Confederation College Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Community Partners’ Evening, Raising Over $27,000 in Support of Students

THUNDER BAY, ON, January 28, 2021 – Confederation College excitedly celebrates the 25^th anniversary of its Community Partners’ Evening Thursday. The event is a longstanding tradition of raising critical funds for student bursaries and awards through the generous support of community partners. The milestone year has raised more than $27,000.

“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing and considerable support community partners have provided to our students across this quarter of a century,” said Kathleen Lynch, President. “While the pandemic has changed what learning looks like for now, it has also created an opportunity for us to shift into a new era of postsecondary education. Our partners are an important part of ensuring that our students are able to succeed in this new era. Whether students are learning online only, or through a combination of online and in-person learning, their financial need continues. In fact, the pandemic has added a number of financial pressures for our students outside of the classroom and this support is more important now than ever before. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank our community for their continued generosity.”

This year’s sold out Community Partners’ Evening was presented in a virtual format, with curbside pick-up of over 150 “Have a Hoot” event boxes, each featuring a delicious charcuterie selection created by Culinary Management students, alongside a few premier items from alumni and community partners. Twenty second-year students and four faculty and staff contributed to the effort.

The event was made possible through presenting sponsor Tbaytel, community sponsors Bruno’s Contracting, MBNA and TD Insurance, and those who contributed to the Have a Hoot event boxes and early bird contest. Longtime partner Tbaytel was proud to continue its support for this virtual event.

“On behalf of the board of directors, our executive management team and more than 400 employees, I want to thank and congratulate Confederation College Alumni for finding a great way to celebrate its 25^th Community Partners’ Evening, despite a challenging year,” said Dan Topatigh, President and CEO of Tbaytel. “That the College has been able to bring people together speaks to the ingenuity, determination and innovation that graduates of Confederation are known for. Those qualities are also why we’re proud to have so many alumni as employees today. I also want to thank all the community partners who contribute to the success of Confederation College and their commitment to education in northern Ontario. At Tbaytel, we look forward to a great partnership with Confederation College for many years to come.”

While “attendees” will be enjoying their delicious treats at home this evening, students will be enjoying something far more valuable – comfort in knowing people are in their corner cheering them on and funds that will enable them to focus on their studies to reach the all-important graduation day, turning their dreams into reality.

“This has been a year when we needed each other the most and the students of Confederation College are forever grateful for the caring, support and kindness of our community partners and donors,” said Kiran Ramesh, Student Union President. “The awards and bursaries allocated from the funds raised through this event mean so much to students and perhaps much more than we realize. It keeps them in school, helps meet needs like food and housing, supports families and creates academic success. They may not know who you are – could pass you on the street and not know that you are the person who helped change their life – but rest assured they know gratitude when they think of you.”