Media Releases

(Thunder Bay) Thursday, February 11, 2011 – Canadian Forces Units in Thunder Bay were at Confederation College today for the announcement of “Project Hero”, a scholarship program that offers free tuition to dependants of fallen Canadian Forces servicemen and women who were in active duty since 2002. 

‘Project Hero’ was designed and launched by Rick Hillier, former Chief of Defence Staff and current Chancellor of Memorial University.  Confederation College is one of three Ontario colleges and a growing number of institutions across Canada that endorse the program which will be in effect to August 31, 2014. Confederation College joined this program as part of a continued relationship with the Canadian Forces.  

“We are pleased to contribute to this initiative along with our colleagues across the province,” said Patricia Lang, President of Confederation College and Honorary Captain (N), “This partnership with the Canadian Forces will support this college’s continued efforts to position our learners for success in their careers and in their lives.” 

“The partnership between Confederation College and the Canadian Forces, especially the Canadian Navy, in offering career opportunities to young men and women from Northwestern Ontario has been outstanding,” said Captain (N) Anne Zuliani.  “Confederation continues as one of the high quality educators of sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen for technical careers within the Navy, Army and Air Force."

Also recognized this morning was the successful Armed Forces “Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Education Plan” (NCM SEP) which provides Confederation College Electronics Engineering Technician-Computers students a salary, as well as reimbursement for tuition, books, and academic equipment while completing their education. This Canadian Forces initiative, in partnership with Confederation College, is part of a strategic plan to provide technically qualified personnel for a modern Canadian Military. The eight participating students are required to serve in the Navy for a further three years upon graduation where they will work as Naval Electronic or Naval Weapon Technicians.  Confederation has an additional four programs in partnership with the Navy, Air Force and Army. These include the Aircraft Maintenance, Medical Radiation Technology, Paramedics and Dental Assisting programs. 

“I had already been accepted to the Confederation College’s Electronics Engineering Technician-Computers program and then discovered a great opportunity with the Canadian Navy to, in a way, follow the footsteps of my grandfather, John N. Paterson, who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the second world war,” said Allan Paterson, first-year student. 

Paterson was joined by his family today as Confederation College celebrated the Paterson family’s long standing relationship with the military.  John Paterson, formerly the Vice President and General Manager of Paterson and Sons, was a Flight Lieutenant with the R.C.A.F. 421 Fighter Squadron. In his time of service he was the pilot of the Spitfire Mark IX model with clipped wing tips, and had shot down 3 German ME-109’s during the 2^nd world war. After the war, John was appointed the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, later being further appointed the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment.

With a continued interest in aviation, John purchased, restored and flew a Supermarine Spitfire L.F. Mark IX which he later donated to the Canadian Aviation Museum.  Following John Paterson’s death, Mrs. Catherine Cameron Paterson also served an appointment as the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the LSSR. 

An additional scholarship “The Derek and Joan Burney Award”, in the amount of $2,500.00, was also announced this morning.  This new, annual, scholarship will be offered to students who earn the highest academic mark as a graduate of the Navy or Army’s four month high school co-op placement. Matthew Nicholas was presented the inaugural award from President Lang, Honorary Captain (N).  In January 2010 Matthew graduated from the inaugural high school Navy co-op program in Canada. 

The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment will continue with the successful high school co-op program when they begin their 11^th semester later this month.  All participants earn two high school credits through the co-op program. 

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 For further information contact:

Patricia Lang, President

Confederation College

(807) 475-6351

LCdr John Bell

HMCS Griffon

(807) 343-5200 x 5223

Bethanie Foster, Media Officer – Marketing, Communications and External Relations

Telephone: (807) 475-6137 Cell: (807) 620-0043 Facsimile: (807) 577-2766   bafoster@confederationc.on.ca

Confederation College has been serving the citizens of Northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometers.  Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has six regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, and Sioux Lookout.   

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 11,400 combined full and part time students per year and currently has a total of 600 full and part time employees.  Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $ 800 million annually.