Belleville, Ontario, March 9, 2018 – Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations, has announced her intention to retire from Loyalist College at the end of August, President Ann Marie Vaughan advised the Board of Governors on Thursday evening.
Dianne has worked at the College since 1987 in a variety of roles which have included teaching, as well as Director of Community Affairs and Special Projects, and Executive Director of College Advancement & External Relations. Prior to joining the College staff team, Dianne served two terms on the Loyalist Board of Governors (1980 – 1985), concluding with a term as Chair.
She served as Interim President of the College following the retirement of Maureen Piercy in August 2016 until November 2016.
Dianne has played a lead role in College capital campaigns for projects and programs, including the building of The Parrott Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, and the establishment of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Fellowship Program. The Fellowship Program began as a unique three-year pilot project in 2013 and has been extended with funding from the Foundation through 2020.
She is an ex officio director of the Loyalist College Foundation, and holds the office of Secretary. Since it was established in 1995, the Foundation endowment fund for student financial assistance has grown to $10.6 million (March 2017).
“Dianne has been deeply devoted to improving equity and access to post-secondary education through the development and delivery of significant programs and projects that support student and graduate success,” said Loyalist College President & CEO Ann Marie Vaughan. “She has dedicated her career to the advancement of individuals in the Bay of Quinte region, where she was born and raised, by enhancing opportunities for personal and professional growth. As a champion of Loyalist, Dianne has been instrumental in forging connections with the communities we serve, and her efforts will have a lasting impact on the College’s social and economic wellbeing.”
Under Dianne’s leadership, the College Advancement and External Relations portfolio has been a key driver of College growth and student/graduate success through fundraising, awards, alumni activities, marketing, recruitment and career services as well as media, government and community relations.
Dianne has served on many community, professional, and college system committees and boards. She has served as a director of the Canadian Council on Advancement in Education (CCAE) Board, and as a director on the provincial CCAE-Ontario Board. She was a Board member on the Bay of Quinte Living Council. A strong advocate for post-secondary education and community development, she is a member of the Rotary Club of Belleville, and has been awarded a Paul Harris fellowship by the club in recognition of her commitment to community service.
“It has been such a privilege to be part of Loyalist’s development over the past several years,” she said. “This College is an incredible part of our community, and plays such an important role in providing opportunities for individuals to build their lives, and careers. I’ve been honoured to work as part of a fabulous College team, of faculty and staff, students and alumni, and the many community volunteers on our Board of Governors, Foundation Board and committees, with the main focus of helping people succeed. I look forward to seeing the College continue to evolve and thrive, and like so many others in our community, will continue to support the important work that our College team delivers.”
About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media studies, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536