(Sault Ste. Marie, ON November 20, 2024) – It is with great pride that Sault College announces its 2024 nominees for Colleges Ontario’s Premier’s Awards. These prestigious awards recognize the outstanding contributions Ontario graduates make in Ontario and throughout the world. We are honoured to celebrate two alumni who continue to make a difference in their chosen careers and in the lives of others.
“Our graduates not only enrich our Sault College community, but also leave a lasting mark in Ontario and around the world. Through the Premier’s Awards we can honour graduates who have made remarkable contributions across various fields,” said David Orazietti, President, Sault College. “This year, we are proud to highlight two alumni whose stories inspire us. On behalf of Sault college, we congratulate both Carter and JP on this outstanding and deserving recognition.”
Award recipients are selected in seven categories: Apprenticeship, Business, Community Services, Creative Arts and Design, Health Sciences, Recent Graduate, and Technology. Recipients will be announced at the Premier’s Awards gala taking place in Toronto on November 25, 2024.
Please join us in congratulating Sault College’s 2024 Premier’s Award Nominees:
JP Gladu
Forest Technician, 1991
Category: Business
JP Gladu, Founder and Principal of Mokwateh, previously led the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, launching initiatives such as The Aboriginal Business Report. He spearheaded the 'Procurement Champions' initiative, driving billions in investments into Canada’s Indigenous economy. Gladu serves on multiple corporate boards and is a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. An advocate for Indigenous leadership, he received the Public Policy Award in 2024. His college education transformed his academic struggles into a successful forestry career, forming the basis for his significant contributions to the industry and Indigenous business.
Carter Simpson
Community Integration Through Cooperative Education (CICE) Health and Fitness Promotion, 2016
Category: Health Sciences
Special Olympic medalist Carter Simpson is an inspiration to all that meet him. He does not see that he has a disability, saying “I love having Down Syndrome”. He has embodied Fitness and Health Promotion in his everyday life. College education prepared Carter and gave him the confidence to gain independence in the adult world. He continues to win medals, but above all, he encourages people of all ages and abilities to reach their potential. Every day is a celebration for Carter, with a flash of his smile and the crinkle of his eyes, he lights up a room.
To learn more about Colleges Ontario’s Premier’s Awards, visit https://www.co-awards.org.
-30-