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College honours founding president

Holland College announced the name of its newest residence, located on the corner of Edward and Grafton streets by the college's Charlottetown Centre, during a dedication ceremony today. Glendenning Hall houses 95 Holland College students in a total of 51 apartment-style units.

Glendenning Hall is named after Holland College's first president, Dr. Donald E. M. Glendenning, C.M. Dr. Brian McMillan, President of Holland College, outlined Dr. Glendenning's many contributions to the college, its students and its staff during the ceremony Tuesday.

The name was chosen following a request for submissions from Islanders late last year. Dr. McMillan acknowledged those who had submitted nominations.

"We received many nominations from Holland College staff, former students, and the community when we put out the call for a name for this building. I was thrilled to see that so many people felt so connected to Holland College that they wanted to participate in this process," he said.

"In the many submissions that we received suggesting Dr. Glendenning as the namesake for this building, we heard time and again that Donald Glendenning embodies Holland College's resilient spirit and high educational standards."

Dr. Glendenning spoke fondly of college over which he presided for a remarkable 18 years.

"Holland College grew out of a recognition by the premier and government of the day that the Island needed to provide both more and different educational opportunities for its citizens - an alternative to studies available at university," Dr Glendenning said. "Our mandate, as is the mandate today, was to bring on-stream quality programs to meet that objective. I am pleased to note that the college continues that tradition."

Holland College Board of Governors Chair Steve Loggie said that the selection of Dr. Glendenning's name for the residence was very appropriate.

"Dr. Glendenning has always been concerned about his community. His continued involvement clearly demonstrates the calibre of his character. The Board of Governors was very pleased that the selection committee chose his name from all of the very worthy submissions they received."

Lorne Moase, an educational colleague of Dr. Glendenning's and one of the many who nominated him for this honour, spoke of Dr. Glendenning's contribution to the college.

"As the college's first president, Dr. Glendenning provided the leadership in recruiting qualified staff who in turn developed an unique program-delivery system known as Competency-Based Education (CBE). This system of education has served the College's graduates well and has placed the college among the leaders in post-secondary education both nationally and internationally," he said.

Student Union President and Photography and Digital Imaging student Joanna Harrison said the new residence is an important addition to the facilities available to Holland College students.

"With more than 40 per cent of our students coming from off-Island, this residence will help enrolment, as many students wish to have the 'residence experience' while they attend college," she noted.

Dr. G., as he is affectionately known by former students and staff alike, left a position in the federal government to relocate in Prince Edward Island in 1969 to become the first president of Holland College.

It was under Dr. Glendenning's supervision that Holland College established the Culinary Institute of Canada, the Atlantic Police Academy, the School of Visual Arts, the Holland College Foundation, the Aircraft Maintenance Facility and a host of new and innovative programs.

Dr. Glendenning was born and raised in New Brunswick, where he taught at the elementary, secondary and post secondary level. He is a graduate of the Miramichi Rural High School, Teachers' College and the New Brunswick Institute of Technology (now the New Brunswick Community College) and studied at the University of London (England) on a Lord Beaverbrook Overseas Scholarship. He holds a B.Sc. and MSc. from Bradley University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. Dr. Glendenning worked as a training specialist in Ottawa for a number of years with the Department of Labour and the Department of Manpower and Immigration.

Following his retirement from Holland College in 1987, Dr. Glendenning operated a consulting firm with projects both in Canada and overseas. His current activities include being a director of the Community Foundation of Prince Edward Island, genealogy, gardening and reading. He edits and publishes The Family Chronicle and the Community Foundation News. Dr. Glendenning's honours include the Order of Canada, Atlantic Canada Innovator of the Year Award Finalist and an honorary degree from the University of Prince Edward Island.

Dr. Glendenning and his wife Carol reside in Charlottetown. They have two children, Brian and Janet, and two granddaughters, Lisa and Laura.

Glendenning Hall features 51 furnished apartments with cable TV and Internet connections. There are 44 two-bedroom apartments; four single apartments, and three apartments for handicapped students. The three-story building features a spacious student lounge on each floor, front desk monitoring and security cameras throughout, in floor heating and an elevator. Each bedroom has a 20-inch television, and all kitchenettes are equipped with refrigerators, stoves and microwaves.

The college's other two residences are Holland House, located in Slemon Park, Summerside, which serves as barracks for 67 Atlantic Police Academy cadets; while students attending the Tourism and Culinary Centre, located at the bottom of Sydney Street in Charlottetown, can stay in lodge-style accommodation close to the centre.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2006