Oshawa, Ont. – Science Rendezvous, the all-day festival that takes science out of the lab and onto the streets, will be held on Saturday, May 13 at Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) shared campus.

This free grassroots festival makes science accessible to thousands of people, and is appropriate for all ages. Science Rendezvous features mini-workshops, games and experiments that prove just how fun science can be! The entire community is welcome and encouraged to attend. Bring your kids for a fun day for the whole family!

When:

Saturday, May 13
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where:

DC-UOIT shared campus
2000 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa

Free admission and parking.

For event details and a full list of activities, please visit the Science Rendezvous website.

This year, participants are encouraged to be ‘green’ and bring their own packed lunch as well as a refillable water bottle.

Science Rendezvous festivals will take place simultaneously in 30 cities across Canada on May 13. Be part of the 10th edition of Canada’s national celebration of science.

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For more information, or to arrange pictures or interviews, please contact:

Melissa McLean
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000, ext. 2952
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College’s (DC) seventh annual Research Day on Thursday, April 27 will highlight the possibilities, opportunities and successes that exist when innovation meets entrepreneurship, and how the advancement of both can make positive impacts on Durham Region and beyond. Attendees will learn how to access project funding, new entrepreneurship-focused opportunities on campus and recent projects and collaborations between industry partners and the college’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Research Day is a dynamic forum that brings together members of DC’s research community, including student researchers, faculty, and industry and community partners, to showcase current applied research and innovation projects in areas of significance to the local and provincial economies including data analytics, automation and mobile applications.

The event will include a keynote address by Ryan Turnbull, founder and president of Eco-Ethonomics Inc., and a series of diverse breakout sessions.

• Welcome and opening remarks – 9 a.m.
• Keynote address: Good is the new currency – 9:10 a.m.
• WeTraq global tracking device demonstration – 9:25 a.m.
• Networking break – 9:30 a.m.
• Breakout research sessions – 10 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
• Awards and closing remarks – 12:20 p.m.

See the complete Research Day 2017 program for more details.

When:

Thursday, April 27
9 a.m. 

Where:

Student Services building
Durham College, Oshawa campus
2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa 

Parking:

Parking is available in the Founders 2 lot.

For more information or to arrange pictures or interviews please contact:

Melissa McLean
Communications and Marketing
T: 905.721.2000 ext. 2952
C: 905.259.8483
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca

Award recognizes college’s commitment to environmental sustainability

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that it has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. Awarded as part of the 2017 editorial competition that is organized by the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project, this special designation recognizes employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness within their organizations.

Winning employers are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Unique environmental initiatives or programs they have developed.
• Whether they have been successful in reducing their own environmental footprint.
• Whether their employees are involved in these programs and contribute unique skills.
• Whether their environmental initiatives have become linked to the employer’s public identity to attract new people to the organization.

DC’s Living Green initiative and participation as an early signatory to the Pan Canadian Protocol for Sustainability were among the reasons for inclusion on this year’s list, joining 69 other businesses and institutions from across the country.

Also noted were the green features found throughout the college’s building footprint. Living Green, working with the experts in the Facilities & Ancillary department, have made a number of sustainable changes to DC’s structures and spaces. These include adding a 350-panel photovoltaic rooftop solar array, installing a geothermal heating and cooling system and utilizing a centralized building automation system that monitors multiple campus buildings.

“We are very proud to receive this designation as one of Canada’s greenest employers,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “As a college, we not only believe in fostering environmentally sustainable practices but also an eco-conscious mindset among students, employees and partners. We feel responsibility for social, environmental and economic stewardship should be shared and have worked incredibly hard to ensure sustainability guides our decisions and practices. We do this for the betterment of everyone on campus, present and future, and well beyond and this award signals we are on the right track.”

About Living Green DC

In 2012, DC launched a new campus environmental initiative under the “Living Green” banner. With oversight from the college’s Sustainability Committee, Living Green seeks to enhance the environmental sustainability of campus operations, planning, administration, curriculum, research, innovation and stakeholder engagement. Acting as environmental champions, students can volunteer as part of the Green Team. The college also employs a full-time sustainability coordinator to help foster a culture of sustainability, establishing guiding principles for campus activities and day-to-day operations.

For more information on DC’s sustainable initiatives please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/livinggreen.

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 11,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college has recently broken ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ‘67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Meghan Ney
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca

High school and college students gain unique learning experience while hosting community event

Whitby, Ont. – It was a food frenzy at Durham College’s (DC) W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF) on April 8 as the college hosted its third annual Epic Mac N’ Cheese competition and Pop-up Bake Shops.

The event kicked off with eight teams of Grade 11 and 12 students whipping up an array of creative concoctions based on the classic comfort food of macaroni and cheese. Competitors’ family and friends, along with other community members, gathered to cheer teams on, taste test recipes and vote for their favourite dishes.

Among the many unbelievably cheesy dishes, one prevailed as the cheesiest.

The winning recipe belonged to Katelyn Gadajar and Griffin VanWinden, students at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, and featured a combination of goat cheese, Italian sausage, roasted red peppers and garlic over an exquisite cream-based sauce.

“I had a lot of fun, and the experience was great especially considering I am going to be attending DC for the Culinary Management program in the fall,” said VanWinden. “Being able to work alongside a DC mentor was really awesome, and it felt good to win as it gave me a lot more confidence in what I do and solidified my decision for my future career.”

Second place was awarded to Josh Simpson and Emma Whittington from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough, and third place went to Kacey Payne and Bailey Agnew from Henry Street High School in Whitby.

The money raised from event ticket sales will be added to a bursary fund that helps support students pursuing a career in culinary arts, hospitality or special events planning at DC. All students who participated in the competition are eligible to apply for the bursary if accepted into a CFF program. 

As the high school students were busy cooking culinary masterpieces, students from DC’s Advanced Baking and Pastry Arts graduate certificate program brought their year-long capstone projects to life in a series of Pop-up Bake Shops. After months of preparation, the students competed for the honour of top shop as they sold an array of artisan breads, confections and preserves to members of the community under their own unique brands.

“It’s awesome and really fun,” said Caitlin Lounsberry, an Advanced Baking and Pastry Arts student who had been looking forward to this day all semester. “Part of the goal is to break-even on the cost of creating our company, but it’s really not about the money – it’s about the food.”

Lounsberry’s team, Creative Café and Confectionary, based their theme around treats traditionally found in a coffee shop, stocking their booth with coffee-flavoured pastries, candies and chocolate baked goods. The team came up with the idea during their entrepreneurship class where students had the opportunity to develop their own company, and were responsible for product development, marketing, budgeting, ordering, packaging and any other business decisions related to the event day. Other teams included The Butterstick, Sensible Creations and Classy Bees.

“The Epic Mac N’ Cheese competition and Pop-up Bake Shop events truly support experiential learning at both a secondary and post-secondary level,” said Peter Lee, professor and co-ordinator of DC’s culinary programs. “These opportunities are essential in helping students to take their learning beyond the classroom and develop practical skills in state-of-the-art facilities.”

Tanya Heck, pastry chef and DC professor added that, “It’s also a great way for them to connect with the community and gain constructive feedback from real customers, while local families can enjoy a fun-filled day. It truly is a big win for everyone involved.” 

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 11,111 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college has recently broken ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Krista Luxton
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 6233
krista.luxton@durhamcollege.ca

Legacy funding awarded in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ontario college system

Oshawa, ON – Following the recent announcement from the provincial government, of their $50-million investment in colleges across Ontario, Durham College (DC) is pleased to share that it will receive $1.9 million of that legacy funding.

As DC celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017, so too does the college system in Ontario. The funding for all 24 of the province’s colleges was awarded in celebration of this milestone year.

The idea of partnering with the provincial government, to establish a legacy fund of $50 million for 50 years, was proposed by chair of the Colleges Ontario 50th anniversary task force and DC President Don Lovisa, in order to benefit all Ontario colleges in a meaningful way. 

“What a fantastic way to celebrate this milestone and truly start something amazing,” said Lovisa. “In making this generous funding commitment, the provincial government is recognizing the outstanding achievements of Ontario’s colleges over the past 50 years, while also creating a lasting impact on future generations of students across the province, including Durham College.”

Durham MPP Granville Anderson was onsite at DC’s Whitby campus where he revealed how much of the funding the college will receive, and what this means to students and the greater Durham Region community.

“Over the past 50 years, our colleges have done so much to build Ontario up,” said Durham MPP Granville Anderson. “They provide students with unique experiences and important skills which prepare them to be successful in the workforce. Durham College, specifically, plays a vital role in our community, so it was my pleasure to announce our government’s $1.9 million investment to help make this great school even better.”

During the announcement, DC shared that it will use its portion of the funds to construct a two-storey galleria at its Whitby campus, providing much needed touchdown space and collaboration zones for the more than 2,000 full-time students who call the Whitby campus home.

Construction on the galleria space is expected to begin shortly.

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 11,111 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college has recently broken ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Meghan Ney
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca

Robust suite of services can help organizations take their business to the next level

Oshawa, Ont. – If you think Durham College (DC) is just for students – think again! From seasoned professionals with decades of experience to newer offerings based on the latest industry trends, DC Solutions for Business brings together experts from across the college to offer a range of results-driven services to help businesses reach their goals.

DC Solutions for Business is a network of service area professionals who work seamlessly with clients to provide innovative support, customized solutions, expertise and training that align with the specific needs of each individual client. This can include, but is not limited to, talent acquisition, skills training and upgrading, research and development, funding procurement, hosting student placements and charitable giving. 

“Working with DC Solutions for Business offers business owners and employers an excellent opportunity to assess their operations and talent pool to ensure company resources align with an overall vision or goal,” said Tara Koski, director, Career Development and Co-operative Education, DC. “Opportunities for growth are available for any organization willing to explore, and our experts can provide customized, innovative solutions to identify and address challenges.”

DC Solutions for Business offers a range of services from which organizations can choose, either singularly or in a combination that will best suit their needs, provided by the following service areas:

• Career Development and Co-operative Education.
• Community Employment Services.
• Corporate Training Services.
• Event and catering services.
• Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.
• Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

“No matter their size, stage or specialization, businesses need direct access to trusted advisors and service providers,” said Koski. “They also need the support of an adaptive team that can provide the expertise and training needed to emerge at the forefront of today’s rapidly changing market.”

From research and development services and prototyping new technologies to customized training and building an employee dream team, DC Solutions for Business can meet business owners and employers where they are and help them evolve to where they want to be tomorrow.

To learn more, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/solutions.

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 11,111 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college has recently broken ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Krista Luxton
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 6233
krista.luxton@durhamcollege.ca

Nominations for Alumni of Distinction Awards and Honorary Credential recipient now open

Oshawa, Ont. – With more than 76,000 graduates and countless community and business supporters, Durham College (DC) makes it a priority to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the college, community and well beyond. With that in mind, the college is calling on community members to bring forward their nominations for DC’s 2017 Alumni of Distinction Awards and 2017 Honorary Credential, and is offering assistance to anyone who is interested in preparing a nomination.

“As we celebrate our 50^th anniversary in 2017, one of the best ways we can continue to inspire students and employees at DC is to shine a light on the many members of our community who are succeeding in their careers, giving back to their communities and paving the way for future generations,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “We want to recognize their success and thank them for their contributions, and the Alumni of Distinction Awards and Honorary Credential allow us to do just that.”

The Alumni of Distinction Awards honour the significant contributions DC graduates make to society while achieving career success. The Honorary Credential recognizes a community or business partner who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of DC, Durham Region and beyond. Both are given at the college’s annual spring convocation ceremonies in June.

“Alumni are always top of mind for the college, but even more so during this milestone year,” added Lovisa. “Our 50th anniversary year provides a natural opportunity to take those connections with our alumni to the next level, and I hope to see that surge reflected in the number of nominations we receive this year.”

A wide range of professionals have received the Alumni of Distinction Award including entrepreneurs, health-care leaders, journalists, multimedia designers, engineers, technicians and skilled trades professionals. Nominations are being accepted until Friday, March 10 through the DC Alumni office.

DC employees and members of the community are invited to nominate an individual for an Honorary Credential by completing a Nomination for Honorary Credential Form and submitting the package to Paul Bishop, executive director/registrar, Strategic Enrolment Services, by Saturday, April 1.

One of the first colleges established under the Ontario college system, DC takes immense pride in the way its graduates and community partners continue to help build a strong college, one that is committed to student success, and looks forward to recognizing these individuals in June.

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers close to 11,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.2

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college will soon break ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:

Melissa McLean
Communications officer
Durham College
t: 905.721.2000 ext. 2952

 

Long-time college research partner secures $500,000 deal on Dragon’s Den

Durham College (DC) is proudly congratulating research partner, IFTech (Inventing Future Technology Inc.), for successfully securing a deal for its wearable technology, As Real As It Gets (ARAIG), during the February 15 episode of CBC’s hit-show Dragon’s Den.

Father and son duo Michael and Brodie Stanfield, both founders and CEO’s of IFTech, stepped into the Den to pitch ARAIG, an immersive gaming suit that totally transports users into the reality of their virtual world by interacting with them to increase their immersion, based on situations and/or interactions occurring within a range of media environments.

The high-tech innovation company, who worked with DC to develop their technology, asked the dragons for $500,000 in exchange for 20 per cent of IFTech and walked away with a $500,000 deal for 25 per cent of the company courtesy of dragon Manjit Minhas.

“We are very excited to be working with the Manjit,” said Brodie Stanfield. “This is yet another step in the evolution of ARAIG. Our journey from concept, to prototype, to finally producing the interactive suit is something we could not have done alone. We’ve had a lot of help along the way, including working on several projects with the team at Durham College. We share this latest success with the faculty researchers and students who helped us bring ARAIG to life.”

IFTech’s partnership with DC, and its Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), began in June 2014.  The college provided initial support for the development of the control centre for IFTech’s wearable technology, integrating audio, vibratory and muscle stimulation systems. This research was supported through a $20,000 Voucher for Innovation and Productivity received from the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). In November 2014, DC received an additional $20,000 in OCE funding to support its ongoing applied research work with IFTech. This included a specific focus on the creation of ARAIG’s wireless communications protocol, a component critical to the commercialization of the device.

The result of these collaborations was improved design and functionality for the suit’s control centre and incorporating a wireless communications protocol, in order to provide an optimal solution for all of the different wireless requirements of the varying markets for the ARAIG product.

Given IFTech’s history with DC, it was only fitting that their initial pitch for a chance to appear before the Dragons, happened at the college in March 2016. DC played host to aspiring entrepreneurs, including IFTech, looking to audition for Dragon’s Den for a chance to turn dreams into reality.

“We are absolutely thrilled for IFTech,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, ORSIE. “Michael and Brodie Stanfield are significant Durham College research partners and our work on the ARAIG project has   allowed many students to gain skills in problem solving and innovative thinking while deepening their technical skills.  Faculty researchers contributed their expertise and ingenuity, while enabling IFTech to benefit from the research team’s efforts. On behalf of everyone at Durham College I extend my sincere congratulations to Michael and Brodie on this wonderful accomplishment. We wish them all the best as they welcome Manjit on board and look forward to working with them in the future, as ARAIG continues to evolve.”

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers more than 11,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college has recently broken ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Meghan Ney
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca

Students, alumni, employees and governors gather to play an original song and a Tragically Hip favourite

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College’s (DC) singing president is back and this time he’s brought company! On February 10, DC president Don Lovisa joined musical forces with 49 members of the college community, including students, alumni, employees and governors, for 50 Guitars for 50 Years, a jam session in celebration of DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017.

Gathered on the steps of the Student Services building at DC’s Oshawa campus, 50 guitarists came together to strum, sing and celebrate their college with two musical numbers: “A Lesson Learned in Time,” an original song written by DC employee Justin Lant in honour of the college’s milestone year, and “Ahead by a Century,” a Canadian classic by The Tragically Hip.

Watch the DC video for “A Lesson Learned in Time”.

Watch the DC video for “Ahead by a Century”.

Lant, a member of the college’s Facilities Services department for nearly four years, is also a member of the popular local band 20 Amp. Aware of his talents as a musician and songwriter, Lant’s supervisor, Suzanne Chasse, approached him with the idea of writing a song that would draw on the theme of DC’s 50th festivities, The Start of Something Amazing. Lant, a guitarist and keyboardist, then wrote “A Lesson Learned in Time” to match the inspirational vibe of the celebrations, complete with lyrics based on the school’s history.

The 50 Guitars group also opted to play “Ahead by a Century,” the beloved anthem by Canadian rock legends The Tragically Hip, as a nod to the recently retired group’s legacy. The song was the last one performed by the band at their final concert on August 20, 2016.

Part of the college’s year-long celebration of its 50th year, the 50 Guitars for 50 Years jam session is one of many events DC is holding to bring its community together, raise awareness of its milestone year and spread the word about the upcoming 50th Homecoming Weekend festivities that will be held on Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9.

Community members, including DC alumni, employers and community partners, are encouraged to join the celebrations by visiting the college’s 50th anniversary website, where they can share favourite DC memories, explore the college’s history, watch videos and find a complete list of upcoming events.

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About Durham College

At Durham College (DC), the student experience comes first. With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby and a learning site in Pickering, the college offers close to 11,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 140 full-time and eight apprenticeship programs in a number of different disciplines, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and the college will soon break ground on the Centre for Collaborative Education, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The new facility will bring together local, Indigenous and global communities, providing a new home for several of the college’s most innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The Whitby campus features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which includes Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by students in the college’s culinary programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000 ext. 2000.