I am writing to celebrate and extend heartfelt thanks for a very busy and successful weekend for NC that saw thousands of prospective students and their families visit our campuses on Saturday, followed by a transformational gift for our new Health Education Building announced at a sold-out NC Gala on Saturday night.
Both achievements are so important for us, as we work to grow enrolments, invest in areas of growth, and reach the fundraising goals of the Together Campaign.
Spring Open House is such an important part of our recruitment process, and the event provided prospective students, their families, and members of the community with an opportunity to experience all that Niagara College has to offer firsthand – all at a time when harnessing our momentum in domestic enrolment growth is more important than ever.
For prospective students, seeing is believing in terms of experiencing our learning environments and meeting our dedicated employees. To all the employees who contributed to the success of the Spring Open House, your student-focused and welcoming approach was evident in every interaction, from greeting guests and leading campus tours, to showcasing our innovative programs, facilitating demonstrations, and sharing your knowledge and passion for NC. Because of you, visitors were able to see not only what we offer, but also the energy and spirit of ncLIFE.
The successful open house was followed by the sold-out, 34th annual NC Gala, where we announced a $3 million gift from the estate of Norris Walker that will support our new Health Education building at the Welland Campus – a project that is at the heart of our efforts to grow enrolments, and to address the critical shortage of frontline healthcare workers.
The $3 million gift builds on a $4 million donation from the Norris Walker estate announced in June 2025, bringing the total bequest to $7 million – the largest legacy gift in Niagara College history. In recognition of the $3 million gift, the main student and community gathering place in the new Health building will be named the Norris Walker Family Community Courtyard. The new space mirrors the existing Norris Walker Family Community Courtyard located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus.
More than 670 guests attended the Gala and over 75 students from several program areas supported the production of this signature event. Funds raised at the Gala will support the Health Education Building, as well as 25 student scholarships. Congratulations to the Advancement team who led the planning and execution of the event and all the employees and students who contributed to the Gala’s success.
Whether it was the Open House or Gala, my sincere thanks to Team NC for your contributions and support for such an outstanding weekend for our College.
