Gloria Wooldridge

Gloria Wooldridge graduated from Holland College in 1983 and was thrilled to return to campus in 2009 for a short-term contract in the Registrar’s Office, followed by another short-term contract in Human Resources. In 2010, she began to work for the Holland College Foundation where you will find her today, raising awareness and money for annual and planned giving, and for scholarships, bursaries, and awards. Gloria has also been a Holland College Foundation donor for 13 years.

Through her work in the Foundation, Gloria realized quickly that her bi-weekly contributions were appreciated and needed – and that they added up over time to make a positive impact.  Her giving has supported a number of initiatives over the years, including teaching and learning resources for the Fundamental Arts program, and supplies for the student food bank. As a plein air artist and someone who is passionate about food security, these initiatives were ones she felt personally connected to.

Gloria’s dad passed away in May of 2023 and, in chatting with her siblings a few days afterward, she mentioned a way for them to work together as a family to create something lasting to honour their father, George MacNeil. They met for supper and talked through the process, and they ultimately decided to establish an endowment that would fund an ongoing annual award for a mature student in the Computer Information Systems program.  George was, in his day, a pioneer in the computer industry in PEI. To recognize his contribution and honour his memory, the George MacNeil Memorial Award was created and added to the Holland College website in recent weeks, and the first award will be given out in November.

“It was an easy sell really,” says Gloria.  “There isn’t a place where our names exist together as a family – and now, there is.  I am grateful for, and proud of my siblings (Michael MacNeil, Gaylene Weavers, and Peter MacNeil) for so readily joining with me to create something that will positively impact a student every year long past the time that we are around. As long as I am a Holland College employee, it will always be part of my plan to donate to something on campus.”