College set to welcome more than 4,900 first-year students to campus 

August 28, 2012

OSHAWA, Ont. – The 2012-2013 academic year is right around the corner and with a commitment to student success in mind, Durham College is getting ready to welcome more than 4,900 first-year students to campus during its annual Orientation Week, which kicks off on Tuesday, September 4.

Featuring an ongoing series of events including Program Orientation, a First-Year Street Party, movie-on-the-lawn, a welcome barbecue, the annual Campus Cup soccer games, First Blast, the Part-time Job Fair, CampusFest Concert, Shinerama Shine Day and more, Orientation Week aims to acquaint new students with the college’s experienced faculty and staff and vibrant campus. It also offers great events designed to provide opportunities for them to learn about program expectations, student services and clubs while making new friends.

Orientation Week 2012 activities include:

• Program Orientation (various locations and times), Oshawa campus, September 4, 8:30 a.m. to noon: students will have an opportunity to meet faculty and fellow students and receive detailed program information and a free orientation T-shirt;
• First-Year Street Party (bus loop), Oshawa campus, September 4, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Commencement Drive will be closed to traffic as students enjoy a free barbecue, music and games while checking out student clubs and campus services;
• Movie-on-the Lawn (bus loop), Oshawa campus, September 4, 7:30 p.m.: students will be invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends to experience a movie night under the stars;
• Welcome Barbecue (Whitby campus main entrance), Wednesday, September 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: students will be invited to a barbecue hosted by the Student Association (SA);
• Campus Cup soccer games (Oshawa campus), September 5, 6 and 8 p.m.: students will support the Durham Lords as they take on the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks with the women’s team playing at 6 p.m. followed by the men’s team at 8 p.m. The Campus Pep Rally will also take place at the Student Centre patio at the Oshawa campus from 1 to 4 p.m.;
• First Blast (E.P. Taylor’s Pub and Restaurant), Oshawa campus, Thursday, September 6, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.: first pub night of the year;
• Part-time Job Fair (South Wing corridor, first floor), Oshawa campus, Friday, September 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: students can bring their resume and speak to local employers recruiting students for part-time jobs;
• CampusFest (Polonsky Commons), Oshawa campus, September 7, 4 to 10 p.m.: the concert event of the academic year featuring 2012 headliner Avicii; and
• Shinerama Shine Day (location TBD), Saturday, September 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: students will take part in a fundraiser in support of Shinerama, Canada’s largest annual post-secondary fundraiser involving students. Shinerama takes place at approximately 60 university and college campuses across the country to raise money to help fund Cystic Fibrosis research and treatment programs.

For more information on the above events and more, please visit the Orientation Week website.

Who:

• First-year Durham College students; and
• Durham College faculty and staff. 

Where:

Durham College Oshawa campus
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ont.

Durham College Whitby campus
1610 Champlain Avenue
Whitby, Ont. 

Parking:

• Oshawa campus – enter off Simcoe Street North and proceed to the Founders 3 parking lot; and
• Whitby campus – enter off Champlain Avenue and proceed to the main parking lot.

 

For more information and/or to attend a specific event, please contact:

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

 

June 29, 2012

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College demonstrated its ongoing commitment toward a sustainable future when it announced today that 22 Entrance Awards will be granted to first-year students studying in the new Energy Management and Sustainable Building Technology program launching this September.

The Entrance Awards, valued at $2,000, will be supported by The Environmental Factor Inc., an Ajax-based company committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability.

“As a 1994 alumna of Durham College’s Environmental Technology program, supporting student success has always been important to me,” said Lorelei Hepburn, president and chief executive officer of The Environmental Factor Inc. “We are proud to be supporting students who are pursuing careers in energy and sustainability through the new Entrance Awards.”

Sustainability guides the college’s decisions and practices in fostering the continued success and well-being of its students, people and planet. As part of this commitment the college is implementing a variety of new measures to position itself as an environmental champion in the years ahead. The new one-year $2,000 Entrance Awards for the Energy Management and Sustainable Building Technology program are a sterling example of this initiative.

“The new awards for the Energy Management and Sustainable Building Technology program will recognize the commitment of first-year students to the advancement of sustainability and a better future for us all,” said Durham College President Don Lovisa. “Durham College is committed to sustainable practices to promote awareness, understanding and the practice of environmental, social and economic sustainability.”

The three-year program is designed to prepare graduates in solving technical problems related to energy efficiency and energy conservation within industrial, commercial and institutional buildings. Students will learn in state-of-the-art facilities at the college’s Whitby campus, which focuses on energy conservation, sustainability and green technology.

Students interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity can visit the Durham College website at www.durhamcollege.ca.

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2011, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 8,400 full-time post-secondary students as well as part-time and continuing education students; apprentices; and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including 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 is currently underway. Phase 1 opened in September 2009 followed by Phase 2 in May 2011. Phase 3 will see the creation of a 36,000-square-foot building focused on agriculture, culinary, hospitality and tourism. Accommodating approximately 900 new students, it will house new classrooms and labs and offer a full-service, green-certified restaurant and lounge and see the creation of a greenhouse – all of which will be open to the general public. In addition, a new Student Services building opened at the Oshawa campus in January 2011.

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

For more information:

Rhonda Daley Durham College 905.721.2000 ext. 2197 rhonda.daley@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College announced today the appointment of Scott Blakey as vice-president, Human Resources, effective Monday, July 16.

Bringing with him more than 12 years of experience as an advisor to chief executive officers, board members and chairpersons on complex human resources-related issues, Blakey joins the college from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) where he served as general manager, Employee and Development.

In that role he was responsible for many human resources functions including employee and labour relations; training and development; and more.

“Scott has a solid background in business and finance and direct hands-on experience leading large groups of employees,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “His exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to foster superior working relationships will be assets to the college.”

A lifelong learner, Blakey has a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Ryerson University; a Master of Arts in Education from Central Michigan University; a Chartered Director designation from McMaster University; and a Canadian Management Professional designation from the Institute of Professional Management. In addition, he is completing his Doctor of Education – Workplace Learning and Social Change at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

Blakey also served as president of the Pension Fund Society and Sick Benefit Association while at the TTC as well as chair of the Investment, Governance and Ancillary Benefits sub-committees.

“I am confident the combination of his experiences and educational background will provide a solid foundation for the college going forward,” added Lovisa.

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About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2011, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 8,400 full-time post-secondary students as well as part-time and continuing education students; apprentices; and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including 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 is currently underway. Phase 1 opened in September 2009 followed by Phase 2 in May 2011. Phase 3 will see the creation of a 30,000-square-foot building focused on agriculture, culinary, hospitality and tourism. Accommodating approximately 900 new students, it will house new classrooms and labs and offer a full-service, green-certified restaurant and lounge and see the creation of a greenhouse – all of which will be open to the general public. In addition, a new Student Services building opened at the Oshawa campus in January 2011.

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

For more information:
Allison Rosnak
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

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Event will also feature Honorary Credential recipient; three Alumni of Distinction award winners and two Emeritus recipients 

OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham College will celebrate the convocation of more than 2,000 graduates next week as the college holds its annual spring convocation ceremonies on Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa.

On June 21 graduates will be joined by family and friends as well as college faculty and staff as they receive their diplomas and certificates from the schools of Business, IT & Management; Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology; Health & Community Services; and Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services followed by ceremonies for the schools of Justice & Emergency Services; Continuing Education; Media, Art & Design; and Science & Engineering Technology on June 22.

In addition, the college will present its third-annual Honorary Credential to Bill Robinson, in the category of Business Administration – Operations Management during the afternoon ceremony on June 22.

Robinson, who established himself as a nuclear power industry leader during 13 years at Ontario Power Generation (OPG), is a well-recognized philanthropist and volunteer with Durham College who has significantly impacted his professional and personal communities.

He moved to Durham Region in August 1998 to join OPG’s nuclear division as a maintenance mentor at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and quickly became a respected and dedicated leader in his efforts to re-establish OPG’s nuclear program as one of the best in the world.

In February 1999, Robinson was appointed assistant vice-president of OPG followed by progressively more senior positions including being named senior vice-president of the Pickering ‘A’ Return to Service Project in October 2002. In this role, he provided strategic management and oversight of all activities related to the return to service of two Pickering ‘A’ nuclear units, a milestone achievement for OPG.

In December 2005, Robinson was appointed senior vice-president, Nuclear Programs and Training, responsible for all nuclear training and major programs to ensure best practices were implemented across the entire fleet of nuclear units. In November 2008, he was appointed executive vice-president, Nuclear Refurbishment Projects and Support, responsible for leading the preparation and ultimate execution of nuclear refurbishment projects within OPG and managing the overall nuclear operations portfolio. 

In July 2011, Robinson became executive vice-president, Business Transformation Projects, and led an organizational review of OPG designed to ensure the company continued to provide the best value for its customers, shareholders, stakeholders and employees while meeting the changing demands of the future. Robinson retired from OPG at the end of 2011 after an extremely successful career.

Two Durham College retirees, Ted Seath, former professor, School of Business, IT & Management, and Diane Anderson Campbell, former director Liaison, Student Recruitment, will receive the designations of Professor Emeritus and Staff Emeritus respectively for their exemplary service during their time at Durham College and outstanding contributions post-retirement.

Alumni of Distinction awards will also be presented to alumni Norm Lambert, Marc MacRae and Lesley Wagner.

A 1978 Nursing graduate, Lambert’s most ambitious work has been seen at Toronto Emergency Medical Services where he has held various positions including superintendent, commander and deputy chief. In 2008, Lambert was recognized for his accomplishments by the Governor General of Canada with an Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal.

MacRae, a 1984 Sports Administration graduate, is vice-president, Consumer Sales and Marketing, at RMP Athletic Locker Limited, an athletic clothing store. He is responsible for brand building, business analytics, retail marketing, profit building and more.

Wagner, a 1985 Legal Administration graduate, has spent more than 27 years in the legal sector working at various corporate law offices. In addition, she has spent the last 12 years as a professor at Durham College with the School of Justice & Emergency Services. She is committed to the success of Durham College including its programs and students and through her professionalism, experience and strong networking connections, Wagner ensures her students graduate prepared to meet employer demands.

 

When:

Thursday, June 21

10 a.m.

School of Business, IT & Management
School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology

2 p.m.

School of Health & Community Services
School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services

Friday, June 22 

10 a.m.
School of Justice & Emergency Services
School of Continuing Education

2 p.m.

School of Media, Art & Design
School of Science & Engineering Technology 

 

Where:

General Motors Centre
99 Athol Street East
Oshawa, Ontario

For more information contact:

Rhonda Daley
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
rhonda.daley@durhamcollege.ca

Community members to raise funds for college and university students and new Abilities Centre 

June 12, 2012

AJAX, Ont. – Region of Durham Chairman Roger Anderson will welcome approximately 200 golfers along with sponsors, donors and volunteers to the Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility in Ajax on Thursday, June 14 for the 16th annual Durham Region Chairman’s Charity Classic golf tournament.

One of the most successful fundraising tournaments in Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area, the event will directly benefit students in financial need at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and the newly opened Abilities Centre.

Since its inception, the tournament has surpassed the $4-million mark including raising $320,000 in 2011.

In addition to a great day of golf, participants will have the chance to bid on a variety of auction prizes including free tuition packages for Durham College and UOIT; an E-Series II saxophone autographed by music legend Kenny G; a 14-night stay in Orange Beach, Ala.; and much more.

When: 
Thursday, June 14
9 a.m. – breakfast
10:30 a.m. – golfers board carts
10:45 a.m. – shotgun start
5:30 p.m.  – dinner and auction

Where:
Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility
2700 Audley Road North
Ajax, Ontario 
L1Z 1T7

For more information contact:
Allison Rosnak
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

June 5, 2012

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College today announced a research agreement with 5 Minds Mobility Inc. (5 Minds), under the umbrella of the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII).

The project, the first Durham College applied research health-related project funded by CONII, focuses on the testing of wheelchair seating designed to prevent skin breakdown through the use of Shear Reduction  technology (SRT).

With support from principal investigator Angela King, a registered nurse and a professor with the School of Health & Community Services, and co-investigator Maureen Calhoun, associate dean of the School of Science & Engineering Technology, students from both schools helped 5 Minds, a home medical equipment company specializing in pressure ulcer management solutions for high-risk groups, test a new wheelchair cushion containing SRT for safety and skin care management.

A six-week trial took place at Wynfield Long Term Care Residence in Oshawa from December 5, 2011 to January 13, 2012.

“I am honoured to be the primary investigator for Durham College’s first applied research project funded by CONII in the health sciences area,” said King. “It was exciting to work alongside our practical nursing students to test a product that addresses the important issues of friction and shear, which are common causes of skin breakdown.”

Canadian Census data indicates that seniors will account for 23 to 25 per cent of the population by 2036, reaching an estimated 10.9 million people, a number that has doubled since 2009. By adding SRT to its cushion, 5 Minds is reducing shearing and maintaining skin integrity for wheelchair-seated patients while helping to lower the substantial cost of pressure wound treatment experienced by the health-care sector.

“As new entrepreneurs, the support we received from Durham College and CONII has been invaluable,” said Jen Atkinson, president, 5 Minds. “Thanks to Durham College`s Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI) we have been able to get this study under our belt. The credibility added by our partnership will help move us forward.”

King provided expertise and supervision on the clinical portion of the trial working with Practical Nursing students Merlita Laroco, Ryan Gimblett and Sarah Fawcett-Bice. Calhoun led the bench-testing portion of the project, supervising Chemical Engineering Technology students Elliott Fernandes, Jordan Roberts and William Sisnet.

“Working with the college has been beneficial for us as it has confirmed our proof of concept for SRT,” said Kevin Saunders, chief executive officer, 5 Minds. “Adding it to our wheelchair seating has proven to be effective in terms of reducing shearing and maintaining skin integrity for wheelchair-seated patients and the positive feedback we’ve received from the sample population involved in the study has been encouraging. We’re looking forward to being able to bring our product to market thanks to help from Durham College and its schools of Health & Community Services and Science & Engineering Technology”.

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, CONII is a consortium of 23 Ontario colleges dedicated to helping business and industry stay competitive in the global economy. In addition to providing support to businesses, it also offers financial support to colleges, enabling them to provide quicker access to the expertise of Ontario’s top researchers and the most state-of-the-art equipment and research tools available.

“ORSI, along with our academic schools, is proud to work with 5 Minds under the CONII umbrella, “said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI. “This was a great opportunity for Durham College and our students to work with an industry partner dedicated to improving the health of individuals experiencing, or at risk for experiencing, skin breakdown. The project also enabled our faculty and students to gain valuable research and testing knowledge; make industry contacts; and gain on-the-job work experience.” 

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2011, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 8,400 full-time post-secondary students as well as part-time and continuing education students; apprentices; and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including 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 is currently underway. Phase 1 opened in September 2009 followed by Phase 2 in May 2011. Phase 3 will see the creation of a 36,000-square-foot building focused on agriculture, culinary, hospitality and tourism. Accommodating approximately 900 new students, it will house new classrooms and labs and offer a full-service, green-certified restaurant and lounge and see the creation of a greenhouse – all of which will be open to the general public. In addition, a new Student Services building opened at the Oshawa campus in January 2011.

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

About 5 Minds Mobility Inc.

5 Minds Mobility is a home medical equipment manufacturer and distributor specializing in innovative solutions to pressure management for high-risk groups including the elderly, the critically ill, those with neurological impairments and those suffering from chronic conditions associated with immobility. The company’s patent-pending Shear Reduction Technology (SRT) addresses friction and shear in a way that has filled a market void. Specialty sleep surfaces, wheelchair seating and positioning aids are the core of 5 Minds Mobility’s business. By providing seating and positioning solutions to address the issues that contribute to skin breakdown early in the process, overall health care costs are minimized, and the risks to the patient and caregiver are reduced or eliminated. 5 Minds Mobility is dedicated to providing new solutions to a significantly prevalent issue in both long-term care and home care settings.

For more information:

Allison Rosnak
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

Kevin Saunders
5 Minds Mobility
905.492.4410
ksaunders@5mindsmobility.ca

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