The owner of Westman Group Inc., a manufacturer of steel products, grain dryers and agricultural storage bins, has donated $4 million to Assiniboine Community College in Brandon.
The donation will go toward agricultural programs. The college announced Oct. 17 that it will rename the agricultural college after the donor, Russ Edwards.
“This is an incredible gift and we are eternally grateful to Mr. Edwards and his family for their commitment to help us build unparalleled educational opportunities in Manitoba,” said Tim Hore, dean of Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment at Assiniboine Community College. “It will have a long-lasting impact as our college continues to advance its vision for leadership in agricultural education.”
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This is the first time the college has named one of its colleges after an individual.
Edwards is the founder and owner of the WGI Westman Group, which makes and distributes steel products at 79 locations in Canada and the United States.
The group includes Meridian Manufacturing, Armtec, Behlen Industries, Convey-all, and Westman Steel.
Meridien may be the best known of its brands. It makes fertilizer bins, grain dryers, corrugated bins, augers and stainless steel tanks, among other products.
Edwards, 89, grew up on a farm near La Broquerie, Man., and started his company in 1976, manufacturing riveted culverts with six employees at a plant in Winnipeg.
Now, WGI Westman Group has more than 2,000 employees. Edwards is currently the company chair.
“With Westman Steel and Behlen Industries both headquartered here in Brandon, some of the early seeds of WGI Westman Group’s success were planted right here in this community,” Edwards said.
“In fact, my wonderful wife Edna received her nursing degree in the very building in which we now make this announcement. My family and I are incredibly grateful to now be in the position to make this donation.”
Assiniboine Community College has plans to expand the number of students in its agriculture, environment and agricultural technology programs from 300 to 800. A key part of the plan is the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, a new facility that will include programming in robotics, industrial automation, food science technology and other courses.
ACC continues to raise funds for the Prairie Innovation Centre, but Edwards’ donation moves the college closer to its goal.
