News Archives: GPRC Across Generations
Friday, November 25th, 2016
Bachelor of Science University Transfer student Reid Boulet knew he wanted to start his post-secondary education at Grande Prairie Regional College for a number of reasons; one, close to home, two, small class-sizes but most importantly he wanted to be part of a dream his grandfather helped start five decades ago.
“Grandpa taught here when GPRC first opened in 1966,” says Boulet, who plans to continue on which is Bachelor Science at the University of Alberta next year. “He always told us stories about the college, so GPRC was like part of our home. I knew a lot of the instructors through him, and I knew they were instructors who really cared about the wellbeing and future of their students.”
Boulet is the grandson of retired charter instructor Paul Lemay. Boulet is one of five members of the second generation of Lemay’s family to attend GPRC. Boulet’s Uncle Maurice Lemay pursed his first year of Engineering at GPRC before transferring to the University of Alberta in 1984. His son, Randy Lemay, also graduated from GPRC. Boulet’s Uncle Keith Lemay, attended GPRC from 1985-1987 and received a two-year science diploma before transferring to medical school at the University of Alberta. Keith’s sons Russell, Neil and Mitchell Lemay all also attended the College.
“I started at the college teaching biology in 1966,” says Lemay. “It was the first year we had a biology program, and I was the only one who had a designated lab and office in the old high school building which where court house is now.”
Biology lab, J126 on the Grande Prairie campus is named after Lemay for his leadership in the institution and dedication to student learning through his thirty-one years of service at GPRC.
“As a science student, it’s really cool to sit in that lab and think about what the college must have been like for him,” says Boulet.
Lemay agrees that a lot has changed since 1997 when he taught his last class but the dream has stayed the same – to provide opportunities in post-secondary education to northwestern Alberta.
“I like to tell the story of University of Alberta President, Dr. Walter Johns,” says Lemay with a smile. “He would visit our region, and try to recruit students by giving a lecture and being available to answer any questions afterwards. In 1964-65, he came to Grande Prairie and after his lecture, he may have got two students, but when he came back in 1966-67, when our college was in place, he had a room full of eager students. It just shows the effect of having a college present in a region and how it allows communities to think outside their box, and realize what is possible.”
GPRC’s presence in the community is just as vital today as it was 50 years ago according to Lemay.
“The college touches the lives of many through it’s diverse programs, and its community outreach. It’s amazing to me to see my students, grown up and so successful. There is a special relationship there. To see where my students went in their lives,” he says with a laugh, “When I started teaching nursing in 1982, I was told I was too tough, but one of my greatest rewards was with the nurses. Their feedback, in retrospect; they told me the accuracy of the anatomy and physiology courses I taught have served them quite well in their profession.”