The Seniors College has touched the lives of many since its beginnings in 1997. Now, almost 20 years later it's still going strong and continuing to improve! Take a look at our timeline below to see how we've elvolved.

1997

Formal Steering Committee Meeting to plan the formation of Seniors College

1998

July

First Memorandum of Understanding signed with UPEI

September

First classes begin
Genealogy, Getting to Know Your Brain, Beginners Computer
Five courses in the first year with 70 students

May

First AGM held and a 12 member board elected
Olive Bryanton elected President
By-Laws developed
Facilitators Handbook developed
Rita Saunders, the first coordinator

The First Seniors College Board.
Front Row: Dale Mattock, Ron Irving, Olive Bryanton, Bruce Garrity. Middle Row: Bernice Bell, Mary Gallant, Inge Blackett, Mary Lou Harris, Bruce Barrett, Libby Smith. Back Row: Rita Saunders, Bill Robertson, Thomy Nilsson, Greg Hughes, Connie Auld.

Olive Bryanton, The First Seniors College President.

1999

September

Single membership fee introduced for as many courses over 3 semesters

2000

Ron Irving President
140 members registered
Seniors College Website created with access through UPEI

2001

October

2nd Memorandum of Agreement signed with UPEI

2003

October

Ivan Dowling becomes President

2004

September

First Courses in Summerside

2005

October

Kinsey Smith becomes President
Bruce Garrity takes over as coordinator

2007

August

Seniors College Conference on ‘Future of Adult Learning’
40 delegates from as far away as Winnipeg

September

Registration results in close to 500 members in 93 courses including 3 courses offered in Alberton:
Lives of Famous Film Actors(f), Computer I(w), Beginning Bridge(s)

October

Ian Scott becomes President

Registration in 2005

The 2006 Board

The 2006 Annual General Meeting

2008

September

First courses in Montague

October

Bruce Garrity retires as coordinator, Winkie Park takes over as interim
Presentation to Deputy Minister of Social Services and Seniors

2009

January

Future Planning Exercise facilitated by Verna Bruce

May

Bob Gibson becomes Coordinator

September

Registration results in close to 500 members

October

Julie Dowling becomes President

2010

New Horizon Grant received for a ‘Celebration of the Arts’
Requests for information about Seniors College of PEI concept continues from places such as Memorial and Simon Fraser universities.

September

Registration tops the 500 mark

December

Buzz advertisement for Seniors College Gift certificate as a Christmas Gift

2011

February

‘Planning for the Future’ session held

September

Registration again results in more than 500 members in 72 courses

October

Dave McCabe becomes President

November

Celebration of the Arts event held at the Confederation Centre
Celebration in Song (CD of Choral Singing Choir)
Celebrating in Word (Anthology of Senior College Writers)
Arts Happening (Display of Paintings, Drawings and Photography)
What’s Next - a New Play directed by Ron Irving

2012

April

Bob Gibson resigns as coordinator due to move to Nova Scotia

July

Seniors College Art Friends meet for 1st Summer of Plein Air
Ron Kelly becomes coordinator

September

Registration goes well with about 550 members in 78 courses

October

Seniors College AGM in Summerside

2013

January

Work begins on the new Computerized Registration System

February

Dee Davis becomes coordinator

March

Incorporation as a ‘not for profit’ approved

September

Computerized registration system used for first time

October

Georgina Clow becomes President

The 2013 Board

2014 Founders Day

2014

March

The Guild hosts a week ‘Art Show’ for students in the art courses

July

Martha Ellis becomes coordinator

August

Memorandum of Understanding re-signed with UPEI and Seniors College purchases its own Liability Insurance

September

2nd year of computerized registration (more than 80% use)

September

Seniors College recognized at the UPEI ‘Founders Day’ ceremony

November

Organization restructures to five working committees (Program, Promotion and Communication, Technology, Financial Management, and Organizational Development) from two larger committees

2015

January

Strategic Planning session for 3 years held in January

March

Business Plan developed with the help of an ACOA grant

April

“The Times of Our Lives” Art Show hosted by the Guild for art classes

May

The Strategic Plan and Business Plan are combined into a single Action Plan with identified steps for the next 3 years

June

A Financial Review by an outside person is approved and conducted resulting in a number of operational improvements including new software and reporting style. The budget year was changed to July 1- June 30 to better reflect the activity of the College.

August

Seniors College receives ‘Wellness Grant’ from the PEI Department of Health and Wellness to offer a physical activity initiative in each of the 3 centers

September

3rd year of Computerized Registration held with more than 90% of members using the system

October

AGM held, the budget year change approved and Barb Mullaly becomes President

The 2014 Board

The 2015 Board

2016

March

Seniors College receives New Horizon grant to improve communication and to implement tools to assist decision making. A Facebook page was developed and data retrieval was added to the registration system.

April

Time of Our Lives art Show again hosted by the Guild for the art classes.

September

Seniors College becomes a member of the Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce.

December

President Barb Mullaly passes away. Georgina Clow takes over as President.

2017

April

Upgrades to the Registration system completed as a result of the New Horizons grant including a new public page and the ability to add news items.

May

Financial Policy approved.

September

For the first time Online Registration opens mid-week and 3 days before walk-in.

November

Barb Trainor becomes President.

The 2017 Board

The 2019 Board

2018

April

Kin Consulting lead a Strategic Planning session with 20 attendees.

May

Time of Our Lives art Show again hosted by the Guild for the art classes.

June

4 year Strategic Plan document finalized.

September

Ann Ramsay becomes the interim Provincial Coordinator.

November

Janet Ellis becomes President.

2019

January

Charley Scott becomes Provincial Coordinator.

The 2020 Board