CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Donor report recognizes Conestoga's many supporters and donors

The updated annual report being released November 15 on National Philanthropy Day details the tremendous impact of the ongoing support that is making a difference in the lives of students.

Conestoga supporters were also celebrated during Gratitude Week. Students and employees were invited to write thank-you cards expressing their appreciation at tables set up at various campuses during the week of October 7.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the college raised $1.6 million in 2023-2024 for student awards that supported 2,554 learners in their educational journey.

One of those students is Anna Ruttan, who recently graduated with high distinction from the Carpentry and Renovation Technician program and has since started a carpentry apprenticeship.

The monetary awards Ruttan received were a great help throughout her time at Conestoga. 

"The generous awards obviously relieved a lot of stress financially when it came to purchasing textbooks and all of the tools I needed to complete my program successfully," Ruttan said.

But the awards didn't just assist with her finances.

"The awards also came with a confidence boost for me. They proved to me that my hard work and my dedication to maintaining good grades weren't going unnoticed."

As a young woman starting on the path to a career in carpentry, Ruttan was prepared to encounter challenges in the male-dominated field. The awards were a reminder that she could overcome any hurdle.

"The recognition through my awards proved to me that I shouldn't have any doubt in my abilities, and that a successful career in the trades is achievable for anyone."

Conestoga welcomes a variety of ways to contribute. Impactful ways to give include donations of time by volunteering, expertise by mentoring or joining a program advisory committee, or gifts such a student awards, gifts-in-kind or bequests.

The college benefited from the expertise of 1,144 volunteers on program advisory committees. Co-op placements are another way the community supports the college's learners, with 2,058 students securing co-op placements.

Donations from organizations, foundations and individuals support classroom enhancements including state-of-the-art equipment and technology, providing invaluable tools for student learning.

For instance, health-care students in many programs will benefit from a recent gift of four Anatomage Tables, which display life-size digitized versions of human bodies that provide accurate 3D representation and simulation of natural anatomy, physiology and pathology.

"These tables provide Conestoga the opportunity to enhance learning and help bridge knowledge gaps across all the health sciences programs. The Anatomage Tables will be built into and utilized within the curriculum to help learners better develop an enhanced understanding of human anatomy and help differentiate various disease pathophysiologies at a higher level," said Kyla Rotobilsky, manager of simulation and learning innovation in the School of Health & Life Sciences.

The handwritten messages of gratitude collected during Gratitude Week will help show donors that their contributions are valued. "Your donations create new opportunities and equip our students with pathways to success," said President John Tibbits.

Find out more in the annual Donor Impact Report.