Magazine honours RDC Alumni achievements

A Red Deer College success story is the face of the school’s annual alumni publication, which was unveiled Friday during an event at RDC’s Arts Centre.
 
Ryan Smith is the Owner of Nexus Energy Technologies, a company which builds coil tubing and pressure control equipment for use all over the world.
 
“It’s engineered, designed, fabricated, tested and everything in Red Deer. Red Deer College allowed me to have that engineering base to be able to get there,” he says. “We also employ machinists, welders and a lot of trades people that have attended RDC.”
 
Smith commented on the fact he only spent one year at RDC before hacing to complete his degree at the U of A.
 
“I’m a small town guy, not really wired for the big city. I truly believe the one year I did here gave me the advantage to be able to make the transition, but to be able to stay locally in Red Deer would have been an [even larger] advantage for me,” he says.
 
Once again, the issue of students having to leave the city because RDC doesn’t have degree-granting status was at the forefront on Friday.
 
Cory Kaun, RDC alumni, and Owner of Larkaun Homes, was also honoured for his company’s purchase of three paving stones which will be visible once the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre is complete next year.
 
Kaun believes RDC will only continue to grow, increasing the need for polytechnic status and infrastructure projects like the Harris Centre.
 
“To have this facility, even for my family or anybody’s family, I think it’s huge. Nine out of ten people don’t come back, and that’s not great for a community. To have more people staying, and not leaving, is just better for our community,” he says.
 
“The Winter Games, especially when it was announced, I thought it was brilliant, and at that time, the economy was kind of heating up and there was lots of optimism. Sure enough, the economy really took a bad turn and this has been great for our community — the legacy and longevity of this facility and what its going to bring for our community, I think is amazing. It was a no brainer for our family.”
 
About a month remains to purchase paving stones, of which there are about 750 left. Each costs $500. For more information, call 587-877-5774 or visit RDC.ab.ca/pavingourfuture.
 
Another former student and instructor at RDC, Gary Harris himself, was also at the event and says he’s very pleased with the progress of the centre.
 
“It’s very impressive — I’m very proud of it. It’s a legacy for me and my family. And [I’m] a little bit humbled,” he admitted. “I’m glad I was able to be a catalyst in getting the project moving ahead.”