Feature Article
Perspectives from the Donald School of Business Grand Opening
Community members, friends of RDC, alumni and students were welcomed at the Donald School of Business VIP Reception Grand Opening. There, they gathered and explored our latest learning environment in the Millennium Centre.
This fall the much-anticipated Donald School of business opened its doors – and 3rd, 4th and 5th floors – to students at RDC’s new downtown campus. On September 22, some our major donors, including community partners and supporters attended a VIP reception.
From the floor…
Student perspective. When asked what students thought of the new downtown campus, Aaron Grote, a 2nd year Commerce student said, “I’m kind of blown away by it – so many more opportunities and the campus itself signifies that we’re business students. Now that everybody is together, it’s a lot easier to get help, do work and find ideas from other business students.”
Alumni perspective. Many of our alumni attended, noting what this means for the community in terms of job opportunities for students and hiring opportunities for businesses.
“It’s perfect for the community and it builds awareness for RDC,” said Roxene Kelloway, 1st Vice Chair, Alumni Board. “It’s great for the students to be downtown with business people and hopefully it’ll help them find jobs. And it’s great for the business community to be exposed to our students. From what I gather – my husband works in this building – he said it’s [the transition to students downtown on a regular basis] been seamless. I believe the business community is welcoming this.”
Downtown business / donor perspective. The downtown business people are excited. The Donald School will bring 500 students to the downtown campus, flowing into the community and using services. That means an increase in traffic for our downtown partners.
“I think it’s going to help revitalize the downtown core and we’re going to have a lot of young people here,” said Bill Hogg, donor and downtown business person, BMO Bank of Montreal. “The ideas that are going to be generated – the opportunities for them and for the businesses around here – it’s just going to be terrific. This is a terrific facility!”
Volunteer perspective. The new downtown campus is also energizing our volunteers who generously devote their time to RDC.
“It’s wonderful,” said Holly Dickson, volunteer and member, RDC Foundation Board. “We’ve been thinking about this for a long time and while 14 months isn’t very long, there was a lot of planning before the actual concept of ‘let’s move downtown.’ It’ll be a wonderful plus for the College and for the people who live in Red Deer. This is really, really exciting!”
Alum, downtown business person and donor perspective. Another alum, one from RDC’s inaugural year of 1964, was thrilled about the progress: “I’ve been waiting for this to happen! And I’ve been watching – my office is a block and a half away. This isn’t going to look like it did when I went to the College 47 years ago,” said Toby Lampard, Alum, donor and downtown business person. “It’s very impressive – the openness, the rooms, the quality of the facility, the presentation and the staff that I’ve met tonight. I look forward to the people who attend, mixing with people who are working, seeing what’s involved more so than sitting in the classroom, being able to go out to businesses and in some cases partake.”
From the podium…
VIP Program. RDC’s senior leadership warmly welcomed our VIPs. Joanne Packham, Dean of the Donald School of Business, had this to share: “We at the DSB believe our purpose is to design meaningful learning opportunities rich with the integration of theory and practice connecting the school, businesses and communities we serve. I want to talk for just a few minutes about how we will act on our purpose. Space, technology, curriculum and scheduling are four important elements that when used with determination, transform these four elements into powerful tools.
Our flexible space, leading-edge technology, applied curriculum and creative scheduling all work in tandem to build strong, practical opportunities for students and professionals.”
Joel Ward, President and CEO of RDC, shared his own enthusiasm: “We are creating a new dynamic learning space that integrates flexible learning to serve our students and business professionals well.
Our project-based and collaborative learning initiatives are hallmarks of our school and key to creating and sustaining a vibrant downtown. We absolutely believe that downtown redevelopment is critical to the growth of any community and a post-secondary presence is one of those elements. The theatre district, including the Central Alberta Theatre, is another element. Fine restaurants. Affordable housing. All of these contribute to a vibrant downtown and we were very pleased to work with the City in ensuring that we could be part of that downtown redevelopment plan.”
Ward went on to say, “Our success is also due in part to the generosity of donors who support teaching and learning every day at the College. I’d like to thank each of our major donors who have directed all or part of their contribution to support the DSB and our students.” (See this edition’s donor profile.)
The Students’ Association VP Operations shared the student perspective: “Having been a business student for the last four years, I’d like to think I’ve learning something,” said Shane Crawford. “And the most important thing is adapting to change – recognizing the business needs of today but equipping students to be business leaders of tomorrow. Who better to learn from than those who created the business environment of today? We look forward to being business leaders of tomorrow.”
The Donalds, who made the dream a reality. “We decided to support this because it’s good for our hometown right here in the downtown!” said Jack Donald, donor.
Donor Joan Donald had her own encouragement to add: “At a young age and with high school educations, we leased a service station in Edmonton, often thinking how much easier it would’ve been if we had some business training. Our wish for students enrolled at the Donald School of Business is that they steer by strong values, make the most of opportunities, and make the right choices along the way.”
