Tim Callahan and his wife Joanne retired to P.E.I. five years ago after many years of worldwide travel and work assignments. They lived and worked in four provinces and five countries, and are now happy to call P.E.I. home. 

In 2021, the Callahans made a $50,000 gift commitment to the Holland College Foundation to establish the Marie Callahan Memorial Awards for Practical Nursing in memory of Tim’s mother, whose life’s work was in the nursing field.  The first awards were given in the fall of 2021, and two awards, valued at $5,000 each, will be available annually.

“My parents, Lewis and Marie, raised four boys on a family farm in High River, Alberta, with my mother returning to her nursing career after we started school,” said Tim Callahan, noting his mother’s involvement in organizing blood donor clinics and volunteering where she could. “She consistently demonstrated strength with a caring and compassionate attitude in everything she did. She was a wonderful example of using one’s time and talents to make your community a better place.”

In October 2021, Holland College announced that there would be an additional Practical Nursing program added in January 2022 to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Prince Edward Island. Recognizing that there would not be as many financial aid opportunities available for this group of students, the Callahans again stepped up, matching their original commitment for the class of 2022 with a new, $10,000 investment to create two additional $5,000 awards for this newest class of Practical Nursing students.

“Given the challenging times we are in, investing in the education of those aspiring to work in health care is very important to Joanne and me,” said Tim. “To be able to do that while also honouring my mother’s career in nursing and her commitment to the community is a wonderful fit for us.”

“We are so grateful to the Callahans for their generous support of the college and its students,” said Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Executive Director of the Holland College Foundation. “Their investment in the educational journeys of students who are committed to caring for those who need help at a vulnerable time in their lives will benefit our community in so many ways. We sincerely thank them for their generosity.” 

To learn more about establishing a scholarship, bursary, or award, contact the Holland College Foundation.