A campaign was launched in May 2013 to help students become successful at Lethbridge College.
The Possibilities Are Endless Campaign is a project that will assist students in five main areas of the college.
This includes the trades and technology renewal project, student awards, student residence, learning commons and emerging projects.
The initial goal for this campaign is to raise $25 million from the community, to help the college move forward and ensure that these five projects are completed.
Paula Burns the President of Lethbridge College, says that current campaign is set to wrap up in the early months of 2016.
“We area at approximately $23.5 million right now, with a little under 2 million to go,” Burns says.
With the campaign being worked on for five years, the college has a good understanding of where the money will come from.
Through different fundraisings around the city, the college just raised around $280,000 from a wine auction, which was held on Nov. 6.
“How we’re also reaching it is by reaching into the community with those who have interest in participating with Lethbridge College,” Burns adds.
Receiving funds for Student Awards has also been successful with goals to raise over $2.5 million
This particular aspect of the campaign has seen tremendous donations where they have over $3.8 million already.
Linda Sprinkle, student awards and funding manager, says that with more money the college has for awards, it will increase the amount of money students can receive.
This does not necessarily mean that it will increase the amount of students who will receive awards.
Sprinkle says depending on the criteria of an award, one student can win multiple awards.
“Every single award has specific criteria, some are specific to programs, while some are for anybody at all.”
She adds that there are a wide variety of awards that students can apply for.
In previous years, the college was on the low end of funds for student awards, when comparing to other colleges in Medicine Hat and Red Deer.
Since the donations have been received, the college has surpassed a few colleges in Alberta.
Nicholas Gruell business administration student says that it is a wonderful opportunity for the students and that it really shows that the college supports and cares for students.
“Its great that there is local support for this campaign, I think if the college was to be completely independent, I think it would mean a rise in tuition,” Gruell said.
In addition to the Possibilities Are Endless Campaign the college can now give out $1 million in scholarships and bursary’s per academic year.