Red Deer College Foundation’s fundraising campaign just got a $1-million bump.
Natural gas giant Encana and Cenovus Energy teamed up for the seven-figure donation to the college’s Building Communities Through Learning Campaign, it was announced on Tuesday.
The donation pushes the $35-million fundraising effort to over $18 million.
“This type of leadership from two of Canada’s leading corporations provides a needed boost to our campaign at a crucial time as our plans move forward,” college president said Joel Ward in a news release.
The cash will go towards the college’s Flexible Learning Common and the Innovative Delivery/Flexible Learning Initiative.
The commons is an open space where students can study and learn and which can be converted into other uses quickly. For instance, it can go from nursing classrooms to space for the visual arts program within hours.
The initiative for innovative learning is all about bringing education to the community.
For instance, if there is a demand the college could bring nursing or trades training into rural areas where it is needed. Skills upgrading training could be offered or other support systems set up to provide better rural learning opportunities.
Red Deer College offers 75 programs to 7,800 full- and part-time credit students and another 13,000 continuing education students.