Mouallem family makes major donation towards student housing
NLC Student Housing Celebration Oct. 14, 2009. (front row L to R) Fay Mouallem, Melane Mouallem, Joe Mouallem, Joey Mouallem, (back row L to R) Trevor Gladue, Northern Lakes College Board of Governors’ Chair; Rick Neidig, Northern Lakes College President & CEO; Hon. Pearl Calahasen, MLA Lesser Slave Lake; Karina Pillay-Kinnee, Town of Slave Lake Mayor.
Students’ Association President Chris Noskey cuts the ribbon marking the official opening of the Student Housing Project with help from (L to R) Board Chair Trevor Gladue, and Board members Andy Assaf, and Colin Ross.
AFFORDABLE STUDENT HOUSING CELEBRATION, DONATION ANNOUNCED
SLAVE LAKE- Enrollments are soaring and the demand for affordable student housing is at a peak, especially for those looking for training in trades and health careers. To meet this demand, students and staff at Northern Lakes College celebrated the opening of the new student residence complex in Slave Lake on Wednesday.
Marking the celebration was the announcement of a major gift from a local family. Joe Mouallem and family gifted Northern Lakes College $100,000 towards the new student housing. In honour of the donation the facilities will be called Mouallem Student Residence. The Mouallem family felt that it was important to leave a legacy supporting students and reducing barriers to accessing education. In addition to the Mouallem donation, the Northern Lakes College Student Association gave $19,500 on behalf of the students.
“The name Mouallem happens to mean ‘teacher’ or ‘educator of knowledge’,” said Joey Mouallem, speaking on behalf of the Mouallem family. “With education we have security and we will always be able to provide for our family. We want to give students the gift of knowledge, the gift of security. Education and knowledge provides opportunity. Knowledge opens many doors, but you and you alone have to walk through that door.” Mr. Mouallem went on to say, “what I saw today in the Students’ Housing far exceeded my expectations.”
The Hon. Pearl Calahasen, MLA Lesser Slave Lake, conveyed the importance of the student housing complex for those wishing to access training in the north. “One of the biggest things I heard when I was campaigning was a lack of housing for students to come to Northern Lakes College in Slave Lake. Today is a really great day. To the Mouallem family, you really make me proud.” Mrs. Calahasen brought greetings from the Hon. Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Yvonne Fritz.
Northern Lakes College Board of Governors’ Chair, Trevor Gladue, acknowledged the importance of partnerships. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank those that have helped make the student housing a reality” said Mr. Gladue. “In particular, the Alberta Government, Town of Slave Lake and MD of Lesser Slave River; Paul Kuzel, Housing and Urban Affairs Project Advisor; Balon Construction and the Northern Lakes College Board of Governors, management and staff.”
Northern Lakes College President & CEO, Rick Neidig,(photo) recognized the Mouallems’ generous contribution, “The Mouallems’ have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring educational access to northern learners. The Mouallem Student Residence will greatly assist northern learners access a broad range of programs close to home.”
The project, that will primarily provide 52 beds for trades, apprenticeship and other northern students, is the result of joint applications by the Town and Northern Lakes College for a $3.1 million grant administered through the province’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Neidig went on to say “local municipal governments were also supportive of the project from the beginning. They recognized the value in this type of community project.” While this grant covers 70% of the total cost, the Northern Lakes College Board of Governors has made a commitment to the construction of the project through a combination of funds from other sources, including fundraising.
Northern Lakes College has campuses in over 30 communities across north-central Alberta. Programs range from upgrading to careers, from university to apprenticeship trades. Flexible learning opportunities include full time or part time options. As well many classes are offered to students online or using various technologies including video conferencing.
Pretty sad there is no pictures of any students when the student housing is about THE STUDENTS!! There is not one single sudent in this picture. To me this seems that the Mouallem family is the focus of this article when it should be about the student and the new facilities avaliable to them.
Shauna makes a valid point about the article and picture. The opening ceremony and the celebration took place during a student lab day, in a gym full of students. The ceremony and speeches were directed to the large number of students present. The ribbon-cutting to open the student housing was done by College Students’ Association President, Chris Noskey. Many groups posed at the ribbon, but it was a student who cut it. I will forward a picture to the website of Chris cutting the ribbon on behalf of students.