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Providence University College and Theological Seminary have an entire weekend of events planned to celebrate 100 years of higher Christian education.
"This is going to be a school year like no other for us," says Ron Hogue, Vice President of Advancement at Providence. "It's our centennial year this year. Our welcome week, which is typically welcoming back returning students and new students, it's going to be exciting. The week is full of special events to help settle students in the rhythm of a new school year."
The centennial celebrations will begin on Sept. 5 with an awards ceremony, followed by a supper and gala at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg.
"We're going to be honouring 26 distinguished individuals and their families who have made long-standing contributions to Providence throughout the last century. Later that evening is our centennial gala. Our community will gather to celebrate 100 years of faith, learning, and leadership. As well, hearing about our plans for the next years to come."
Tim Neufeld, the lead singer of Tim & the Glory Boys band, and a Providence alumnus, will be performing during the gala.
"On Saturday, we have our centennial festival, which is being held on our Otterburne campus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We're inviting friends, family, and anyone interested in what's happening at Providence for an on-site campus celebration. We're going to have live music, petting zoos, face painting, bouncy castles, a men's and women's home opening soccer match happening that day, and a classic car club."
During the evening, Providence is putting on a public Christian concert at the brand-new South East Event Centre, with Jordan St. Cyr and two-time Grammy winner Zach Williams, at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
"We're so excited about this. These are both Christian artists that your listeners will have heard on CHVN. Excellent storytellers. The energy is going to be fantastic as we're reminded again of God's faithfulness to Providence."
On Sunday, Sept. 7, at 2:00 p.m., the university will hold its centennial worship service at its Otterburne campus.
"That'll be a time of praise and reflection for our family and friends, and gratitude of God's faithfulness over the years. It's a nice way to wrap up our centennial celebrations over the weekend."
On top of the Otterburne site, Providence has a location in Winnipeg at the Massey Building. Between the two campuses, Providence teaches roughly 1,500 students a year.
"We're not a Bible college which offers exclusively discipleship and ministry-related programs. We offer an accredited professional degree, from bachelor's to master's to doctorates and everything in between. We also have a seminary that's embedded within the university itself. We have more than 30 program offerings, some of which are very unique, such as aviation."