BY SAMREH OSBORNE
Sheridan celebrated its 50th birthday at the new Skills Trade Centre at Davis Campus in Brampton on Tuesday. Guest speakers were Sheridan president Dr. Mary Preece, Chancellor Hazel McCallion and Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
“O Canada” started to play as the three women entered the room to a standing ovation. Preece took the stage first, explaining how far Sheridan College has come along.
“The first Sheridan to open up was in 1967, with 17 programs and 32 faculty members. And now we have 23,000 full-time students and three campuses. The Brampton location is the fastest growing one with 10,000 students,” she said.
She also spoke about Sheridan’s efforts to preserve the environment.
Hazel McCallion, who will be 96 next month, told the audience about Sheridan’s presence in the community.
“The contribution Sheridan College is making to the economic base of the GTA, the province and the country is huge. Preparing the students with the skills that are needed out there to make things happen.”
Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell discussed a new award students can win by competing in the Visionary Price.
“For 2017 we didn’t want to just celebrate, we wanted people to think creatively and innovatively about some of the problems that we will be facing in the next 50 years. So we chose six areas of problems and we have created a competition and anybody 18 and above can submit a proposal, in any of these six areas by video or writing. Six in each category will be chosen to pitch their ideas in front of group of people to win the ultimate price. The six areas are Environmental Stewardships, Economic Prosperity, Reconciliation, Governors, Science and Technology and Social Cohesion. To get more information about the Visionary Price go to www.lg.ontario.ca.”
After their speeches, they cut the cake, which was decorated with Sheridan colours and the number 50 on it.
The event also featured displays of different areas of technology that students have been working on, among them were robots. About 100 people attended this event. There was also buffet style lunch for everyone with wraps, salad, coffee, tea, pop and of course dessert.
