2025 marks the 50th anniversary of North West College (Lane Hoffart/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Lane Hoffart

North West College Anniversary

North West College celebrates 50 years with community barbecue

Sep 16, 2025 | 2:46 PM

North West College celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Battlefords with a barbecue open to the public.

Dr. Eli Ahlquist, president and CEO of North West College said the community is to thank for the college reaching this milestone.

“We’re really grateful for the support of the community, which is part of the reason for the barbecue to give a little bit back. It’s such a pleasure to be able to serve our community and the province in the larger sense and to meet that sort of socioeconomic need for education and to see people advance and have opportunities to really succeed and excel within our communities,” he said.

Community members lined up for a free burger or hotdog at the barbecue (Lane Hoffart/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Along with the community, Ahlquist credits the staff at North West College for providing students with a quality education.

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“Our mandate is to serve the educational needs of this region and the broader support of the province… We need to provide a service that meets their expectations as well. Hats off to our staff and our instructors over the years that have been able to deliver programming, high quality, absolutely on par with in the more urban centers.”

Ahlquist explained North West College was created to give students a chance to receive higher education and start a life without them having to leave the community. He believes the last 50 years are proof of that goal’s success.

“Over the decades, thousands of students have walked through our doors. They have received credentials, they’ve developed skills, built confidence, and pursued their goals. More importantly, many have stayed, worked, raised families, and enriched the very communities that helped shape them. This is the true legacy of North West College.”

North West College President and CEO Eli Ahlquist (center-left) cuts the cake for the celebration (Lane Hoffart/battlefordsNOW Staff)

As the college celebrated its past, staff also made a commitment to continue the legacy as a pillar in the community and an important institution for post-secondary education in the northern part of the province.

“The college remains committed to ensuring education and training are accessible, relevant, and responsive,” said Bill Volk, member of the North West College Board of Governors. “Together we honour the past and embrace a future filled with possibilities.”

North West College will continue to celebrate its 50th anniversary over the course of the school year. Some of the other events happening include an anniversary celebration and grand opening of the Nursing Simulation Learning Centre at the Meadow Lake campus on Sept. 24, as well as a new logo for the college, which will be revealed at a later date.

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lane.hoffart@pattisonmedia.com