Aaron King, a student in Holland College’s Business Administration program, has earned more than just good marks this year. His hard work and dedication have also earned him a brand new 2019 Nissan Micra Four other students, Amin Abomonasar in the Environmental Technology program, Luis Anselmi in the Music Performance program, Emily Stolzman in the Basic Firefighting program, and Alison Winters in the Early Childhood Care and Education program, are $1,000 richer, thanks to the generosity of Island born Calgary businessman, Lou MacEachern.
A total of 38 nominations were received, and the top five nominees were identified by the Registrar’s Office earlier this spring and subsequently interviewed by a selection panel on Thursday, May 2nd. The car and cash awards were then presented at a celebration at the Prince of Wales Campus on Friday morning.
This inspiring initiative was the idea of Calgary businessman and former Islander, Lou MacEachern, who has donated the car and the cash awards for five consecutive years. Candidates were nominated by faculty and staff on the basis of merit, character, and academic achievement.
Mr. MacEachern’s hope has been to motivate students to work toward achieving their personal and academic best.
“I always say, these students are our future,” said MacEachern. “It’s important to do what we can to encourage the next generation so that they can reach their full potential and contribute to their communities.”
MacEachern grew up in Hazel Grove, PEI, and, like many of his generation, left school at a young age to help on the family farm. In 1956, he returned to Queen Charlotte School in Charlottetown as a mature student, after which he attended post-secondary training at Prince of Wales College and then Dalhousie University. MacEachern moved to Calgary, where he married, raised a family, and made his mark as a leader in business and as a benefactor in the community.
“For five years now, these awards have inspired many personal bests for our students,” said Holland College President, Dr. Sandy MacDonald. “We really can’t thank Lou enough for providing this incentive, and, as always, we are proud of our students for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments.”
Thumbs up from (L-R) Holland College president Sandy MacDonald, student finalists Luis Anselmi, Amin Abomonasar, Aaron King, donor Lou MacEachern, Holland College Foundation board member Kent Scales, and student finalists Emily Stolzman and Alison Winters.
For more information about this release, please contact:
Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Executive Director - College Advancement and the Holland College Foundation
Tel: 902-629-4273
Date: Friday, May 03, 2019
