Hamilton,
02
October
2015
|
09:00 AM
America/New_York

Hamilton couple gives the gift of a college education to an entire North Hamilton neighbourhood (media release)

Dr. Douglas Barber and his wife June Barber are the first donors to City School by Mohawk. During the official opening, the Barbers were the first to sign a commemorative school ruler made from a 100-year-old reclaimed church pew from a Hamilton church. Dr. Douglas Barber and his wife June Barber are the first donors to City School by Mohawk. During City School's official opening at the Eva Rothwell Resource Centre, the Barbers were the first to sign a commemorative school ruler made from a 100-year-old reclaimed church pew from a Hamilton church.

HAMILTON (Oct. 2, 2015) – Dr. Douglas Barber and his wife June have made the first donation to City School by Mohawk.

The Barbers are donating $70,000 to support City School by Mohawk programs and $30,000 to establish scholarships for Mohawk students who serve as peer mentors at City School.

Dr. Barber was the co-founder of Linear Technology and President and CEO of Gennum Corporation while Mrs. Barber was the founder of artisan collective Textures Craftworks.

The Barbers were recognized this morning during Mohawk’s official opening of its first City School by Mohawk in a renovated classroom at the Eva Rothwell Resource Centre in North Hamilton. City School by Mohawk will deliver tuition-free college courses, lectures and workshops to youth, adults and seniors in the Keith, Sherman, Jamesville, Beasley, Crown Point and Gibson / Landsdale neighbourhoods.

Mohawk plans to open City Schools in six priority neighbourhoods over the next three years in collaboration with community partners and in consultation with neighbourhood residents. City School by Mohawk is part of Mohawk’s ongoing commitment to improve access to post-secondary education for all Hamiltonians.

June and Douglas Barber were recognized by Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie (left) and Dean Jim Vanderveken during the official opening of the first City School at Mohawk. The Barbers have made a $100,000 donation in City School. June and Douglas Barber were recognized by Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie (left) and Dean Jim Vanderveken during the official opening of the first City School at Mohawk. The Barbers have made a $100,000 donation to City School.

QUOTE:

“We are grateful to Dr. Douglas Barber and his wife June for making the first donation to City School by Mohawk. The Barbers have generously given the gift of a Mohawk education to an entire North Hamilton neighbourhood.” – Mohawk College President Ron McKerlie

Mohawk College educates and serves 30,000 full-time, part-time and apprenticeship students from three Hamilton campuses. For the fifth year in a row, Mohawk has ranked first for overall student satisfaction among colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. More than 85 per cent of Mohawk students are working within six months of graduating from Mohawk.

 

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[vimeo 141210983 w=500 h=281]

 

Highlights from Douglas and June Barbers' remarks during the opening of City School from Communications and Media on Vimeo.


For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca