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Murray Kyte Leaves His Mark on Algonquin College

He was a successful lawyer when he made a difficult decision to switch careers and become a college professor, but Murray Kyte never looked back. It was the summer of 2000 and Kyte joined the Business faculty at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, starting a 15-year career, most of which was spent in management as the Chair of the Business, Technology and Outdoor Training Department.

Murray KyteThis week Kyte announced he was leaving Algonquin to become the Vice-President of Advancement at historic St. Francis Xavier University in the small community of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Kyte graduated from St. FX in 1987 with a Degree in Business Administration, before earning a Law Degree from the University of Ottawa and later a Masters’ in Education while working at Algonquin.

His commitment to higher education and life-long learning is inspirational and it has helped him lead others. Under Kyte’s leadership, the Pembroke Campus launched several new full-time programs, built partnerships with industry, gained trust with major donors who helped fund the Waterfront Campus and built legacy projects for the broader community. A great example is his work in securing funding for a pre-apprenticeship construction trades program that resulted in College students rebuilding Pembroke’s waterfront boardwalk last summer.

Students, College reps, City Mayor, wood donorsIn his new role, Kyte will provide leadership in strategic areas including alumni relations, internal and external communications, integrated marketing and philanthropic development. It will be a challenging position but one that he will embrace with the same enthusiasm that helped him earn the respect of his colleagues and the broader community during his time at Algonquin.

Kyte has always worn his X ring proudly and given the strong roots his family has to the university, it’s understandable why he is pursuing this wonderful career opportunity. His father was a star athlete at St. FX, and his wife, brothers and father-in-law are also all St. FX alumni.

Kyte will remain with Algonquin until the end of November before taking a well-deserved break and starting his new role at St. FX at the start of the New Year. We offer him best wishes and thank him for all that he has done for our College and the Pembroke Campus.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Algonquin College Waterfront Campus Says Thank You to Community Donors

There are few things in life that are more rewarding than being part of a “game changing” project. That’s how veteran provincial politician John Yakabuski described the building of a new Algonquin College Waterfront Campus when it opened two years ago, but the project would not have gotten off the ground had it not been for the incredible generosity of the communities the college serves.

Recently, the college celebrated the conclusion of its capital campaign when it announced it had exceeded its goal of raising $2.5-million through community donations. The ceremony included the unveiling of a donor wall that captures the names of all of the individuals, businesses and organizations that helped finance the project.

Capital Campaign members in front of donor wall

Capital Campaign Members, Dawn Dube, Lisa Edmonds, Fred Blackstein, Mark Huckabone, President Cheryl Jensen, Dean Karen Davies, Marie Mask and Jamie Bramburger

The financial gifts that were received extended beyond helping pay for the bricks and mortar. There was also more than $300,000 donated for new endowments which support bursaries for students in financial need.

The building of the new campus is an incredible story of determination made possible by a community that understood the importance of having a college within its boundaries. There were many obstacles to overcome to get the project approved, particularly because very little government funding was available to help. Instead, the college turned to the community and its partners to make it happen.

A generous donation of waterfront land by the City of Pembroke was the first step. Then the Algonquin College Students’ Association stepped up with a $4-million commitment to help cover the costs of building a gymnasium and fitness centre, but in the end the donations from within the community and the enthusiasm shown for the project, is what ensured the new campus became a reality.

Dean Karen Davies, Chair Mark Huckabone and President Cheryl Jensen

Dean Karen Davies, Chair Mark Huckabone and President Cheryl Jensen.

Capital campaign Chair, Mark Huckabone, said it best, “For every enthusiastic student that attends this campus, there was an enthusiastic donor that made it happen.” That quotation is printed above the donor wall at the Waterfront Campus and is a daily reminder that the strength of colleges is how they connect to the communities they serve.

Watch the entire capital campaign touchdown ceremony and be inspired!

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs