OSHAWA, Ont. – Thanks to the efforts of sponsors, donors, participants and volunteers, this year’s Roger Anderson Charity Classic golf tournament was another huge success, raising $320,000 and officially surpassing the $5-million mark over its 17-year lifetime. Hosted by Durham Region chairman and chief executive officer Roger Anderson at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax, Ont. on June 12, the annual event welcomed more than 225 golfers as they teed off for a chance to improve the lives of individuals living in Durham Region.

Throughout its 17 years, the tournament has created and maintained a legacy of giving to community organizations including providing assistance to students in financial need at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and child and youth initiatives at the Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health.

Representatives from each of the three recipient organizations were on hand for a cheque presentation and the chance to extend their gratitude for the ongoing and enthusiastic support of everyone involved in the tournament.

Tournament organizers would also like to recognize all of the sponsors for their ongoing and generous support.  Special thanks to major sponsors AECOM, Brookvalley Developments Inc., Covanta, Dorsay Development Corporation, Fieldgate/Paradise Homes/TACC, Lenovo, Metroland Media, Miller Group, Minto, Ontario Power Generation, Ricoh Canada Inc., Runnymede Development, Scotiabank and Tribute Communities. Organizers would also like to recognize the support of tournament sponsors Baker & McKenzie, Fraser Ford and Smart Centres, as well as event sponsors Deloitte, HDR Inc., Mattamy Homes, Metropia, Nordeagle Developments and Sorbara Development Group.

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Media contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) will be joined by representatives from five different local school boards on Monday, June 16 when the college celebrates the success of 150 secondary school students during the spring completion ceremony for its Centre for Success program.

The program is hosted on campus through the School College Work Initiative (SCWI), which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Designed to encourage students to stay in secondary school and graduate by engaging them in a college environment and demonstrating that they can be successful in post-secondary education, the program sees students earn a college credit in addition to meeting their secondary school diploma requirements.

This year marks the eighth successful year of the educational initiative, which has grown significantly since it began as a pilot project in 2006. Although the first year of the program consisted of just 14 students, almost 300 students were enrolled between September and June of this year at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses.

While completing their high school diploma on campus, students are provided access to the college’s regular support systems and amenities including hands-on teaching and small class sizes, giving them a strong understanding of why the student experience comes first at Durham College.

Who:

• 150 Durham Region secondary school students and their families.
• Don Lovisa, president, DC.
• Mary Blanchard, associate vice-president, Academic Planning, DC.
• Gail MacKenzie, manager of Strategic Initiatives, SCWI, DC.
• Representatives from the Durham District; Durham Catholic District; Kawartha Pine Ridge District; and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District school boards.

When:
June 16
1 to 3 p.m. 

Where: 
Durham College Oshawa campus
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, Gymnasiums 1 and 2
2000 Simcoe Street North

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street North or Conlin Road and proceed to Founders 3 parking lot.

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

Sarah Lavergne earns top spot in national culinary competition

OSHAWA, ON. – Less than a year after opening Durham College’s (DC) Centre for Food (CFF) Sarah Lavergne, a first-year student in the CFF’s Culinary Skills  program, has won gold in the Cooking category at the 20th annual Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC).

Marking the first year of competition for a student from the new CFF, Lavergne claimed the national title one month after winning gold in Culinary Arts category at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC). The CFF, Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on the field-to-fork concept, is based on the harvesting, storage, processing, packaging, sale and consumption of food – in particular the production of local food for local consumers.

SCNC is an Olympic-style multi-trade and technology competition that annually welcomes more than 500 competitors from across the country to compete in more than 40 trade and technology categories.  This year’s golden result gives the college its sixth national medal in as many years.

“We are very proud of Sarah’s accomplishments, which are a direct reflection of her hard work and commitment to her studies and her skills,” said Don Lovisa, president. “Her success re-affirms that the programs taught at DC prepare students for tremendous success against their peers on the national stage and in their professional careers. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sarah on her performance and our faculty who have helped her prepare.”

“I’m so thrilled and excited to have won gold at Skills Canada,” said Lavergne. “It’s something that I never thought possible when I first started the program. I couldn’t have done it without all the coaching, time and advice I received from my instructors, in addition to the support from everyone else at Durham College and my family and my friends.”

The Culinary Skills program is a one-year program focused on providing skills in culinary planning, preparation and presentation for a variety of food-service environments. Students from these and a number of other programs benefit from working and learning in Bistro ’67, a full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant located at the CFF.

“In my first year I’ve learned so much about the culinary world and cooking, and this competition definitely showed me the value of commitment, determination and hard work,” she added. “What an awesome way to wrap up the school year!”

Skills Canada is a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth. The organization offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trade awareness programs.

For more information on the CFF and DC’s culinary programs, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/CFF.

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About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

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

Media contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

Event has raised more than $4 million dollars for students and area youth 

AJAX, Ont. – Region of Durham chairman and chief executive officer Roger Anderson will welcome golf enthusiasts and community dignitaries to the Durham Region Roger Anderson Charity Classic golf tournament on Thursday, June 12 at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax.

One of the most successful fundraising golf tournaments in Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area, the annual event directly benefits students in financial need at Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), as well as child and youth initiatives at the Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health. Now in its 17th year, the Charity Classic has raised more than $4 million including $324,000 at last year’s tournament.

During the tournament, players will have the chance to win one of three vehicles provided by Fraser Ford in Oshawa. This year’s event also features a variety of exciting live and silent auction items including full use of a private box for 12 guests at a Toronto Maple Leafs game during the 2014-2015 season; two, four-day premium passes to the sold-out Boots and Hearts Music Festival; a BigWin Island Golf Club package; a VIA Rail travel certificate; DC and UOIT tuition packages; and much more.

When: 
June 12
9 a.m. – registration, breakfast buffet and mingle
10:30 a.m. – board carts
10:45 a.m. – shotgun start
4:30 p.m. – reception
5:30 p.m. – dinner and live and silent auctions

Where:
Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility
2700 Audley Road North, Ajax

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing, Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

Students get 15.9 per cent return; long-term earnings and other benefits

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) announced today that a new economic-impact report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) has found that students who enrol at the college will receive an excellent return on their post-secondary education investment.

“A DC education continues to be a terrific investment, particularly in this new economy,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “We are dedicated to providing our students with quality programs, expert faculty and a superior learning environment while ensuring our graduates have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their careers and/or their pursuit of further education.”

Titled Demonstrating the Value of Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology – Analysis of the Economic Impact and Return on Investment of Education, the report, which was released in May 2014, shows DC students will get a 15.9 per cent return on their investment (ROI) in addition to enjoying long-term earnings and other benefits. It also noted that the Ontario government gets a huge ROI return on its funding of colleges, with DC delivering a return of almost 4.9 per cent for every dollar the province invests in the college. “Ontario is facing one of its biggest challenges to date with the skills mismatch,” said Lovisa. “The report’s findings are important as Ontario looks for solutions to this and the daunting challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment.”

The report also found that Ontario college students develop the skills required for an increasingly globalized workplace and receive a stream of higher future wages that will continue to grow throughout their working lives.

“College programs are accessible to everyone in the community and deliver excellent returns to government and taxpayers,” added Lovisa. “In addition, for many DC students, a college certificate, graduate certificate, diploma or advanced diploma is only step one in their post-secondary career.  Many choose to complement their studies by leveraging their education with a university degree. Providing students with opportunities to earn additional credentials following graduation is just one way our dedication to the student experience extends beyond graduation.”

EMSI, which is world-renowned for its economic analyses of post-secondary education, conducted its assessment of DC from December 2013 to April 2014. Read more by clicking here.

“A college education is more important than ever to the local economy and helping people find long-term success,” said Lovisa.

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About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

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

Media contact:
Allison Rosnak
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

Office of Research Services and Innovation to support company’s growth in wearable technology marketplace

Oshawa, Ont. –Durham College (DC) announced today its intent to partner with IFTech, an Oshawa-based start-up company specializing in wearable technology. The college’s Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI), with support from DC faculty researchers and staff, will be working with IFTech on an applied research project designed to support the company’s growth and expansion into the wearable technology marketplace. A grant application for the project is currently being finalized with the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).

In particular, the college will be assisting IFTech with bringing its flagship invention, As Real As It Gets (ARAIG), to a manufacture-ready, commercial product. A multi-sensory stimulation device, ARAIG is a wearable suit that immerses individuals into the reality of a gaming world by stimulating the senses with localized directional feedback. Providing physics to the body, it leaves the mobility of the user unfettered and provides a new level of immersion in terms of how games and virtual simulations are experienced.

“ORSI, along with our faculty and staff, is excited to work with IFTech on bringing such a unique technology product to market,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI. “This project will provide a wonderful opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to pursue applied research in an area that is both new to the college and the current consumer marketplace including the chance for them to gain significant on-the-job research and work experience.”

A 3D-scale model of the ARAIG titled Legion One Exoskeleton, created in collaboration with Cimetrix Solutions Inc. an Oshawa-based company that specializes in providing professional grade 3D printing solutions, will be revealed on Tuesday, May 13 inside the Spark Zone at the OCE Discovery event. The event, which is taking place in Toronto on Monday, May 12 and May 13, will mark the first time IFTech has publicly shown the design. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak directly with Brodie and Michael Stanfield, co-founders and co-chief executive officers of IFTech and co-creators of ARAIG, and provide feedback.

“IFTech sees this as the beginning of a relationship that will continue for many years to come,” said Brodie Stanfield. “We see Durham College being involved in many current and future projects and are excited to be partnering with some of the brightest minds in Durham Region in order to rapidly move forward on our research and development.”

In addition to its new relationship with the college, IFTech has also been working directly with innovation experts from Spark Centre over the last year to advance its commercialization plans.

“IFTech and its flagship product ARAIG will revolutionize a video gamer’s experience,” said Dennis Croft, executive director, Spark Centre. “Durham College’s deep expertise in applied research will greatly advance the timeline for a commercial-ready, high-quality product for IFTech.”

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About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

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

About IFTech

IFTech is a high-tech innovator in wearable technology leading the next generation of immersive gaming and virtual world simulation. IFTech’s wearable technology is focused on providing real world simulation applications for the user. IFTech’s product ARAIG, ‘As Real As It Gets’ is a multi-sensory stimulation device, a suit worn by the user that totally immerses them into the reality of their gaming world. It stimulates the senses with localized directional feedback, provides physics to the body, and leaves the mobility of the user unfettered. ARAIG is a product that provides a new level of immersion for its users that is revolutionizing how games and virtual simulations are experienced.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter https://twitter.com/ARAIG. Join the community as we bring about the most immersive gaming product to ever hit the market space. Located in Oshawa, Ontario, IFTech can be reached at 289.298.2853.

About Spark Centre

As a member of the ONE Network and an official recognized Ontario Regional Innovation Centre (RIC), Spark Centre helps innovative companies Start, Grow and Succeed.  The Centre, located just east of Toronto, focuses primarily on Durham Region and Northumberland County, with additional support to Peterborough and Halliburton areas, resulting in a population reach just over 850,000.  http://www.sparkcentre.org/

About Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc. (OCE)

OCE drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research across key market sectors to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario’s global competitiveness. In doing this, OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario’s industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and government ministries. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices and research, OCE invests in sectors such as advanced health, information and communications technology, digital media, advanced materials and manufacturing, agri-food, aerospace, transportation, energy, and the environment including water and mining. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario’s Innovation Agenda as a member of the province’s Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE). Funded by the Government of Ontario, the ONE is made up of regional and sector-focused organizations and helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs and industry rapidly grow their company and create jobs. For more information visit www.onebusiness.ca.

Media contacts:

Cosette Kazarian
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 3611
Cosette.kazarian@durhamcollege.ca

Culinary student to compete at Skills Canada National Competition in June

Waterloo, ON. –Durham College (DC) continued its remarkable streak of outstanding results at the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), winning four provincial medals, including one gold, one silver and two bronze, at the 2014 OTSC which was hosted by Skills Canada – Ontario from May 5 to 7 at RIM Park in Waterloo, Ont.

First-year Culinary Skills student Sarah Lavergne won the gold medal in the Culinary Arts category and will represent DC in the Cooking category at the 20th annual Skills Canada National Competition taking place from Wednesday, June 7 to Saturday, June 10 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont.

Joe Dunn a Welding – Level 2 apprentice program student was also awarded a silver medal in the Welding category. Claiming a bronze medal were third-year Computer Systems Technology student Brent Shanks in the IT Network Support Administration competition and Gas Technician student Michael Schafranek in the Heating System Technician division.

“On behalf of the college I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of our students who competed and achieved these well-deserved honours,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, Durham College.  “Our talented faculty members should also be congratulated for teaching and guiding these students. Well done everyone and good luck to Sarah as she represents Durham College at Skills Canada next month.”

DC sent 15 students to compete in nine different categories to this year’s provincial event. The winners bring DC’s six-year totals to 23 OTSC awards and five Skills Canada medals including two national titles.

Skills Canada – Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the skilled trades and technologies as viable, first-choice career options to Ontario youth. With the support of partners, it encourages young people to consider a career in the skilled trades and technologies through programs and initiatives such as in-school presentations, qualifying and provincial skills competitions.

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About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2013, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 10,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students as well as part-time and continuing education students and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including culinary, hospitality, tourism, horticulture, business, information technology, media, art, design, general arts, science, skilled trades, justice, emergency services, health and engineering technology, enabling students to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus was recently completed when the 36,000-square-foot Centre for Food opened on the northwest corner of campus. Accommodating approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agricultural and horticultural programs, it also features Bistro ’67, a new, 70-seat, full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant and Pantry, a new retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs.

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

Media contact: 

Michelle Roebuck
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

Event will showcase student-created videos and website designed to highlight emergency tips

Oshawa, Ont. – The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services will kick off Ontario Emergency Preparedness Week at Durham College (DC) on Tuesday, May 6. Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chief of Emergency Management (OFMEM) will be joined by (DC) students from a variety of programs in the college’s School of Media, Art & Design (MAD) who have been working with the ministry on a number of video projects since January.

The event will showcase six student videos, selected from more than 40 student submissions, created by students in the college’s Contemporary Web Design, Contemporary Media Production and Multimedia Design (now titled Interactive Media Design) programs.  The videos promote emergency preparedness topics including weather radio, nuclear preparations and campus preparedness.

Students in the Contemporary Web Design program have also developed a mobile-friendly website highlighting key features of OFMEM’s emergency preparedness portal. A number of emergency and fire officials from the Durham Region will also be on-hand for the kick-off event.

Who:

• Ted Wieclawek, Fire Marshal and Chief, OFMEM
• Greg Murphy, dean, School of MAD
• Warren Leonard, director, Durham Emergency Management Office
• Jim Coles, director, Emergency Management and Fire Protection, Ontario Power Generation
• Rebecca Victor, second-year student, Contemporary Media Production program
• Durham College faculty, staff and students

When:
May 6
Welcome: 10 a.m.
Remarks and student videos: 10:10 a.m.

Where:
Durham College Oshawa campus
Student Services building
2000 Simcoe Street North

Parking:
Enter off Simcoe Street North and proceed to Founders Lot 1.

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca