Yorkton, SK – Parkland College awarded $68,150 in internal scholarships to 70 students from across East Central Saskatchewan at its awards ceremony at the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton on March 27.

These scholarships are in addition to the $40,500 in entrance scholarships awarded in September. This marks the second consecutive academic year in which Parkland College has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships.

The scholarships are made possible through the generosity of local businesses and organizations, community members, college staff, the annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic, and the Ministry of Advanced Education’s Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program. The program, introduced by the provincial government in 2011, is intended to provide matching funds to institutions for scholarships that are targeted in accordance with the institution’s strategic directions. Funds are provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis with local non-government donors.

Contributors to this year’s internal scholarships include Advanced Education, Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic donors, A+K Architects, Churchbridge Credit Union, City of Melville, City of Yorkton, Friends of Clay Serby, Cornerstone Credit Union, Drs. Ron and Bree Rogoza, Gateway Co-op, Good Spirit REDA, Horizon Credit Union, LDM Foods, Logan Stevens Construction, Melville Lions Club, Morris Industries, Mosaic Potash Esterhazy, ParkerQuine LLP, Dr. Fay Myers, R.G. Combe V.C. Royal Canadian Legion #61 (Melville), Richardson, Saskatchewan Abilities Council, Town of Canora, Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, Yorkton Lions Club, Yorkton Rotary Club, and Yorkton This Week.

Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Parkland College are encouraged to stop by one of the five campuses in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Melville or Yorkton, or visit the scholarships section of this website.

This year’s internal scholarship recipients are:

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 15th year that Parkland College has offered scholarships to students enrolled in full-time or part-time courses. The internal scholarship fund has grown from $1,500 in the first year to $68,350 this year, and from four to 71 scholarships in university, trades, health, and business.

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

Yorkton, SK – Parkland College has signed a memorandum of understanding with the East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) that will allow the partners to jointly pursue new agricultural applied research projects near Yorkton.

Michael Cameron (left), Director of Training & Business Development at Parkland College, signs the MOU with Glenn Blakley from the East Central Research Foundation.

Several activities are already underway. The City of Yorkton is generously providing a lease on a plot of land close to the city. This site will provide ample testing space for applied research projects operated by the college and ECRF. It will also be used in hands-on instruction through the college’s 42-week Agriculture Crop Production program, which began in February.

Under the terms of the agreement, ECRF will hire a farm technician while the college will employ summer students or work experience students. College instructors Michael Hall and Sarah Lipoth will be the scientists involved in the new projects.

The ECRF is a non-profit organization established in 1996 on land just west of Canora. It undertakes applied research projects and demonstrates specialized crop protection technologies to local producers. Funding from government agencies allows the ECRF to conduct trials on everything from seed treatments and crop residues to fertilizer application rates and weed and pest control. The data are provided to the research community, agricultural industry and local producers. ECRF is one of eight producer-directed research and demonstration sites in Saskatchewan making up the Agriculture – Applied Research Management (Agri-ARM) network.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Gwen Machnee
Coordinator, University and Applied Research
Parkland College
Phone: 306.786.2593
Email: g.machnee@parklandcollege.sk.ca

Parkland College is expanding its commitment to partnering with First Nations in East Central Saskatchewan. The college recently signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a formal relationship with Okanese First Nation near Balcarres.

The affiliation between Okanese First Nation and the college seeks to improve labour market participation among members of the First Nation through Essential Skills programs, Adult Basic Education, and specific skills training linked to industry and jobs. Among the other goals of the MOU, college programs and courses offered to Okanese First Nation will be strengthened, and both parties will work toward securing provincial training allowances for students learning on reserve.

“Parkland College values forming partnerships and delivering responsive learning options to improve the way of life of people across the region,” said Michael Cameron, director of Training and Business Development at Parkland College. “This agreement further solidifies our commitment to focusing on the learner through accessibility, inclusion and diversity.”

Under the leadership of Chief Marie-Anne Daywalker-Pelletier and her Council, Okanese First Nation sees itself as a vibrant community, one that sets the path for a brighter future for its people, the promotion of a better quality of life, and the ability to persevere through many challenges that First Nation people endure.

The agreement will be in effect for five years. Officials from Okanese First Nation and Parkland College will meet at least twice a year to assess the progress made during the collaboration.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

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For more information contact:
Michael Cameron
Director, Training & Business Development
Parkland College
Phone: 306.786.2590
Email: m.cameron@parklandcollege.sk.ca

On Thursday, March 14, Parkland College will host Conversations with US, an interactive discussion with experts from the University of Saskatchewan.

The presentation will feature Jeff Schoneau, professor and Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Chair at the U of S. The topic of discussion is “Cropping Systems in Saskatchewan: Moving Towards Agronomic and Environmentally Sound Land Management Practices.”

Parkland College Main Campus
200 Prystai Way
Yorkton, Saskatchewan
Thursday, March 14, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Schoneau’s contributions to applied research in soil fertility and management are recognized locally, nationally and internationally. His efforts have furthered the University of Saskatchewan’s outreach and engagement mission. Schoneau will discuss how the adoption of conservation management practices by Saskatchewan farmers has improved the quality of the soil, landscape and environment over the last few years.

This event is open to the public. A general discussion will follow Schoneau’s presentation. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information contact:

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

Nola Woods
Community Engagement Specialist
University Advancement
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: 306.966.8445
Email: nola.woods@usask.ca