Georgian celebrates 50 years of accelerating student success with a day-long birthday party
Oct. 5, 2017
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman spoke at the flag-raising ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Georgian College at Barrie City Hall on Thursday.
Students, staff and community supporters celebrated 50 years since the launch of Georgian College through day-long activities today.
It began with a flag raising at Barrie City Hall and concluded with a birthday cake made out of 1,400 cupcakes in the form of a huge 50.
Georgian opened its doors on Oct. 5, 1967 in a storefront in Barrie’s Wellington Plaza. It’s grown to include seven campuses with 11,000 students, including 1,600 international students from 60 countries, 6,200 employer partners and three centres for career and employment community services.
“Thanks to the commitment of Georgian staff, as well as the support of our partners, donors and government, we became trailblazers in areas like co-operative education, entrepreneurship and social innovation,” said Georgian President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes. “Our legacy is the 68,000 Georgian graduates who are contributing to our communities and around the world. Tens of thousands more will follow in their footsteps in the next 50 years.”
Among the anniversary events was the grand opening of the Student Services Centre, a gathering of retirees, a donor appreciation event and music from JDM – a popular local band made up of Georgian staff and alumni.
Georgian College celebrated 50 years to the day it opened to students on Oct. 5, 1967 with a day full of festivities on Thursday. Taking time before the cutting of the giant birthday cake, which was made out of 1,400 cupcakes are, from left, Shannon Kelly – Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) VP of International Relations, Avery Konda – GCSA Barrie Campus President, Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes, keynote speaker Rick Hansen, Georgian College Board of Governors Vice Chair Don Gordon and Hunter Markle – student representative on the Georgian College Board of Governors.
Rick Hansen, Canada’s Man in Motion known for his activism and philanthropic efforts, was the day’s featured speaker at the President’s Thought Leadership Speakers Series, addressing a crowd of 1,400 people. Persistence and perseverance, he said, can help in the growth of a community and help effect change.
Student representative on the Georgian College Board of Governors, Hunter Markle, remarked on the impact that Georgian has had on her.
“I wanted to make opportunities for myself – to be involved and give back to new and returning students like myself. I have been so very lucky to have the support, encouragement, and guidance from my family, support staff, and faculty here at Georgian,” said Markle. “Because Georgian is successful I can benefit from that and become successful in my own pursuits.”
Read more about Georgian’s 50th celebrations and watch a short video showcasing some of the highlights.
