Winners will experience an exclusive meal at Canoe for their definition of Canadian food

Oshawa, ON – A video exploring the Three Sisters – corn, beans and squash – and their role in Aboriginal cuisine has won five Durham College (DC) students from the college’s Centre for Food (CFF) a prestigious competition hosted by Canoe Restaurant in Toronto. For their prize, the team will enjoy an exclusive dining experience at Canoe’s iconic Chef’s Rail, followed by an overnight stay at the Le Germain Hotel on Tuesday, November 28.

Held as part of Canada 150 celebrations, Canoe’s student series competition asked entrants to create a video answering the question, what does Canadian food mean to you? Together, Casey Chessman (Horticulture – Food and Farming), Tamara Green, Khadijah Hosein and Emilie Woytowich (Advanced Baking and Pastry Arts) and Ikra Ijaz (Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management) created their winning submission.

Inspired by Green’s Indigenous heritage and the diverse backgrounds of all the team members, the students focused their entry on the concept of the Three Sisters, which represent the main agricultural crops of many First Nations, using their interconnectedness as an analogy for Canada’s multiculturalism and its positive impact on the ever-evolving idea of what constitutes Canadian cuisine.

Kristin Atwood, a graduate of DC’s Culinary Management and Advanced Baking and Pastry Arts programs, filmed and produced the team’s entry and will also attend the celebratory dinner where Canoe chefs John Horne and Ron McKinlay will prepare a decadent, multi-course meal for the DC team using the finest Canadian ingredients from coast to coast.

“We are absolutely thrilled for the students who won Canoe’s student series competition,” said Kevin Baker, principal, Whitby campus, Durham College. “They are studying in programs that are rooted in the field-to-fork philosophy which gives them a unique perspective on the role food and farming have played – and continue to play — in shaping Canadian culture, including cuisine. The submission that they created highlighted the traditions and diversity that make our country special. I know they are looking forward to experiencing the meal at Canoe, especially given its own unique focus on defining Canadian cuisine.”

DC’s students competed against 22 other schools in the competition, which was open to any student above the age of 19, enrolled for the academic year beginning September 2017 in a food-related program, including culinary arts or chef; hospitality management; winery and viticulture technician, distiller or brewmaster; agriculture (including fish and seafood); cheesemaker; butcher; baker/patisserie; food and nutrition management.

View the students’ winning entry.

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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 12,000 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 college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature 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 award-winning 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

Medical Cannabis Fundamentals for Business Professionals to run November 25 and 26, 2017

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) is answering the increasing demand for more skilled professionals to support Canada’s rapidly expanding medical cannabis industry. Medical Cannabis Fundamentals for Business Professionals, the first course of its kind to be offered by an Ontario college, is a two-day, introductory-level course designed for those who have already completed either a diploma or degree in business and are interested in pursuing a career in the medical cannabis field.

“Medical cannabis is a $130-million industry in Canada, with more than 50,000 prescribed patients, and that number is estimated to grow nine fold over the next two years alone,” said Debbie Johnston, dean of DC’s School of Continuing Education, which is delivering the course. “Attention has largely been focused on the production side of the industry, but these are complex organizations that also require professionals with keen business acumen and skills, and therein lie many of the job opportunities in this field.”

The course will be held on Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26 at the college’s Oshawa campus. It will examine various aspects of the cannabis industry including history and emerging trends in Canada, regulatory and legal considerations, ethical issues, basic clinical concepts, cultivation and quality control fundamentals, customers/patients and marketing/communication principles. Through their studies, students will develop contextual knowledge that will expand their familiarity with this emerging industry.

“We commend Durham College for being at the forefront of this exciting industry,” said Adam Saperia, executive vice-president of Emblem Corp., one of Canada’s leading licensed producers. “This announcement sends an important signal that the medical cannabis industry is not only growing at a rapid pace, but will also require experienced and skilled professionals.”

Upon successfully completing both days of the course, students will receive a badge — an electronic credential — that can be added to their LinkedIn page, other social media sites and/or online portfolio to demonstrate to current and prospective employers their medical cannabis knowledge and focus on ongoing professional development.

Anyone looking for more information or to register for the course should visit www.durhamcollege.ca/ce/medicalcannabis.

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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 12,000 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 college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.
The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature 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 award-winning 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 and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2952
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca

This is the fifth consecutive year the college has made the list

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) announced today that it has once again been named one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges by Research Infosource Inc., a Canadian research and development intelligence company. This is the fifth consecutive year the college has been included on the list, which is informed by data on research income, research intensity and research partnerships and projects at colleges across the country.

“As a college we are continually looking for new ways to be on the cutting-edge of applied research, which in turn means working with our partners to develop practical  solutions that are reflective of current industry trends,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), DC. “Being named one of the top 50 research colleges in Canada, for five consecutive years, is an indication that we’re on the right track.”

ORSIE has a mandate to solve industry and social challenges through innovation and collaboration. Operating under four research themes – cultivating healthy lives and resilient communities, advancing agriculture, agri-business and tourism, enabling technologies of the future and enhancing scholarly teaching and learning – researchers and students collaborate with industry and community partners to develop real-world solutions to challenges faced by small-to-medium-sized enterprises and community organizations.

Under the theme of enabling technologies of the future, DC is leading the way helping companies and organizations plan, develop, and implement state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) systems and practices into business solutions. Through the establishment of the AI Hub, the college is assisting small and medium-sized enterprises to create products, services, and processes that have commercial value, enabling them to scale and compete through AI-enabled systems and management practices. Faculty researchers and students are working alongside industry partners in developing the solutions.

ORSIE is also offering AI workshops and a boot camp for DC students, focusing on the foundations of AI to enhance their skills.

For more information or to learn about ORSIE’s research capabilities visit www.durhamcollege.ca/research.

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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 12,000 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 college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature 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 award-winning 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

meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – As a result of the province-wide strike by college full-time and partial-load faculty, all classes at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses and Pickering Learning Site, including apprenticeships, are cancelled until further notice. Continuing Education courses will continue to run.

 

“We understand there are concerns about the full-time and partial-load faculty strike,” said Scott Blakey, chief administrative officer, Durham College. “However, no student in the college’s 50-year history has ever lost their academic year due to a work stoppage. As an institution we are doing everything we can to ensure that fact remains true. Making sure our students feel supported is our top priority.”

Contingency planning
DC has developed contingency and semester completion plans to facilitate the completion of the academic semester, which will be finalized based on the length of the strike and number of school days lost.

Every school and program area will consider the most effective strategies for students to complete their semester. This could include additional in-class hours; online hours; or modified assignments, all in an effort to avoid extending the fall semester if at all possible.

Individual program and course semester completion plans will be revised and implemented once classes resume, with the students situations and needs top of mind in all decision-making.

Picket line information
Students, employees and the public should be advised that legal picket lines will be established at the entrances to Durham College’s Oshawa and Whitby campuses and Pickering Learning Site. Anyone travelling to and from those locations should expect delays.

Durham Region Transit and GO Transit will continue operating buses as scheduled however alternative drop off and pick-up locations at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses will be in place.

The college has created an extensive information page to keep students, employees and the public informed of relevant details pertaining to the work stoppage, including frequently asked questions. That information can be found at www.durhamcollege.ca/strike.

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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 12,000 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 college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature 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 award-winning 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. 6219
meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca

Or

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

Users can now enjoy an intuitive and engaging online experience

Oshawa, ON – After more than 16 months in development, including consultations with diverse user groups, Durham College (DC) has launched its new website.

A full redesign from the previous site, the new version provides users with an intuitive and engaging online experience, allowing the college to share pertinent information and connect with current and prospective students, parents, and employees, as well as with community and industry partners.

“We are very excited to launch this new website,” said Carol Beam, executive director, Communications and Marketing, Durham College. “The work that went into developing and building the site moved well beyond updating its overall look. The college team behind the redesign put a great deal of time and effort into ensuring it would offer an excellent user experience. We saw this project as opportunity to really examine the role the website plays in communicating with our audiences.

Several new features have been added to the website, including:

Mobile-first design

Today’s environment is driven by mobile connectivity. In response to student feedback and research, the new DC website has been designed with mobile devices in mind.

Social and multimedia connectivity

Use of social media channels go hand-in-hand with the mobile focus. DC’s new website features compelling social media content, designed to connect with the current generation of students who spend significant amounts of time on social networks.

A social media hub is included on the homepage, including a “What’s trending at DC” feature, which automatically populates content from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It also features blogs written by employees who act as social media ambassadors representing and sharing insight into their programs and service areas.

Finding the right program

A key function of the website is providing information about the over 140 market-driven programs available at DC. By enhancing the websites filtering function, users are more easily able to narrow down their search based on their area of interest. Key details such as program length, admission requirements, courses offered and the cost are also clearly visible on the program filter page.

To see and explore the new website please visit www.durhamcollege.ca.

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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 12,000 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 college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature 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 award-winning 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

meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca

Funds raised will support construction of the Centre for Collaborative Education

Oshawa, ON – As Durham College (DC) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017, it has also begun the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE), a state-of-the-art learning environment where students, employees and the broader community can work together in ways that transcend traditional concepts of education.

To achieve DC’s vision for the centre, the college has embarked on a capital campaign – Building Something Amazing – and on September 27, it publicly launched this fundraising initiative during a special event for donors and the college community.

“Projects of this magnitude do not happen without substantial investment,” said Linda Flynn, associate vice-president, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. “After receiving funding from all levels of government, DC was tasked with raising an additional $5 million to complete construction of the CFCE. We are 75 per cent of the way to our goal but still have just over $1.2 million remaining to raise.”

Prior to enjoying a hard hat tour of the CFCE progress to-date, attendees heard from Cassie-Jean Dillon, a second-year student in Fitness and Health Promotion program, about what the CFCE will mean to her and the others who will have the opportunity to learn there.

Donor Elaine Mendicino was also on hand to share her story about why she is supporting the capital campaign. After losing her husband suddenly in 2011, she wanted to honour his memory. She chose to do so as a thank you to the college where she and her husband met and gained the skills they needed to thrive in their chosen careers. The Rob Hogan Student Commons will bear her late husband’s name as a testament to his memory and the promise of collaboration and innovation that the new CFCE holds.

“As a college, we have been extremely lucky to have the support of the local community and organizations to help us champion student success,” said Flynn. “Investing in the Building Something Campaign is yet another way people can choose to give back, creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

When completed, the multi-level CFCE will provide 75,000-square-feet of space that will serve as an educational access point for students, while bringing together local, Indigenous and global community groups and members of key business sectors when it opens in fall 2018.

For more information about the CFCE or to make a donation to the Building Something Amazing capital campaign please contact DC’s Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.

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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 12,000 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 college is also set to launch its first four-year degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management, in September 2018.

The Oshawa campus features the state-of-the art Student Services building and will soon feature 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 award-winning 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

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) is welcoming everyone to join the celebration at its 50th anniversary Homecoming Weekend on September 8, 9 and 10.

All events are open to the public and offer free admission with the exceptions of dining at Bistro ’67 and the Party Through the Decades, a 19+ event requiring purchased tickets that include entrance into the party, food, one complimentary drink and a commemorative, special edition t-shirt. Tickets are $50 each ($25 for students) and available at www.durhamcollege.ca/50.

Media are asked to RSVP to melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca to arrange parking and event passes as needed. For the full list of events and to learn more about DC’s milestone anniversary, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/50.

Highlights of scheduled events: 

WHAT: Homecoming Weekend Kick-off

• First stop on the Colleges Ontario Amazing 50 mobile exhibit tour
• Live music by Professors of Funk and rising Canadian country star Eric Ethridge
• Free pizza, ice cream and giveaways!

WHEN: Friday, September 8 | Noon to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Durham College, Oshawa campus, Bus loop (2000 Simcoe St. N, Oshawa)

 

WHAT: Steve Paikin talk on Bill Davis: Nation Builder and Not So Bland After All!

WHEN: Friday, September 8 | 4 to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Durham College, Oshawa campus, Student Services building, Room 116 A/B

 

WHAT: Movies on the lawn – double feature (titles to be announced)

WHEN: Friday, September 8 | Starts at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Durham College, Oshawa campus, Student Services building courtyard

 

WHAT: Family Day

• Incredible kids’ zone (balloon animals, bubble show/station, magician, inflatables, photo booth and more!)
• DC Memory Lane – college memorabilia exhibit
• Live music
• BBQ and food trucks

WHEN: Saturday, September 9 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Durham College, Oshawa campus, South Wing courtyard

 

WHAT: Party Through the Decades

• Live performance by Colin James
• DJ and dancing
• VW Camper photo booth
• Retro arcade games
• Free giveaways

WHEN: Saturday, September 9 | 7:30 to 11 p.m.

WHERE: Durham College, Oshawa campus, Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, Gyms 3, 4 and 5

 

WHAT: Homecoming Brunch

WHEN: Sunday, September 10 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: Bistro ’67, W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, Whitby campus, 1610 Champlain Ave., Whitby

 

WHAT: Homecoming prix fixe dinner menu

WHEN: Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9

WHERE: Bistro ’67, W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, Whitby campus, 1610 Champlain Ave., Whitby

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

Melissa McLean
T: 905.721.2000 ext. 2952 | C: 905.259.8483
melissa.mclean@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – Flag-raising ceremonies will be held across Durham Region on Tuesday, September 5 as part of proclamations declaring September 5 to 11, 2017, Durham College (DC) Week in celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/50 for more about DC’s 50th anniversary and a complete list of events including Homecoming Weekend on September 8, 9 and 10.

WHAT:

Flag-raising ceremonies to declare September 5 to 11 as Durham College Week

WHEN / WHERE:

Tuesday, September 5

9 a.m.	Town of Whitby Town Hall flag pole, 575 Rossland Rd. East
9 a.m.	Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street at the Cenotaph
10:30 a.m.	City of Oshawa SE corner of Civic Square, City Hall, 50 Centre St. South
10:30 a.m.	City of Pickering City Hall, 1 The Esplanade S
10:30 a.m.	Region of Durham Regional Headquarters, 605 Rossland Rd. East, Whitby
11:30 a.m.	Township of Scugog 181 Perry Street, Port Perry
Noon	Town of Ajax Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Ave. S
3 p.m.	Township of Uxbridge Uxbridge Town Hall lobby, 51 Toronto Street

 

For more information including attendees and parking, or to arrange pictures or interviews, please contact:

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

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) will welcome participants, including competitors, coaches, families and organizers of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), to the Oshawa campus and Durham Region with a barbeque event on Saturday, July 15.

Hosted by the City of Toronto with events throughout the Greater Toronto Area, this year’s games will see 5,000 participants in attendance from July 16 to 23. During the games, more than 400 of those will call Durham College’s residences home. The college community, including representatives from the Aboriginal Student Centre, is excited to meet the participants and support them as they prepare to compete.

When: 

Saturday, July 15

• 6 p.m. – Barbeque
• 6:30 p.m. – Introduction of Elder Dr. Shirley Williams and Aboriginal blessing
• 6:40 – Remarks
• 6:46 – Trail Smoke Singers

Who:

• Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic
• Elder Dr. Shirley Williams, Aboriginal Student Centre
• Mayor John Henry, City of Oshawa
• Granville Anderson, MPP, Durham

Where:

Durham College

South Wing (SW) courtyard and gazebo

2000 Simcoe St. N.

Oshawa, ON

The SW courtyard is located west of the South Wing of the Gordon Willey building.

Parking:

Complimentary parking will be available beyond the gates at Commencement Lot 1. 

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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 12,000 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:

Valerie McIntyre
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 6233

valerie.mcintyre@durhamcollege.ca

 

Respected community philanthropist receives diploma in Community Development

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) is excited to share that Edith Alger was awarded the college’s sixth honorary credential during its 2017 Spring Convocation, which took place on Tuesday, June 13 at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre.

Edith, a long-time Oshawa resident and community philanthropist, received her diploma in Community Development. The honorary credential recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the college, Durham Region and beyond in the areas of leadership, innovation and partnerships.

“We are incredibly pleased to honour Edith with this award,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “She has played an integral role in the growth and development of DC, not only through financial contributions but also the donation of time and expertise. Her diploma in community development is well-suited given all she has done for organizations across the region.”

Edith’s roots within the community are deep, as she has dedicated her life to volunteering with and financially supporting many non-profit organizations focused on advancing education and improving access to healthcare. Her involvement with DC began when she served as a member of the Board of Governors from 1987 to 1992. In the late 1990s, she also served on the DC President’s Advisory Committee providing insight into the creation of the partnerships between the college and the newly established University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

She has supported students at both institutions through generous gifts towards construction of the Oshawa Campus Library and the purchase of new adaptive technologies for the joint Centre for Students with Disabilities. In 2011, she also donated funds towards construction of the Centre for Food, to help turn the college’s field-to-fork vision into reality.

Edith has also delivered Meals on Wheels, organized blood donor clinics for the Canadian Red Cross and coordinated events and day-programs at WindReach Farm. She has served on the Boards of Directors for the Durham Region Heart and Stroke Foundation, Hearth Place, Information Oshawa, WindReach Farm and the WindReach Farm Foundation, the YWCA and the Columbus United Church. She is currently serving as chair of the Board of Directors of the Durham Community Foundation and is a community advisor with the Community Innovation Lab, a hub providing programming and support for entrepreneurs at all stages of business development.

Edith and her late husband Bill have four children. One of them, as well as three of her grandchildren, are Durham College alumni.

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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 12,000 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. 6219
meghan.ney@durhamcollege.ca