The following article is a reprint from the Spring 2006 edition of the St. Lawrence College Voayageur magazine.

A 1972 graduate of the Civil Engineering Technology – Water Resources program, Terry is one of Cornwall’s most respected community and business leaders. Terry graduated from Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School and in the fall of 1969 enrolled in one of Ontario’s new community colleges - St. Lawrence.

“I had some interest in engineering and family funds to attend school out of town were quite restricted,” says Terry. “St. Lawrence was new but looked like a great opportunity.”

At that time there were only a few students enrolled in the Water Resources program, but two of Terry’s classmates were Rick Eamon and Fern Hamlin. Like Terry, Rick and Fern have parlayed their St. Lawrence experience into very successful careers.

“We had a really good class,” says Terry. “It was not only a great educational experience, but we had a lot of fun and we still keep in touch. Several charter members of the college staff also left a positive impression. “Instructors like Louis Tremblay and Ernie Schaefer really helped make a difference for me.”

Instructors in the early years typically came directly from industry or the military.

Terry has never been one to stay idle. He completed his academic program at the college in April of 1972, married Suzanne La Rue, began summer work for Parks Canada and accepted full-time employment for an engineering firm in Labrador City, all within the span of one week.

In 1976, Terry picked up on his interest in real estate and began to take courses at St. Lawrence and then Algonquin College. This led to his real estate license. For the past 30 years, Terry has been actively involved in the realty business. Currently he is both a broker and owner at ReMax Cornwall Realty Inc.

Terry has also been very involved with the business community over the years. He has served on the Cornwall Optimist Club for a number of years. He also became involved with the Cornwall & District Real Estate Board and served as President three times. Terry's work with the real estate board led to involvement with the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and in 2003 he served as President. His commitment to the community has been exemplary.

“Change doesn’t just happen,” explains Terry. “We all need to be part of the community.”

During his term as head of the Chamber, Terry led a review of the organization’s governance structure and by-laws. It was the first major review of these guiding documents for the Cornwall business organization in over 100 years.

Concurrent with his term on the Chamber, Terry has served on the executive of the Real Estate Council of Ontario. Last June he finished his term as Past Chair of their Board.

His departure from the helm of the Real Estate Council was opportune for St. Lawrence. Terry has recently joined the St. Lawrence College Foundation. He joins another Cornwall graduate on the Foundation’s Board, Peter Gault.

The Foundation’s mandate is to support the college in its mission through advocacy, fundraising, management of donor investments and strategic expenditures.

“We are very fortunate to have a St. Lawrence College graduate with Terry’s commitment and experience on our Foundation Board,” say Pat Finucan, Cornwall campus Executive Director.

Terry sees St. Lawrence College in Cornwall playing a key role in the future of the community. He sees the college growing to serve more individuals and the business community in a new way.

“I think a first class educational facility will help support growth at the college,” says Terry. “Better facilities and instructional equipment will help teachers do their job.”

As for the community, Terry believes there are lots of opportunities for Cornwall to change its employment base and position itself for the future. “Having a stronger college in Cornwall will be critical for us as we move ahead,” states this St. Lawrence graduate and community leader.

“We have to include the College on the continuum of education options available to our young people. We have to make going to St. Lawrence important.”

Terry Landon is Vice President and the Broker of Record of RE/MAX Cornwall Realty Inc., Real Estate Brokerage, a founding Director of the Real Estate Council of Ontario, Past President of the Cornwall and District Real Estate Board and a proud member of Team Cornwall.

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