Niagara College’s Athletics department is kicking off the 2026-2027 varsity season with a new fundraising initiative supporting Knights student-athletes.

As part of NC’s Together campaign, The Assist: You Pass, They Score is raising funds to support scholarships for student-athletes across all varsity sports at the College, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, curling and golf.

“Every year, we welcome about 120 student-athletes to our academic and varsity programs,” said Michele O’Keefe, NC’s Senior Director, Athletics and Student Engagement. “Athletic scholarships help attract and retain our Knights who contribute to a culture of excellence within our collegiate programs and who are a big part of ‘NC Life’ on campus.”

Student-athletes must balance their studies with their athletic commitments, demonstrating the discipline and determination needed to excel in both pursuits. Scholarships help alleviate some of the costs associated with a postsecondary education, allowing student-athletes to focus more on their studies and team commitments.

Approximately 80% of NC student-athletes are national scholars, an achievement awarded to individuals who complete the season with a GPA of 80 percent or higher in their respective programs.

For more information about The Assist, visit the Knights website.

Save the date for ‘Knights on Niagara Street’

To mark the launch of The Assist: You Pass, They Score, NC Athletics is hosting Knights on Niagara Street on Sunday, October 4 (time TBD) to raise funds for student-athlete scholarships.

NC’s varsity teams will take turns riding a MEGABike from the Welland Baseball Stadium, going south on Niagara St. to the Seaway Mall and returning to the stadium.

Knights participants are looking for pledges for their rides. All event proceeds will support student-athlete scholarships.

MT Bellies has partnered with the College and will serve as a hub for the event. The official cheering stand for Knights on Niagara Street will be located directly in front of the restaurant (871 Niagara St., Welland). A selection of NC Craft beverages will also be available for samples and purchase at the restaurant.

Watch GoKnights.ca for further details.

To support student-athletes, visit NC’s online donation page and complete the online donation form – choose “Student Athletics Fund” in the “I want to support” drop-down menu. Please specify in the comment box if you would like to direct your donation to a specific sport.

NC’s Together campaign

Making college education more accessible is a key priority for Niagara College, and a pillar of the Together campaign, which aims to expand scholarships and bursaries so that every student can access support.

In addition to empowering student success, the multi-year $50 million fundraising campaign is addressing the worker shortages in healthcare and trades, creating equitable and diverse learning environments, equipping graduates with cultural awareness and global competencies, and fostering research, creativity, and innovation to help close Canada’s productivity gap. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca/together.

For Carol Hudson and Tim Glutek, giving back isn’t just something they do, it’s the foundation of the life they share together.

Married for nearly 30 years, the couple is building a legacy based on kindness, goodwill and a genuine desire to help others, including Niagara College students.

Last year, they made a $5,000 donation to establish the Carol Hudson and Tim Glutek Award of Excellence, funding two $2,500 scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition for full-time female students enrolled in a program within the Myhal School of Nursing.

They recently increased their annual donation to $10,000 to provide a total of four scholarships starting this fall. Their goal: to empower women to pursue their dreams of making the world a better place.

Supporting female students specifically is important to the couple, especially to Hudson who mentored many young women throughout her career in banking. She was one of the first women to work on the RBC trading floor in downtown Toronto in the 1980’s, an opportunity that she advocated for and one that made her a role model to her female colleagues.

Establishing a scholarship at NC is also inspired by the support Glutek received as a struggling student.

“I still remember the scholarships and bursaries that I received over the years,” he said, thinking back on his time in university. “It relieved some of the stress… every little bit helps.”

Glutek is grateful for the support that sustained him throughout his educational journey. He also made ends meet by picking up bottles and cans on campus to earn money, knowing that each collection could materialize into a loaf of bread or a jar of peanut butter, and did yard work on a property with pear trees, exchanging his time for fallen fruit.

“You did what you needed to do,” he said.

Glutek went on to work for the Securities Commission and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and has spent much of his life giving back to others.

He’s been an avid blood donor for more than 40 years, donating over 250 times. His rare blood type has played a vital role in supporting pregnant women in need of transfusions during childbirth. He was also one of the first people to join the national bone marrow registry and has been called upon twice to donate, something Glutek and Hudson are very proud of.

After living in Toronto, the couple retired to Niagara Falls to enjoy a slower pace of life. They travel, stay active and keep a full social calendar. Hudson has become a “social secretary” among a group of women, some well into their 90’s, who appreciate coffee time after their fitness classes and occasional lunch gatherings.

NC is also part of their routine – they get their hair cut at the Teaching Hair Salon, visit the Teaching Spa for treatments and have enjoyed lunch at Benchmark Restaurant. They look forward to trying the College’s Student Massage Therapy Clinic next.

Hudson believes it’s important to give at the local level and feels strongly about supporting healthcare.
Creating a scholarship allows the couple to help the immediate financial needs of a student, while also contributing to the broader health system – nursing and personal support worker students will go on to fill critical roles once they enter the workforce.

“This is our home and our way of giving back to our community,” she said.

Recently, they met one of their first award recipients, Practical Nursing student Nike Ogunlana who shared the impact that receiving a scholarship has had on her life.

“When I got the scholarship, I felt like someone was seeing me. Someone saw the potential. Someone is seeing women. Someone is seeing our silent struggles,” said Ogunlana.

Originally from Nigeria, Ogunlana came to Canada in 2023, eventually settling in Niagara to attend NC. The tuition scholarship provided a welcome financial boost during a low point in her life, allowing her to focus more time on her two young children and her mental health as she juggles school and family responsibilities.

“It’s been a while, but I still remember what it was like,” Glutek shared with Ogunlana. “The fact that we’re now in a position where we can help students like you, that means the world to us.”

A Welland resident, Ogunlana already holds postsecondary credentials in mental health, adult education and communications. Her motivation for studying nursing stems from the loss of her mother, who passed away from Leukemia.

She shared that witnessing her mother’s mental health struggles during her treatment was difficult and that she plans to pursue a nursing career with a focus on mental health to help people experiencing similar challenges.

“We greatly admire what you’re doing and we’re so happy to be able to support you in it,” Glutek said to Ogunlana. “It’s a good feeling that we’ve made a difference in someone’s life.”

Helping students through a scholarship not only helps alleviate the costs associated with a postsecondary education, it also enables them to achieve more in their personal lives and in the community, creating a legacy beyond NC.

The couple is also leaving a donation to the College in their will to ensure their scholarship continues as part of their lasting legacy – a decision they hope will have a ripple effect on future generations.

“I hope people remember our warm hearts and willingness to help, and that our legacy carries on,” said Hudson.

“If it inspires others, great… that to us is icing on the cake,” added Glutek.

Leave a legacy

May is celebrated nationally as Leave a Legacy Month, a time when non-profit organizations encourage individuals to consider how they can leave a lasting impact through charitable gifts in their wills and estate plans.

If you’re interested in leaving a legacy gift at Niagara College, please contact Emily O’Connor to learn more.

For information about the priorities of NC’s Together campaign, visit niagaracollege.ca/together.

A transformational legacy gift advancing health education at Niagara College was announced at the sold-out 34th Annual NC Gala on March 28.

The $3 million gift from the estate of Norris Walker will support the College’s new Health Education building, which is being constructed at the Welland Campus. The project is key to NC’s efforts to address a critical shortage of frontline healthcare workers in Niagara, and will allow the College to graduate 800 additional students from its health programs each year.

“Norris Walker’s lifetime of community service and philanthropy is reflected in all corners of our community, and his decades of support for Niagara College has changed the lives of thousands of students,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “All of us at Niagara College are incredibly grateful for this legacy gift, which will significantly enhance our ability to bolster frontline healthcare in Niagara.”

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 the College’s history.

“My parents recognized the important role that Niagara College plays in economic and social development in the community,” said Sheila Bonapace, daughter of Norris and Marilyn Walker. “They also believed that every student should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential through education. It’s wonderful that our family legacy will continue to support students for years to come.”

In recognition of the $3 million gift, the 13,000 square-foot main student and community gathering place in the new Health Education building will be named the Norris Walker Family Community Courtyard. The new space complements the existing Norris Walker Family Community Courtyard located at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

These legacy gifts build on the Norris Walker family’s extensive history of generosity at the College, including a $1 million gift from the estate of Marilyn Walker in 2019 that established the Marilyn I. Walker Centre of Excellence in Visual Arts and Technology; a $1.2 million donation in 2015 to support the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre; the establishment of the Norris and Marilyn Walker Scholarships in 2004, as well as support for several NC fundraising campaigns.

“We’re incredibly grateful to donors like the Norris Walker family who understand the lasting impact their support has on students’ lives,” said Gord Arbeau, Vice President, External Relations. “Gifts like these help Niagara College expand classrooms and labs and support more students to successfully graduate and fill the growing healthcare workforce shortages.”

Norris Walker was a fourth-generation business owner and a dedicated philanthropist whose legacy of giving has deep roots throughout the Niagara region. He was a steadfast supporter of postsecondary education in Niagara, as well as organizations such as the Walker Family Cancer Centre, Bethlehem Housing, Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital, Shaw Festival, Wellspring Niagara, Pathstone Mental Health, United Way, Niagara Symphony Orchestra and more. Norris passed away in January 2024, almost a decade after his wife Marilyn, who passed away in October 2015.

The Walker family joins several philanthropic partners supporting NC’s health education project, including the Myhal Family Foundation, the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation, and the late entrepreneur Wally Bamford.

The new building will connect to the existing Applied Health Institute at the Welland Campus, and when completed in 2027 will be the largest mass timber structure in the Niagara region.

In addition to graduating an additional 800 healthcare workers each year, the new building will double the capacity of the College’s community dental clinic to serve 3,000 patient visits annually, and provide a new enhanced home for the Myhal School of Nursing alongside advanced paramedic, pharmacy, dental, and virtual-reality simulation labs designed to mirror real clinical environments.

Learn more about the Health Education building at niagaracollege.ca/health-education-building.

The 34th annual NC Gala

More than 670 guests attended the sold-out Niagara College Gala on March 28 at the Fallsview Casino Resort.
Presented this year by CIBC, the evening drew support from 28 corporate sponsors and more than 50 businesses. Funds raised support the new Health Education building and 25 student scholarships, including six new student awards established this year.

“CIBC is honoured to serve as presenting sponsor of Niagara College’s Gala, which celebrates excellence across the College and the positive impact of its graduates,” said Tara Zecevic, Executive Director, Global Payment Services, CIBC Capital Markets. “Supporting initiatives like this reflects CIBC’s commitment to helping students develop the skills and experience needed to succeed in essential fields like healthcare.”

The Gala was also an unforgettable opportunity for more than 75 participating students who gained hands-on experience in event preparation and execution. Students represented multiple programs, including Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film, Carpentry and Renovation, Community Integration Through Co-operative Education (CICE), Culinary Management, Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality), Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations, Landscape Technician, Public Relations, Business – Sales and Marketing, and Social Media Management.

Together campaign

Launched in 2024, the Together campaign is the largest fundraising initiative in NC’s history. The multi-year, $50 million initiative focuses on addressing critical workforce shortages in healthcare and skilled trades, 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.

The KPMG Foundation has made a $105,000 donation to Niagara College’s Together campaign, supporting students from the School of Business and Management.

The gift builds on KPMG Foundation’s two established scholarships at NC – the KPMG Business Scholarship and the KPMG Accounting Award. Thanks to the Foundation’s new pledge, the number of scholarships will be expanded to provide seven annual $2,500 financial awards over the next three years for eligible students preparing for careers in accounting, marketing, human resources, international business, and more.

KPMG is a Canadian leader in professional services. With a culture that extends beyond good business practice, KPMG has been recognized for its efforts to help alleviate poverty, protect the environment and support education in communities across Canada.

Over the years, KPMG has provided future young professionals studying at Niagara College with financial support and greater access to the applied learning opportunities that NC is known for.

“We are pleased to support exceptional students in Niagara College’s School of Business and Management who embody our KPMG values and who make positive contributions within their school, work and community,” said Nancy Adie-MacKay, Board Chair, KPMG Foundation. “These students are the leaders of tomorrow and we are committed to supporting their success.

The KPMG Business Scholarship is awarded to students from any program within the School of Business and Management who demonstrate academic excellence and teamwork, and who lead by example at the College, at work or in their personal lives. The KPMG Accounting Award is given to final year students from the Business – Accounting, Business Administration – Accounting or Business Administration – Accounting (Co-op) program who also lead by example and who demonstrate qualities including teamwork and respect, open and honest communication and a commitment to their community.

“In many cases, the financial support provided by donors like the KPMG Foundation is what allows a student to pursue and achieve their dreams and ambitions,” said Gord Arbeau, Vice-President, Advancement. “I want to thank the KPMG Foundation for recognizing the value of the education that we provide and for their investment in the potential of our students.”

“We are deeply grateful to the KPMG Foundation for generously supporting students at Niagara College and we proudly recognize our shared mission of fostering a positive future for emerging professionals across Niagara and beyond,” said Kaylin Bailey, Major Gifts Manager, NC Development and Donor Stewardship. “Scholarship awards not only help students financially, they also give students a boost of confidence and the validation that they are on a path to success.”

The KPMG Foundation scholarships were first established in 2018 and have made a meaningful impact for student recipients over the years.

“Receiving the KPMG Business Scholarship was instrumental in my educational journey, allowing me to focus on my studies without the added stress of financial strain,” said NC alumna Lyndsay Burke, who graduated from the Business Administration – Human Resources (Co-op) program in June 2025.

“This support gave me the opportunity to excel academically and gain hands-on experience through my co-op placement, where I could apply my learning in a real-world setting. I’m grateful for KPMG’s generosity, which supported my career aspirations in business and human resources,” added Burke.

In addition to funding scholarships, KPMG has contributed to campus redevelopment projects, sponsored signature college events like NC’s annual Golf Classic, and supported experiential learning initiatives for business students including a Pitch Perfect competition, $5 Challenge and the first-ever Niagara College Marketing Competition (NCMC) held in November 2025.

“On behalf of the School of Business and Management, thank you to the KPMG Foundation for contributing to exceptional learning experiences and providing much-needed financial support for our students over the years,” said Evan DiValentino, Dean, Business and Environment. “Donors like KPMG are directly enhancing the student experience and helping more students reach their full potential.”

Making college education more accessible is a key priority for Niagara College, and a pillar of the Together campaign, which aims to expand scholarships and bursaries so that every student can access support. In addition to empowering student success, the multi-year $50 million fundraising campaign is addressing the worker shortages in trades and healthcare, creating equitable and diverse learning environments, equipping graduates with cultural awareness and global competencies, 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. Discover how you can support this and other worthwhile initiatives by getting involved.

Niagara College students in high-stress health programs will continue to have access to a game-changing mental health initiative thanks to renewed support from the McCall MacBain Foundation.

NC’s ConfideNCe program provides targeted interventions to reduce academic anxiety, build resilience, and improve retention rates for students in the Paramedic, Personal Support Worker, Practical Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.

Launched in fall 2024 with seed funding from the McCall MacBain Foundation, the program equips students with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their studies and enter the workforce with resilience and purpose as they fill critical healthcare roles locally and across the province.

With the Foundation’s generous support, ConfideNCe is being extended beyond the two-year pilot period through to 2028, enabling more students to gain access to the program in their first year.

“We are pleased to continue our support of the ConfideNCe program, which has shown meaningful impact on student well-being and retention”, said Sara Saidi, Research & Grants Officer at the McCall MacBain Foundation. “We deeply appreciate Niagara College’s efforts to provide early supports that will help future healthcare professionals build resilience and readiness to thrive in high-pressure frontline environments.”

Founded in 2007 by John McCall MacBain and Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, the McCall MacBain Foundation is committed to advancing human welfare through , investments in education, leadership, and health of young people. The Foundation’s funding towards the ConfideNCe program is already reaping benefits for NC students.

“Niagara College is so fortunate to have supporters like the McCall MacBain Foundation, who understand the importance of a holistic student experience and the connection between health and wellness and student success,” said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. “The generosity of the McCall MacBain Foundation enhances Niagara College’s ability to provide the highly skilled and knowledgeable graduates who are so critical to frontline healthcare in Niagara and beyond.”

To date, over 600 students have participated in the program across workshops, Resilience Cafés, tutoring one-on-one sessions, and other wraparound supports.

To better understand the root causes of students’ anxiety and develop personalized plans for their success, a special survey called the Academic Anxiety Scale Survey is shared with students as they enter their academic programs and again once they complete terms one and two.

Survey data and evaluations from the first phase of ConfideNCe point to significant gains in students’ coping strategies, stress management, and their ability to form meaningful connections with peers and professionals. Reduced student attrition rates and increased retention rates are also among the key achievements from the initial phase – a substantial accomplishment for the staff team who deliver the program.

“We are witnessing first-hand that the ConfideNCe program is making a difference for our nursing and allied health students,” said Dr. Sinéad McElhone, Dean, Health Sciences. “The program has also been a rewarding experience for the staff involved who are delivering the tailored programming for students to support their success.”

“This funding has truly allowed us to impact the lives of our students,” said Heather Craig, ConfideNCe Project Manager. “Every investment that we make in our students now, is an investment in their future and the future of our healthcare professions.”

Feedback from students has been tremendously positive, citing increased confidence, strong tutor support, and a greater sense of community.

“Coming into the PSW program as a mature student, I had a lot of apprehension… being out of school for so long, I did not think that I would be able to succeed,” said Tammy Patriarca, a PSW student who is bridging into the Practical Nursing program. “Going to the workshops helped give me the confidence I needed to keep going. After I did those three workshops, I started telling everyone about the ConfideNCe program. It was so important.”

“After the first year in the ConfideNCe program I feel better about going into second year and my career, and I feel like I have better coping mechanisms for my stress,” said Paramedic student Haven McFarland.

“I have a great tutor. She provided a safe environment that made me feel comfortable to share the areas that I was struggling with [and] was very encouraging and positive,” shared another ConfideNCe program student participant. “She provided tips and tricks of studying, as well as explained the content in a way that was understandable.”

McCall MacBain Foundation’s investment will enable the College to reinforce key features that have contributed to ConfideNCe’s resounding success to date, while reaching more students and further strengthening the healthcare workforce in Niagara and beyond.

“A sincere thank you goes out to the McCall MacBain Foundation for generously supporting the growth of the ConfideNCe program through two milestone gifts to the Together campaign,” said Gord Arbeau, Vice President, Advancement. “The program’s success is a testament to the incredible difference our visionary partners are making for our students.”

Together campaign

Niagara College’s Together campaign is a multi-year, $50 million initiative focused on addressing critical workforce shortages in healthcare and skilled trades, 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.