Fiftieth Anniversary Tour comes to Fanshawe

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: JEN DOEDE
The 50th anniversary tour made its 13th stop at Fanshawe on Sept. 29, where a 42-foot interactive trailer is touring the province to showcase some of the Ontario College system's achievements over the past 50 years.

A 42-foot interactive trailer is touring across all 24 Ontario colleges to celebrate the history and success of the college education system in the province. This expedition places a focus on the education system's past accomplishments, present activities and future plans.

On Sept. 29, the 50th anniversary tour made its 13th stop at Fanshawe at the parking lot just outside of the east entrance of “A” building. At the interactive trailer, visitors could examine a plethora of information displayed on touch screens and in text blocks placed on the walls to learn more about the initiatives put on by the 24 colleges, profiles of graduates from Ontario colleges and much more.

The theme of the tour is “The Start of Something Amazing”. “We hope that the visitors will see how far colleges have come and how it is a great option for post-secondary education,” said Eleni Rouvas, tour co-ordinator for the 50th anniversary trailer.

One area of the trailer had a touch screen monitor where visitors could learn about successful graduates from various colleges across the province. Individuals who tapped on the Fanshawe icon could learn more about Christopher Gower, a Fanshawe alumnus from the construction engineering technology (management) program. Gower started his career with PCL Construction Canada Inc. 21 years ago. According to the information from the interactive trailer, in 2009 Gower was named one of Canada's Top 40 under 40. In addition, in 2015, Gower became the chief operating officer, of buildings, and is responsible for $5.2 billion worth of projects and oversees 4,550 employees at the company.

Another touch screen monitor allowed visitors to examine environmental initiatives operated by different Ontario colleges. In regards to Fanshawe, the touch screen explained that the College is always searching for new innovations to make the campus more environmentally friendly. According to the interactive trailer, a few environmental initiatives the college enforces includes: the departments at the College using locally sourced construction materials, building green rooftops and living walls and having improved construction waste management.

Visitors could also vote for one of the top 10 proposals for the William G. Davis Innovation Fund. The innovation fund, named after a previous Minister of education, aims to help college students make their innovations a reality. The winner of will be announced on Nov. 10 and receive $15,000 towards funding their innovation and $5,000 will be given to the runner-up.

In addition, visitors could test their knowledge of the history of the Ontario college system at one of the two quiz stations in the interactive trailer.

Sarah Carruthers, the social media communications officer at Fanshawe, explained that the College also gave away an iPad at the 50th anniversary interactive trailer event. All students and staff members who took the times to check out the trailer could enter a ballot for a chance to win.

“We want to thank all the colleges for putting on great events and welcoming us. It's been a great tour so far, we are just over halfway done. We are very happy with the turnout and we hope everyone likes [the interactive trailer] as much as we do.”

Fiftieth Anniversary Tour comes to Fanshawe