A generous $50,000 donation from the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (Peace Bridge Authority) is growing support for students at Niagara College, while honouring a former faculty member and environmental steward who served as one of the Authority’s distinguished directors.
The Patrick Robson Memorial Scholarship – named in honour of NC Professor Patrick Robson who passed away in August 2024 – will support students from the College’s School of Environment and Horticulture. The new fund will provide an annual $4,000 scholarship award to students beginning this fall, with preference given to students enrolled in the Environmental Management and Assessment program.
Robson was appointed to the Peace Bridge Authority by the Government of Canada in 2017, serving as Director right up until the time of his passing.
“Patrick was a gentleman, a true professional and a consensus-builder, always striving to ensure that the interests of the Peace Bridge and the community were treated equally,” said Peace Bridge Authority Chair Tim Clutterbuck. “He served not only the Peace Bridge Authority with great distinction, but also many organizations and individuals who were all touched by his character and passion for education and the environment. This scholarship donation will inspire students to live up to that legacy.”
Robson’s career spanned decades and organizations. He was a planner with the Niagara Escarpment Commission, an Officer with The Ontario Human Rights Commission, owner of Willow Bay Consulting, served as Alderman with the Township of Wainfleet, and held various leadership roles at the Region of Niagara, which included Director of Corporate Strategy and Commissioner of Integrated Community Planning.
Patrick Robson is pictured the evening he received the Educator of the Year award at NCSAC’s 2021 Night of Excellence event
His final post was teaching at NC, where he shared his wisdom and expertise in planning, public relations, stakeholder engagement, regulations/laws, and sustainability with environmental students.
In 2021, Robson received the NC Student Administrative Council’s Educator of the Year award for full-time faculty, recognizing his passion for teaching. Robson’s wife, Kelly, shared that receiving the award was a special honour for her husband.
“Being awarded Educator of the Year was a career highlight for Patrick. What made it so meaningful to him was that it came from his students,” said Robson. “His sole purpose as an educator was to help young people succeed. He found the time spent teaching at the college extremely rewarding.”
Evan DiValentino, NC’s Dean, Business and Environment, noted that Robson was committed to helping everyone through his craft.
“Patrick helped students apply their knowledge and skills in new and meaningful ways,” said DiValentino. “He connected important environmental and social causes to student learning in the community, and he thrived when collaborating with his colleagues. Patrick is missed by everyone; not just because he passed before his time, but because he cared deeply and used his talents to make a difference.”
Making college education more accessible is a key priority for NC and a pillar of the College’s Together campaign, which is raising funds to expand scholarships and bursaries, among other important priorities.
“The Peace Bridge Authority’s generous donation will help more students receive the financial support they need to be successful in their studies, leading them to make important contributions in their future careers,” said Gord Arbeau, NC’s Vice President, Advancement. “This memorial scholarship is a fitting way to honour Patrick, whose impact was far-reaching, both at NC and in the community.”
“Being supportive of his students was very important to Patrick. The scholarship provides a way in which to continue to do this,” added Robson.
“Singing Stream” hangs in honour of Professor Robson
Robson’s legacy is also being commemorated through a donation of a limited edition print titled “Singing Stream” by award-winning photographer Mark Zelinski. Among his distinguished body of work, Zelinski has documented the environmental treasures of the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO World Biosphere.
From left: Professor Patrick Robson’s son Quinn, wife Kelly, daughter Shelbi and grandson Fenix (front row).
“Singing Stream” hangs on the third floor of the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake for students and employees to enjoy. The print was donated to the College in Robson’s memory by Norman Ragetlie, former Executive Director of the Rural Ontario Institute. Robson, Zelinski and Ragetlie served on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network together.
The Robson Family is deeply grateful for the meaningful ways in which Patrick is being honoured and remembered for his contributions and positive impact he made.
“Patrick would be truly honoured and humbled by both the generous and meaningful donation from the Buffalo-Fort Erie Peace Bridge Authority and the beautiful print, Singing Stream, donated by Norman Ragetlie,” said Robson. “We were deeply moved by the number of students and faculty who turned out for the dedication of the print. Knowing it hangs in the hallways where Patrick enjoyed teaching is very special.”
College staff and faculty members, and former students of Professor Robson gather with the Robson family to admire the “Singing Stream” print, donated to NC in Robson’s memory.
Niagara College’s Together campaign is a multi-year, $50 million initiative focused on addressing critical workforce shortages in skilled trades and healthcare, making education more accessible, creating diverse learning environments, and fostering research, creativity, and innovation to help close Canada’s productivity gap.
Community partners and donors are invited to learn more about the important priorities of the Together campaign by visiting niagaracollege.ca/together.
