Mutsumi Takahashi and Andy Nulman Named Honorary Co-Chairs for College’s 50th Birthday Celebrations

Vanier College is excited to announce it has officially kicked off its 50th Birthday celebration, culminating with a Gala to be held on September 12th, 2020. Vanier opened its doors on September 8, 1970, welcoming close to 1,400 students in its first cohort. Almost 50 years later, the student population numbers over 6,700 full-time Diploma students with an additional 2,000 students attending through the Continuing Education Department.

"Our 50th birthday celebration will provide members of the community both past and present with numerous occasions to celebrate what is right about Vanier. I am very much looking forward to the upcoming festivities. They will allow everyone who has played a role in Vanier’s success as an educational institution over the years to come together and mark this extremely important milestone," said Vanier’s Director General John McMahon.

The committee for the year-long celebrations is being led by proud Vanier graduates and co-Chairs Mutsumi Takahashi, Class of 76 (chief news anchor of CTV Montreal News) and Andy Nulman, Class of 78 (renowned businessman, speaker and author).

"It has been said that education is a passport to the future. Vanier College invites us to create our own passports, wherever we might want our futures to lead. I am honoured to be part of Vanier’s 50th anniversary. An opportunity to celebrate our past, and look to the future. Because without education…how else can we change the world?" said Mutsumi Takahashi.

Vanier’s new alumni website ( www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/alumni ) features the history of the college, 50 Faces of Vanier, Notable alumni from around the world, including Elias Koteas, Thomas Mulcair, two-time Olympian and Vanier Teacher, Martine Dugrenier, former Miss Canada, Juliette Powell, musician Patrick Watson and many more. The new logo for the 50th celebrations was designed by Vanier Office Systems Technology: Micropublishing and Hypermedia students Kana Yasufuku and Marius Ballot.

"My two years at Vanier were the best of my life...so much so that I wish I could've stayed there for all 50. While the classes expanded my brain, the surroundings infused me with freedom, responsibility and a sense of belonging; a perfect preparatory send-off to the world and years that waited ahead. Vanier truly helped me discover who I was, and shape who I went on to be," said Andy Nulman.

Vanier College also plans to hold a series of events in the coming year including a talent show, different varsity sports games and music concerts, amongst other activities.

Anyone interested in being part of the celebrations, connecting with old friends and teachers, or seeing what’s new at Vanier can visit vaniercollege.qc.ca/alumni, email Atie Waxman at vanieralumni@vaniercollege.qc.ca, or phone 514-744-7500, ext. 7533.