News Article

CNA honoured for community involvement


2/28/2011 3:39:13 PM


College of the North Atlantic’s Dean of Engineering Technology, Arthur Leung (left), accepts the Community Leader Award from Frank Collins, Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association’s Board of Directors.

St. John’s – The Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association (NLCA) has named College of the North Atlantic (CNA) as the winner of its Community Leader Award for 2011.

CNA was chosen for its involvement in community development projects at home and abroad, as well as its economic, knowledge and skills contributions to the communities around each of its 17 campuses.
CNA President Bruce Hollett said winning the NLCA Community Leader Award is a reminder that the college and its students make an important impact on the world around them.

“I am extremely proud of our faculty, staff and students for what they do to make their world a better place,” he said. “Community projects represent opportunities for our students to apply what they are learning in the real world. They gain as much from participating in them as the community gains from their contribution of time and skill.”

NLCA President Rhonda Neary said the association was delighted to recognize College of the North Atlantic and offered congratulations on the achievement.

“College of the North Atlantic, in their capacity, has mobilized people and organizations to address important community issues which have impacted positive change in many communities across our province and internationally,” she said. “They are to be applauded for their outstanding efforts.”

In terms of international community development, CNA students and faculty members have been involved in the rebuilding of Broadmoor, an economically disadvantaged neighbourhood in New Orleans that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The work that was done in New Orleans later inspired a local spin-off venture. When students from St. George’s Elementary in Conception Bay South heard about it they enlisted the help of CNA students to help them build wheelchair ramps at their school.

In addition to those projects, CNA students, staff and faculty have volunteered their expertise for Habitat for Humanity projects, and are currently working with Purdue University in Indianapolis to design low cost and environmentally sound housing.

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Media Contact:
Gina MacArthur
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
Ph: 709-643-7928
gina.macarthur@cna.nl.ca