The largest single gift ever made to Holland College and the Holland College Foundation was announced today at the College’s Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown.  Ron and Steven Joyce, Trustees of The Joyce Family Foundation, announced their $2 million commitment, which is designated to fund critical enhancements that will considerably reduce the barriers to post-secondary success for generations of students to come.

The Joyce Family Foundation’s gift, designated to a permanently invested endowment, will help students overcome many of the barriers they face in achieving post-secondary success.  Access to education will be improved for students college-wide through an estimated 25 new annual entrance bursaries ranging in value from $1,000 – $2,000 each.  In addition, access to academic support services that students need to be successful will be significantly enhanced at campuses that are currently underserved.

The Joyce Family Foundation is a private foundation created by Canadian entrepreneur Ronald V. Joyce, whose philanthropy reflects a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to give back to his community. The Foundation’s primary focus is to provide access to education for children and youth with significant financial need or facing other socio-economic barriers to success. The Board of Trustees for the Foundation includes Ron Joyce and sons Grant and Steven Joyce, Hon. Ed Lumley, Rob MacIsaac, Aileen O’Rafferty, and Michele Thornley.

“Holland College offers outstanding post-secondary training and education to its students,” said Ron Joyce.  “The Joyce Family Foundation is happy to provide these bursaries and student support services so that more students will be able to bring their interests and skills into the community.”

Holland College President, Dr. Brian McMillan, lauded The Joyce Family Foundation for their tremendous philanthropic leadership and unparalleled generosity.

“The Joyce Family Foundation is building a legacy for the future by empowering students to develop into confident, skilled, independent contributors to society,” said Dr. McMillan.  “Their investment in Holland College will help to remove the financial, academic, social, and physical barriers facing students, allowing these bright and talented young people the opportunity to realize their dreams.”

Through the support of The Joyce Family Foundation, the scope of academic support services available to students at the Summerside Waterfront Campus, the Marine Centre, the Atlantic Police Academy, and the West Prince Campus – currently the College’s most under-resourced campuses – will grow exponentially. Students for whom academic barriers present a significant issue will now have regular access to an additional full-time support worker, tremendously enhancing the quality and availability of support available to ensure student success.  Tutoring services available to those needing focused support in specific subject areas will also increase considerably.  In addition, students at all Holland College campuses will have improved access to post-secondary education through the creation of The Joyce Family Foundation Entrance Bursaries, available to students who face financial barriers.

In recognition of their gift, the new home for student academic support services at the College’s Waterfront Campus in Summerside will be named The Joyce Family Centre for Academic Support.

In this picture (L-R): Foundation board member Barry Sheen; board chair Shaun MacIsaac; Steven Joyce, Joyce Family Foundation; Ron Joyce, Joyce Family Foundation; Dr. Brian McMillan, Holland College President; Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Executive Director, Holland College Foundation.