18 Castlegar News Update, ‘91 kirk & lege 1966-1991 1966 Regional College First Established in Castlegar Selkirk College began serving resid of the K y/| dary region twenty-five years ago as the West Kootenay Regional College, but the name soon changed to reflect the mountainous region it serves. The architects of post-secondary education for the southeastern interior of British Columbia located the campus of the new college in Castlegar — it being central to the region served by the new school. The wheels were set in motion to have the new college, ensconsed in its new campus, begin operations in September, 1966, and begin it did, but construction slow-downs due to labor unrest, forced classes to convene in a converted construction camp at the Celgar millsite. It all began here — in the abandoned bunkhouses of a Celgar construction camp. The Selkirk Blurb, official.organ of the Charter Selkirk College student body, began printing a weekly newsletter from October 1966, and serves today as a valuable record of prevailing student attitudes, concerns and activities that marked the beginnings of B.C.'s pioneer community college. An extremely active and dedicated Student Steering C i took on the | job of creating a campus identity, celebrating student spirit and laying the foundations of student government that is still in effect a quarter century later. The steering committee was chaired by Bill Ternan, recorded as the first student to enroll at Selkirk College, with.able assistance rendered by Lois Graham, Mia Machita, Alex Wallach, Tim Rezansoff, Tom McGauley, Alf Marchi and Ernie Klatke. Wasting no time, the Student Steering Committee got down to business and convened organizational meetings for a good many extracurricular activities that resulted in teams for hockey, volleyball, basketball, track, soccer, curling, fencing, bocci ball and archery as well as a college band, a pep band, known as Terry Moon and his Merry Men (or Lunatics, depending on which account you read), a drama club, electronics club, the popular outing club, a future teachers club, Forestry Society, and “Mora” Club, among others. Selkirk \V Wh Bracketed by the Selkirk ‘S’ College on either side, the official - Crest shows the two rivers meeting at the point of the Selkirk College Campus. peti were d for the selection of college colors, and an official crest. The ia, or logo was chosen by the Selkirk College Council, governing body of the college. The er 7, 1966 issue of The Blurb lainsthe bolism of the “Crisp, clean and modern (the insignia) combi i ymbolism with mod: P . Bracketed by the Selkirk 'S’ on either side, the insignia shows the two rivers meeting at the point of the Selkirk College campus. The traditional open book, symbolizing knowledge, is incorporated into the campus site at the heart of the insignia. Beyond the campus site rise the mountain peaks of the Selkirk Range for which the college is named. These have been blended with a crown of ancient heraldry sur ing the whole ignia.” ; From orp dpe Pp $, Mary Hutch b d lear arpa of college colors — and green — though this was later changed to bu white after o large student faction dan d protest, fying no than seven other schools in the college region that shared the colors initially selected. Selkirk College's first principal was Gordon Campbell, just the man to nudge the concept of an interior-based community college into being, and the first dean was Andy Soles. That first year, Selkirk College led 450 stud. in Si fer arts and science courses along with Forestry, Ch and Mech 1 ‘ond El Technology. SZ @ 1967 ‘'The Great Trek’’ Finally, by the start of 1967 the Castlegar Campus was completed and the college was ready to move into a permanent home. The move was made January 13, 1967 with students, faculty, staff and administrators joining in “The Great Trek” from the Celgar millsite to the new campus. Students carried the college flagpole — an artifact hastily contrived by Forestry students — through the streets of Castlegar and out to the new campus. Television crews from CBC in Vancouver and KHQ-6 in Spokane covered the trek. The inaugural ball was held the next evening in Bonnington Wing. Tickets were $3 per couple and included a buffet supper. During the first few weeks of operation, open house events staged on the new campus drew crowds of 4,000 for tours of the new facility. In February, a week long Winter Carnival was staged that featured activities such as a canoe race, pie eating contest, snow sculptures, a fashion show, snowshoe race, pep rally and sock hop, culminating with a torchlight parade through the streets of Trail. Also in February, Selkirk College Radio went on the air witha half-hour daily broadcast over CJAT in Trail and CKLN in Nelson. Shortly after Selkirk College settled into its new quarters, Gordon Campbell announced his resignation as college principal. The appoinément of Andy Soles as principal was announced in March by John Welton, chairman of the College Council. The official opening ceremonies for Selkirk College were held April 1, 1967, and were attended by Premier W.A.C. Bennett, the honorable Leslie Peterson, Minister of Education, Donald Brothers, Minister of Mines and other provincial and regional luminaries. In looking back, one can’t help but admire the sense of history and spirit the students and staff at this pioneer community college imparted to the myriad activities associated with starting acollege. Unfortunately, much of that wonderful enthusiasm and esprit de corps has waned in the ensuing 25 years, but as we celebrate our founding during 1991, it would be nice to resurrect the traditions of enthusiasm and spirit that p led during our beginning years. At 9:00 a.m. ona cold crisp January morning, the tudent flagpole, symbol of the spirit of the “Saints,” left its temporary cairn on the now-deserted Celgar Campus and began the long trek home. Nine miles and three hours later it reached its destination — there to be raised in an emotion — charged climax to the greatest trek in Castlegar's history, Even hardened newsmen were moved as the pole Se atokeed: place Selkirk College Castlegar Campus 1975 Vocation School Joins College The Nelson Campus predates the founding of Selkirk College by nearly two years. One of seven vocational schools established by the province's Department of Education, the B.C. Vocational School, Nelson, began operations January 6, 1964 under the principalship of J. Harold Knight, formerly senior training officer at Cominco and an instructor at J.L. Crowe Sr. Secondary in Trail. The vocational school at Nelson had a little something extra that none of the other six schools across the province had — The Kootenay School of Art. Founded originally as a community venture, the art school was accepted into the vocational school when it was recognized that the commercial art program was in keeping with the vocational aims of the school. The Fine Arts program was deemed of considerable value in preparing individuals for careers as painters, sculptors, potters or graphic designers: Selkirk College — Nelson Campus The official of Nelson's I school was held June 6, 1964 and was attended by dignitaries from municipalities throughout the region. Courses offered at the vocational school have not varied substantially over the years, as pre-apprenticeship programs in automotive and heavy-duty mechanics, and millwright were available initially. The Industrial Electrical program was added later. P: ploy programs in C | Art, Beauty Culture, Practical Nursing, Welding and Office Administration were also offered. In 1975, the provincial government d many of the province's I schools with community colleges. It was then that the Rosemont Campus as it was then called, became affiliated with Selkirk College. Today it is simply referred to as the Nelson Campus. 1976 Trail Campus Joins Selkirk College irk College opened its Trail Campus in 1976, with the of the Trail 8: Gallas within oven the college had moved into the Legion Building which it occupied for the next 11 years, gradually taking over the entire building as prog g and student t Trail grew from 28 students in two five-month programs per year in 1976, to its present-day numbers of more than 200 students. in In September, 1968 the Trail campus moved into the newly renovated Greater Trail Community Centre. % your Access to Opportunity .. . celebrating 25 years as your Community College! eS lege 1966-1991 Selkirk College Foundation Has a "’Vision’’ for the '90s Since the establishment of the Selkirk College Foundation in 1984, growth in revenue and donations has increased. Endowment Fund balances in 1985 totaled $102,678 only to increase to $520,864 in 1990. $29,909 awards were issued in 1985. During two awards presentations in 1990, 76 donors presented scholarships and bursaries to 176 students amounting to $87,224. Entrance scholarships increased from 2 to 14 fora total of $7,500. While the focus has changed over the years, the F dation Card i to recognize anyone who di $50 or more to the é Foundation. It is only with the support of businesses in the college community that we are able to extend to all cardholders discounts on purchases of everyday goods and services. CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE “The Selkirk College Foundation has a vision ft the future for the students and organizations it supports. Our present goal is to achieve 4 3.2 million dollar fund for the Visions campaign, a program designed to provide a full range of quality services. | see the programs we're establishing as being beneficieal in many ways; for ving fi ial problems, i students to temporary guest instructors, and for keeping the Foundation functioning. | have great faith in the generosity and support of the people at the corp i and in the c ity, and I am sure that with their support, we will soon see our vision become a reality.” SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES The Selkirk College Foundation’s goal is to expand the current endowment fund to $1,000,000 which will broaden the opportunities available to excelling students and those in need. Scholarship funds are invaluable to @s an enc 9! and reward for establishing a high grade-point average, while bursaries provide support to students in financial need. ATHLETICS AND CITIZENSHIP ENDOWMENT The Foundation visualized the creation of a $500,000 endowment fund to support extramural athletics, special events, and scholarships for athl . This end will also pi a broadening of the stud ‘ overall ed: i | experiences by encouraging participation in non- deb demi tions. Achi of this goal would athletic such as and ce provide $45,000 annually for these objectives. “My scholarships helped me realize how worth while it was to achieve academic excellence; not only for the money, but for the recognition as well.” — Laura Adams Senior Equipment Clerk and Fitness Instructor CHAIR OF EXCELLENCE The Foundati lizes an end fund designed to supply guest teaching opportunities through such programs as establishing VIP lecturers as temporary instructors, and through superlative training for teachers displaying outstanding skills. To realize this, the Foundation hopes to obtain a $500,000 fund, with awards to be $45,000 annually. GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND The Selkirk College Found blishing a $1,200,000 fund designed to provide stability to the College and Foundation in areas such as program development, operations, and equipment purchase and replacement. This fund is vital to the College and Foundation for effective service in such areas as the disbursement of awards and establishing @ permanent operating base which will not be subject to the fluctuations of government funding. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING Many different options are available for providing support to the Foundation. Contributions may be made through methods of planned giving such as life insurance, bequests, and donations in kind. These options are only a few ways to provide support to any of the endowment funds. PROVINCIAL MATCHING PROGRAM The Government of British Columbia encourages donations to the College by providing matching opportunities for specific contributions. Funds donated to the Selkirk College Foundation will be eligible for matching, subject to provincial maximums. GIFTS IN KIND Donating through c of property, equi or works of art is a form of planned giving which allows non-financial donations to be made at the donor's convenience or as part of @n annual contribution. LIFE INSURANCE © Another option for giving is through life insurance policies. This method allows a substantial contribution to be made to the Foundation without causing an immediate depletion of savings. WILLS AND BEQUESTS Bequests are gifts granted to the Foundation as specified in a will through a previously Signed statement. With this method of planned giving, contributions can be made after other fesponsibilities in the will have been met. DESIGNATED OR MEMORIAL FUNDS Donors wishing to have their contributions held in a designated or memorial tund may ‘establish a specific provision under any of the major endowment programs. This type of donation Provides the opportunity to create a lasting legacy. Award criteria can be established according to the donor's wishes.