service and was recently inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame for his community service.
John Tibbits holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma in Education from McGill University, a Master of Education degree and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from the University of Vermont as well as a Doctorate in Education from Boston University.
Dr. Tibbits provided many examples of how the College is positioning itself as the leading college in Ontario, if not all of Canada and how it will be meeting current and future challenges. Highlights of his presentation included:
- In 1987 they had 2,000 students, now that have over 25,000
- In their first year they had 3 international students, this year they have 12,000
- Their first year budget was $35,000,000, it is now in excess of $700,000,000 and will soon reach the billion dollar level
- There is a serious shortage of skilled labour for trades and other areas such as health care workers, and international students are helping to address this
- 70% of students enrolling at Conestoga College do not come directly from high school, but are coming from the work force and an increasing number have a university degree
- Growth over the next 10 years will be extensive including:
- A total of 8 major campuses in Ontario
- A new Health Services program in Milton with $2,000 student
- A new campus in Brantford with 6,000 students
- A 10 story building has been purchased in Guelph with new programs opening in 2025 and 2026 with a total of 6,000 students
- A new Trades Facility, which will be the largest and most modern in Canada will open this fall in Cambridge
- The Waterloo campus will be expanding, was at 700 students 10 years ago but will be at over 5,000 within the next few years
- A new down-town campus will be built in Kitchener within the next three years which will service up to 5,000 students
- The DOON campus will have a new Health Services building and program
- In the next 7 years over 1 billion dollars of capital development will occur
- New residence facilities are being developed in all areas
