“A college must not develop hide-bound traditions, but continue to innovate, create and experiment to develop something significant for their community,” said Bill Davis, former Ontario Premier and Education Minister.
As the ‘father’ of the community college system, Davis has a special place in the hearts of the NC community. More than half a century ago, as the Minister of Education (1962-1971), he had a bold new vision for postsecondary education, at a time when only a minority of high school graduates moved onto university. When the province was seeking to boost its economy with a skilled labour force, Davis put a plan in motion for a revolutionary new vocationally focused postsecondary alternative: the community college system. Niagara College opened its doors in September 1967 and Davis visited the College to install NC’s first president, Dr. George Bowen, in February 1968. Davis served as the eighteenth premier of Ontario from 1971 to 1985.
Davis passed away on August 8, 2021 and Niagara College lowered its campus flags in his memory.
