On Jan. 16, Georgian College unveiled plans to expand its Centre for Skilled Trades at the Barrie Campus – transforming the existing space to help sustain and grow the highly skilled trades workforce this region needs for a strong, sustainable and green future.

The initiative is supported by the County of Simcoe, which announced a $1.5 million funding commitment towards making the project possible, and the Gene Haas Foundation which also announced a generous $1 million grant toward the largest immersive learning space within the future expanded Centre for Skilled Trades.

Once complete, the state-of-the-art facility will support the development of a future-ready skilled trades workforce that is capable in robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced digital technologies.

On Dec. 5, Georgian College hosted Gather and Grow – a celebration designed to thank the donors who financially support Georgian’s entrance and fall semester awards, scholarships, and bursaries, and celebrate the students who benefit from this support.

Georgian staff, faculty and our beloved Growler joined supporters and students for a memorable evening of conversation, inspiration and connection.

It was a joyous occasion, and the room was filled with vibrant energy. As one donor stated, “Striving to do better and be better should be celebrated. The success of Georgian students is all of our success."

Gather and Grow featured a range of activities – Dr. Yael Katz, Vice President, Academic, provided an inspiring talk on the power of creativity, and attendees learned about 3-D coordinates in an interactive activation hosted by the Engineering and Skilled Trades program.

As one student shared ‘It feels great to be recognized for all my hard work. Being a student can be very stressful especially when it comes to money. I’m so fortunate to receive this award – it pushes me to keep doing my best.”

A Spring edition of Gather and Grow is currently being planned. Donors to winter semester awards, scholarships and bursaries will be invited in March.

Ted Fullerton, a distinguished Canadian artist and longtime educator, has continued his legacy of supporting artistic education through a significant donation of 17 stone lithographs to the Georgian College Art Collection.

Fullerton's connection to Georgian College runs deep, having served as the coordinator of the Fine Arts Program from 1978 to 2013. His recent donation further expands the college's already impressive art collection, which now boasts over 5,000 diverse artworks of local, regional, and international significance.

A master of stone lithography, Fullerton brings extraordinary skill to his craft. This challenging artistic technique involves drawing on massive limestone stones weighing up to 600 pounds, requiring immense physical skill and artistic intuition. Each print is a meticulous process, often taking 4 to 6 proofs before achieving the perfect image.

Fullerton's artistic journey is remarkable. He has participated in over 70 solo exhibitions, exhibited in 115 group shows, been invited to exhibit at the 2022 Venice Biennale and received numerous awards in painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture.

Beyond his artwork donation, Fullerton remains committed to supporting emerging artists. He continues to be represented by Bau-xi Gallery in Toronto and Vancouver, and his work continues to inspire new generations of artists. He has an exhibition scheduled in May 2025 at Bau-Xi Toronto titled Born In - Year of the Snake, an exhibition of paintings and sculpture.

The donated lithographs will be integrated into the Georgian College Art Collection, providing students and community members with an opportunity to experience this remarkable artist's work firsthand.