OTTERBURNE, MB – From the COVID-19 vaccines to a day for truth and reconciliation, from a week of prayer to a campaign celebration, from a new President to the Lilly Endowment Grant, there was no shortage of campus news in 2021. Below is a list of the highlights that took place at Providence this past year.
WEEK OF PRAYER – Organized by the Student Council (STUCO) and the Spiritual Life Committee, the last week in January included prayer services in the R.W. Affleck Chapel, prayer walks across campus, worship in Muriel Taylor Hall (the Hub) and an ecumenical panel with special guest speakers.
PREVIEW PROV – Our Preview Prov, which traditionally is an overnighter to help high school students experience campus life firsthand, was transformed into a virtual event. It featured a campus tour, information sessions, and a chance to interact via Zoom with professors and current students at Providence.
DAY4PROV – Our Providence community celebrated its third annual Day4Prov on March 18th, displaying their newest and oldest Prov shirts, hats, jerseys and more as they posted on social media about the difference Prov has made in their lives. This year, a total of 68 gifts were given and we raised more than $7,000!
IMPACT 2020 CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION – On April 7th, we held a virtual celebration to announce the completion of Impact 2020, a five-year capital campaign, which raised more than $14.7 million. We received donations from 1,580 people, including gifts from our Board, friends, businesses, staff, faculty, and more than 700 alumni!
CAMPAIGN ART PIECE – A colourful art piece that fills a 9 ft x 6.5 ft canvas is on display near the front entrance of the Hanna Building. It was commissioned to Winnipeg artist, Yisa Akinbolaji, to help the Providence community commemorate the success of the Impact 2020 campaign.
VIRTUAL GRADUATION – Our Virtual Graduation was held on May 29th. A graduation ceremony was broadcasted over Facebook and YouTube which included a message from Past President David Johnson, valedictorian speeches and special video greetings from faculty.
RELAUNCHING DIDASKALIA – Our Seminary journal, Didaskalia, celebrated its relaunch with a Spring 2021 issue that focused on the theme of worship and included an interview with Canadian songwriters and worship leaders, Steve Bell and Glen Soderholm.
NEW PRESIDENT – President Kenton Anderson’s first day at Providence was on June 1, 2021.
PARTNERSHIP WITH NIVERVILLE CRRC – Providence partnership with the Town of Niverville was announced in June. Our Pilot teams are now making good use of a new 100,000 square-foot Community Resource and Recreation Centre (CRRC) for all their home games and tournaments.
GOLF CLASSIC – The 23rd Annual Providence Golf Classic took place on August 10th and included staggered tee times to ensure a safe and physically distanced tournament at Quarry Oaks, a beautiful 440-acre golf course. Approximately 160 people participated and we raised more than $70,000.
WELCOME WEEK / ALUMNI HOMECOMING – During the week of September 5th, Providence hosted an in-person return to campus for both new students and alumni featuring campus tours, chapels, orientation, Prov Cup, Women’s and Men’s Soccer home opener games, fireside worship nights, and a welcome banquet.
PROVIDENCE CHOIR – After a short hiatus due to COVID-19, Providence started up a choir again at the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester under the leadership of a new choir director, Rob Bonefaas.
VIRTUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL – Providence celebrated its annual Harvest Festival virtually. The 30-minute event took place on October 21st using both Facebook and YouTube as our online platforms. The celebration was centered around the theme of God’s Faithfulness.
BTS SYMPOSIUM – On November 4th, the Bible and Theology Studies (BTS) Department invited alumni, area pastors, boards and lay leaders to join an in-person symposium – with a live Zoom option – for a presentation by Dr. Tim Perry on the topic What May I Hope? A Plea for Eschatological Preaching.
$1M LILLY ENDOWMENT GRANT – In December, President Anderson announced that Providence Seminary was awarded a Cdn$1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish a Centre for On-Demand Education (CODE).
