Sheridan Honours Great-West Life London Life and Canada Life

Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning will be awarding Great-West Life and its subsidiaries, London Life and Canada Life, with the Big Picture Business Award

For Immediate Release: October 15, 2009
Oakville, Ontario

Sheridan is proud to announce Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life will be among five top organizations accepting awards at this year’s Big Picture Gala 

(October 15, 2009 – Oakville, Ontario) Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning will be awarding Great-West Life and its subsidiaries, London Life and Canada Life, with the Big Picture Business Award at the Pearson Convention Centre on October 22, 2009.

The companies were selected for the award for leadership and achievement in their industry, for their commitment to excellence and for their longtime support of Sheridan. “Our organization appreciates the forward-looking approach that Sheridan brings to education, and we’re honoured to receive the Big Picture Award,” says Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President Community Affairs, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. “Our business success plays an important role in our ability to contribute to the vitality of the communities in which we live and work. It enables us to work with innovative educators, such as Sheridan Institute, on many levels and in a variety of ways to build Stronger Communities Together™.”

“Delivering value and a reputation for excellence are traits Sheridan shares with many successful organizations,” said Jill Birch, Vice President, Business Development at Sheridan. “The Big Picture Awards present the opportunity for Sheridan to acknowledge a select number of corporations and organizations for their outstanding leadership, their willingness to innovate and their commitment to excellence.”

Corus Entertainment Inc. will be receiving the Big Picture Gala Honouree Award, and other awards will also be presented to Big Picture thinkers in the arts – Fujifilm Canada; community service – Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities; and technology – Pratt and Whitney Canada.

About the Big Picture Gala

The Big Picture Gala, now in its third year, is an opportunity to spotlight outstanding education, individuals and achievement, and to publicly recognize and celebrate our Big Picture Award recipients and the work they do in our communities.

In addition to raising significant funds to support Sheridan students, the evening showcases the rich student talent from our Music Theatre and Media Arts programs, as well as remarkable works of art from our Crafts and Design students and alumni, which are presented in the Gala’s silent auction.

Sponsors of this year’s Gala include OMD Canada, Bell Canada, Virox Technologies Inc., Cookie Jar Entertainment, Pattison Outdoor Advertising and Somerville Graphics.

Notable guests will include Ron White of Ron White Shoes; Lorraine Hughes, President of OMD Canada; John Cassaday, President and CEO of Corus Entertainment Inc.; Allen Loney, President and CEO of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life; and well known Canadian comedian and Sheridan graduate, Greg Morton, headlines.

About Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life

Great-West Life is a leading Canadian insurer, with interests in the life and health insurance, investment, retirement savings and reinsurance businesses, primarily in Canada and Europe.

Together, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada.

About Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Sheridan’s mission is to provide students of all ages with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We deliver career-focused education and training in the arts, business, technology and community service fields to 15,000 full-time students each year. We offer a wide range of credentials, including apprenticeships, one-year certificates, 2- and 3-year diplomas, 4-year bachelor’s degrees, and one-year post-graduate programs. Our School of Continuing Education serves 34,000 adult learners each year who are seeking to upgrade their skills, train for a new career, or pursue an area of personal interest.

For more information:

Susan Atkinson

Manager, Media Relations