WESTERN BUREAU:

The Cornwall College Class of the 1980s handed over more than $500,000 to their alma mater, at a ceremony at the St. James school's auditorium yesterday.

This gesture was part of the Old Boys' Association's commitment to give back to the school.

The cheque for $550,000 represented the proceeds of a Class of the '80s reunion weekend held in June last year with the prime objective of bringing Cornwallians together to have fun and exchange ideas.

Additional classroom

According to chairman of the Reunion Committee, Donat Crichton, it was the committee's intention to use the proceeds of the event to build an additional classroom at the school. However, the committee decided to hand over the money to the school for them to use it in whatever way they saw fit.

Mr. Crichton thanked all the members of the committee and past students of the 101-year-old institution who helped to make the event a success and urged the current crop of Cornwall College students to carry on the school's tradition.

"We want the students to value what you have; the burden of carrying the Cornwall College flag now rests on your shoulders and CC has a tradition that has to be lived up to," he said.

Fund-raising initiatives

While pointing out that the reunion weekend would not be an annual event, he said other fund-raising initiatives would be done through the Old Boys' association.

Denham McIntyre, principal of Cornwall College, thanked the Class of the 1980s and outlined his plans for the money.

"Thanks to the past students who, because of their love of their alma mater, raised this money for the development of Cornwall and we accept it gladly," Mr. McIntyre said.

He said that construction of a new building to house the offices of the dean of discipline, senior teachers and centre of learning for mathematics and language arts students will begin next month.

He also revealed that, in the next school year, an examination room would be constructed. However, the room, he said, would also be large enough to house an auditorium "befitting the status of Cornwall College".

McIntyre added: "Despite the social challenges which bedevil our schools, Cornwall College remains relevant and committed to the tradition of transforming boys into men of might."