Durham College (DC) is excited to share that Edith Alger was awarded the college’s sixth honorary credential during its 2017 Spring Convocation, which took place on Tuesday, June 13 at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre.

Edith, a long-time Oshawa resident and community philanthropist, received her diploma in Community Development. The honorary credential recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the college, Durham Region and beyond in the areas of leadership, innovation and partnerships.

“We are incredibly pleased to honour Edith with this award,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “She has played an integral role in the growth and development of DC, not only through financial contributions but also the donation of time and expertise. Her diploma in community development is well-suited given all she has done for organizations across the region.”

Edith’s roots within the community are deep, as she has dedicated her life to volunteering with and financially supporting many non-profit organizations focused on advancing education and improving access to healthcare. Her involvement with DC began when she served as a member of the Board of Governors from 1987 to 1992. In the late 1990s, she also served on the DC President’s Advisory Committee providing insight into the creation of the partnerships between the college and the newly established University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

She has supported students at both institutions through generous gifts towards construction of the Oshawa Campus Library and the purchase of new adaptive technologies for the joint Centre for Students with Disabilities. In 2011, she also donated funds towards construction of the Centre for Food, to help turn the college’s field-to-fork vision into reality.

Edith has also delivered Meals on Wheels, organized blood donor clinics for the Canadian Red Cross and coordinated events and day-programs at WindReach Farm. She has served on the Boards of Directors for the Durham Region Heart and Stroke Foundation, Hearth Place, Information Oshawa, WindReach Farm and the WindReach Farm Foundation, the YWCA and the Columbus United Church. She is currently serving as chair of the Board of Directors of the Durham Community Foundation and is a community advisor with the Community Innovation Lab, a hub providing programming and support for entrepreneurs at all stages of business development.

Edith and her late husband Bill have four children. One of them, as well as three of her grandchildren, are Durham College alumni.