On February 25, 2025, the NLC Foundation brought together families, students, and staff for a heartfelt evening of remembrance and gratitude at its first-ever Memorial Awards Dinner. Hosted on the Dawson Creek Campus, the event not only celebrated the lives of those memorialized through student awards but also recognized the generosity of the families who turned loss into opportunities for NLC students.
Guests enjoyed a four-course meal prepared by NLC’s cook training students, setting the stage for an evening of appreciation and reflection. The Foundation expressed its gratitude to the families who have chosen to honour their loved ones by creating financial awards that support student success.
Among the new awards recognized were the Dr. Bryn Kulmatycki Recognition Endowment Fund, named after NLC’s late president and CEO, and the Cleo Baker Memorial Endowment Fund, dedicated to a beloved staff member who passed away last year.
Bonnie Lehmann shared the story behind the Erich W. Lehmann Memorial Award, created in memory of her son, whose dreams of working with helicopters were tragically cut short. Karen Simpson also spoke about the Bryce Simpson Memorial Award, honouring her son’s legacy.
A particularly moving moment came when Aircraft Maintenance Technician student Tully Swan spoke about the impact of the Duane Sunderman Memorial Award on his education.
In attendance was Billie-Jo Crandall, a Foundation employee and Duane’s wife at the time of his passing. Billie-Jo was visibly moved as she heard firsthand how her late husband’s legacy continues to support students in the AMT program.
The Duane Sunderman Memorial Award was established by contributions received from Duane’s family, friends, and organizations and the endowment continues to receive annual contributions to this day.
Tully’s speech explained how much these awards matter to the students who receive them. He explained that receiving this award meant he could prioritize his studies over working part time – meaning more focus on school and ultimately better grades.
To learn more about the NLC Foundation and how it supports our students, visit nlc.bc.ca/nlc-foundation/.