The College of the North Atlantic has received the largest donation in its history, which will be put into expanding its climate change and sustainability programming through its new School of Sustainable Development.

Hebron, operated by ExxonMobil Canada, is giving the college $10-million over the next five years.

The money will be used by the college to transform its resources, enhance infrastructure, and unlock new potential.

CNA President and CEO Liz Kidd says about half of the money is already spent, and they are “being very thoughtful” about where the money will go.

She says this will be a province-wide initiative, and is not limited to one bricks and mortar solutions. Kidd says their programs could be virtual, they could be in all campuses, and that’s the process they’re working through. She says they are also looking at the types of programs needed, including ones related to solar panels and repairing electric vehicles.

Gary Thompson, Dean of the new school, says he’s excited about where things are heading, because they can do new and innovative things and take the College in a new direction that they couldn’t afford to do before.