Saundra Patterson Memorial Garden and Bursary
Remembering Saundra Patterson through the Saundra Patterson Memorial Garden and Horticultural Bursary
By Fall 2022, students, staff and visitors will be able to gather in a special memorial garden on our campus to remember Saundra Patterson, Niagara College’s long-time ‘first lady’ who passed away in January 2021. Saundra was not only known as the devoted partner of NC’s former president Dan
Patterson (now President Emeritus) – who served 25 years at the College – but also as a College supporter in her own right who left an indelible mark on the NC community.
Thanks to many generous donors, including Carol and David Appel of Niagara-on-the-Lake who contributed a $10,000 matching-challenge gift, more than $86,000 has been raised to create the garden, and to support students through the Saundra Patterson Horticultural Bursary.
A tireless supporter of student learning, Saundra established this endowed Horticultural Bursary Fund in 2006, which has provided financial support to many NC students over the years. Funds raised exceeding the goal for the memorial garden are being contributed to this Bursary Fund.
Donate to honour Saundra’s memory and support students through her Bursary Fund.
Make your gift here. Choose Saundra Patterson Memorial Garden and Bursary.
A Special Applied Learning Project
The Saundra Patterson Memorial Garden is being created in the upper courtyard of the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The initiative stems from NC’s School of Environment and Horticulture whose faculty and students – along with staff at its Teaching Greenhouse – forged a special connection with Saundra over the years.
In the spirit of applied learning, the memorial garden project is being incorporated into classes to provide NC’s horticulture students with hands-on learning opportunities including soil preparation/care, planting and maintaining the garden. The design of the garden was done by a student in our Landscape Design program as her main landscape design assignment during the 2021 Spring term.
Currently, site preparation is underway, and the building of the garden beds and some planting will be completed by horticulture students by the end of the 2021 Fall term. By the time the garden is in full bloom next spring, about 150 students will have had their hands in this very special applied learning project with many future students lending their green thumbs to maintain the space for years to come.
The official opening of the Saundra Patterson Memorial Garden is planned for Fall 2022. Stay tuned for details and photos.
