RDP Celebrates Community Builders at Annual Ceremony

Individuals and organizations who have made lasting contributions to Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and the region were celebrated during the post-secondary institution’s 2024 Community Awards, held yesterday.

“Red Deer Polytechnic is proud to recognize and celebrate the impact of alumni, partners and community members who contribute to the success of our institution, students and community,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. “The individuals and organizations we recognized at the 2024 Community Awards are all outstanding citizens, having also contributed to the economic priorities and social vibrancy of our region and province.” 

At the 2024 Community Awards Ceremony, the following recipients were honoured:

Marty Vellner - G.H. Dawe Memorial Award of Excellence

• This award is given to an individual in recognition of outstanding contribution to Red Deer Polytechnic and the central Alberta community. Through their contributions, this individual exemplifies the values of Mr. G. Harold Dawe, including: commitment to education and student success; leadership, vision, and integrity; and dedication to the community.

Marty Vellner is one of central Alberta’s most respected business leaders and community builders. Since 1983, Marty has owned and operated Vellner Leisure Products, a family-centered business founded by his grandfather and father in 1951. Under Marty’s leadership, the company has grown and thrived and has become a well-known fixture of Red Deer’s recreational and commercial landscape. Now semi-retired, Marty is in the process of transitioning Vellner Leisure Products to his youngest son, Mitchell, who will be the fourth generation to run the family business. Marty is also an active volunteer, contributing his time to a variety of causes ranging across sports and recreation, education and the arts. He served on the board of the Canada Winter Games Host Society from 2015 until 2020 and was integral in bringing the Games to Red Deer in 2019. He also serves on the boards of Westerner Park and the Red Deer Polytechnic Foundation.

Michael Dawe – Alumni Legacy Award

• The Alumni Legacy Award was established by the Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association to posthumously recognize the contributions of a distinguished RDP alum. The award commemorates an individual who has made a lasting impact academically, professionally and/or through community service.

Michael Dawe was a fifth-generation Red Deerian, and a member of a well-known local family with a long-standing connection to our institution. Michael studied in the Bachelor of Arts program at Red Deer College from 1974 to 1975 before attending the University of Alberta to earn a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, majoring in history and economics. Following his post-secondary education, Michael returned to his home city to become Red Deer’s first full-time archivist. Serving in this role for nearly four decades, he earned a reputation as a skilled author, historian and chronicler of Red Deer’s heritage. Michael was an active volunteer and leader in the community. He was a member of the Red Deer East Rotary Club for 35 years, the Director of the Kerry Wood Nature Centre Association for 10 years, a trustee for the regional health foundation and a member of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Board. He served as a City Councillor from 2017 until his passing in December 2023.

Zainab Mohamoud – Distinguished Alumni Award

• This award is presented to a Red Deer Polytechnic alum who has distinguished himself or herself in one or more of the following areas: personal achievement; academic achievement; or public service achievement.

Zainab Mohamoud is the Founder and Executive Director of the African Caribbean Centre of Central Alberta. Her leadership and passion for sharing her culture resulted in the first Afro-Caribbean festival held in Red Deer in 2023. In just two years, this colourful festival has become a signature community event, celebrating the food, music and history of African and Caribbean Canadians. Her new enterprise, Zainab’s Coffee House, located in downtown Red Deer, supports newcomers to the Canadian labour force, offering work experience and community integration through the African Caribbean Centre. After graduating from RDP's Social Work Diploma in 2017, Zainab completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology through the University of Calgary in 2019. Zainab believes deeply in supporting minority communities and bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to foster understanding, resiliency and inclusion. Believing that all children should have access to schooling, she founded the Education for Somali Girls and Boys Foundation in 2014. Through an extensive volunteer and fundraising effort, one year later Zainab led the establishment of a school in Somalia that today educates more than 100 students.

Bruin’s Plumbing and Heating Ltd – Community Partner Award

• This award is presented to a community-oriented organization that has worked collaboratively with Red Deer Polytechnic to the benefit of our students. Our industry and community partners help RDP provide access to high-quality training, applied research and innovation opportunities. These creative community partnerships contribute to a strong region and inspire excellence across all fields of study.                  

Incorporated in 1965 by Cor and Ariea Bruin, Bruin’s Plumbing and Heating Ltd. was founded on the principles of hard work, family values as well as care for customers and employees alike. Cor and Ariea’s son, Herman, joined the company in 1966. Herman’s son, Marty Bruin, is now co-owner of this company that boasts a proud reputation amongst Red Deer’s business leaders, employing more than 100 people. The company continues to be an innovator in plumbing, gas fitting and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) trades. A long-time supporter of Red Deer Polytechnic, the Bruin family demonstrated their commitment to student success as the very first locally-owned business to invest in the Building Communities Through Learning campaign in 2006.  At the time, $100,000 of the $250,000 overall gift was used to establish the Bruin’s Plumbing and Heating Ltd. Apprenticeship Trades Endowment. This remains as the largest endowment for RDP apprentices in the plumbing, heating and mechanical trades. Over the years, the company has contributed just over $330,000 through this campaign, in addition to their support of RDP Athletics, student scholarships and the naming of the Bruin’s Student Study Lounge on RDP’s main campus.