(From left): Ryan Garriock, Past President, RRC Alumni Board; Bob Tallman, Owner and CEO of Princess Auto; and Dale Oughton, RRC Alumni Coordinator, at the 2012 Alumni Dinner.

Red River College raised a glass to success stories of the past, present and future this month, as RRC alumni joined with students and staff to celebrate their roots at the 2012 Alumni Dinner.

Held Nov. 16 at The Fairmont Winnipeg, the event gave RRC’s growing family of alumni the chance to re-connect with old friends and toast the accomplishments of their peers — in particular those of Bob Tallman, owner and CEO of Princess Auto, and recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

A 1976 graduate of RRC’s Business Administration program, Tallman has since built Princess Auto from a family business into a national retailer, cultivated a passionate base of customers through a tireless focus on service, and devoted himself to revitalizing his community and helping dozens of young people pursue their own dreams.

He continues to share his success with the community, having founded the Princess Auto Foundation to provide student bursaries for trades education at 12 Canadian colleges (including RRC), and the Tallman Foundation to support educational and community needs throughout Winnipeg.

“We’re extremely proud of all that Bob Tallman has accomplished, and are inspired by his continued commitment to education and community services,” said Dale Oughton, Alumni Coordinator at RRC.

“Through his leadership and his foundation work, Bob ensures future generations of students will have access to opportunities that allow them to follow in his example and build on his legacy.”

This year’s dinner was hosted by Wayne Morsky, President and CEO of Morsky Group of Companies, and last year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Among the highlights of the evening was a $70,000 donation from RRC’s Alumni Board to the College’s Paterson GlobalFoods Institute — the largest alumni donation in RRC history.

Click here to view a full gallery of photo’s taken at this year’s event.