TIMMINS, ON: Northern College’s Board of Governors, Administration, Faculty and Staff announce with mixed emotions the coming retirement of longstanding President & CEO Dr. Fred Gibbons.

Appointed as President in June 2009, Dr. Gibbons has been a dedicated, passionate and energetic leader for Northern College. President Gibbons has been instrumental in positioning Northern as a college of choice for students, industry and community partners. He spearheaded various initiatives to improve and expand campus facilities and has forged partnerships and collaborations that have moved the college forward while benefiting communities within the College’s catchment area.

Under his leadership, the college has seen major construction projects completed with the opening of the Centre of Excellence for Trades in Technology in 2010; the addition of the East End Family Health Team’s new facilities in 2010; and most recently the opening of the Integrated Emergency Services Complex in 2018. Northern College’s expansion does not stop there with the anticipated opening of a newly created Mining Innovation Hub, expected to open in the spring of 2020. With these expanded research and innovation facilities, Northern College will continue to assist small and medium businesses innovate and develop new products and process efficiencies, while providing experiential learning opportunities for students.

During his tenure President Gibbons focused on creating learning environments across its four campuses that allowed staff to excel in their profession and for learners to receive an exceptional education, preparing them for entry into the workforce.

“There is something very special about working for a community college because you are at the heart of transforming the lives of your students whether young or mature. Students come to us with dreams and ambitions and our role is to prepare them for success and to realize those aspirations,” stated Gibbons. “As part of that process I have had the privilege of working with some very special people and a very dedicated group of staff who put students first, the results of which saw Northern College ranked number one provincially for employer satisfaction with its graduates.”

“On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire Northern College community, I offer our sincere congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gibbons for his tireless dedication over the past 10 years as President and CEO. Under President Gibbons’ leadership, we have seen the college expand and thrive” said George Pirie, Chair of Northern College’s Board of Governors. “We have also seen the creation of foundational partnerships with school boards, and Indigenous organizations and communities.”

Over his tenure as President, the College has sustained its domestic student enrolment despite declining demographics and has seen international student enrolment grow exponentially both at its local campuses and with its partner in Toronto.

Along with its presence in Haileybury, Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and Timmins, the College is also a leader in international education with partnerships in Toronto and China.

Over his 25-year career at Northern College, Fred has not only been dedicated to the College’s success but also to the region’s social and economic development, serving as a member and President of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, as Director on the Timmins & District Hospital Board, and as Chair of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation. Through his participation on other various local, provincial and national committees, including Chair of Colleges Ontario and Chair of the Committee of Presidents representing 24 Ontario colleges, Fred has been a strong advocate for the north and contributed to advancing postsecondary education and training, for the benefit of learners and all of the communities within our college catchment area and beyond.

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