Joan Donald - 2025 Honourary Degree Recipient

Jun 06, 2025
A woman in grad gown and cap smiles holding an RDP degree. A green gradient is overlayed with the text that says 61st RDP Convocation 2025
Joan Donald smiles while sitting on a wooden bench in a dark blue pant suit in front of a house

Joan Donald’s legacy is defined by her unwavering generosity, visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to strengthening education and communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. For more than 60 years, she has been a driving force for progressive change at Red Deer Polytechnic and throughout the region.

Raised as the second youngest of 11 children on a family farm near Millet, Alberta, Joan learned early the values of hard work and collaboration—principles that have guided her throughout her life and career. These values are reflected in her many impactful contributions, including at Red Deer Polytechnic, where her support has helped expand academic excellence, foster innovation and create meaningful opportunities for students, community members and industries alike.

Joan’s deep commitment to RDP is evident in both her leadership and philanthropy. She served on the institution’s Board of Governors and spearheaded a major fundraising campaign that raised more than $7 million for the Polytechnic’s library.

Together with her late husband Jack, Joan and her family are RDP’s most generous benefactors, having donated more than $26 million. Their contributions include a transformative $20 million gift to establish the Donald Family Institute for Healthtech Innovation, designed to advance health care education, training and applied research. This institute is poised to benefit communities across Alberta through its focus on healthtech programming. Additionally, the couple donated $3 million to support the Donald School of Business and another $3 million toward the Donald Health and Wellness Centre—further enriching the institution’s educational, health and technological offerings.

Through her visionary philanthropy, Joan has played a pivotal role in shaping Red Deer Polytechnic into a leader for education, training and applied research. Through her contributions, Joan has demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning and to fostering programs that directly benefit communities, industry and Alberta’s labour market. Her belief in education’s power to drive change has inspired generations of students and educators, contributing to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the province.

Beyond RDP, Joan has been a devoted volunteer, lending her time and leadership to numerous organizations, including Westerner Park and the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation Festival of Trees – one of Red Deer’s most impactful charitable events. Her extraordinary contributions have been recognized with many accolades, including the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Joan Donald’s legacy is one of profound impact. Through her leadership and generosity, she has left an indelible mark on Red Deer Polytechnic and the region.

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