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Timmins college honours former president's contributions

Integrated Emergency Services Complex in Porcupine named for recently retired Fred Gibbons
Fred Gibbons - Northern pres (2)
Retired Northern College president Fred Gibbons. (File photo)

The contributions of a longtime leader at Northern College are being honoured. 

Northern College has dedicated the student commons at the Integrated Emergency Services Complex (ICES) at its Porcupine campus in honour of Fred Gibbons, who served as the president of the college from 2009 to 2020. He's also been given Meritorious Recognition and added to the Wall of Honour at all four campuses. 

“I am grateful to be recognized in this way today. It has been an honour to serve Northern College during my tenure here. Along with these expanded facilities came learning opportunities for our students, and that has been my key motivation during my time with the college,” said Gibbons in a news release.

“I continue to see the impact of what having a postsecondary institution like Northern in the region does for economic development, a stronger workforce, as well as fulfilling our promise of delivering empowerment and experiential learning for families and communities, including Indigenous rights holders."

During his tenure, Gibbons spearheaded a number of initiatives to improve and expand facilities and created partnerships. 

In 2010, the Centre for Excellence of Trades in Technology, and East End Family Health Team facilities were opened. In 2018, the emergency services complex opened its doors. It was a "passion project" for Gibbons, who led various aspects of its inception, according to the college.

“No student can walk the halls of any of our campuses without seeing the impact that Dr. Gibbons has had on Northern College,” said Audrey Penner, Northern College president and CEO, in the news release.

“His vision has helped to define a path forward for our institution and being able to honour his contributions in this small way is something that we are proud and pleased to do.”

— TimminsToday