Photo: Contributed
2008 Stewart family image. Left to right: Tony Stewart, Cynthia Walker, Dick, Rosemary, Ben and Andrea McFadden.
Okanagan College is $ 50,000 richer thanks to the generosity of the Stewart family.
The money will be donated on behalf of Rosemary and Richard “Dick” Stewart and will be used to support the training of health professionals at Okanagan College.
Dick, founder of Quails’ Gate Estate Winery and Kelowna City Councilor, died almost a year ago at the age of 94. Dick’s son Ben Stewart, MLA for Kelowna West, says the gift reflects his father’s passion for education.
“My father believed that education gave people the opportunity to lead independent and fulfilling lives,” says Ben. “He saw education as a transformative investment.”
Dick Stewart is also known for giving back to the community, including Okanagan College. In the 1990s, Dick volunteered for the Bold Horizons campaign to develop a new vision for Okanagan University College and also served on the OUC’s Board of Governors.
“He’s never been on the sidelines. If he believed in something, he would interfere. He’s lived like that all his life, ”says Ben.
Rosemary is excited that her husband’s legacy is being honored.
“He did a lot for the city because it meant a lot to him,” says Rosemary.
“Every time he was asked to raise money, he put on his shoes and left. He did it because he loved his community. “
The gift from the Stewart family will be used to support a student lounge on the third floor of the Health Sciences Center that overlooks one of Dick’s former orchards.
Amy Lausman, a freshman nursing student in her bachelor’s degree in nursing, says she’s inspired to see people donate even during the pandemic.
“It’s amazing to see the community support and to see that they value us as students in health care professions,” says Lausman.
The Okanagan College Foundation is now $ 1.5 million away from reaching its goal for the Health Sciences Center.
