The Durham College (DC) class of 2024 is ready for graduation.

Last week, Countdown to Grad events were held at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Over 500 students took advantage of the early opportunity to register for graduation, book their grad photos, enjoy a free pizza lunch and more.

For Interactive Media Design students Yvett Forrester and Ilia Slesarchuk, it was an opportunity to reflect on their DC journeys while looking to the future at Convocation and beyond.

“I’m really excited. I can’t wait for graduation,” said Forrester. “I’m not nervous, I just want that moment to come.”

Now that the finish line is in sight, Slesarchuk enjoyed the opportunity to take a break from his studies and prepare for graduation.

“I’m a little tired, but it’s great,” he said. “I’m not nervous at all, I’m just excited.”

There was a lot of excitement in the air at both events according to Mary Weller, Alumni Development Officer.

“The students that I’ve spoken to are enthusiastic to come in and see what they’re entitled to as alumni,” she said.

One of the best offerings that all alumni have access to is the Career Development Office and the many services they provide, according to Weller, who makes sure to point each student in their direction.

“Career Development is available to every alumnus for the rest of their life. If they ever need help with their resume, cover letter or interviewing skills, they can reach out to Career Development, and it’s free.”

As lifelong members of the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA), graduates also get exclusive benefits and discounts using the free DC Alumni Connect app.

Alumni are encouraged to stay connected with DC on social media and share the stories of their success with us. They’re also eligible for DC’s Alumni of Distinction award, which recognizes graduates who make extraordinary contributions to society while also achieving career success.

Earlier this month, the DC Talks: Alumni Series presented “A Celebration of The Chronicle’s 50th Anniversary.” The special event, produced by the Faculty of Media, Art & Design and the Durham College Alumni Association, recognized a half-century of quality journalism from Durham College’s (DC) campus publication.

Six alumni of DC’s Journalism program gathered in the Rotary Global Classroom to take part in a wide-ranging panel discussion. They shared stories from their time in journalism and related fields, reflected on the immense changes the industry has faced, and offered advice to today’s students who are preparing for their own careers.

The panel included:

• Rob Massey (1977), who served as the Sports Editor at the Guelph Mercury for three decades before founding the Guelph Sports Journal.
• Chris Bovie (1987), an award-winning journalist and editor who is now the Director of Corporate Communications at the Durham Regional Police Service.
• Rob Leth (1996), a television personality and videographer for City News and CBC, reporting around the Greater Toronto Area.
• Jesara Holla (2006), a seasoned communications professional currently serving as the Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs for New Nuclear at Ontario Power Generation.
• Stephanie Foden (2011), a freelance documentary photographer who has worked for The New York Times, TIME magazine, National Geographic and more.
• Cheyenne Jarrett (2022), a Communications Advisor at the Region of Durham.

“We are celebrating journalism in this room today,” said Professor Lon Appleby. “Who are the people who keep our leaders on their toes? Who are the ones that reflect our society back to us in the most truthful and dedicated way? Who are the fourth estate in our society? Journalists.”

DC President Don Lovisa moderated the discussion, and commended the Journalism program for its proven track record of producing award-winning students and professors who deliver the news from campus and the surrounding community with accuracy and integrity.

“It’s wonderful to see this, that we continue the tradition of quality stories in journalism and that we are recognized for that across Ontario,” he said.

Despite their varied career and life experiences, all the panelists agreed that their DC education set them on the path to success.

“The program has really rocketed my career,” said Jarrett. “I learned so much. The professors gave me opportunities to expand on my writing abilities and get the job that I have now, straight out of school.”

With traditional media outlets downsizing and shuttering, tomorrow’s journalists are in for a challenge as they build their careers. With that in mind, the panelists offered the benefit of their experience to the assembled students.

“You have to have a passion for it, and you have to take advantage of your opportunities,” said Leth. “It’s so important to learn as many skills as you can. You just never know when that break is going to come, and if you’re willing to learn everything that you possibly can, you make it that much more likely that an employer will hire you.”

They will also find that the skills they honed in school will be relevant outside of journalism, according to Bovie.

“As journalism students, you understand how to communicate. You start to understand relationships and people and what motivates them,” he said. “There are so many skills that you get out of a journalism program that are transferable to so many different career paths.”

At the end of the event, Appleby thanked the panelists and encouraged the students to heed their example as they develop their own careers.

“These are professionals, and that’s what we build here; the professional mindset.”

The full panel discussion is available online.

For the second consecutive year, Durham College (DC) alumnus Tre Sanderson showcased his culinary skills at Bistro ’67.

RBC presents ‘A Night with Tre Sanderson’ was held on February 9 and 10 and was a hot ticket with local foodies, who filled the popular restaurant to experience the young chef’s modern take on Caribbean cuisine. The 2015 graduate of DC’s Culinary Management program and winner of Top Chef Canada Season 10 unveiled a six-course tasting menu that featured mouth-watering treats like lucky lime oyster, rice and pea risotto and sweet potato pudding.

Coming back to the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF) is always special for Tre, who was part of the first cohort of students to learn his trade in the state-of-the-art facility.

“It’s humbling every time I come here,” he said. “This event is amazing because I get to come back, showcase my skill set and present food that I grew up on in a different form. But I can also give back to the students and help pave the way for the next generation.”

DC students and the Bistro ’67 team worked tirelessly in the kitchen to help Tre perfect his menu. Working alongside one of Canada’s brightest culinary talents was an invaluable experience for them according to Lori Saint, CFF General Manager.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to work with Tre and for him to coach them and show them how his skills have expanded since he left the program,” said Saint. “He’s a fantastic chef and it’s been really great for all of us to work with him.”

Pantry Technician Anna Mae Baksh has worked on both of Tre’s DC events. She has been particularly impressed by his willingness to try new things in the kitchen, and his determination to make each of his menu items the best they can be.

“Getting to know him as a person has been great, and his drive to be perfect is something to be inspired by,” she said.

First-year Culinary Management student Paige Daniel and her classmates are now following in Tre’s footsteps. The knowledge that Canada’s Top Chef was a student like them just a decade ago is all the motivation they need.

“To see where Tre is and then to be working with him in the kitchen is inspiring. It’s a constant reminder that the sky’s the limit,” said Daniel.

More than any recipe or cooking method, that’s the lesson Tre hopes to impart to today’s students.

“Once you graduate, anything is possible,” he said. “As long as you put your mind to it and have passion behind it, you can really make your dream come true.”

Nominations for 2024 Alumni of Distinction award now open

With thousands of alumni making a mark in their communities, Durham College (DC) is now accepting nominations to recognize the trailblazers among them through the Alumni of Distinction Awards.

DC’s remarkable alumni community exceeds 114,000 people who play impactful roles both locally and internationally. Since 1990, over 100 alumni have been honoured with the Alumni of Distinction Award. Recipients are chosen for their professional, community and personal accomplishments, contributions to the advancement of DC, and the scope of impact for their achievements. Winners have ranged from respected medical practitioners and educators to accomplished broadcasters and engineers.

“A Durham College education has been a launching pad for tremendous success for our alumni in both their personal and professional lives,” said Don Lovisa, DC President. “Celebrating their exceptional accomplishments through these awards offers a unique opportunity to recognize and applaud their achievements as they serve as the inspiration for the upcoming generation of DC alumni leaders.”

The 2023 Alumni of Distinction included Edmonton Oilers executive Stew MacDonald, Top Chef Canada winner Tre Sanderson and Christine Cunningham, founder and executive director of Perinatal Wellbeing Ontario.

Nomination forms are available online at durhamcollege.ca/alumniofdistinction and should be submitted to alumni@durhamcollege.ca before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 1. The awards will be presented at DC’s Spring Convocation in June.