Canadore College has officially turned 50 years old.

On Wednesday, the college celebrated the occasion with a big birthday cake cutting next to the front doors at the Commerce Court campus.

Also on hand was a 42-foot trailer that is marking the half century of the college system.

Dave Saad was part of the 2nd ever college graduating class at what is now Canadore in 1972.

He says the college has come a long way

” We were located in the old Queen Victoria school which was across from where the North Bay post office is and all our classes were in portables and the attic in one of the churches. We moved all around the city.”

Saad says the one memory he has above all others is that everybody knew each other and it still has that feel.

Canadore actually started as Cambrian College.

President George Burton says the college system has stayed true to its mission which is training people for employment and stayed true to its applied learning and applied research agenda which then Education Minister Bill Davis spelled out in its mandate.

“Its evolved though from offering in its early days basic skills programs. Today we offer everything from upgrading to degrees. It has evolved and it will continue to evolve.”

Burton says the focuses right now are continuing to reach out to the community and to attract students from Ontario and around the world.