Left to right: RDC Board Chair Guy Pelletier, Lt. Gov. Lois Mitchell, and RDC President Peter Nunoda(Photo: Red Deer College)

By Troy Gillard

new era

Ceremony held to officially welcome RDC’s new president

Nov 12, 2019 | 6:04 PM

He’s been on the job for over two months, but on Tuesday a special ceremony was held to welcome Dr. Peter Nunoda as the 11^th president in the history of Red Deer College and the man who will lead the start of its new era as Red Deer University.

“I am humbled to receive the warm welcome from the College community and our external partners that I have enjoyed today, as well as during other occasions in the brief time I’ve lived in central Alberta,” says Dr. Nunoda.

RDC faculty, community members, government representatives and dignitaries gathered at the RDC Arts Centre for Tuesday’s ceremony, which featured Indigenous drumming and singing, congratulatory remarks and a keynote speech from Nunoda detailing what he’s all about as well as his vision for RDC moving forward. It’s a vision that includes continuing to serve learners as a polytechnic university offering more diverse programs, namely degrees, apprenticeships in addition to everything RDC currently offers.

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Given the current state of Alberta’s economy, Dr. Nunoda identified the need for a strong business model that contributes to the institution’s economic and environmental sustainability.

“We have an exciting future ahead as Red Deer University, continuing to grow practical learning opportunities for our students, and creating stronger connections with individuals and organizations in our region,” he said. “Through innovative solutions, creative problem solving and an energetic touch of imagination, we will reach our goals and position Red Deer University as the first choice for post-secondary education.”

“Dr. Nunoda has already identified a strong path for where he will lead this institution into the future as a university, and we are very excited to collaborate with him and our community to realize this bold transformation that has been decades in the making,” said Guy Pelletier, Chair of RDC’s Board of Governors.

Red Deer College is set to officially become Red Deer University in September 2020.

Work is underway on program development for three new degrees – Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Business Administration – which could be up and running by September 2021, pending government approval.

In a new tradition for RDC, Dr. Nunoda took an Oath of Office led by Her Honour, the Honourable Lois E. Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. He also received a new Presidential stole that he will wear as part of his academic regalia at future Convocation Ceremonies and other important events.

(With file from RDC media release)