The contributions of Niagara College president Dan Patterson have been recognized with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Award.
The award, which is part of the chamber’s Niagara Business Achievement Awards, recognizes an individual whose leadership has made a significant impact in the community.
“Dr. Patterson’s leadership at Niagara College has led to the college being one of the highest ranking colleges in Canada,” said chamber CEO Walter Sendzik. “He has not only guided the college to new heights as an institution, he has connected Niagara College into the economic and social fabric of the community at a time when partnerships are needed if we are to truly build a stronger Niagara.”
Patterson has led Niagara College since 1995. Over the course of his leadership, Niagara has grown to become one of the most enterprising colleges in Canada. Enrolment has doubled to more than 9,000 full-time students in more than 100 programs, NC has received a number-one ranking in student satisfaction for seven of the past eight years, and the College successfully completed a $90 million campus redevelopment project that expands student capacity and provides new and expanded facilities at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses.
Building partnerships that support Niagara College’s role as a catalyst for economic development in Niagara has been a key priority under Patterson’s leadership, and he has been instrumental in establishing and strengthening relationships between the Niagara College and key industries and public sector organizations.
“I’m very honoured to receive this award which, above all, is recognition of the important role that Niagara College plays in supporting economic growth and success in Niagara,” said Patterson.
Len Crispino, Chair of Niagara College’s Board of Governors, noted that Niagara College is an integral part of the various communities it serves, and that the organization places a high value on community service and leadership.
“Dan embodies all of the best qualities of being community minded and he stands as a role model to our students and staff,” said Crispino.
Patterson serves on a number of Boards at the national, provincial and local level. This service has been recognized with various awards including the Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity, Niagara-on-the-Lake Citizen of the Year, RBC Business Citizen of the Year, St. Catharines Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow, as well as a Visiting Fellowship at Green Templeton College (Oxford University, U.K.). He is a passionate advocate for the important role that colleges play in the economic life of their communities.
Patterson received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Windsor, his M.Sc. from The London School of Economics, and his M.Ed. from the University of Toronto. He later attended Oxford to complete the Senior Management Development program. Committed to lifelong learning, Patterson earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in the field of higher education in 2005. In recognition of his achievements within the college system, Dan was conferred an Honourary Doctorate from Niagara University in 2003 and an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from Brock University in 2009.
Patterson received the Community Leadership Award at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Niagara Business Achievement Awards, which was held Thursday, October 25 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Centre.
Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Continuing Education courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit NiagaraCollege.ca.
**Full Bio Attached
-30-
For more information contact:
Gord Hunchak
Associate Vice President, Planning and Communications
905 735-2211 ext. 4650
905 650-7820 (cell)
ghunchak@niagaracollege.ca
Dan Patterson Bio
Dr. Dan Patterson has been Niagara College’s President since 1995. Under his leadership, the College has doubled its enrolment to over 9,000 full time students in over 100 programs with an operating budget of over $119 million. In 2008, the College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project to expand student capacity and provide new and renovated state-of-the-art learning environments at its Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses. Dan has played an integral role in establishing and strengthening partnerships with a variety of industries and public sector organizations – a key priority under his leadership. Prior to joining the college system, Dan held senior executive positions within the federal and provincial governments.
Dan is known as a leader in the Ontario College system and is former Chair of the Committee of Presidents, which advocates on behalf of Ontario’s 24 Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. Dan led the Committee of Presidents through a critical time for the College system, resulting in the introduction of baccalaureate degrees in Ontario Colleges and a new provincial mandate. Dan was appointed by Order-in-Council to serve on the College Compensation and Appointments Council, an agency established under provincial statute responsible for the appointment of governors to the 24 college boards, collective bargaining on behalf of the colleges and for providing strategic advice to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on matters relating to colleges.
Dan has a strong sense of service and shares his knowledge and expertise on a number of Boards at the national, provincial and local level. This service has been recognized with various awards including the Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity, Niagara-on-the-Lake Citizen of the Year, RBC Business Citizen of the Year, St. Catharines Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow, as well as a Visiting Fellowship at Green Templeton College (Oxford University, U.K.). He is a passionate advocate for the important role that colleges play in the economic life of their communities.
Dan received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Windsor, his M.Sc. from The London School of Economics, and his M.Ed. from the University of Toronto. He later attended Oxford to complete the Senior Management Development program. Committed to lifelong learning, Dan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in the field of higher education in 2005. In recognition of his achievements within the college system, Dan was conferred an Honourary Doctorate from Niagara University in 2003 and an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from Brock University in 2009.
