Westgate Mennonite Collegiate has always been blessed by school community members who give their time and share their expertise serving on the school’s Board of Directors and on various committees. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge two individuals who have made immeasurable contributions to Westgate over the past several years, as well as to welcome two new volunteers to their respective positions.
As Redevelopment Committee Chair, Ralph Regehr‘80 and his committee secured vital civic and court approval for the campus renewal and renovation construction project. Ralph recognized that his former school campus would not be able to meet the needs of future students, and his committee responded with a design that is both functional and accessible. Tom Penner ’76 gave important leadership as Chair of the newly formed Capital Campaign Committee. As a former Board Chair whose children have since graduated from Westgate, Tom understood that the school needs support from all generations of school community, where today’s investment in Mennonite Education will be paid forward in the city and the world for years to come.
Over the summer, both Ralph and Tom passed their responsibilities to new Chairs.
Glenn Penner is the new Chair of the Redevelopment Committee. Glenn has worked for Manitoba Hydro for over 23 years in a variety of roles as a structural engineer. In his current role as the Division Manager of Transmission Construction and Line Maintenance he is responsible for the design, construction, maintenance, and emergency restoration of Manitoba Hydro’s transmission line network throughout the province. In the past several years Glenn has played a strategic role in Manitoba Hydro’s efforts at relationship building with First Nation communities and other stakeholder groups. Outside of work he is involved in many volunteer roles; as a coach in a variety of sports and CAN TF4 – Urban Search and Rescue, as one of their collapsed building engineers. Glenn and his wife Alanda have four children, three of whom are in currently in Westgate, and he has served on the Westgate board for a year as the representative for Bethel Mennonite Church.
Lisa Thiessen has assumed the Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee that will raise funds for the school’s redevelopment project. Lisa, a Chartered Professional Accountant, earned her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at the University of Manitoba. Lisa is Executive Director of ELCIC Group Services Inc. which administers pension and benefits plans. Her duties include cash management, investing, negotiations, plan design, communications and education. Lisa and her husband Ted ‘82 have three children, all graduates from Westgate. As a member of Douglas Mennonite Church, Lisa had earlier served as Chair of the Finance Committee for Westgate. A strong proponent of the school’s focus on academics, music, health and fitness, and nurturing of faith, Lisa has seen how the school has cultivated the gifts and abilities that our students take with them beyond our doors. Lisa is confident that this redevelopment is needed for the school to continue to shape young lives and is encouraged by the financial commitments received to date.