Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Assiniboine Foundation Gala proceeds to support financial awards for Black Canadian students
BRANDON, Man. (February 13, 2023)— Proceeds from Assiniboine Community College’s upcoming Foundation Legacy Gala Dinner on March 23 will support financial awards for Black students. This fundraising event is held annually at the college’s Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts, with the proceeds going to a different dedicated purpose each year.
“The Legacy Gala is our largest fundraising event each year, where guests have the opportunity to experience a remarkable evening while supporting a worthy endeavour,” said Heather Dodds, Assiniboine Foundation Board President. “It’s a pleasure to be involved in this event, and I want to thank our supporters and guests in advance for supporting the future of Black Canadians at Assiniboine.”
“Assiniboine recognizes the importance of Black History Month, the legacy and future of Black Canadians. This fund and the financial awards it will provide is one step toward supporting Black students,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine. “I want to thank the Assiniboine Foundation for supporting this fund and the future of Black Canadians.”
There was a more than 57 percent growth in the Black population in Manitoba from 2015 to 2019, with a 132 per cent growth in Southwest Manitoba and 97 per cent growth in Brandon during that time.
The Foundation Legacy Gala Dinner features a multi-course menu with wine pairings at each course. Culinary Arts, Baking Foundations and Hotel and Restaurant Management students work together to make this an unforgettable event.
“We are incredibly proud of the work our students do to contribute to such a wonderful evening that ultimately supports fellow and future students,” said Karen O’Gilvie, Academic Chair of Assiniboine’s Field to Fork programs, which includes the programs responsible for hosting this event. “This is my first Legacy Gala at Assiniboine, and as a Black educator and Red Seal Chef, this event brings together a few different areas that are meaningful to me.”
In recent years the Legacy Gala has given proceeds to financial support for Mature Student High School students (2017), Indigenous students (2018), Early Childhood Education students (2019), emergency student needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and students in healthcare programs (2022).
To purchase tickets or for more information about the Gala, contact foundation@assiniboine.net.
About Assiniboine Community College
Assiniboine Community College has been providing exceptional learning experiences for more than 60 years, offering unparalleled learning environments and responding to the demands and requirements of the Manitoba labour market. Following the philosophy of “learn by doing,” programs combine theory with hands- on learning inside classrooms, labs, kitchens, shops, fields and the college’s Sustainable Greenhouse.
Assiniboine offers more than 60 certificate, diploma and post-graduate programs across a variety of disciplines including culinary arts and hospitality, business, agriculture and environment, health and human services, and trades and technology. The college also delivers apprenticeship programming in a range of skilled trades disciplines.
The college welcomed more than 3,700 full-time and 6,000 part-time students last year. With campuses in Brandon, Dauphin, Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie, Assiniboine provides comprehensive educational opportunities throughout Manitoba. The college also partners with many communities and organizations across the province to deliver customized education and training. Assiniboine’s annual provincial economic impact is $612 million. In the most recent survey of graduates, nine months after graduation, 94 per cent were employed, with 92 per cent remaining in Manitoba.
Assiniboine Community College campuses are located on the traditional territories of Treaty No. 1 and Treaty No. 2, the shared traditional lands of Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and Anishinabek/Ojibwe peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge their welcome to the students who seek knowledge here.
For more information, please contact:
Kyla Cottom
Communications Specialist
Assiniboine Community College
cottomk@Assiniboine.net
204.725.8700 ext 6043