Proud parents rush to the stage to take pictures of their children at one of this year’s Durham College School of Rock n Roll Summer Camp performances at E.P. Taylor’s Pub and Restaurant at the college’s Oshawa campus.

The School of Rock n Roll Summer Camp recently finished its last session with a rock and roll bang as excited campers performed what they learned for parents and family members at E.P. Taylor’s Pub and Restaurant, which is located at the college’s Oshawa campus.

The camp, created in 2003, runs as week-long sessions for the month of July each year, focusing on making music for kids and allowing them to create original pieces.

Beginners learn how to play guitar, bass, drums and keyboards while those who already play work on improving their skills with the talented counsellors. The camp also offers classes in songwriting, rock history, sound and lighting, stage presence and theory which is comprised of curriculum from the college’s Music Business Management program.

A concert is held at the end of each week for campers to show off their skills as part of a band. Each band has its own creative name and plays famous classics and new hits. Some even perform their own music written during the week.

Camp director Rich Carrigan, a Durham College Music Business Management graduate, has been camp director for the last two years. “It’s a rewarding job,” said Carrigan. “It’s great seeing each child progress throughout the week.” Carrigan started out as a counsellor for the camp about five years ago and worked his way up. He’s hoping to continue his participation next summer.

Not only do the campers walk away with a great sense of accomplishment and better musical skills, they also receive an official rock star package that consists of a band photo, logo and backstage passes.

“The kids work together as a group – like a band,” said Carrigan. “Not everyone may agree but they come together as one to execute a final plan – their performance.”

July 29, 2010

AircoSaver™ device part of new research relationship between college and local business

OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham College announced today one of many relationships with local small businesses under the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII) initiative, as it teams up with Innovative Solutions Incorporated in Oshawa to bring a series of energy-saving technologies to the retail market.

The relationship between the college and Innovative Solutions will focus primarily on a research project that will offer students and faculty an opportunity to study and validate the value of energy savings and technology using the company’s AircoSaver™, an energy-efficient attachment for air conditioning units, while researching other promising technologies with the aid of Durham College students.

The AircoSaver™ has been available in Europe for more than 10 years and is presently being introduced into the Canadian marketplace. In addition to the field of alternative and renewable energy, Durham College is also currently exploring research and testing in construction, digital media, environmental technologies, health and life sciences and manufacturing and materials.

“We are proud and excited to begin this mutually beneficial journey with Innovative Solutions,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “Their dedication to energy-saving technology is in line with our commitment to providing sustainable practices and we anticipate a successful and productive relationship.”

The collaboration will not only strengthen Durham College’s ties to the community, but reinforce the college’s commitment to developing green technology provincially, nationally and globally. This includes the three-phase expansion currently underway at the college’s Whitby campus that will increase its programs focused on the green energy industry.

Phase 1, already completed, provides a living laboratory approach that includes solar water heating and solar cell systems, geothermal technology, wind turbines and electrical and energy auditing. Through programs like Renewable Energy Technician and Energy Audit Techniques, students are researching and learning about the importance of products like the AircoSaver™.

“Innovative Solutions is honoured to be working alongside an esteemed institution like Durham College,” said Roland Kielbasiewicz,president of Innovative Solutions. “CONII is a fast-growing, important facet of Ontario’s future and we’re thrilled to have a part to play in the development of the network and the development of the students as they pursue their research projects.”

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, CONII is a consortium of 20 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.

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About Durham College 
At Durham College, the student experience comes first, an approach it has taken for more than 40 years. Through a vast range of market-driven programs that are taught by exceptional professors with real-world experience, students develop the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of employers and the job market. Moving forward, Durham College’s expansion plans will see its Whitby campus grow by 40,000 square feet. Phase 1 of the construction features an energy-neutral living laboratory for new technologies and education that will serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. Phase 2 will increase the size of the Skills Training Centre to create classroom and laboratory space to support new program development, and Phase 3 will be a Food Centre designed to house culinary arts programs; a food and agricultural component; a food processing centre and agriculture and science laboratories. Durham College has more than 7,000 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and more than 1,400 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About Innovative Solutions
Innovative Solutions has provided clients across North America with operational cost-saving solutions for more than 15 years. More recently, the search for the latest energy-saving solutions has launched a new products division providing an extensive list of technologies designed to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing an organization’s revenue. With our ever-growing list of resources, partners and products, we can tailor a green program that will not only help the environment but also help to increase the bottom line – a new cost-saving culture which your organization will benefit from for years to come. Contact us to review your business structure and discuss the potential your business has to reduce costs and help the environment at the same time at www.innovativeenergysolutions.ca or call 905.233.4208.

Media contact: 
Allison Rosnak
Communications, Marketing and External Relations
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
Allison.rosnak@durhamcollege.ca

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

Second-year Paramedic students Dustin Petherick and Ryan Chomiszak recently won the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s You Can Save a Life Video Awareness Contest for their video titled 911 Emergency ROCKsponse.

Ryan Chomiszak and Dustin Petherick, both Paramedic students known for using humour to educate individuals about cardiac arrest, recently had their efforts recognized in a big way when they won the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s (SCAF), You Can Save a Life Video Awareness Contest for their video titled 911 Emergency ROCKsponse.

The contest was designed to help raise awareness about the sudden impact of cardiac arrest and the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Chomiszak and Petherick originally prepared their video about cardiac arrest protocols to showcase at their year-end school banquet but the amazing response to the video pushed it well beyond their classmates onto YouTube, one of the most popular video sites around.

“Everyone at the banquet asked to see it again, so we posted it for people’s enjoyment,” said Chomiszak who felt his program needed a study guide to highlight the real life procedures students learn to follow in certain medical situations.

He originally thought of creating a five or six-song rap album covering all protocols but after much contemplation decided there wasn’t enough time to create an album, but there was time to put together a song. It was then that Chomiszak decided to ask Petherick to help him begin the video-making process.

Once it was posted to YouTube, the ROCKsponse video received approximately 1,500 hits from all over the globe within the first week. Online recognition has grown by the minute and the video has now received more than 42,000 views. “The video was released during EMS week, which also sparked a lot of hits,” added Chomiszak.

After seeing the well-perceived response, he decided to enter the You Can Save a Life Video Awareness Contest on a whim and ended up earning the top spot overall. While the procedures in the video are very real and serious, Chomiszak wanted to have some fun so people would enjoy watching while learning.

Ralph Hofmann, a faculty member with the college’s School of Justice & Emergency Services, was extremely happy with the students’ win. “We are very proud of Ryan and Dustin and the originality they showed in summing up what they learned in their two years at Durham,” he said. “That they associated themselves with an important organization like SCAF will allow their work to contribute to the well-being of a great many others.”

The foundation awarded Chomiszak with an AED, three CPR Anytime kits and a Nintendo Wii gaming system. The AED will be located in the new Student Services building, which is expected to be completed by December 2010.

July 16, 2010

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College congratulates Michael Whittaker of Moncton, N.B. on receiving an Alumnus of Distinction Award at this year’s spring convocation ceremony, held on June 18 at General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ont.

A 1977 graduate of the Public Relations program, Whittaker has been instrumental in building some of Atlantic Canada’s best known food brands and products. In 1981, Whittaker joined Grinner’s Food Systems (franchisor of Greco Pizza). Under his marketing direction and campaigns, Greco grew to more than 130 franchises and is now the largest pizza chain in the Atlantic region.

Since 2005, Whittaker has served as president and partner of Trucorp Investments Limited (parent company of Grinner’s and Bonte Foods) and in 2006, he added the title of president of Bonte Foods Limited. Under Whittaker’s leadership, Bonte Foods has since become one of Atlantic Canada’s most distinctive and versatile food manufacturers.

In 1995, he was awarded the President’s Award of the Canadian Franchise Association for his outstanding contributions to Canadian franchising and was named one of Atlantic Canada’s top 50 CEO’s in 2004 by Atlantic Business magazine.

The Alumnus of Distinction Award honours the extraordinary contributions Durham College graduates make to society while achieving career success.

About Durham College 
At Durham College, the student experience comes first, an approach it has taken for more than 40 years. Through a vast range of market-driven programs that are taught by exceptional professors with real-world experience, students develop the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of employers and the job market. Moving forward, Durham College’s expansion plans will see its Whitby campus grow by 40,000 square feet. Phase 1 of the construction features an energy-neutral living laboratory for new technologies and education to serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. Phase 2 is increasing the size of the Skills Training Centre to create classroom and laboratory space to support new program development and Phase 3 will be a Food Centre designed to house culinary arts programs; a food and agricultural component; a food processing centre and agriculture and science laboratories. Durham College has more than 7,000 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and more than 1,400 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.caor call 905.721.2000.

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

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

July 16, 2010

Oshawa, Ont. – Christopher Russell, a graduate of Durham College’s Police Foundations program in 2006 and a veteran of the Canadian Forces recently received an Alumnus of Distinction award at this year’s spring convocation ceremony held on June 18 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa.

Russell, who currently resides in Petawawa Ont., has bravely served his country overseas and at home, continuing a lifelong dedication to protecting the freedom and safety of others. Before enrolling at Durham College, he spent his summers at the Department of National Defence, joining the ranks as a company cadet warrant officer at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, Ont. in 2004 where he supervised 1,500 cadets while organizing field operations.

In 2007, Russell joined the Canadian Forces Military Police as a corporal and patrolman at CFB Petawawa, Ont. In September 2008, he was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan where he handled, processed and guarded detainees; escorted injured Afghans by medical air lift; and conducted forensic identification before being seconded to the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) for highly sensitive investigations.

As a result of his work and service in Afghanistan, Russell was awarded the General Campaign Star Medal for service, the Sacrifice Medal for injuries sustained and the CFNIS Commanding Officers Commendation. Russell has also provided his specialized services to the community, as a volunteer of more than 280 on-call hours and 20 hours of on-scene service for the Victim Services of Durham Region.

The Alumnus of Distinction Award honours the extraordinary contributions Durham College graduates make to society while achieving career success.

About Durham College 
At Durham College, the student experience comes first, an approach it has taken for more than 40 years. Through a vast range of market-driven programs that are taught by exceptional professors with real-world experience, students develop the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of employers and the job market. Moving forward, Durham College’s expansion plans will see its Whitby campus grow by 40,000 square feet. Phase 1 of the construction features an energy-neutral living laboratory for new technologies and education to serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. Phase 2 is increasing the size of the Skills Training Centre to create classroom and laboratory space to support new program development and Phase 3 will be a Food Centre designed to house culinary arts programs; a food and agricultural component; a food processing centre and agriculture and science laboratories. Durham College has more than 7,000 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and more than 1,400 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.caor call 905.721.2000.

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

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

July 16, 2010

Oshawa, Ont. – Eugene Dupuis, a graduate of Durham College’s Sports Administration program in 1979, was recently presented with an Alumnus of Distinction award at this year’s spring convocation ceremony, held on June 18 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ont.

Dupuis, who currently resides in Pickering, Ont., is an avid member and volunteer for a wide range of community organizations and committees including the Boy Scouts of Canada, Darlington Soccer Club and the Rotary Club. 

He made his way to Ottawa, Ont. after completing his studies at Durham, where he helped launch the CKQB Virgin Radio 106.9 FM (formerly CJSB – The Bear) radio station in 1982 as their promotions director. 

In 1985, he returned to the Greater Toronto Area where he joined Metroland Publishing and served as manager and director of sales within several divisions of the newspaper chain. He currently works as an advertising consultant with Metroland, developing advertising programs for a senior client list.

The Alumnus of Distinction Award honours the extraordinary contributions Durham College graduates make to society while achieving career success.

About Durham College 
At Durham College, the student experience comes first, an approach it has taken for more than 40 years. Through a vast range of market-driven programs that are taught by exceptional professors with real-world experience, students develop the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of employers and the job market. Moving forward, Durham College’s expansion plans will see its Whitby campus grow by 40,000 square feet. Phase 1 of the construction features an energy-neutral living laboratory for new technologies and education to serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. Phase 2 is increasing the size of the Skills Training Centre to create classroom and laboratory space to support new program development and Phase 3 will be a Food Centre designed to house culinary arts programs; a food and agricultural component; a food processing centre and agriculture and science laboratories. Durham College has more than 7,000 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and more than 1,400 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

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

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

(Left to right) Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) president Judy Smith proudly presents the CCAA Community Service award to Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) executive director Blair Webster, on behalf of Durham College athletes on June 10, in Charlottetown, P.E.I. at the national body’s general meeting.

Durham College student athletes were honoured for their community service efforts June 10 when they received the 2010 Community Service Award in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Lords team members were recognized by the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) at the national body’s general meeting. This is the first time an Ontario college has won the community service award and marks the second time that DC athletes have won a national award.

Ken Babcock, athletic director of Durham College was very excited upon hearing about the award win. “It’s terrific to be recognized for our process and direction,” he said. “It’s a real tribute to the athletes.”

Babcock says community values are instilled in the athletes from day one. Three key traits all Lords athletes must possess are pride in their program of study, commitment and effort. Athletes bring their talents to the table and in turn, must give something back to the community, which helps pave the way for motivation and future success.

As a firm believer of community interaction, Babcock encourages all teams to become involved with charity events. “Once they get involved, they really believe in it and continue to do it,” he said.

Under the Lords Care program, some of the community events that DC athletes had the opportunity to participate in during the 2009-2010 academic year were Hoops for Haiti and the Movember campaign, raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer.

They also participated in the School is Cool program which wrapped up recently. Athletes attended elementary and secondary schools doing presentations for students, spreading the word about staying in school, being active and helping out in the community.

DC athlete Mandi Doris, who played for the women’s volleyball team, had a positive experience participating throughout the year. “Encouraging people is a natural thing to me,” she said. “You don’t learn those traits in the workplace.”

Not only was Doris graced with the opportunity to help others, she also represented the community as an Olympic torch bearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics in February and received the Founder’s Cup award at convocation. “Community service is about taking the extra time that I have to help others in any way,” she said.

Community service programs within the athletic department at the college are growing and Durham is touring more schools each year. Congratulations athletes!

Durham College graduates spend their final moments together as DC students at the 2010 spring convocation ceremony, held on June 18 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa.

Congratulations to the 2010 spring graduates of Durham College! Three convocation ceremonies took place on June 18 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, accommodating each school from Durham College. Not only was this a big day for the graduates, it was also a special day for the college as it recognized its 50,000th graduate that day.

More than 2,500 students crossed the stage, only a few handshakes away from the beginning of their future careers. The centre was decorated with the school colours and nearly every seat was filled as proud parents and loved ones came out to celebrate.

In addition to recognizing the graduates, the first-ever honorary credential was presented to Dr. Peter Zakarow, former chair of DC’s Board of Governors and six DC alumni received Alumni of Distinction awards.

DC graduate Sarah Ojha of the Social Services Worker program couldn’t have been happier when her name was called that day. “A million negative things ran through my head before I walked up there, like I might fall or something,” she said. “But like my two years here, at the end I made it across.”

Ojha felt a huge sense of accomplishment as many graduates did upon receiving their diplomas. Words from college president Don Lovisa, helped inspire the grads for their bright futures ahead.

The final ceremony came to a very special close when former DC Graphic Design student Tyncel Hasan was honoured posthumously, following her sudden death last year. Her mother Charmaine Hasan, a clerk in the college’s Access and Support Centre, walked across the stage to accept her daughter’s diploma.

“I had mixed feelings at first, but it was a proud moment,” Hasan said. “Tyncel wanted to graduate on time.”

Fellow graduates gave both Charmaine and Tyncel a standing ovation that could be heard outside of the arena. “It felt like she was a celebrity,” said Hasan. “In spite of (Tyncel) not being there, everyone still clapped.”

Convocation is a time to acknowledge those students that are leaving and to recognize the many that are to come. The day was a success and a big thank you goes out to everyone involved.

It’s all smiles at Durham College’s 2010 spring convocation ceremony as the college’s Second Career program students shake hands and cross the stage to become college graduates.

Durham College’s 2010 spring convocation on June 18 was a proud time for many, especially for students enrolled in the provincial government’s Second Career program.

Launched in 2008, Second Career is a provincial government program that provides laid-off Ontarians with the opportunity to re-train for new jobs in high-demand careers. Sue Hawkins, the college’s Second Career advisor was very impressed with the students’ final results.

“The students exceeded my expectations,” she said. “Most of them have been out of school for 10 to 30 years, but they’re dedicated and hard-working.”

Approximately 139 Second Career students graduated during the college’s three ceremonies with 102 students receiving Presidential honours and eight with the highest mark in their programs. In addition, one received a Durham College medal for having the highest-ranking mark in any one-year post-secondary program and one graduate received a student leadership award.

The highest number of Second Career graduates for 2010 came from the Court Support Services program offered through the School of Justice & Emergency Services, but there were a variety of students from other programs including Advanced Law Enforcement, Dental Reception and Administration, Energy Audit Techniques, Web Development and many more. Nearly 400 students registered with the program for the 2009-2010 academic school year and the number of graduates for next year will likely exceed this year’s count.

“It’s an opportunity for students to do something they’ve always dreamed of,” said Hawkins. “They want to do well and they want to graduate.”

Lorelei Hepburn, 1994 Durham College alumna, presents her Nemaglobe to the experts on CBC’s Dragon’s Den. The episode aired on June 7.

Durham College alumna Lorelei Hepburn, a 1994 graduate of the Environmental Technology program, successfully sealed a deal with all five industry dragons on the popular CBC series Dragon’s Den on June 7. The dragons offered to invest $250,000 in her company with 11 per cent royalty until accrued followed by 5.5 per cent in perpetuity.

The show, which used a greenvention approach for the episode in which Hepburn appeared, featured business people pitching their ideas to a panel of Canadian financial experts. Hepburn presented a Nemaglobe, a spherical biodegradable container with a natural worm inside that goes after and eliminates the white grubs in grass.

“When I auditioned, they loved the ball,” she said. “They found it humorous and good for TV.” The product is offered through her company, The Environmental Factor, which specializes in pesticide- and chemical-free lawn products.

Hepburn who says she was very nervous upon entering the den, prepared herself a year in advance for the fire-breathing team. “I do a lot of public speaking so I’m not usually nervous,” she said. “Numbers are very important so I rehearsed those with possible questions they might have had.”

Hepburn’s Nemaglobe proposal was originally set to air during May 2009 however producers felt the product was more suitable for the Greenvention episode. It’s rare for entrepreneurs to get all five dragons on board, so naturally, Hepburn was thrilled. “It was like a flurry,” she said. “I was not expecting all five at all.”

Following the show, Hepburn was swarmed by media and lawyers and had a package drafted up to send back to the dragons to negotiate the payments and loans.

In the end, an appropriate contract couldn’t be reached and as a result, Hepburn walked away from the deal. The DC alumna’s products are now a success in both Canada and the U.S. and plans for new products are in the works.

For more information about her products and the Environmental Factor, please visit www.environmentalfactor.com.