Portage College

Portage College
Former names
 Alberta Vocational College
Motto Building success by delivering exceptional learning experiences.
Type public community college
Established 1968
Chairman Ray Danyluk Vice-Chairman Roy Ripkens
President Dr. Trent Keough
Undergraduates available - 1st & 2nd year university transfer
Location Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada
54°45′58″N 111°58′07″W / 54.76599°N 111.96862°W / 54.76599; -111.96862Coordinates: 54°45′58″N 111°58′07″W / 54.76599°N 111.96862°W / 54.76599; -111.96862
Campus urban/suburban/rural/remote
Colours Teal and Purple         
Mascot Eddy Rocks the voyageur
Affiliations ACCC, CCAA, AACTI
Website www.portagecollege.ca

Portage College is a publicly funded community college in Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada. Portage has nine campus locations located throughout northeastern Alberta.

History

In 1968, Alberta NewStart was established in Lac La Biche as part of the federal government’s initiative to research basic adult education. NewStart offered instruction in areas as diverse as academic upgrading, trapping, wild fur management, and oifield management. However, after several months the government decided to close the facility and cease the research. A group of Aboriginal students faced with the pending closure of their school decided to challenge the government by staging a sit-in. The group was successful, and the government awarded a grant to continue the NewStart program. The school took on a new name “Pe-Te-Pun” meaning “New Dawn.”

In 1973, the Alberta government took over the program, reopening it as the province’s fifth Alberta Vocational Centre (AVC). From 1973 to 1980 programs and services expanded to include community-based programs. In 1980, the Minister of Advanced Education announced plans to replace AVC’s temporary facilities with a new campus, which was opened in 1985. A Board of Governors was established for the College in 1998 and the following year the Minister of Advanced Education and Career Development approved a change of name to “Portage College.”

Locations

The main campus is located in Lac La Biche, Alberta and regional service centres are located in Cold Lake and St. Paul. Additional campuses are found in Bonnyville, Frog Lake, Saddle Lake, Vegreville and Boyle.[1]

Programs

Portage College offers 30 certificate and diploma programs career programs, trades and technical, academic upgrading and university studies. Continuing education is offered in the fields of business, university studies, human services, health and wellness, native arts and culture, trades and technical careers.

Athletics

Portage College is home to the Voyageurs men's hockey team. The team, coached by Arnie Caplan, is represented in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, consisting of teams throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. Voyageur home games and practices are held at the Bold Center in Lac La Biche, a 233,000 square foot facility with a seating capacity of 1000.

The College Team logo depicts the traditional voyageur that used to travel on the lakes and rivers of northeastern Alberta. Team colors are blue, green and grey.

Honorary graduates

The following have been given honorary degrees from Portage College for their work in the community and their continued promotion of the College.

Name Distinction Year
Bill Hunter Business Diploma 2004
Floyd Thompson Honorary Parchment 2005
Elsie Quintal Native Cultural Arts Certificate 2006
Jan Reimer Women's Shelter Crisis Worker Diploma 2007
Lawrence Spence Human Services Diploma 2008
Ray Coates Honorary Parchment 2009
Hon. Ray Danyluk Business and Community Development Diploma 2009
Norm Quinney Diploma 2010
Chief James Jackson Jr. Diploma 2010
John Irwin Honorary Parchment 2011
Gerald and Randy Wowk Honorary Parchment 2012

See also

References

All facts, unless otherwise stated, are from Portage College's web site:

  1. ↑ Portage College. "Campus Locations". Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
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