Olds College has recieved a large donation to support enhanced learning experiences for students within the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology (WSAT).
According to a release, the $2 million donation will go towards the development and delivery of enhanced academic programming and providing students with opportunities to attend conferences, forums, educational courses, guest lecturers and speakers. The funds will also help support smart ag applied research and the development of the Olds College Smart Farm.
In recognition of their gift, the heart of the new Ag Tech Learning Hub will be named the Bob & Carollyne Collier Student Commons. The Student Commons will act as an informal learning space for students to study, meet, relax, or socialize and will feature a design focused on technology essentials, helping students thrive in a modern educational environment. The Ag Tech Learning Hub is on track to open in Sept. 2022.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of Bob and Carollyne Collier,” said Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College. “On behalf of Olds College, I would like to sincerely thank Bob and Carollyne for their continued support of our students and the agriculture industry.”
In 2017, Collier’s established the Bob Collier Award with a generous pledge of $300,000 over ten years in support of innovation and entrepreneurship at the college.
Additional annual pledges from the couple have gone towards constructing The Hive, a student lounge in the lower level of the Learning Resource Centre in 2019.
“We continue to be so inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit shown by the students who receive our annual award each year,” noted Carollyne Collier. “We hope that the students look up at the beautiful ceiling in the Student Commons and feel inspired to take on any challenge that comes their way.”