President and CEO of Bow Valley College and former Olds College Vice President of Student Support Services, Sharon Carry, is Olds College's 2012 Honorary Degree recipient.

Sharon is a distinguished educator and has single-handily raised the profile of Olds College's academic prosperity through her continuous involvement in program development and leadership commitments. She will be honoured on stage for her significant contributions to post-secondary education at Olds College's 2012 Convocation.

Recognized in 2012 with Canada's prestigious Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Sharon's career has been grounded in her vision of the transformative potential of education to change the lives of adult learners. In 1997, Sharon was hired to lead Bow Valley College through its transition from a provincially-administered institution to a public board-governed college. Under her leadership, Bow Valley College has nearly doubled enrolment; expanded its reach regionally, nationally and internationally; introduced dozens of new programs; embraced a new mandate as Calgary and region's comprehensive community college; and significantly increased revenues, largely through entrepreneurial efforts.

"This is really a celebration of Campus Alberta South and how Bow Valley College and Olds College can work together to offer Calgarians some of the really innovative Olds programming at BVC in downtown Calgary." explains Sharon. "Ensuring Albertans have access to the best of what our post-secondary education system has to offer, regardless of where they live," she adds, "is a wonderful end result of such partnerships."

Her dedication to academic advancement both within the Olds College community and at Bow Valley College has cultivated a thoughtful and substantial partnership with Olds College, which is to facilitate the delivery of education in brand new facilities in the heart of downtown Calgary part of Campus Alberta South. With her progressive attitude to academic advancement, and her willing partnership and working relationship with Olds College, Sharon's leadership will result in a multi-million dollar commitment to the future of Olds College's urban programing.

The Olds College Board of Governors may confer one or more Honourary Degrees in any given year. The granting of an Honorary Degree is an esteemed honour and an integral part of Olds College's recognition of outstanding individuals whom we acknowledge for their contribution towards the betterment of Olds College. Olds College's 2012 convocation takes place at the Ralph Klein Centre on June 16th from 2-4pm.