Distinguished citizen shares willingness to learn

Ken Kay of Lloydminster, Alta./Sask., who received an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Business degree from Lakeland during the Lloydminster campus convocation ceremony on May 26, proudly admits to relying on educational opportunities from others throughout his career.

“It is a great honour, especially for me who didn’t get a great education, to be recognized by such distinguished educators who do so much for our community and for our business as well,” Kay says. “I didn’t start out with an extensive education but I had a lot of help from others and this great community.”

What started as a 13-year-old’s summer job at a John Deere dealership in St. Walburg, Sask. turned into a life-long career in agriculture for Kay. He worked for John Tingley on Tingley’s farm and then, in 1957 when Tingley bought the John Deere dealership in Lloydminster, Kay began work there. A few years later, Kay was named partner.

During his time with Tingley, he enrolled in boarding school in Kitscoty, Alta. While there, he also took construction, mechanics and welding at the Vermilion School of Agriculture, now Lakeland College.

“The three classes I was the happiest in, during my schooling years, were the ones I took at Lakeland in Vermilion and it still seems to be a happy place,” he says.

He added finding happiness is an aspect of life that the graduates have to carry as they go forward in the world to make their place.

“The ones that are going to succeed are the students who are going to learn to work with other people and to change when things come along to make life work.”

Kay credits Agland’s staff for helping him build a successful career at the dealership. In turn, Agland and Kay have given back to the community.

He is a 30-year member of the Lloydminster Rotary Club, and a 50-year member of the Elks Club. He was named Lloydminster Lions Club’s Citizen of the Year in 2010, and was instrumental in the modernization and expansion of the Grace United Church in Lloydminster.

Lakeland College awards honorary credentials to citizens who have made significant contributions to the community. In addition, the person displays the values Lakeland College strives to cultivate including respect, safety, trust, pride, ethics, quality and accountability.

Photo: Lakeland College’s President and CEO Alice Wainwright-Stewart and Darrel Howell, chair of the Board of Governors, present Ken Kay (centre) of Vermilion with an honorary bachelor of applied business degree during Lakeland’s Lloydminster campus convocation on Friday, May 26, 2017.