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Jennifer Dewland, a graduating student from Holland College’s Wildlife Conservation Technology program, is the first recipient of the Davida Stewart Women in Leadership Award.
Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵestablished the award on International Women’s Day in 2018 in memory of Davida Stewart, who was the first woman to serve on the college’s senior management team and a dedicated Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵemployee for more than 20 years.
“Davida was a leader, an educator, and a trailblazer,” said Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵpresident Dr. Sandy MacDonald. “Her contributions to Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵand its students during those early years were significant, and her leadership has continued to inspire the generations that have followed.”
Davida began working with the college in 1970 as a divisional chairperson. She also served as the principal of the School of Business and Applied Arts (which included the School of Visual Arts and The Culinary Institute of Canada), and director of the Elderhostel programs. She was integral in the development of language study tours for the college and retired in 1993 as director of development and external services. After retiring, Davida continued to champion Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵas a proud retiree. She was a member of the History Project Committee, which advised author Wayne MacKinnon on the development of his book, A Record of Achievement: Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵthe First 25 Years.
The Davida Stewart Women in Leadership Award is available to female students graduating from any post-secondary program at Holland College. Recipients are selected based on their contributions to the student community and the broader community, their dedication and commitment to their peers, and their promise as a leader in industry and the community. Ms. Dewland was nominated based on her ability to motivate and lead her classmates, along with her contributions to the college and the broader community.
When Mrs. Stewart began working at Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵin the 1970s there were few women in senior management positions. Today’s 13-member senior management team is comprised of six women, with many others serving in leadership capacities college wide.
In this picture: Jennifer Dewland, a graduating student from Holland College’s Wildlife Conservation Technology program, receives the inaugural Davida Stewart Memorial Award from Russell Stewart, husband of the late Davida Stewart while their son, David Stewart (left), and Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵpresident Dr. Sandy MacDonald look on.
For more information about this release, please contact:
Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Executive Director - »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵAdvancement and the Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵFoundation
Tel: 902-629-4273
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2019
