GPRC President’s Awards handed out

Mar 17, 2018 | 7:04 AM

Grande Regional College recognized seven people with it’s President’s Awards at a lunch Tuesday at Evergreen Park.

Doug Morris was given the Board of Governor’s Award of Distinction. He just finished a six-year stint on the board and is also a former student-athlete and coach.

“I loved my coaching years and the years as an athlete, but to tell you the truth, the last six (on the Board) have been really rewarding. We pushed hard to get the university (degree) granting status and that’s big big news. I know for almost 50 years, people in Grande Prairie have been hoping for that. That was a big, big announcement for all of us. We all had a big smile on our face and a few tears of joy, too.”

Dr. Bart Lardner was given the Distinguished Alumni Award.

He is a graduate of the old Fairview College and went on to study at the University of Saskatchewan, where he is now a professor and researcher in animal science.

“I’m really humbled at this recognition. When I left the farm at Dawson Creek and came over to Fairview College, little did I know that would be the two most exciting years of my life. The small class sizes were fantastic to learn in.”

Fine Arts instructor and GPRC Alumni/Foundation Board member Tina Martel was given the Distinguished Volunteer Award.

Opera singer Matthew Dalen was given the Steps to the Greater Alumni Award.

Distinguished Alumni Awards went to curler Geoff Walker, businessman, inventor and electronic vehicle expert Arlin Sansome and accountant Shauna Hanson.

by Curtis Galbraith