Durham College alumni have written another cheque to help grow the Whitby campus’ Centre for Food.
The $10,000 donation was made at the Alumni Association’s Annual General Meeting. It will go towards the landscaping in front of the building on the north side.
The money will benefit the plants located at the front entrance which Centre for Food students will grow and harvest.
Durham College now has 67,000 alumni, said Lesley Wagner, president of the Alumni Association. Making donations allows them to complement students.
“We just thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for us to finalize the contributions to the Whitby campus,” said Wagner.
The recent funding brings their total contribution to the CFF to $60,000 since its opening last year.
“We had already assisted the college with the building campaign that helped create the Centre for Food,” Wagner said. “We donated $50,000 to that.”
To honour the contributions, Don Fishley, Durham College alumnus and current carpentry professor, built a bench which will be outside of the CFF building.
“A plaque dedicating the donation of the bench from the Alumni was installed on the rear panel of the bench,” Fishley said. “It’s constructed of clear cedar. Cedar has one of the best natural anti-rot capabilities which means it will last for years to come, without the need of stains or paint, making it more sustainable than many other types of wood.”
The bench was unveiled at the meeting by Wagner and David Chambers, president of the Office of Development.
The Office of Development is responsible for all fundraising efforts and alumni relations at Durham College.
The association also donates to campus holiday food drives, orientation events and graduation. They also offer bursaries and scholarship opportunities to eligible students.
