Georgian College Turns 50

From a small location in the Wellington Plaza in Barrie to several campuses spread across the region. From just a hundred students to more than 11-thousand. Georgian College turns 50 today. President MaryLynn West-Moynes says they could not have made it this far without the help of some community partners…

There’s a flag raising at city hall at 9 o’clock this morning to kick off the celebration with a presentation this afternoon by Man in Motion Rick Hansen.

Here’s a list of today’s events:

• 9 to 9:30 a.m. – 50th flag raising at Barrie City Hall with comments from city and college representatives
• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Naming of the Student Services Centre. The newly renovated space is funded by a portion of the Georgian College Students’ Association’s historic $7.2-million donation announced in 2015.
• 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. – Doors open to the Athletic Centre for the keynote presentation by Rick Hansen
• 1 p.m. – Photo opportunity (for media only) with a small group of college representatives and Rick Hansen in front of the college’s massive birthday cake
• 1:30 to 1:45 p.m. – Keynote presentation begins with remarks by college representatives and an Indigenous drumming performance
• 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. – Rick Hansen will present about lessons learned during his Man in Motion tour, how to maintain motion and how to challenge everyone to become a difference maker
• 2:45 to 3 p.m. – Photo opportunity with everyone in the Athletic Centre to mark the 50th anniversary.
• 3 to 3:15 p.m. – Media scrum with Rick Hansen and Georgian President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes
• 3 to 4 p.m. – Musical entertainment by band JDM (comprised of Georgian staff and alumni) in the Athletic Centre and birthday cake for all