Donor Community

Success Stories

Thank you to our donors for a record-breaking year of Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries!

June 11, 2021

Because of your support, Red River College (RRC) has been able to provide $5,104,509.45 directly to students in need during the 2020/2021 fiscal year – that’s more than any year in the College’s history. These funds were provided to more than 1,700 deserving students in the form of Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries.

Thank you to the many alumni, staff, donors and community members who generously donated to help students in what has been a challenging and uncertain year. Your kindness has helped students overcome financial barriers so they can be successful in their studies, and carry a sense of pride as they enter their careers.

A special thank you to the donors who participated in the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI) matching program this past March. During that month, MSBI matched scholarship and bursary gifts on a 1:1 ratio – doubling the amount of funds we could provide to students. Because of this one-time matching incentive, RRC received an incredible $2,447,950 from the provincial government.

Thank you again to our incredible community of donors – your support truly makes a difference in the lives of students at Red River College.

“I would like to thank you for this award. I’ve been struggling to find a way to pay for my schooling. It’s been a very stressful situation for me, especially the thought that I may have to ask family members to borrow large sums in order to pay for my next tuition. That’s why it was such an amazing surprise to see the email that I received this award. I teared up immediately as it has taken a huge load off my shoulders. I am very passionate about Nursing and am so thankful for the opportunity to continue in my program without worry of being unable to pay for tuition and textbooks.

I want to sincerely thank you for this opportunity and assure you that this bursary will not be wasted. Thank you for all you do in allowing us students to continue in our education.”

-2020/21 award recipient

We’d like to recognize the following donors for their contributions to the MSBI 2020/21 Matching program:

A. Cowell

Advertising Association of Winnipeg

AECOM

Aileen Najduch

Alexis Reeves

Alisa Ramrattan and Christine Watson

Allison Peterson

Alyssa Malenchak

Anne MacVicar

Arden Mills ULC

Arlene Joanne Sawicz

Arnold Bros. Transport Ltd.

Arnold Kolaski

ASM International Manitoba Chapter

Association of Manitoba Land Surveyors

BakeMark Canada

Barbara Forsyth

Barbara McCandless

Barbara Parsons

Beach Rocke Engineering Ltd.

Bell Media Radio Winnipeg

Bernice Fanning

Beverley Emes-Macklin

Bill Kerwin

Bird Construction Company

Boeing Canada Operations Ltd

Brayden Robb

Broadcasters Association of Manitoba

Bruno Carvalho Rivas

Bryan C Collier

C. Dudley Hill

C.K. Machine Tool & Industrial Supply

C.P. Loewen Foundation

Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories

Canadian Culinary Federation – Winnipeg Branch

Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society – Manitoba Chapter

Canadian Institute of Steel Construction

Canadian Public Relations Society – Manitoba Chapter

Carolyn Schmidt

Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba Inc.

Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba Inc.

Cheryl Ryczkowski

Christiane & Charles LaFleche

Christine Watson

Clinton E. Wilmot

Community Foundation of Portage and District

Concord Projects Foundation

Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs

Conor Lloyd

Craig Rowbotham

Cynthia Boughen

Cynthia Hacking

Dale H. Kendel

Damien Goodridge

Dan Moroz

Darlene Funk

Dave Kemp

David and Joan Rew

David Brand

David Pinchuk

De Jonckheere Family

Dean Gagne

Deanna Muller

Deanne Spiegel

Debbie Reeves

Denis and Gwen Sutton

Dennis Curle

Derek Kochenash

Diane Ramrattan

Dilla Narfason

Dilly Brodovsky

Donald Carlson

Dorothy Davidson

Dorothy Ford

Dynamic Machine Corporation

Edward Payne

Electrical Association of Manitoba

Elena Grinshteyn

Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba

Erik Von Der Behrens

Ernst Hansch Construction Ltd.

Flávio Raphael dos Santos

Flynn Canada Ltd.

Francesca and Tony Creta

Frank Patterson Foundation

Fred and Elaine Meier

Garland Commercial Ranges

Gary Coleman

Gene Haas Foundation

Geoffrey Chambers

George and Adele Rohulych

Germiphene Corporation

Gerry & Barb Price

Glenn and Norma Baldwin

Gordon Mackie

Greg Burch

Guy Dugas

Guy Prokopetz

Halee Fayerman

Heather Mauthe

Helen Miller

Hesam Aminian

Hope Montess

Horatio Alger Association of Canada

Howard R. Engel

Hubert Bonin

Hudbay

Hydro-X Club – Winnipeg Chapter

IATSE Local 856 Film Technicians Union

Indspire

Industrial Truck Service Ltd.

International Scholarship and Tuition Services Inc.

Irene and Gerry Varnes

Isabel Bright

Jaime Manness

James and Brenda Nykoluk

Janice and Bob McWilliams

Janis Thiessen

Jason Miller

Jean J. Burrows

Jean Lynas

Jean-Marc Joseph Blanc

Jeannine Paradis

Jeff Doneza

Jeff Frank

Jillian Schofield

Jing Jing

John and Geraldine Coyne

John Graeb

John Lu

Judy McGuirk

Julie Rachuk

Karen Thorlakson

Katrina Sklepowich

Keith Houndle

Keith Walker

Ken Burns

Kerri Korabelnikov

Kevin Dearing

Kevin Hines and Shelly Smith-Hines

Keystone Projects Ltd.

Krista Giesbrecht

Kristen Guy

L Dreger

Lauren Parsons

Leon Fainstein

Les Marmitons Winnipeg

Leslie Tsai

Leslie Walsh

Lewis Instruments Ltd.

Library Technicians Division of the Manitoba Library Association

Lois Edwards

Lori Lobchuk

Lorrie Kratzer

Louis Rodkin

Lucien Lussier

Lynne Squair

Macdonald Youth Services

Magellan Aerospace

Mandrick

Manitoba Association for Resource Recovery Corp.

Manitoba Dental Assistants Association

Manitoba Dental Association

Manitoba Good Roads Association

Manitoba Home Builders’ Association

Manitoba Metis Federation Inc.

Manitoba Pork Council

Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association

Manitoba School Improvement Program Inc.

Manitoba Society of Artists

Manitoba Teachers’ Society

Manitoba Trucking Association

Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association

Manitoba Veterinary Technologist Association

Marc Da Silva

Marilyn and John Kenny

Mark Brzuskiewicz

Marymound Inc.

Mavis McRae

Melanie Gudmundson

Melody and Rod Penner

Michael Morawski

Mid-Canada Marine and Powersports Dealers Association

Mike Kolo

Mike Van Dam

Morden Area Foundation Inc.

Nadine Ogborn

Naomi Cohen

Nathan Koop

Nicole Coulson

OnWard Investments Ltd.

Paraskevi Ginakes

Pat and Bill Reid

Patricia Fraser

Peerless Garments

Pepsi Cola Beverages Ltd.

Peter Wut

Petline Insurance

Powerland Computers

Project Management Institute – Manitoba Chapter

Raj Kulathungam

Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada

Rick Pelletier

Riva Harrison

Robert & Beverley Barr

Robert and Janet Okabe

Roberta Anderson

Ron Blicq

Rose Marie Hess

Rotary Club of Portage la Prairie

Royal Canadian Legion District No. 6

RRC Students’ Association

Russell Hendrix Food Equipment Ltd.

Ryan McBride

Samrat

Sandvik Coromant Canada

ScholarshipAmerica

Scotiabank Group

Seven Oaks General Hospital

Sharon Brodovsky

Shelley Tallin

Shellon P. Williams

Sheryl Stern

Shirley and Tom Strutt

Shirley Muir

Shirley Shaley

Sid Brodovsky and Cary Shafir

Sinclair Dental Co. Ltd.

Stantec

Stephanie Cyr, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.

Stephen Franklin

Steve Blayney and Associates LTD

Steven Blayney and Roberta Lowry

Steven Lipischak

Steven Onyschak

Stu and Heather Charles

Sunstar Americas, Inc.

Susan Harrison

T. Kent Morgan

Teresa Fox

Teresa Menzies

Tess Newton Financial Services Inc.

The Fairmont Winnipeg

The Farquharson Foundation

The Glenboro Area Foundation Inc.

The Happy Cooker

The Leonard Foundation

The Princess Auto Foundation

The Walter and Maria Schroeder Foundation

The Winnipeg Foundation 

Tony Hajzler

Toromont Industries

Tracy Cappello

Travis Paul

UFCW Local 832

Universities Canada

University Women’s Club of Winnipeg–Scholarship Trust

Veryl Tipliski

Wawanesa Insurance

Western Corporate Solutions Ltd.

Wilhelm C. Miller

WOW Hospitality Inc.

Yvette and Dave Slobodian

For more information about Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries at Red River College, click here.

 

Help build a better future today

March 29, 2021

When I walked across the stage to accept my high school diploma years ago it was a surprise to everyone in attendance, including me.

Like many students, I struggled in school with marginal grades – supports for my style of learning were not easily accessible back then.  After graduation my beloved mother passed away and I found it increasingly hard to find focus and stay motivated.  I moved around a lot, had meaningless minimum wage jobs and lacked security or direction in my life. My gap year turned into a gap decade. When I was finally ready to go back to school, I didn’t have the necessary credits for admission to many post-secondary programs. But I found a supportive path at Red River College and was offered stepping stones towards a meaningful career –  I had found a home!

I was accepted into the Health Care Aide program and started to gain confidence in myself.  I had discovered that I could succeed at school and knew I wanted to go further. I took College Prep for Nursing to get my pre-requisites up to date, and finally I became a student in the Bachelor of Nursing program, proudly earning my degree in 2009. I could not have done this without the help of many people along the way.

I got my second chance – when you give to Red River College, you give people like me their second chance.

Attaining my degree set the foundation for my career in the ER, ICU and as a LifeFlight Flight Nurse – giving me the opportunity to impact people, save lives and grow into who I am today. Those experiences helped me become a Nursing Instructor at RRC – where I help students the way my instructors helped me – and land my first leadership role as a Clinical Resource Nurse at Health Sciences Centre ER.

Because of Red River College, I am in a role where I can empower students and nurses to change the lives of those we serve, even under the most difficult of circumstances. Looking back to where I started and where I am now brings tears of joy and pride knowing that my accomplishments have changed peoples lives.

Red River College set me on a path for a career I love.  The skills I gained and critical thinking through my schooling taught me that there is a lot of life to live.  As a nurse, you look after others, but you can easily forget to look after yourself.   It is important to take steps to nurture your soul. Hiking was my first step. It was likely the first time I did something just for me. It went from a hobby to launching the Hike Manitoba Project and writing and publishing TWO books – which has allowed me to share some of my favourite hikes with thousands of Manitobans and help build a stronger community.

My life is full because of the opportunities that opened up for me here at Red River College.  By investing in one person our community benefits and grows. Imagine the impact you would have by investing in many? I recently became a monthly donor to the College and launched a scholarship for nursing students. My decision to give back is an investment into our future.  Red River College is an institution that provides the support, guidance and inspiration students need to grow into the best versions of themselves.

I ask you to join me and support the lives of our students.

Red River College responds to urgent industry and community needs – as a nurse and nursing instructor during COVID-19, I’m proud to work alongside my peers on the frontlines. I’m proud to teach the next generation of students, because when they graduate they become the frontline workers of tomorrow.

Please give to Red River College today to make a difference in the lives of our students. Your gift helps to provide students with the technology, support, on-the-job training and mentorship they need to graduate with confidence. Students like me!

Together we can build a better future.

 

Jaime Manness
Bachelor of Nursing 2009

 

Innovation Centre Update – February 2021

March 1, 2021

Red River College’s new Innovation Centre in the heart of Winnipeg’s Exchange District is now more than 70% complete. We’re excited to share how the new 100,000 square-foot space in Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District is coming together.

The Innovation Centre, currently under construction at 319 Elgin Avenue in Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District.

 

Language Training Centre on the second floor of the historic Scott Fruit Building,

 

The ACE Project Space, on the first floor of the historic Scott Fruit Building.

 

A bridge connects the Innovation Centre to the Roblin Centre.

 

A bridge connects the Innovation Centre to the Roblin Centre.

 

Student work rooms are located throughout the building

MSBI Matching Until March 31, 2021

March 1, 2021

Many young learners in Manitoba have aspirations of graduating College but are unable to due to financial hardships. This is especially true over the last year – because of COVID-19 our Student Awards and Financial Aid office has seen an increase in students who need support to graduate. These are students who have lost their jobs, had a partner lose their job and have to choose between paying their tuition or paying their rent.

With this new opportunity from the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI), you can help more students succeed in their educational goals. Any new or additional student award donations made before March 31, 2021 will receive an equal match by MSBI.

You have three options on how to designate your new/additional donation:

  • Both the new/additional donation and the matching funds will be directed to the general Red River College bursary fund – preference will be given to students who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. (All donation levels)
  • Your new/additional donation and the matching funds will be directed to your award fund to provide assistance to a student (or students) who is experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, and studying in the program area supported by your award fund. (Donations of $1,000 or more)
  • Your new/additional donation and the matching funds will be directed to your award fund to increase the award value for existing recipients of your award; divided amongst the 2020/21 recipient(s) of your award. (Donations of $1,000 or more)

All new and additional donations must also be distributed for students who qualify for financial assistance in the 2020/21 academic year – meaning your gift will make an impact right now.

Please call 204.619.0139 at your earliest convenience to discuss which option would work best for you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you to everyone who has already made the commitment in supporting more students!

“I would like to express my gratitude upon receiving this bursary. Being a full time nursing student and a mom of three young children is very challenging, but thanks to your generosity, it makes my pathway much easier and allows me to concentrate on the program. On behalf of my children and my spouse I want to thank you again!”

-Ana, award recipient 2020

Last Snowman Contest on Campus

March 1, 2021

Students, staff and Route 90 Passerbys may notice some new snowy faces on campus as they pass the Jan Den Oudsten Vehicle Research and Technology Centre at the Notre Dame Campus.

A team of environmentally minded staff and students participated in the Last Snowman Contest, currently hosted by donor Maria Den Oudesten and a team of local supporters.

For more than 15 years, Maria has held the contest annually to help build awareness of climate change and the importance of preserving one of our globe’s most cherished winter wonderland activities– building snowman. After immigrating to Canada from the Netherlands, Maria is proud to have called Winnipeg her home. She feels that the ability to promote snowmen building is symbolic in preserving some of the globe’s coldest temperatures in one of Canada’s most renowned winter city of the North.

We hope Winnipeggers will feel inspired and visit our “Forever Frozen Red” snowman team as they drive by. We would like you to join Maria and her team of climate change advocates by inviting you to build your own snowman at home or at work before the snow runs out – a great teambuilding activity!

For more information about the contest and how you and your team can enter to win up to $4500 in prizes visit The Last Snowman Winnipeg Facebook Page or send your submission with an attached photo to lastsnowmanwinnipeg@gmail.com

Jan den Oudsten appointed to Order of Canada

March 1, 2021

Congratulations to Red River College donor Jan den Oudsten for his recent appointment to the Order of Canada, an incredible honour. Jan was appointed for his inventive designs in bus manufacturing and for his contributions to the professional development of the next generation of transportation innovators.

Jan den Oudsten’s contributions to the vehicle research sector have made a significant impact around the world over his 50 years in the industry. He purchased New Flyer in 1986 and introduced his vision for European-style accessible low-floor technology to the North American transit market, ensuring all passengers – including those with significant mobility challenges – are able to travel on regular transit services in cities across the continent.

Den Oudsten was also involved in pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology applications, and was the first to introduce a 60-foot articulated diesel-electric hybrid bus. In 1999, he unveiled the Invero, New Flyer’s state-of-the-art new transit bus design. Under his leadership, New Flyer expanded to over 2000 employees. Today, New Flyer has more than 44,000 buses in service, just over 7,300 of which are electric powered and 1,600 are zero emission.

In 2019, Jan and his wife Maria provided a transformative gift to RRC and officially renamed the College’s Heavy Equipment Transportation Centre. The 60,000 square-foot training and research facility is now proudly named the Jan den Oudsten Vehicle Technology & Research Centre (VTRC).

Wawanesa Supports Innovation Centre with $50,000 donation

March 1, 2021

Red River College is proud to recognize Wawanesa Mutual Insurance for its $50,000 gift to support the Innovation Centre and Wawanesa’s continued support for students in Manitoba.

“Looking after one another is at the heart of who we are at Wawanesa,” said Selena Hinds, Vice President Brand, Communications and Community at Wawanesa Insurance. “That’s why Wawanesa is proud to support Red River College, its students, and the new Innovation Centre. Together with RRC, we share a commitment to making our community a better place to live and learn, and we know students and all of Winnipeg’s downtown will benefit from the new Centre and surrounding greenspace.”

Support for the Innovation Centre is directed to the Elgin Avenue Plaza, which is greenspace and pedestrian plaza located between Princess Street and Adelaide Street. The new outdoor space will include seating areas, recreational space, and power outlets for food trucks, entertainment and vendors. Students and community members can use the space to study, eat lunch, or host events such as concerts or maker markets. The greenspace is located across from the new Market Lands creative hub, housing and market space and will attract more people to live, work and play in the growing neighbourhood.

Since 2009, Wawanesa has also provided a $10,000 donation annually to support Red River College students. This year, eight Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Awards will be distributed to individuals in the Business Administration, Business Information Technology and Business Technology Management programs, providing opportunities for students to achieve success in their education and into their careers.

Thank you to Wawanesa for the incredible support of students at Red River College.

Big Bill memorial gift offers lasting lesson in good maintenance and mechanical care

March 1, 2021

Students in the Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic program have a leg up in their training thanks to Big Bill – a 2018 Peterbilt semi-truck generously provided by a family, which wishes to remain anonymous.

Sentimental efforts were made to create Big Bill – a gift that celebrates the passionate appreciation of a fondly remembered brother and friend who took dedicated pride and joy in maintaining heavy duty equipment.

“Our brother was kind and generous. He was an equipment guy and placed value in taking the best care of things. He had an affinity for good maintenance,” the donors said.

The decision to donate the truck to Red River College (RRC) was an easy one for the donor after learning about the heavy equipment programs offered through the Jan Den Oudsten Vehicle Technology and Research Centre. Program instructor Dietrich Schellenberg is grateful for the new learning tool. “Truck technology changes rapidly so it is really important to have newer vehicles here for the students to learn on,” he said.  “The Certificate students use it to practice removing wheels and brakes, the level 2 Apprentices use it to investigate how the truck communication system works and the Level 4 Apprentices spend time diagnosing the extensive emission control modules.”

Having equipment like this, with pieces students can take apart and put together, is crucial for students learning a skilled traded.

“It adds another valuable element in our learning environment to be able to see and hold the pieces we’re talking about; to see where they are on a truck and how they move and operate puts everything into perspective,” said Shelby Livetsky, educational assistant for the Transporation Heavy Apprenticeship trades. “We are so fortunate to have Big Bill with all of it’s modern and unique features as a valuable teaching tool for the next generation of truck mechanics.“

To help bridge a direct connection to students, the donor family launched a naming contest to have the truck named by on-site learners. The top three student-submitted ideas received a cash prize, and Big Bill was decided as the winning selection. A logo was designed by RRC graphic design student, Honglin Ye, and installed on the doors of the truck’s cab.

In addition to Big Bill, the family generously provided RRC’s Welding program with two welding simulators. The simulators are used to enhance technical skill-building and learning through virtual technology that mirrors the welding practice.

Gift-in-kind donations like this support the hands-on learning and training that give RRC students an advantage in their careers, and sharing the memory of a loved one adds significance. RRC is proud to be home to Big Bill and support enhanced heavy equipment maintenance and skill training.

If you are interested in providing a Gift-in-kind donation to one of RRC’s programs or celebrating a legacy, please contact development@rrc.ca

New Award Honours Nursing Career and Life of Christiane Bonin

January 26, 2021

Christiane Bonin was a lifelong nurse who loved the camaraderie of working on the front-lines and bringing a smile to the face of her patients.

When Christiane died last November, her daughter Lilian Bonin, had the idea to create a student award in her mother’s name – in recognition of Christiane’s dedication to nursing, and to support new nurses graduating from Red River College (RRC).

“Nurses are on the frontlines, they’re the ones working directly with patients and are so important to their care,” she said. “It’s a tough job, so my idea was to give people going into it support and acknowledgement that their work is valued.”

According to Lilian, Christiane made kindness into a career – and helping people feel good was something she carried into the rest of her life. Despite the heaviness of her work, she had a positive demeanor and a laugh that everybody could recognize. She rode her bike into work every day, and got outside as often as she could.

“Being outside was a healthy way to deal with stress for her,” said Lilian. “She taught me to be kind, to have faith in the goodness of people, and – of course – that nature is healing. Whatever is going on in your life, go for a walk outside and you’ll feel better.”

It was this joie de vivre that helped her survive Stage 4 Lymphoma of the bone in 2001. Her doctors told her she would never walk again, but after spending a year in a wheelchair she went right back to her active lifestyle – the only exception being that she could no longer downhill ski.

“She grew up in the depression, with very little, and was grateful for everything,” said Lilian. “She was the first one in her family to graduate from high school and enter a career, and took courses until her mid-eighties – she was always learning. At a time when It was tough to be an independent woman, she did what she wanted.”

Christiane was at the hospital for treatment of a bacterial infection when she contracted COVID-19, from which she did not survive. And while she could not be by her mother’s side, Lilian is thankful for the hospital staff who kept her mother comfortable in her final days.

When choosing to create a scholarship, Lilian decided to support students in RRC’s bachelor of nursing program because of the hands-on training, and practical experience students receive.

“That was my mom, she was hands on,” she said. “My mother was so proud of being a nurse, and I am happy to share that with others through this award.”

The Christiane Bonin Memorial Award has been established by her family and friends in honour of Christiane Gabrielle Jacqueline Bonin, who dedicated 43 years of her professional life as an emergency nurse. Chris loved nursing and cared deeply for her patients; she was an “old school” nurse who prided herself on bedside nursing and easing peoples’ suffering.

Compassion and helping others came naturally in Chris’s day to day life and this award will concur and celebrate those qualities with future nurses graduating from RRC. This award, valued at a minimum of $1000, will be presented annually to a student graduating from the Bachelor of Nursing program. The recipient will have successfully completed Senior Practicum in an emergency setting and have expressed a particular interest in emergency nursing practice. They will also have demonstrated a high level of skill, sound academic achievement, and a caring and compassionate attitude with patients. Application forms will be available from the Nursing Repository and should be accompanied by a reference letter from a preceptor or faculty member. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, and the recipient will be selected annually in in the fall.

Success is Giving to Others: Albert El Tassi

December 11, 2020

 

The man responsible for manufacturing Red River College’s new branded face masks is no stranger to generosity.

Albert El Tassi, CEO of Peerless Garments, believes that helping people is the best thing you can do for yourself and for your community. Since immigrating to Winnipeg from Lebanon in 1969 he has made a strong commitment to supporting anybody in need – especially students, healthcare workers and refugees.

“Refugees are important in my life – everybody should have a shelter, everybody should have a roof over their heads. Refugees have been denied that. If you can save one life you can save an entire humanity,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what part of the world they come from, we don’t discriminate. If we can help, I’m there to help. If we leave this world better than when we came, I will be happy.”

El Tassi has been a champion of RRC’s Student Refugee Program since 2015, and has been instrumental in providing financial and cultural support for the students who have had the opportunity to study at the College through a partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

On top of financial assistance, El Tassi has provided each student with a winter coat, shared important information about how to get around in Winnipeg, and introduced them to Winnipeg’s Muslim community through weekly services at the mosque he attends.

“I believe in education. Without education the world will be much darker,” he said. “I love helping students, refugees or not, so they can advance in life.”

Beyond RRC, El Tassi has donated to support students at the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, and College Universite St. Boniface – he also opened Al Hijra Islamic School, Manitoba’s first Muslim-faith elementary school, in 1996.

He and his wife, Samira, have also donated to a number of charities dedicated to improving the lives of children and defending human rights in Manitoba and around the world.

Earlier this year, El Tassi was also part of an effort made by Winnipeg’s Lebanese community to provide relief and aid to those who were impacted by the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.

“When you enjoy giving more than you enjoy receiving, then you enjoy life,” he said. “The amount is irrelevant. If you have an extra dollar, you can give an extra dollar.”

El Tassi said that he doesn’t expect anything in return from the people he helps, but is always happy to see a student succeed in their career and give back to their community.

“I encourage everybody to help humanity where help is needed,” he said.

 

RRC branded face masks available now:

Red River College branded facemasks are available in two styles at the Campus Store.

Black fitted masks are available for $6.79 and Navy Blue folded rectangle masks are available for $8.79. Both styles are two layer and non-medical with a molded nose strip at the top.
Order online at:  Bookstore.rrc.ca

 

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

Learn more ›