CALGARY - After almost two decades leading Alberta's largest and fastest growing community college, Sharon Cary will be retiring from her position as President and CEO of Bow Valley College.

In 1997, Sharon was hired to lead the College through its transition from a provincially administered institution to a public board-governed college. Under her leadership, the College doubled enrolment; introduced dozens of new programs; embraced a new mandate as Calgary and region's comprehensive community college; expanded and opened the new South Campus and renovated the North Campus; and substantially increased revenues, largely through entrepreneurial efforts.

"We are tremendously appreciative of Sharon's vision passion in leading Bow Valley College over the past two decades," said David Collyer, chair, Bow Valley College Board of Governors. "The College, its learners and our community are the beneficiaries of Sharon's inspirational leadership and many contributions to post-secondary education in Alberta."

Among her many awards and honours, she has received the Alberta Centennial Medal (2005), Calgary Award for Education (2010), Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2011), Alberta Order of Excellence (2014), and Women's Executive Network's Canada's Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award Winner (2014). More recently, Sharon was given an honourary title and received a Blackfoot name, Niipaitapi [nee-bah-tah-pee] Askinimatstohki [es-ksee-nee-maht-stooh-kee], which means Lifelong Educator.

"To see how much Bow Valley College has grown and how it is widely respected in the community is a true testament to Sharon's foresight," said Vice President, Academic and Chief Learning Officer, Anna Kae Todd. "Right from the start, she believed in the College's potential to change the lives of many adult learners."

Editor's Notes
Confirmed attendees of note:

• Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Advanced Education, Government of Alberta
• Naheed Nenshi, Mayor, City of Calgary
• Ron Liepert, MP, Calgary-Signal Hill
• Brandy Payne, MLA, Calgary-Acadia
• Richard Gotfried, MLA, Calgary-Fish Creek
• Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, Trico Home Founders and Philanthropists
• Dave Mowat, President & CEO, ATB Financial

Date: Thursday, November 24, 2016
Time: Media scrum at approximately 5 p.m., shortly before the formal reception
Location: Hyatt Regency Calgary (700 Centre Street SE)

If you are unable to attend the event, but would like to leave Sharon a congratulatory note, you can send your personal message to officeofthepresident@bowvalleycollege.ca or mail it to:
Bow Valley College
345 - 6 Avenue SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 4V1

About Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College - Calgary and region's only Comprehensive Community College - with more than 15,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in business and health career training, community studies, adult upgrading, and English Language Learning.