Friends, family and alumni of St. Clair College celebrate Patti France at retirement ceremony
A retirement celebration was held for outgoing St. Clair College president Patti France on May 31, 2024. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)
Patti France has completed her last official day as president of St. Clair College, wrapping up four decades of work at the post-secondary institution.
Hundreds of former staff, students and alumni were on hand at the St. Clair College SportsPlex to say goodbye to Dr. France and show appreciation for her dedication and service in a community celebration Friday afternoon.
"It's very humbling,” said Dr. France. "A little overwhelming and very much appreciated."
“It means the world to me. We have always had great relations at St. Clair College. We truly value our students and our unions as partners. Really, everything is a team effort," she added.
According to the college, St. Clair has expanded and enhanced the curriculum and footprint of the college not only in Windsor but across Ontario during France's tenure — with the college also becoming a desirable draw for international students.
Although she is stepping down as president of the college, France will continue her work on the board of directors with community organizations.
In addition, retirement will allow for quality time with family and friends – and adopting a puppy into the France household.
Michael Silvaggi has been appointed as the seventh president of St. Clair College.
Silvaggi assumed his new role on June 1.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mark Carney reaches out to dozens of Liberal MPs ahead of potential leadership campaign
Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, is actively considering running in a potential Liberal party leadership race should Justin Trudeau resign, sources tell CTV News.
'I gave them a call, they didn't pick up': Canadian furniture store appears to have gone out of business
Canadian furniture company Wazo Furniture, which has locations in Toronto and Montreal, appears to have gone out of business. CTV News Toronto has been hearing from customers who were shocked to find out after paying in advance for orders over the past few months.
WATCH
WATCH Woman critically injured in explosive Ottawa crash caught on camera
Dashcam footage sent to CTV News shows a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction before striking and damaging a hydro pole.
A year after his son overdosed, a Montreal father feels more prevention work is needed
New data shows opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations are down in Canada, but provincial data paints a different picture. In Quebec, drug related deaths jumped 30 per cent in the first half of 2024, according to the public health institute (INSPQ).
Much of Canada is under a weather alert this weekend: here's what to know
From snow, to high winds, to extreme cold, much of Canada is under a severe weather alert this weekend. Here's what to expect in your region.
Jimmy Carter's funeral begins by tracing 100 years from rural Georgia to the world stage
Jimmy Carter 's extended public farewell began Saturday in Georgia, with the 39th U.S. president’s flag-draped casket tracing his long arc from the Depression-era South and family farming business to the pinnacle of American political power and decades as a global humanitarian.
Jeff Baena, writer, director and husband of Aubrey Plaza, dead at 47
Jeff Baena, a writer and director whose credits include 'Life After Beth' and 'The Little Hours,' has died, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Hundreds of animals killed in Dallas shopping centre fire
A fire that broke out at a shopping center in Dallas on Friday morning killed more than 500 animals, most of which were small birds, authorities said.
MP Peter Fragiskatos calls on Trudeau to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lost the confidence of another prominent Liberal MP.
Kitchener
-
Police urging drivers to stay off the roads in Perth County
The Ontario Provincial Police are asking drivers to think twice before hitting the roads.
-
Three school board trustees call for town hall following director of education's departure
Three Waterloo Region District School Board trustees are joining the call for a town hall after a sudden shake up within the board.
-
Snow squall warnings for southwestern Ontario
Environment Canada says southwestern Ontario could get between 15 and 60 centimetres of snow by Saturday.
London
-
MP Peter Fragiskatos calls on Trudeau to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lost the confidence of another prominent Liberal MP.
-
Poor weather postpones OHL Games in Owen Sound and Barrie
Inclement weather and travel conditions have forced the postponement of two games in the Ontario Hockey League Saturday.
-
Buffalo Bills legend Thurman Thomas among celebrities coming to St. Thomas, Ont.
The annual St. Thomas Sports Sports Spectacular presented by Hydro One has landed another superstar for the annual event later this month.
Barrie
-
Barrie declares significant weather event
The City of Barrie has declared a significant weather event on Saturday in response to the persistent snowfall in the area.
-
OHL game postponed due to weather
With the City of Barrie under a significant weather event declaration, Saturday evening’s Barrie Colts versus Kingston Frontenacs game at Sadlon Arena has been postponed.
-
‘Serious’ snowmobile crash under investigation
Police are investigating what is being deemed as a ‘serious’ snowmobile crash in Tay Township Saturday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
Suspect charged in northern Ont. road rage incident that went viral
A 37-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with a road rage incident last week in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Mark Carney reaches out to dozens of Liberal MPs ahead of potential leadership campaign
Mark Carney, the former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, is actively considering running in a potential Liberal party leadership race should Justin Trudeau resign, sources tell CTV News.
-
Sault, Ont., man claims Indigenous moose hunting rights without proof, fined $5,500
A hunter from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been fined for moose hunting without a licence or proper documentation. He claimed Indigenous hunting rights but failed to provide any proof.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
MNR renews call for help with investigation of abandoned cow moose killed in northern Ont.
Conservation officers with the Ministry of Nature Resources are again asking for the public’s help with identifying those responsible for killing a cow moose near Chapleau, Ont.
-
Hwy. 17 reopens near Echo Bay after crash
Highway 17 between Bar River Rodd East and Lake George Road East has reopened after been closed for a few hours Saturday afternoon because of a crash.
-
Sault Ste. Marie honours local homeless, addiction advocate with annual Medal of Merit
The City of Sault Ste. Marie recently announced its 2024 Medal of Merit honouree – the award is going to a local woman who has helped improve the lives of thousands in the region.
Ottawa
-
WATCHWATCH Woman critically injured in explosive Ottawa crash caught on camera
Dashcam footage sent to CTV News shows a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction before striking and damaging a hydro pole.
-
Rideau Canal Skateway opening 'looking very positive'
As the first cold snap of 2025 settles in across Ottawa, there is optimism that the Rideau Canal Skateway will be able to open soon.
-
Pedestrian, 15, killed in South Frontenac collision with van
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after teenager was struck and killed by a van in a rural area north of Kingston on Saturday afternoon.
Toronto
-
Police search for suspects after jewelry store robbery at Burlington mall
Police are searching for multiple suspects following a smash-and-grab robbery at a mall jewelry store in Burlington Saturday afternoon.
-
'Ambassadors for their species in the wild': Toronto Zoo loses 2 long-term residents
Toronto Zoo has bid goodbye to two of its long-term residents over the past week.
-
'I gave them a call, they didn't pick up': Canadian furniture store appears to have gone out of business
Canadian furniture company Wazo Furniture, which has locations in Toronto and Montreal, appears to have gone out of business. CTV News Toronto has been hearing from customers who were shocked to find out after paying in advance for orders over the past few months.
Montreal
-
A year after his son overdosed, a Montreal father feels more prevention work is needed
New data shows opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations are down in Canada, but provincial data paints a different picture. In Quebec, drug related deaths jumped 30 per cent in the first half of 2024, according to the public health institute (INSPQ).
-
CTV News Montreal at 6 p.m. for Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025
Watch CTV News Montreal at Six on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 with anchor Matt Grillo.
-
Here are the locations of the latest Quebec measles outbreak
Quebec public health confirmed that officials are monitoring a measles outbreak that began in December in Montreal, Laval and the Laurentians.
Winnipeg
-
'A really powerful day': Commemorating National Ribbon Skirt Day in Winnipeg
Dozens donned colourful fabrics and patterns Saturday in honour of the third-annual National Ribbon Skirt Day celebrated across the country.
-
Vacant apartment building demolished after third fire in 2 years
A vacant three-storey apartment building on Mountain Avenue has been demolished after its third fire since 2023.
-
Manitoba's top baby names for 2024
Manitoba’s top baby names remained mostly unchanged for 2024, though some new contenders made their way into the top 10.
Edmonton
-
'Flames were shooting higher than the garage': Block heater cords cause 2 fires in 2 days in Edmonton
Peter Claffey was shocked Thursday morning to find his truck in flames outside his southwest Edmonton home.
-
Declining volunteers increasing risk to rural municipalities: report
Plummeting numbers of volunteers have led to a crisis that threatens the sustainability of rural communities.
-
Who are Canada's top-earning CEOs and how much do they make?
Canada's 100 highest-paid CEOs earned $13.2 million on average in 2023 from salaries, bonuses and other compensation, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Calgary
-
Community grieves as one at vigil for Calgary double homicide victims
They braved the cold to pay tribute to a Calgary mother of three and her father, killed just days after Christmas.
-
Extreme cold warnings expanded across country; snowfall warnings remain for southern Alberta
A persistent weather pattern is funnelling arctic air across the Prairies, which forced Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to issue extreme cold warnings late Thursday.
-
Threat made to Lethbridge casino deemed to be a ‘swatting’ hoax: police
Investigators with Lethbridge police determined that a threat made to a local casino Thursday night was deemed to be a ‘swatting’ hoax.
Regina
-
Family of man shot by Hamilton police hold vigil and rally in Regina
The family and community of a man shot by police in Hamilton in November continue to seek answers surrounding the circumstances of his death.
-
Regina woman turns to social media to find donor match for kidney transplant
A Regina woman currently waiting for a kidney transplant is now seeking a donor through a social media post.
-
Much of Canada is under a weather alert this weekend: here's what to know
From snow, to high winds, to extreme cold, much of Canada is under a severe weather alert this weekend. Here's what to expect in your region.
Vancouver
-
Body found in burned vehicle in Abbotsford park, police say
Homicide investigators have been called in to probe a suspicious death in Sumas Mountain Regional Park outside Abbotsford, police say.
-
Vancouver's Bloedel Conservatory welcomes visitors after months-long closure
After closing for just over two months for upgrades, Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory re-opened its doors the public Saturday.
-
Driver dead after collision with construction vehicle in Saanich, B.C.
A driver is dead after colliding with a construction vehicle in Saanich Friday night.
Vancouver Island
-
Driver dead after collision with construction vehicle in Saanich, B.C.
A driver is dead after colliding with a construction vehicle in Saanich Friday night.
-
WestJet denies compensation to Taylor Swift fan after flight cancellation
WestJet has denied compensation to a devout Taylor Swift fan whose cancelled flight triggered a 10-hour drive through the night from Prince George to make the singer's shows in Vancouver last month.
-
B.C. driver who tried to apprehend suspected impaired driver was impaired: RCMP
Mounties on Vancouver Island say a 50-year-old motorist who tried to apprehend a suspected impaired driver on New Year's Eve, was, in fact, impaired and was issued a 90-day driving prohibition by police.
Atlantic
-
‘We’re at a loss’: Salisbury, N.B., says goodbye to volunteer firefighter
Residents from the Town of Salisbury, N.B., lined Main Street Saturday afternoon to say goodbye to Capt. Tim Dryden of Salisbury Fire and Rescue.
-
Man assaulted in Costco parking lot in Moncton, N.B.
The Codiac Regional RCMP are investigating an assault that took place outside a Costco on Granite Drive in Moncton on Friday.
-
Maritime hockey teams go head-to-head in ‘blood feud’ for good cause
Three teams in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are battling for a cause greater than hockey this January in the Battle of the Bridge – an annual blood donation challenge.
N.L.
-
Labradorians pay thousands to fly to Newfoundland. Could a Quebec energy deal help?
An airport executive in Labrador hopes a new energy deal with Quebec could help attract a competing airline company to the northern region, where flights costs have climbed at more than three times the national rate.
-
Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry
A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season.
-
Whooping cough in Canada: Outbreaks or case increases reported in these provinces
Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade.
