Advancement and Strategy

$120,000 donation expands cutting-edge computer assisted design education at Algonquin College

Posted on Monday, April 22nd, 2024

OTTAWA — April 23, 2024 – Algonquin College is delighted to announce a $120,000 donation from the Canerector Foundation to help establish a second Computer Assisted Design (CAD) Lab at the College, addressing the growing demand for digital expertise in the local construction industry.

The new CAD Lab provides more students with hands-on experience in 3D modeling, enabling them to test designs, calculate construction costs, and plan the efficient use of materials using industry leading technology. With the increasing importance of digital skills in the industry, the demand for specialized labs like the CAD Lab has surged, which resulted in the current lab operating at full capacity.

“We are extremely grateful for the Canerector Foundation’s generous contribution,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “This donation will have a significant impact on the education and future of our students, addressing the urgent demand for skilled professionals in the construction industry. It is a testament to the Canerector Foundation’s commitment to advancing education and supporting our community.”

In recognition of their support, Amanda Hawkins, Director of the Canerector Foundation said, “We are thrilled to support exposing students to practical, hands-on technology that will prepare them to excel in their careers.”

This is the second significant investment from the Canerector Foundation to Algonquin College. In 2022 the Foundation made a $400,000 gift to establish The Canerector Foundation Scholarship in the Skilled Trades.

By supporting the CAD Lab, the Canerector Foundation is not only investing in the education of Canerector Foundation Scholars, but in all skilled trades students, enabling the college to produce a higher number of graduates who possess the unique competencies required by the industry.

This continued collaboration between Algonquin College and the Canerector Foundation will have a profound and lasting impact on the skilled trades, further strengthening Canada’s economic landscape.

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About Algonquin College 

The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 250 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke and AC Online.

About the Canerector Foundation

The Canerector Foundation is a registered, non-profit Canadian charitable organization founded by the Hawkins family, owners of Canerector Inc. — a group of over 50 companies that design and manufacture industrial products across a wide range of industries. Since its formal establishment in October 2019, the Canerector Foundation has donated over $10 million to Canadian-based charities that support communities across the country and around the world. To date, the foundation has focused on supporting skilled trades education, healthcare (particularly Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes), housing and at-risk youth.

For media inquiries:

Megan Fraser 
Communications Officer 
Algonquin College
fraserm2@algonquincollege.com
613-302-0138

Empowering the future: Hazel Smart-Patterson establishes scholarship to inspire women in STEM at Algonquin College. 

Posted on Monday, April 15th, 2024

OTTAWA — April 15, 2024 – Hazel Smart-Patterson, a distinguished alumna of Algonquin College, is paving the way for women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs with the establishment of the Hazel Smart-Patterson Scholarship. 

With a visionary pledge of $100,000, Hazel Smart-Patterson aims to ease financial constraints and ignite the ambitions of female students entering their third or fourth year of full-time STEM studies at Algonquin College. 

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Algonquin College to Honour Accomplished Alumni at Sixth Annual Alumni of Distinction Awards Celebration

Posted on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022

For Immediate Release

OTTAWA (September 7, 2022) – Algonquin College is pleased to announce the recipients of its sixth annual Alumni of Distinction Awards, and the return to an in-person awards celebration. The Alumni of Distinction Awards Night will be held in the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Sept. 29.

The event will officially celebrate 10 Algonquin College alumni for their outstanding professional and community contributions, plus an employer from our campus communities who has empowered our graduates to make a difference.

This year’s honourees have demonstrated remarkable dedication to the well-being of others. They include a Paralympian and accessibility champion, a medical devices inventor, a pioneer for women in trades, a leader in the care of seniors, a constable with strong community involvement, a top fundraiser and radio host, an abilities advocate and long-time volunteer, an industry authority on cybersecurity, a global youth entrepreneurship leader, and a lifelong entrepreneur and philanthropist.

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Four Algonquin graduates named to Forty Under 40 awards

Posted on Monday, May 2nd, 2022

Four Algonquin College graduates who are rising stars in their fields are winners in the Ottawa 2022 Forty Under 40. The award recognizes 40 professionals under the age of 40 who are innovative and talented leaders with outstanding business accomplishments, professional experience and community involvement.

The judges had the challenging task of selecting the winner from hundreds of accomplished applicants.

“The individuals included in the running have achieved results that are of global quality, with a local Ottawa focus,” judge Charlotte Karam, the new director of the Executive MBA at the Telfer School of Management, told the Ottawa Business Journal. “I am inspired by their ability to exceed all expectations during a time of great uncertainty and disruption, while remaining steadfast champions and beacons of service to the local Ottawa community.

“The final 40 are a group to be celebrated, having achieved so much thus far, and I can’t wait to see what they do next!”

The 2022 awards gala will be held in-person on June 17, after two years of virtual events. It will also be broadcast.

Forty Under 40, which is celebrating its milestone 25th year in 2022, is a joint initiative between the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade.

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