Assiniboine honours alumni award recipients and celebrates advancements in learning spaces and awards

Assiniboine Community College hosted its annual Advancement Dinner yesterday evening in Brandon. The event recognized alumni award recipients and celebrated the advancement of new campus learning spaces and student awards.

Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine, opened the evening by providing an overview of how the college continues to be on the move: with student growth, program expansions, new innovative learning spaces, an increase in community-based training throughout the province, graduate growth and prosperity, and the accomplishments of Cougars athletics – highlighting the women's hockey team receiving two back-to-back national championship titles.

Following dinner, a formal presentation honoured four alumni award recipients.

This year's recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award were Barry LaRocque, owner of Atom-Jet Group, and Tere Stykalo, Partner of MNP. The award is presented to college graduates who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession and community.

The Excellence in Teaching Award honours a staff member or retiree for extraordinary contributions to teaching and the student experience. Carla Gibson, an instructor of the college’s Social Service Worker program, was recognized for this year's award.

The One to Watch Award recognizes a graduate 35 years of age or younger that has made exceptional achievements and significant contributions to their profession and community. Assiniboine was pleased to announce Dallas Flett-Wapash, Interactive Media Arts alumnus, as this year's recipient.

"It's a great night to celebrate the strides the college, our students, and alumni have been making," said Derrick Turner, Director of Advancement and External Relations at Assiniboine. "We recognize the great achievements of our 50,000-plus alumni, and it's a privilege to be able to honour four of them tonight."

Following the awards presentation, Kevin Bailey, the new President of the Alumni Association at Assiniboine, kicked off the annual Funding Futures alumni giving campaign.

"Our board of directors knows firsthand how attending Assiniboine transformed their lives, and we're honoured to provide an opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation of students through campaigns like Funding Futures," said Bailey, President of the Alumni Association.

"Assiniboine was fundamental in my educational journey. I look forward to being part of an association so passionate about building strong alumni connections and providing opportunities for students through scholarships and bursaries," adds Bailey.

Assiniboine will celebrate the outstanding achievements of five alumni recipients from the Parkland campus on October 27 at the Country Fest Community Cinema in Dauphin.

For more information about alumni awards or the Funding Futures campaign, contact Lisa Huston at 204.725.8700 ext.7124, or email hustone@assiniboine.net.

Alumni who wish to update their contact information can do so at assiniboine.net/alumnisurvey