Participants and sponsors go the #distanceforDC at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Posted on October 18, 2016 at 10:55 am. On Sunday, October 16 more than 26,000 people took part in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon including 28 participants from Durham College (DC). Three teams of DC walkers and runners comprised of employees, students and alumni, participated in the marathon, half-marathon and 5 km events raising over $22,000 for the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) at the Oshawa campus. “Thank you to our amazing college community, along with our alumni and valued community members for supporting our walkers and runners and helping us to surpass our original fundraising goal of $20,000,” said Linda Marco, associate vice-president, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. “Everyone who participated in Run for DC at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in support of the new Centre for Collaborative Education, is contributing to a new modern learning space where students, employees and the broader community can work together in ways that transcend traditional concepts of education.” A legacy project tied to the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017, the CFCE will replace the aging Simcoe building, which was built at the Oshawa campus in 1969. It will provide inspiring space for students, employees and the broader community to access a wide variety of programs and services, including ones focused on providing students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in post-secondary studies and health sciences programs. It will house the Aboriginal Student Centre and the Entrepreneurship Centre, and special, flexible space that will enable faculty, students and the broader community to use technology in creative ways to gain unprecedented access to students, educators, thought leaders, subject matter experts and other visionaries from more than 40 countries around the world. DC’s three Run for DC teams included: Durham College IS Awesome with team members Nicole Mastnak (team captain); Sue Hawkins; Stephanie Ball; Karen Founk, Susan Smith; Tanya Roberts; Dave Smith; Ramon Morales; Claire Mastnak; Leilani Morales and Kevin Griffin. Team Durham College with team members Jennifer Clark (team captain); Sally Hillis; Judeline Innocent; Meri Kim Oliver; Elaine Popp; Don Lovisa; Marianne Marando; Elaine Garnett; Linda Marco; Catherine Hardman; Debby Allbon; Michelle Forrest; Dan and Simon Blomme; Sandra Mairs; Maureen Calhoun; Joanne Paterson; Dennis Donnelly and Hannah Elkington. Team DC Whitby with team members Mary Pearce (team captain); Pam Stoneham and Falon Hurlburt. In support of the event and to raise awareness on campus, team Durham College IS Awesome held Run for DC Day on October 12 at the college’s Oshawa campus. Fundraising activities included a boot drive, a combined effort of students (primarily in the Firefighter program) and employees; a bake sale; motivational poster signing and live entertainment provided by students. In total the students and employees’ efforts raised over $900. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated and supported the event. DC celebrates student’s hit single with take on Carpool Karaoke Posted on September 29, 2016 at 3:37 pm. Durham College (DC) president Don Lovisa is giving James Corden, host of The Late Late Show with James Corden, some competition! Lovisa has teamed up with DC alumnus (and returning student) Sarah Mark to celebrate her recent achievements, including her Top 40 hit song Tun Up, with a take on Corden’s popular Carpool Karaoke videos. “Sarah’s success story is quite unique, so we knew we wanted to share it in a unique way,” said Lovisa. “And what better way to celebrate a graduate of our Music Business Administration program and her burgeoning music career than with a video that features her song and lets us have some fun at the same time?” An international student from Trinidad and Tobago, Mark graduated from DC in June 2016 just as her song was beginning to get airtime on popular radio stations across Canada, and even catching the attention of TV personality and radio host Ryan Seacrest. She returned to DC in September to complete a third year of studies and earn additional credentials in DC’s Music Business Management program. The two-year Music Business Administration and three-year Music Business Management programs prepare students to enter the competitive music industry equipped with a solid foundation of business knowledge and plenty of hands-on experience. Students develop skills in management, marketing, promotions and small business while also learning the essentials of event production, live sound reinforcement, studio operations and media. Kia Canada Inc. donates luxury sedan to Durham College Posted on September 23, 2016 at 2:58 pm. Kia Canada Inc.’s (Kia) slogan – The Power to Surprise – was in evidence today as the award-winning automotive manufacturer donated a 2014 Kia Cadenza Premium to Durham College’s (DC) School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology. Representatives from Kia, including Ted Lancaster, vice-president and chief operating officer, were joined by DC President Don Lovisa and DC students and employees at an event held at the college’s Whitby campus to reveal the details of the donation. This includes the importance of community partnerships to both organizations and the value that donations such as this provide in terms of offering students access to hands-on training opportunities using current and in-demand technology and equipment. “At Durham College we prepare our students to meet the demands of a technology-driven workplace,” said Lovisa. “Thanks to Kia’s continued support of our automotive programs and this donation of the world-class Cadenza Premium, our students will be equipped with the latest skills and training required to be successful in Canada’s competitive and evolving automotive industry post-graduation.” The Cadenza Premium, a fully-equipped sedan rivaling its luxury counterparts, was delivered to the college’s Whitby campus last week. It will serve as an important training tool for students enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship, Motive Power Technician – Service and Management program and the School-College-Work Initiative – Dual Credit and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship. “Kia Canada is proud to be supporting the community at Durham College by donating a Kia Cadenza to prepare students for the future through education and experience.” said Lancaster. “This vehicle offers cutting-edge technologies which will provide students hands-on experience and the depth of knowledge necessary to succeed in their careers.” Known for its well-designed interior cabin, the 2014 Cadenza Premium has loads of standard features and a powerful 293 horsepower V6 engine. It has received high praise and numerous accolades for its smooth ride and handling as well as its high level luxury features including onboard navigation and entertainment systems, premium Nappa leather interior, heated and cooled front seats, Lane Departure Warning System (LDW), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Blind Spot Detection System. Going the #distanceforDC at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Posted on September 21, 2016 at 2:54 pm. Next month, 26,000 people will take part in The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) and this year Durham College (DC) will be front and centre! Earlier this year, DC was selected as an official charity for the event and on Sunday, October 16, three teams of DC walkers and runners, comprised of employees, students and alumni, will participate in the marathon, half-marathon and 5 km events to help raise funds for the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) at the Oshawa campus. To support the Run for DC, please visit DC’s page on the STWM website. A legacy project tied to the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017, the CFCE will replace the aging Simcoe building, which was built at the Oshawa campus in 1969. It will serve as an educational access point for students while bringing together local, Indigenous and global community groups and members of key business sectors. “We’re very grateful to everyone who has signed up to participate in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to support the new Centre for Collaborative Education,” said Linda Marco, associate vice-president, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. “We hope that our terrific college community, along with our alumni and community supporters, will rally and sponsor our walkers and runners. With the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017, now is the time to help us build something amazing at Durham College.” The STWM, is an elite-level marathon with Gold Label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations. Both the marathon and half marathon begin at Queen Street West and University Avenue in Toronto and finish on Bay Street, with the 5 km starting on Lake Shore Blvd and also finishing on Bay Street. Event activities get underway at 8 a.m. with the 5 km kicking off first. Go DC! Taylor Murray’s FUNctional Accessories – A FastStart DC success story Posted on September 19, 2016 at 10:57 am. What if guitars had clothes? The thought came to Taylor Murray at a young age when as her step-mom was teaching her to sew, she realized that any shape could be wrapped in fabric. It was a strange question, but it proved to be an important one. Murray took her passing thought and turned it into a business idea at age 11, then held on to it for years until she was finally able to make it a reality. In October 2015, Murray launched her first product, AcouSkins, a line of machine-washable fabric covers designed to personalize and protect acoustic guitars from daily wear, which eventually led to her founding FUNctional Accessories, a creative guitar accessories business. Back when AcouSkins was still only an idea, Murray enrolled at Sir Wilfred Laurier University, where she pursued a degree in Concurrent Education with hopes of becoming teacher. However, by her third semester she felt teaching might not offer the kind of flexibility and creativity she craved. Murray left the program in pursuit of more control over her career path, and after careful consideration of numerous options, she chose the Entrepreneurship and Small Business program at Durham College (DC). “I felt this particular program could help me gain the tactical skills I needed to support my ideas — and I was right,” said Murray. “By my second semester I was creating the business plan for what would become FUNctional Accessories. When I started, I didn’t know about marketing and branding strategies, so going through the programs, I learned a lot.” It was also during this time that Murray learned about FastStart DC and met team member and mentor Jay Fisher. “Jay was extremely supportive in terms of solidifying my idea,” said Taylor. In the course of her entrepreneurial journey, Murray has found the manufacturing process to be the most challenging. The production of AcouSkins was an intensive process. She first approached several professional sewers with the project only to hear that a customizable, one-size cover would be impossible to produce. Finally, Murray purchased a sewing machine and spent months learning how to use it just to be able to finalize a prototype that she could share with potential manufacturers. Next, with her custom product designed, Murray moved into her sales and marketing mode, going so far as to audition for the hit reality TV show Dragons’ Den, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists in the hopes of securing financing. As she gained experience and confidence in her business abilities, Murray added to her stable of brands, including her own Freshly Picked line of guitar picks, which feature designs of fruits and flowers (pun intended!), as well as Strings by Aurora and Inlay Stickers, for which FUNctional Accessories holds the exclusive Canadian licensing rights. Now she is focusing on developing a family-oriented music accessory brand and getting her products into more major retailers. Murray has already found success with Long & McQuade, Canada’s biggest music store chain, and Amazon.ca, both of which are now carrying FUNctional Accessories products thanks to her hard work, persistence and passion. Armed with a clearer understanding of her market segment, Murray plans to eventually launch an online store and hire staff, including sales representatives, administrative assistants and a social media manager. The FastStart DC team has helped Murray throughout her journey and taught her how to see the bigger picture. No wonder she references the program when asked for her advice to young and aspiring entrepreneurs. “Just start talking to people and get useful feedback,” she said. “FastStart was great for this and it introduced me to the best tools.” For more information or to connect with FUNctional Accessories: Telephone: 647.956.4802 Email: Taylor@Acouskins.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acouskins Twitter: https://twitter.com/funcmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funcmusic/ Website: http://functionalmusicaccessories.com/ Jennifer Whyte’s Barefoot Veggies – A FastStart DC success story Posted on September 16, 2016 at 11:30 am. Jennifer Whyte’s interest in sustainable energy and living methods led her to the Renewable Energy program at Durham College (DC). But when she was faced with a serious health condition, Whyte was forced to change course — literally. She transferred to DC’s Office Administration – General program, and was inspired to make another move after taking a business course. Whyte joined DC’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business program, where she met members of the FastStart DC team. During this time, she also came up with an idea to combine her passions for sustainability and business. Under the guidance of FastStart mentor Jay Fisher, she began to fill in her knowledge gaps and build a business. “Jay really made me aware of the realities of running a business,” said Whyte. ”His experience made him a great guide who could point me in the right direction.” With a goal to provide fresh, local vegetables from her garden to her community, and a habit of picking them barefoot, Whyte officially launched Barefoot Veggies, an urban organic farm in Oshawa, Ontario, on July 15, 2015. She even threw a successful, sponsored launch party where not even rain could stop DC representatives and other attendees from showing up to support Whyte’s exciting venture and sample the produce. Since its launch, Barefoot Veggies has captured the attention of local media and benefited from strong word of mouth that’s drawing customers from surrounding areas, including Courtice and Brooklin. The unique Barefoot Veggies shopping experience of buying groceries that can be picked at the time of purchase sets Whyte’s business apart from conventional grocery stores. Whyte’s garden is also becoming an experiential learning ground where children discover the nature of healthy foods while having fun and picking their own green beans and tomatoes. Parents are drawn to Barefoot Veggies to not only buy fresh organic produce for their families, but to also let their kids explore a fun, new side to nutrition. Following the recent milestone of Barefoot Veggies’ one-year anniversary, Whyte is now turning her attention to growing her team and expanding her business. She’s planning to build an irrigation system for the raised beds that were recently added to the farm, and her greenhouse includes a nutrient filtration system with the potential to support over 1,000 plants. Her five-year plan also includes keeping her home open as office space and expanding through partnerships with community-based organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity. Whyte is also looking to move her business toward the edible landscaping field, where she can teach people how to use their lawn space as a garden and grow their own fresh food. She hopes to continue teaching kids about growing their own food and has several ideas for continuing education courses on organic farming that she’d like to teach, perhaps even at Durham College. “It’s comforting to know that FastStart is always around and I can always come back for help,” said Whyte. “I didn’t know much about business when I started, but it really helped me out.” Asked if she now has advice for students with a dream or a business idea, Whyte shared: “If you just ask, stuff happens — you can’t sell a secret. Just do it. Don’t overthink it and it will come together.” For more information or to connect with Barefoot Veggies: Telephone: 905.718.0830 Email: jenkwhyte@hotmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Barefoot-Veggies-Inc-434335653394833 Website: www.barefootveggies.ca DC receives $13 million in federal funding for new CFCE Posted on September 14, 2016 at 10:35 am. Durham College (DC) announced today that it has received $13 million in funding from the federal government through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) toward the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) at the college’s Oshawa campus. The announcement was made by Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Liberal MP for Whitby, on behalf of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada at an event held at the college this morning. The $13 million commitment, combined with the $22 million in funding received from the provincial government toward the building in April 2016, brings the total amount being invested in the CFCE to $35 million, the largest single-project investment by government in the college’s history. With a total build cost of $40 million, the CFCE will replace the college’s aging Simcoe building, which was originally built as a temporary structure and opened in 1969. The new multi-level, 75,000-square-foot-facility, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017, will serve as an educational access point for students while bringing together local, Indigenous and global community groups and members of key business sectors. The CFCE will be located to the east of the current building, where it will connect directly to the Student Services building, and is being designed to reflect and address the needs of both students and the community, including the desire for more collaborative learning and social spaces. “On behalf of everyone at Durham College, I extend my sincere thanks to the federal government for this significant investment in our unique vision and commitment to creating a facility that will expand local programming, further connect Indigenous communities to post-secondary education and drive entrepreneurship and internationalization via Global, Open and Collaborative spaces that connect the college to more than 50 academic institutions around the world,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “Providing us with the opportunity to expand into new programs areas that offer experiential learning opportunities designed to match the labour needs of industry, the CFCE is a legacy building for the next 50 years that truly reflects Durham College’s dedication to meeting the demands of students, employers and Ontario’s changing economy.” Designed to reflect DC’s commitment to working with local business and community partners to create a new facility where students, employees and the broader community can work together in ways that transcend the traditional concepts of education, the CFCE will house the following: The School-College-Work Initiative and the affiliated Centre for Success program, a partnership between DC and the Durham District, Kawartha Pine Ridge District, Durham Catholic District, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District, and Trillium Lakelands District school boards that assists in-risk students by helping them find their way to college. The Aboriginal and Student Diversity Centres. Entrepreneurial, Innovation and Creative spaces including the Spark Centre, which will expand applied research opportunities for students, faculty and small-and medium-sized businesses. Global, Open and Collaborative spaces that will enable faculty, students and the broader community to use technology in creative ways to gain unprecedented access to students, educators, thought leaders, subject matter experts and other visionaries from more than 40 countries around the world. Health science facilities including state-of-the art classrooms and labs; a spa focused on massage therapy, cosmetology and aesthetics; and programming centred around occupational therapy and physical therapy. Foundation programs designed to prepare students for the continuation of post-secondary education at college or university. Significant collaborative learning and social spaces for our students, faculty and community. “These infrastructure investments will help create high-quality, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today, while also delivering sustained economic growth in the Durham Region for years to come”, said MP Caesar-Chavannes. “Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are strengthening the foundation for building Canada into a global centre for innovation.” Since announcing plans to replace the aging Simcoe building in April, DC has made steady progress on plans for the CFCE. The construction and architecture tenders have been awarded and initial work is expected to begin this fall with construction to be completed in 2018. A comprehensive design consultation process involving the builder and architects is now underway with each of the services, programs and departments that will be moving into the CFCE. “Durham College has long been a vital component of our community,” said Granville Anderson, MPP, Durham. “This significant investment from the provincial and federal governments, which supports expanded programming and enhances Durham’s state-of-the-art learning environment, provides the renewal necessary to continue that important work.” The college will soon launch a capital campaign to raise the additional $5 million for the construction of the building in partnership with individuals, corporations, community partners and alumni over a two-year period. DC student’s Gord Downie tribute helps raise funds for brain tumour research Posted on August 10, 2016 at 11:37 am. When Durham College (DC) student Branson Schell returns to campus this September for his second year in the Animation – Digital program, he’ll have quite an addition to his portfolio. Schell’s water colour portrait of Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie went viral and is now being featured on t-shirts that will raise money for brain tumour research. Downie announced in May that he has an incurable brain tumour; he’s now travelling Canada with the Tragically Hip on the bittersweet Man Machine Poem tour that will likely be his last. An avid Tragically Hip fan, Schell was inspired to pick up his paintbrush by Downie’s music and circumstances. “It was only my second painting ever and it took about half an hour to complete,” said Schell. “I’m used to working with charcoal and pencil from my hand-drawing classes at DC, but I felt like I really need to use colour this time to capture him [Downie].” After posting the portrait to his Instagram and Facebook profiles with the hashtag Gord Downie, Schell’s work began drawing attention and made its way to fellow fan Christina Parente who asked for permission to share the image on her Downie tribute website, deargord.ca. Next, popular music journalist Alan Cross included Schell’s painting in a poll to choose a Downie tribute image to be printed on t-shirts for a fundraiser in support of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Schell’s artwork was announced the winning fan-favourite on July 20 after earning nearly 60 per cent of the hundreds of votes that were cast. “I’m proud of the painting, and the attention it’s getting is great, but I’m even more proud of how it’s going to help raise awareness and funds for more brain cancer research,” said Schell. He and his friends will be watching the live broadcast of the Tragically Hip’s final concert on Saturday, August 20, at an outdoor event in his hometown of Cobourg, Ont. He plans to have some t-shirts on hand to keep doing his part to fundraise. DC grads partner with McAfee Global Technologies to revolutionize digital security Posted on August 2, 2016 at 1:54 pm. Durham College (DC) Computer Systems Technology program graduates Joshua Kowalchuk and Robert Rogers know the world of technology is changing and evolving every day. After finding success with their start-up business, the two grads have partnered with international tech legend John McAfee and his company, MGT Capital Investments, Inc., to change the face of cyber-security for home and business owners across the world. Kowalchuk and Rogers met before graduating from DC, establishing a mutual love for computers and information technologies. Together they provided IT consulting for local companies before founding their own internet service provider, Ontario High Speed Inc., in Whitby, Ontario in 2010. With no outside investors or working capital, growing the business was a slow process. However, five years later, the company had over 30 broadcast locations and roughly 500 happy customers, delivering high speed internet service to rural locations around Durham Region. The company’s first gigabit optical circuit and data centre became operational in 2012, and in 2013 the first prototype of the E-Tagged mobile device tracking software for a tractor dealership’s anti-theft system was introduced. After seeing a video of the system at work, McAfee contacted the pair with an opportunity to work with his company, incorporating their software into a new form of high security systems. Kowalchuk and Rogers hope to expand the product’s reach from corporate applications to a broader array of uses, including home monitoring systems. “John McAfee is a tech legend whose vision helped shape and change the new world of the personal computer, so it is a surreal experience,” says Kowalchuk of working with McAfee on their E-Tagged technology. “If you were to tell either of us 15 years ago that we would be working with him, we probably wouldn’t have believed you.” The E-Tagged software analyzes radio signals broadcast by mobile phones, detecting their identity and alerting the owner with information such as the geographic location, MAC address and cellular carrier of the device in question. The system can be configured to call, text or email this information remotely. Whether monitoring a dealership’s sales lot or a house’s front door, the security system built from the E-Tagged technology will enable people to more easily protect the things they find most valuable. Durham College launches 50th anniversary survey and website Posted on July 25, 2016 at 11:26 am. Durham College (DC) has launched an official 50th anniversary website, kicking off the countdown to the college’s milestone birthday in 2017. With news, updates and event information, the website is a hub for DC’s anniversary celebrations, offering an opportunity for community members to stay informed, entertained and engaged over the coming year. “The theme of the 50th anniversary celebrations for both Durham College and Colleges Ontario is The Start of Something Amazing and that’s exactly what this website embodies,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “Designed to evolve as the year unfolds, the site will provide an opportunity for us to invite everyone — students, alumni, employees, retirees and members of the community — to share their memories of where we’ve been and their vision for where we’re going. In particular, it will provide the opportunity to hear how DC has positively influenced some of our most successful alumni via video footage from our President’s Panel.” The site features photo and video galleries, anniversary special event listings, as well as DC and Colleges Ontario facts. It also highlights the variety of ways visitors can stay connected, such as subscribing to anniversary-related email updates, sharing DC stories via social media using #DC50, and submitting favourite memories and video footage to the website. “One way members of our local community, in addition to our employees, students, alumni and more, can participate in our celebrations is by taking a few minutes to complete our 50th anniversary survey,” said Scott Blakey, chief administrative officer and co-chair, 50th Anniversary Committee, DC. “Their input and contributions, from favourite DC anecdotes to photos to artifacts, will help shape our celebrations in the year ahead.” Visitors are invited to stop by the website frequently to stay up-to-date on the latest 50th anniversary news and events and help celebrate with their extended DC family. « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 »