Northern Lakes College (NLC) celebrated two important milestones on Friday, October 16, with the official grand openings of its new Peavine Campus location and student residence at the High Prairie Campus.
The celebrations brought together community members, local leaders, College representatives and guests to recognize continued investment in accessible post-secondary education across northern Alberta.
A New Chapter for the Peavine Campus
The day began at Peavine Métis Settlement, where guests gathered to celebrate the relocation of the Northern Lakes College Peavine Campus to its new learning space.
The new location represents an important step in maintaining accessible educational opportunities within the community, allowing learners to pursue their educational goals closer to home.
The celebration included a land acknowledgement and opening prayer offered by Hazel Vicklund, followed by remarks from Barry Sharkawi, Chair of the Northern Lakes College Board of Governors, and Dr. Glenn Mitchell, President and CEO of Northern Lakes College.
Guests were also invited to explore the new campus and learn more about the educational opportunities available through the College.
Celebrating Student Success in High Prairie
Later that afternoon, celebrations continued in High Prairie with the official grand opening of the College's new student residence.
Designed to accommodate 26 students, the residence includes 12 regular units and two barrier-free units, along with shared kitchen, laundry, study and recreational spaces.
The residence is already welcoming students and reflects the College's commitment to reducing barriers to education, particularly for learners travelling from rural and remote communities.
The ceremony brought together College leadership and community representatives, including Mayor Daniel Vandermeulen of the Town of High Prairie, Barry Sharkawi and Dr. Glenn Mitchell.
The occasion provided an opportunity to recognize the importance of accessible student housing in supporting student well-being, academic success and connection to the campus community.
A Special Introduction: Meet NeLCee!
The High Prairie celebration also featured a special moment as Northern Lakes College officially introduced NeLCee, its new mascot, to the public for the first time.
With High Prairie being home turf for Board Chair Barry Sharkawi, the College felt it was a fitting place to welcome its newest representative.
Continuing to Invest in Northern Communities
Together, the two grand openings highlight Northern Lakes College's ongoing commitment to strengthening educational access, supporting student success and maintaining meaningful connections with the communities it serves.
The College extends its sincere appreciation to Hazel Vicklund, Mayor Daniel Vandermeulen, community partners, guests, staff and everyone who contributed to the success of both celebrations.
"Whether we're opening the doors to a new learning space in Peavine or providing a place for students to call home in High Prairie, our goal remains the same: to make education more accessible for the people and communities we serve. These investments reflect our commitment to creating opportunities for learners across northern Alberta."Dr. Glenn Mitchell, President & CEO, Northern Lakes College
For more information
1201 Main Street SE
Slave Lake Alberta
Canada T0G 2A3
www.northernlakescollege.ca/
