Sault College has nominated two of its alumni for the Premier’s Awards through Colleges Ontario.

The awards recognize the outstanding contributions of graduates in Ontario and around the world.

Mokwateh founder and director JP Gladu was nominated in the Business category.

Special Olympic medalist Carter Simpson was nominated in the Health Sciences category.

The awards will be presented at a gala in Toronto on November 25.

Find the full press release from Sault College below:

It is with great pride that Sault College announces its 2024 nominees for the Colleges Ontario Premier’s Awards. These prestigious awards recognize the outstanding contributions of Ontario graduates in Ontario and around the world. We are honored to recognize two alumni who continue to make a difference in their chosen careers and in the lives of others.

“Our graduates not only enrich our Sault College community, but also leave a lasting mark in Ontario and around the world. “Through the Prime Minister’s Awards, we can honor graduates who have made outstanding contributions in various fields,” said David Orazietti, President of Sault College. “This year, we are proud to highlight two alumni whose stories inspire us. On behalf of Sault College, we congratulate Carter and JP for this exceptional and deserving recognition.

Winners are selected in seven categories: learning, business, community service, creative arts and design, health sciences, recent graduates and technology. Recipients will be announced at the Prime Minister’s Awards gala in Toronto on November 25, 2024.

Join us in congratulating the 2024 Sault College Premier’s Awards nominees:

JP Gladu
Forestry technician, 1991
Category: Business

JP Gladu, founder and director of Mokwateh, previously led the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, launching initiatives such as The Indigenous Business Report. He led the Procurement Champions initiative, generating billions in investment in Canada’s Indigenous economy. Gladu serves on several boards and is a senior researcher at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. An advocate for Indigenous leadership, he received the Public Policy Award in 2024. His college education transformed his academic struggles into a successful forestry career, providing the basis for his significant contributions to Indigenous industry and business.

Carter Simpson
Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) Health and Fitness Promotion, 2016
Category: Health Sciences

Special Olympics medalist Carter Simpson is an inspiration to all who meet him. He doesn’t see that he has a disability and says, “I love having Down syndrome.” He embodied physical fitness and health promotion in his daily life. A college education prepared Carter and gave him the confidence to gain independence in the adult world. He continues to win medals, but most importantly, he encourages people of all ages and abilities to reach their potential. Every day is a celebration for Carter, with a flash of smile and the crinkle of his eyes, he lights up a room.

To learn more about the Colleges Ontario Premier’s Awards, visit https://www.co-awards.org.