6 minute read
Making the world a better place
Profile: Beric and Diane Farmer
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For many Pickering College families, enrolling their children can be the beginning of lifelong friendships, not just for their children, but for the entire family. Such was the case for the Farmer family, who like many, felt a strong sense of community from when their children first started at PC. Now graduates, Chris Farmer ‘17, and Jenna Farmer ‘20 benefited from an excellent education and built lifelong friendships for themselves at PC.
Beric credits Diane with first becoming immersed in school life at PC when Chris began Junior School. The positive experience Chris had his first few years at PC meant Jenna soon followed “without a backwardglance the first day I dropped her off,” chuckles Beric. Diane quickly became involved in the Pickering College Association (PCA) including school activities such as Carnaval, and fundraising events like the Holiday Home Tour. She points to her time as a Parent Rep, reaching out to other parents and chatting with families during drop-off and pick-up when their kids were young, as key to building friendships.
“The highlight of my time as a volunteer was really getting to know other parents and getting to know the staff really well. It was so clear how much the teachers really get to know the individual students, understand them, and care about every child.” Both Diane and Beric have been involved as volunteers over the years. Beric currently sits on the Board of Directors and has been a member of various board committees. His background in business and technology as the co-founder of XE.com has made him an invaluable resource to the school, including on the Digital Transformation Committee and Strategy Committee.
“The biggest factor in improving educational outcomes is the engagement of parents. Perhaps the philosophy of Pickering College attracts people who want to be highly engaged. Certainly, everyone we have met has been really easy to like! There is a strong sense of community that we appreciate.”
The Farmer family have also become generous donors, supporting the school increasingly over the years. Beric shares how they gradually made PC an important part of their philanthropy.
“I remember getting the welcome letter and finding out that tuition does not cover the complete cost of students attending PC. It was many years where we supported where we could, attending events like the Holiday Home Tour. I did struggle with donating to PC when there are so many important causes. My thinking tied into the philosophy of PC—the sense that Pickering College is sending out a lot of graduates into the world with the mindset of trying to make the world a better place. It is possible that the benefits that the world sees from the donation that you give to Pickering College may be delayed by a few years, but it is also possible that your giving is multiplied by the fact that all these students are going out into the world with those values and that mindset. One of those students could go on to help thousands of people or hundreds of thousands of people. It seems like a very worthy cause.”
Beric and Diane have recently made a substantial gift that will help initiate the Green Fund to support environmental sustainability projects at the school, starting with elements of the new academic building. Such elements in the building’s early designs caught the attention of both Beric and Diane. As the project progressed, Beric, as a member of the board, learned how sustainable elements are often eliminated from building projects as costs inevitably need to be trimmed. “I was inspired by (fellow board member) Patrick Turner and his passion for sustainability. He made the point that sustainability should not be optional. That truly resonated with me. Our children need to see that we live according to the values we teach them.”
The Farmers believe the PC commitment to global citizenship is urgently needed in the world and feel fortunate to be able to contribute as donors. In coming full circle, Diane points out that contributions to Pickering College come in all forms—and those who contribute their time and money are all helping to support the school and students.
Beric regards their family’s giving to Pickering College as being in support of what they believe is a very good cause. “There are so many who give generously and each and every contribution lifts the school up and sustains and enriches the wonderful PC community. I believe we are collectively drawn to give because we fundamentally believe in the mission and values of the school, are inspired by the talented and dedicated staff, and believe in the incredible potential of the students. We do this for them, and for the better world they will build.”
Green design for a green future
Establishing a Green Fund at Pickering College coincides with a time of transformational change. The school’s Campus Master Plan is ripe with opportunity to enhance campus spaces and provide classrooms and buildings equipped for modern learning needs. We are compelled to ensure these projects incorporate green practices. This is an opportunity that will impact future generations of Pickering College students.
The Green Fund will be a means to limit our environmental footprint and model the stewardship values we instil in our students. Sustainability is not just part of science classes or outdoor education, but an important part of 21st century learning as we recognize that caring for the earth and the environment is key to being active global citizens.
One potential addition to our green infrastructure could be a green roof atop the New Academic Building. If built, this roof would be visible from adjoining buildings and serve not only as a beautiful addition but as a constant reminder of the importance of action in support of the environment.
To donate to the Green Fund at PC or find out more about green initiatives on campus, please contact Jessie-May Rowntree jrowntree@pickeringcollege.on.ca or call (905) 895-1700 ext. 234.
