News Archives: Celebration For Retiring President Nears
Thursday, August 29th, 2019
Mark On You A Vital Tribute to Don Gnatiuk event happening on September 12, 2019.
Tickets are moving quickly for a dinner and evening of celebration to recognize the success of the Vital Campaign and acknowledge GPRC’s outgoing President and CEO, Don Gnatiuk.
Gnatiuk has announced his plans to retire after 12 years in office. He’s had the role for the longest term in the College’s 52-year history. The Board of Governors will fill the leadership post this fall.
Mark On You – A Vital Tribute to Don Gnatiuk is on Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at gprc.me/markonyou or by calling 780-539-2023.
“We’re thrilled at the response to this event from the community,” says Carmen Haakstad, Vice President, External Relations. “It’s pleasing to see so many people wanting to pay tribute to Don. “It’s a sign of the impact he’s had in leading the College to many achievements as well as the respect he’s earned in various roles within the community and the post-secondary realm.
“Some of the highlights include the Fairview merger and addition of the learning centres located in Edson, Hinton, Grande Cache, and Jasper; the partnership with Alberta Health Services for new education space for our nursing program in the new regional hospital; celebrating the 50th anniversary; receiving approval to move towards degree-granting status; the expansion of our fine arts facilities; and GPRC’s growth in the realm of research.”
Don has given back to the community through his service on numerous projects with the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, as an Honourary Chair of the Grande Prairie and Region United Way, from 2010-2012, and more recently, the Grande Prairie Airport Commission and Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club Board of Directors. On a wider scale, Gnatiuk has served the Alberta post-secondary system as Chair of the eCampus board and is a member of the Board of Directors of Colleges and Institutes Canada.
One way to pay tribute to the outgoing President and CEO is by contributing to GPRC’s Vital Campaign and help it eclipse the $20 million objective ahead of the 2020 target.
The Campaign’s focus is on retaining talent in the region, creating new industry and community partnerships, graduating more trained workers in the healthcare and high-demand trades, ensuring expanded opportunities and choices in post-secondary education, creating an enhanced quality of life and economic growth in Northwestern Alberta, and fostering excellence in learning and student experiences.
Priority projects include creating a health education centre, including providing palliative care education; advancing athletics; increasing student supports; expanding creative and performing arts; and improving trades infrastructure. Learn more about the campaign at gprc.me/vital.
During the celebrations, campaign co-chairs Doug Morris and Bridget Hennigar will bring the audience up to date on the campaign and introduce the College Foundation Board of Directors and the Campaign Cabinet.
People who want to honour Don with a gift may also donate to The Don and JoAnn Gnatiuk Community Leadership Award Endowment, a legacy to recognize the contributions of the Gnatiuk family to the College and the region it serves. The endowment will provide an annual award to high-achieving GPRC students who have made exceptional contributions to their community. Donations to the fund will be counted within the Vital Campaign.
About GPRC
GPRC is a comprehensive community institution, publicly supported to provide opportunities in post-secondary education in northwestern Alberta. Established in 1966 in Grande Prairie, GPRC now includes campuses in Fairview and Grande Prairie, and learning centres in Edson, Grande Cache, Hinton and Jasper. GPRC offers a wide variety of career certificates and diplomas, pre-employment and apprenticeship trades, university transfer studies, and several opportunities for on-campus degree completion at baccalaureate and master levels through collaborations with four-year universities. For more information visit gprc.ab.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Carmen Haakstad
GPRC Vice-President, External Relations
780-539-2070