From Red Deer College 

Red Deer College celebrates contributions of retiring Vice President, Michael Donlevy

After close to two decades of contributing to the success of learners through his leadership in fund development at Red Deer College, Michael Donlevy, Vice President of Business Development, will be retiring in June.

Donlevy was first introduced to the College through his volunteer efforts as a Campaign Cabinet member, fundraising to build the College’s Library Information Common which opened in 2001. It was through his involvement and strong belief in this initiative that Donlevy realized his desire to be part of RDC’s future successes in a more formal role.

Michael Donlevy has been a member of RDC’s executive team since 2001. During his time at the College, supported by a solid team of colleagues, he has proudly led two ambitious fundraising campaigns for major capital projects and scholarships to support RDC’s students and programs. He also played a leadership role in building and growing a variety of annual successful events, including RDC’s Kings & Queens Scholarship Breakfast, Golf Classic, and Perspectives: Canada in the World speakers’ series, among others.

Key to Donlevy’s success during his tenure has been his knack for building and maintaining meaningful relationships with new and existing donors, sponsors and partners who support the College’s students.

“With the completion of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, our institution’s transition to a university and the forthcoming appointment of a new President, the time is opportune for me to move to a new and exciting next chapter,” says Michael Donlevy, Vice President, Business Development.

“The experiences I’ve enjoyed during almost 20 years of working with an amazing group of senior administration colleagues, staff and faculty, being part of helping learners achieve their educational goals, has been a true privilege. But also so memorable and humbling, has been the opportunity to engage donors, alumni, partners, sponsors, volunteers and community members. They showed me time and again, their own passion for RDC, their commitment to our students and in many instances, the true meaning of generosity and philanthropy.”

Donlevy’s leadership has resulted in approximately $60 million raised for Red Deer College through philanthropic gifts and sponsorship investments. In addition, more than $1 million in scholarships are now awarded to RDC students each year, thanks to significant growth in endowments provided by the College’s many generous donors.

Among his more recent accomplishments, Donlevy is proud to have established and nurtured new partnerships that contribute to RDC’s Alternative Energy Strategy. Through a variety of energy- efficient initiatives, RDC’s goal is to become a net zero institution, producing all the energy RDC’s main campus will require to power its buildings and infrastructure from sustainable sources.

“Michael is a valued colleague and has served the College and our community well in his leadership role. I appreciate Michael’s vast contributions and tireless efforts to help shape RDC to be the vibrant post-secondary institution it is today, ensuring our students’ achieve success in their studies and in their lives,” says Joel Ward, RDC President & CEO.

Donlevy will retire from RDC effective June 30, 2019. As a passionate volunteer outside RDC already, serving as Chair of organizations such as the Alberta Jubilee Auditoria Society, Westerner Park, Kiwanis Club of Red Deer, and the Red Deer Festival of Trees Sponsorship Committee, Donlevy will continue to place his valuable mark on our region for many years to come. He is looking forward to a change in pace, however, to enjoy more time with his wife Robin and their family, to explore other professional challenges that may present themselves, as well as his unrelenting pursuit of golf.

A reception celebrating Donlevy’s contributions to the College will be held this spring, with details to be announced later.