Olds College’s 2026 Community Partner of the Year is Bumper to Bumper.
Among the ways local leader Rob Rhodes and Bumper to Bumper in Olds supports Olds College’s hands-on learning environment, is by providing universal student discounts and donating a high-quality toolbox each year to a full-time student.
Todd Ormann, Vice President of External Relations and Research, points out that the presentation to Rhodes about the prestigious honour was made at the annual Strive and Thrive event for OC’s staff. Ormann says “it was a pleasure to meet him and his family. It was nice also to see that Bumper to Bumper corporate showed up and so did his family. It was pretty clear that it was an award for him but also for him and his family because it is a family run business, It was nice to see that connection with him and the family.”
This is first year that the recipient is being honoured with the Community Partner Bench which will remain permanently on campus as a reminder about the contributions made to Olds College and its students. Going forward, that new tradition will continue each year. Ormann says “now with that bench, we recognize Bumper to Bumper on our campus itself. So going forward, there is going to be a plaque that is given to, you know, that individual or business that supports the College but then on campus we are going to celebrate that as well by putting in that recognition. In this case, there is going to be this nice metal Bumper to Bumper bench which will be placed on or near our new trades building.”
