(rdnewsNOW/ Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

$100K Donation

RDP unveils Alumni Legacy Way and introduces new Student Industry Engagement Fund

Mar 27, 2025 | 6:42 PM

The Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association announced they’ve donated $100,000 to the RDP Student Industry Engagement Fund.

They shared the good news at a ceremony on Thursday afternoon, which also included the unveiling of the Alumni Legacy Way that recognizes the long-time partnership between the Alumni Association and the school.

President of Red Deer Polytechnic, Stuart Cullum said the announcement is another example of it all being about the students.

“What this does is it gives our students an opportunity to engage more with industry at events, conferences, and other things, which is important. It’s a great way to interact with the industries they’re going to be a part of,” he said.

“It’s also an opportunity for the to create networks that they’re going to need. This fund we’ve established and the $100,000 contribution towards it really activates that. It’s going to mean so much to out students across the Polytechnic.”

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This fund will provide financial support to cover the costs associated with attending external conferences, forums and events hosted by industry and professional organizations.

The fund is now officially available to all RDP students across their programs.

In fact, Cullum explained recently eight RDP business students already took advantage of the fund to attend the Central Alberta Business Summit.

Students who are interested in accessing the fund can work with the academic leaders within their programs. Those opportunities will be identified by students and faculty leaders. There’s then a process where students can apply.

Student Industry Engagement Fund started as a concept in 2022 but Cullum explained they needed a substantial donation to get it off the ground. The Alumni Association made it happen and it’s expected to help hundreds of students that go through RDP.

Martin Cruz, Chair of RDP’s Alumni Association said the donation was a great way to demonstrate how their time at RDP was important to them.

“We understand what the students are going through so with this fund we’re hoping that even by little, we’re able to help out,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for students to get involved but also recognize the alumni that once walked these very hallways.”

The Alumni Association has donated a total of $236,000 to the Polytechnic in support of student initiatives, including five annual student scholarships.

The new Alumni Legacy Way is located inside RDP’s main campus, in the hallway that connects the library to the 900 wing. It showcases the impact the Alumni Association has made at Red Deer Polytechnic.

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