Yorkton, SK – Parkland College awarded $39,000 in entrance scholarships to 31 students from across east-central Saskatchewan at its awards ceremony at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on September 22.

These scholarships are in addition to the $47,000 awarded in March. All the students being recognized have chosen to gain either university or technical skills at one of Parkland College’s five campuses.

The scholarships are made possible through the generosity of local businesses and organizations, community members, College staff, the annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Tournament, and Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration’s Centennial Merit Scholarship program.

The Centennial Merit Program is a matching program in which funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis with local non-government donors. For every dollar raised locally, the province will match that dollar to support scholarships for high academic achievers.

Contributors to this fall’s entrance scholarships include Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, the Canadian Federation of University Women – Yorkton, CUPE 4980, SIAST, SaskTel, Western Financial Group, Victory Safety & Training, LDM Foods, Richardson Oilseed International, Grain Millers, Logan Stevens Construction, Gardon Securities, RBC Royal Bank, A & K Architects, Royal Drug Mart, Dollars for Scholars Golf Tournament donors, GX 94/Fox FM, Leon Ram Companies, Kahkewistahaw Gas and Convenience Store, Painted Hand Casino, Painted Hand Community Development Corporation, Mosaic Potash, and Loucks Pharmacy. Students interested in learning more about the scholarship opportunities are encouraged to stop by one of the five campuses in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Melville or Yorkton, or visit the College website at www.parklandcollege.sk.ca to view scholarship opportunities.

About Us:

Parkland College provides scholarships to local students pursuing post-secondary education. Contributions to the Scholarship Initiative help Parkland College maintain the ability to contribute to the education and training of residents in the Parkland area. The initiative positively impacts the lives of individuals and families, as well as communities and businesses within the Parkland region. This is the fourteenth year that Parkland College has offered scholarships to students enrolled in full-time or part-time courses.

For more information contact:
Gwen Machnee, Ph.D.
University Program Coordinator
Parkland College
Phone: 306.786.2593
Email: g.machnee @parklandcollege.sk.ca
www.parklandcollege.sk.ca

Students enrolled in SIAST courses at Parkland College are being affected by a strike at SIAST’s four campuses across Saskatchewan. Instructors and professional staff represented by the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) began job action on Tuesday, September 6.

“Parkland College is carrying thirteen SIAST courses in the fall semester through Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN),” said Sonja Gehl, Director of Programs at Parkland College. “Each course involves televised live sessions which originate from SIAST. Therefore, the strike will impact our students’ ability to participate in those live sessions.”

Six sessions were scheduled for the week of September 6-9, and five more for the week of September 12-16. Additional live sessions are still scheduled for October.

A total of 32 students are registered in the SIAST SCN programs at Parkland College’s Yorkton campus. It’s not known at this time how many students at other Parkland College locations are registered.

“Students will be able to work through their courses but missing the live sessions will be a detriment,” Gehl added.

The job action at SIAST may have other impacts on Parkland College:
– For courses not yet started, student acceptances and international credentials assessments will not be possible. A potential backlog following the strike may cause delays that leave some students unable to enter a desired program.
– Forwarding of books and modules will be delayed.
– Two programs involving SIAST instructors are due to start in late October. A prolonged strike would impact these programs.
– Parkland College instructors in all programs will not have access to SIAST curriculum support.
– A prolonged strike could also impact the forwarding of exams for our students.

Parkland College will continue to monitor the job action and contract talks at SIAST. Affected Parkland College students should contact Sonja Gehl at 306.786.2595 or s.gehl@parklandcollege.sk.ca if they have any questions or concerns.

About Us: Parkland College offers the largest off-campus university program in Saskatchewan, as well as an array of educational programs and services to adult learners including SIAST and Institute programs, Industry programs, Adult Basic Education, Literacy, English as an Additional Language and Career and Student Services.

For more information contact:
Sonja Gehl
Director, Programs
Parkland College
Phone: 306.786.2595
Email: s.gehl@parklandcollege.sk.ca
www.parklandcollege.sk.ca

Fort Qu’Appelle, SK – Students at Parkland College have a new place to gather for ceremonies and celebrations in Fort Qu’Appelle.

A tipi will be raised at the Parkland College Fort Qu’Appelle campus on Wednesday, September 7. A pipe ceremony will be led by elder Murray Ironchild. A traditional feast is scheduled for 12 noon.

The tipi will provide a year-round sacred space for students. It will also be used at powwows, graduation and Tipi Teachings. “One of the College’s goals is to expand our Aboriginal strategy. The tipi represents awareness, respect and pride for all students at Parkland College,” said instructor Derek Mathewson. “It is also an excellent way for us to bring together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to learn about each other’s culture.”

Approximately 75 per cent of all students enrolled in the 2010-2011 school year at the Fort Qu’Appelle campus were from the surrounding First Nations communities.

The need for the tipi was identified by Grade 10 and 12 Adult Basic Education students who participated in a series of workshops about Tipi Teachings organized by Ka-Pa-Chee Training Centre. The student-driven initiative formed a Tipi Committee which raised money for the purchase through lunch fundraisers and donations received from the student council canteen.

The tipi canvas was ordered over the summer. Committee members Cathy Stonechild, Bobby Joe Starr and Kristi Johnson travelled to Hudson Bay to gather the poles for the tipi. Guided by elder’s helper Wendell Starblanket, the three women cut, peeled, dragged and dried the 15 poles required for the tipi in extremely hot summer weather.

Stonechild admitted the task was no easy undertaking. She said the women endured many physical and emotional challenges during their journey but persevered due to the strength and leadership of Starr.

“It was the first time I was part of something from start to finish,” Stonechild said. “The experience made me proud to be a First Nations student and I’m excited to be able to pass the teachings on to others.”

The tipi will also be used at Treaty 4 celebrations happening in Fort Qu’Appelle from September 12-18.

About Us: Parkland College offers the largest off-campus university program in Saskatchewan, as well as an array of educational programs and services to adult learners including SIAST and Institute programs, Industry programs, Adult Basic Education, Literacy, English as an Additional Language and Career and Student Services.

For more information contact: 
Derek Mathewson
Adult Basic Education Instructor
Parkland College-Fort Qu’Appelle
Phone: 306.332.5416
Email: d.mathewson@parklandcollege.sk.ca
www.parklandcollege.sk.ca

Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595
Cell: 306.621.8104
Email: b.wagner@parklandcollege.sk.ca
www.parklandcollege.sk.ca

Yorkton, SK – Quality education and effective training methods form the foundation of a strong and prosperous regional economy. That message was brought to a Parkland College stakeholder dinner in Yorkton on Thursday by Dr. Tom Thompson.

Dr. Thompson is the President and CEO of Olds College – a highly successful rural college located in Olds, Alberta. His presentation on Thursday underlined the fundamental role colleges play in building communities and supporting the regional economy.

More education results in more opportunities for the local business community. A socio-economic study commissioned in 2010 showed 90 per cent of students trained through Parkland College remain in the province after graduation. Having skilled workers already in Saskatchewan saves businesses money because recruiting out of province costs industry up to three times an employee’s annual salary.

In order to provide the best for its learners, Parkland College is planning to construct a Trades and Technology Centre in Yorkton. The proposed 44,900-square-foot facility will provide students with more training opportunities in a state-of-the-art environment. This project provides access for an additional 350 full-time students and 2,200 workers to the programs and services required to move forward in their careers.

About Us:
Parkland College is the largest off-campus university program in Saskatchewan. Parkland College provides a wide array of educational programs and services to adult learners including SIAST and Institute programs, Industry programs, Adult Basic Education, Literacy, English as an Additional Language and Career and Student Services.

About Dr. Tom Thompson:
Dr. Thompson became the President and CEO of Olds College in 2001. He was raised in Saskatchewan and has a rich background in post-secondary education, management, and sports marketing. He previously held positions as Director of Public Relations for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Director of Marketing for the Calgary Stampeders. His many speaking engagements at national and international events have helped to broaden awareness of Alberta’s post-secondary initiatives and best practices.

For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595
Cell: 306.621.8104
Email: b.wagner@parklandcollege.sk.ca
www.parklandcollege.sk.ca