Keyano College Gala with Brett Kissel: Sold Out Event, Generous $250,000 Donation from Bouchier Family Foundation, and Alumni of the Year, Mitch Mercredi, Honoured.

On Saturday, November 4th, the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre came alive with a gathering of nine hundred guests for the Keyano College Gala, proudly presented by Bouchier. The evening's highlights included electrifying performances by Canadian country superstar Brett Kissel and local opener Tyler Whalen and a sizeable donation from the Bouchier Family Foundation. This annual event serves as a fundraiser and a platform to promote the college, generating funds and recognition.

“For 42 years, the Keyano College Gala has shaped partnerships and cultivated resources that have paved the way for excellence in education and opportunities for our students," said Chantal Beaver, Associate Vice President at Keyano College.

This year's Gala netted over $130,000 to be invested in academics and athletics. Additionally, Keyano College accepted a generous $250,000 donation from the Bouchier Family Foundation to be invested in a new Indigenous Student Centre at the college.

“As we celebrate 25 years of Bouchier, we are humbled by the journey and the support we have received from our community,” says Nicole Bouchier. “We believe in paying it forward, and this legacy donation to support the Indigenous Student Centre at Keyano is just the beginning. We are excited about the future and remain committed to promoting opportunities for Indigenous peoples and community development.”

“The kindness of our partners never ceases to amaze me. It’s truly remarkable to see the community gather to enhance the value of higher education in our region– powerful things happen when we work together to support a notable cause,” said College President & CEO Dr. Jay Notay.

At the Gala, the college recognized Mitch Mercredi '02, presently serving as the Land Use, Economic Development, and Natural Resources Lead at Deloitte, as the Distinguished Alumnus for his significant contributions to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities. His notable leadership with The Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA) was particularly highlighted for its positive impact.

Keyano College takes pride in developing the next generation of leaders, preparing them to succeed in post-secondary pursuits and beyond. We are equally proud of our alumni, like Mitch Mercredi, whose accomplishments exemplify the impact our institution has on the broader community.

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Media Contact: 

Chantal Beaver, BAA MA 
AVP Strategy & Business Transformation  
chantal.beaver@keyano.ca