News Archives: Warmest Wishes for the Holidays
Monday, December 21st, 2020
As we look to the new year ahead, with hope for the new COVID-19 vaccines, the opportunity to be close with those we love, and a bright future for our College, it is important to look back on our journey in 2020.
At its best, this past year was one with new challenges to overcome for our instructors and students, such as relying more on technology and less on personal contact in a post-secondary learning environment. 2020 also forced us to look for the joy in simpler discoveries, like finding alternatives to Netflix, experimenting with a new restaurant for take out, or learning to bake bread.
At its worst, 2020 was a year of frustration, sorrow and tragedy. All of us have been touched in some way by COVID-19. To those in our College family who lost loved ones this year, I express my deepest sympathy. I’m hopeful that our most difficult experiences of 2020 will leave us stronger for the time ahead.
My optimism for 2021 is drawn from the incredible and inspiring things I’ve seen during the first year of my term as President.
By the time global pandemic reached Alberta and changed our lives, GPRC staff and faculty had already been busy planning and adapting our programs and services to meet students’ needs for the future. GPRC students demonstrated their resilience and embraced new challenges to continue their education. All of our stakeholders, community leaders, and local elected officials that we rely on for support and guidance, offered their ideas and recommendations on building a stronger future for our school.
Remarkably, despite this turmoil and disruption, GPRC launched its new Administrative Strategy. I am particularly proud of this essential guide to our institution's growth over the next five years. It shapes how GPRC will remain a relevant and leading edge post-secondary institution for students, graduates, employers, and our regional partners.
We could not have brought the 5 GPRC strategy together without your help. Thank you for giving the entire GPRC community something to look forward to in 2021. Our work is just beginning and there are exciting things to come. I look forward to your continued support as we move forward with this exciting vision for our college.
As the holiday break approaches, I encourage all of us to reflect on how 2020 reinforced the importance of relying on each other in order to reach our goals. I invite each of us to keep that positive perspective in mind as we address the opportunities and challenges of 2021.
On behalf of all of the entire administrative team here at GPRC, please accept our deepest gratitude and warm wishes.
Stay warm and stay safe.
Dr. Robert Murray
GPRC President and CEO