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.

Jordan Edwards (left), a student from Henry Street High School, poses with Don Lovisa, president of Durham College (right), after receiving his certificate of completion at the Centre for Success celebration on June 15.

An eclectic group of students filled gyms 1 and 2 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on June 15 accompanied by proud parents in the stands as Durham College celebrated the completion of the Centre for Success program’s winter/spring semester.

First introduced in 2006 in conjunction with J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax, Ont., the program is designed to help decrease the drop-out rate of at-risk secondary school students. It helps them complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) while giving them the opportunity to complete a college-level course and earn one or two credits toward a future post-secondary degree.

One hundred and twenty-three secondary school students received their certificate of completion during the event, which also included student representatives from the Durham District, Durham Catholic District, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District and Kawartha Pine Ridge District school boards sharing their experiences with the program.

Laura Cunningham, a student from the Durham District School Board, thanked the college for its efforts in helping the students achieve their goals. “We were treated like adults in this program, not students,” she said.

Durham College President Don Lovisa shook each student’s hand with a proud smile on his face after seeing the promising results of the session. “The transformation is incredible,” he said. “It’s about everyone working together for student success in a good learning environment.”

The college started the initiative with one class and now has close to eight. Lovisa would like to accommodate more classes to help students in need.

Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson spoke a few words of wisdom to the students and presented the college with a recognition plaque for another successful session of the program.

Jordan Edwards, a student from Henry Street High School, found the program to be a complete revelation compared to a standard high school environment. “You have more freedom here and you’re not boxed in,” he said. “It lets you develop independence.”

Although Edwards will receive his OSSD this spring, he doesn’t plan to attend post-secondary education until the fall of 2011. “I still have no idea what I want to do but it’s a relief to have this completed,” he said.

The end of the ceremony brought smiling faces and a few teary eyes when students said their goodbyes. It was a wonderful day that celebrated success and taking the next steps for the future.

June 23, 2010

Scholarship program provides post-secondary assistance to children of fallen soldiers

OSHAWA, ONT. – In an effort to honour the many brave and heroic men and women of the Canadian Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Durham College has joined the Project Hero scholarship program which provides financial aid for children of Canadian Forces personnel who have lost their lives while serving in an active mission.

The scholarship provides free tuition and program-related fees for the duration of a program of study as well as one year of free on-campus residence to students who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada; are under the age of 26; are the dependant of a Canadian Forces personnel killed during an active mission; and are registered as a full-time Durham College student. Students must also maintain satisfactory academic standing in their program.

“Durham College is pleased to provide high-quality post-secondary education to the sons and daughters of our fallen soldiers,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The Project Hero program is a wonderful way to continue the legacy of those who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedoms. It is our hope that their children will benefit from these scholarships and create a successful future for themselves in memory of their courageous parents.”

Project Hero was created by retired General Rick Hillier and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Reed in 2009 to recognize the men and women who have served and perished for their country through active duty and specifically acknowledge their contributions to the Canadian Forces and society as a whole.

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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 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.

Pictured here are issues of the Chronicle produced by Durham College students. The newspaper was named the top newspaper among colleges and universities in Ontario for 2009 at the Ontario Community Newspapers Association Better Newspaper Awards held May 14.

Congratulations is being extended to the Durham College Chronicle, the college newspaper, as it was recently awarded first place in General Excellence at the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) Better Newspaper Awards for producing the top newspaper among colleges and universities in Ontario.

Not only did it receive first place overall, it ranked first in Advertising design and Don Campbell, a second-year Journalism student, came in second place in the Student Feature writing category.

“It was great,” said Campbell who covers campus content and strives to write noteworthy pieces throughout the year. “I always thought my reporting was better than my feature writing but I guess not.”

The OCNA is a non-profit industry association that was created in 1950 in Burlington, Ont. It hosts the Better Newspaper Awards each year to recognize community newspapers for their achievements.

Gerald Rose, editor-in-chief of the Chronicle, was very pleased with the win. “We do our best every year and the students work hard,” said Rose. “A lot of students deserve to win awards.”

The Chronicle also proved to have strong community news in terms of events related to the college, near perfect sports coverage and good presentation. According to the judges, it didn’t have any glaring weaknesses in other categories, making it the top student newspaper in Ontario.

“Winning isn’t possible all the time, but if we can finish in the top three that’s pretty good,” added Rose.

Advertising Professor Kevan Drinkwalter from the School of Media, Art & Design, found the win encouraging and was pleased that working late nights paid off. “It’s really validating for all,” said Drinkwalter. “I put congrats on Facebook immediately because this isn’t my moment, it’s the student’s moment.”

Having not won last year, this year’s win is a great achievement by the Chronicle staff with all instructors proud of their current students and the motivation being created for future students.

June 15, 2010

OSHAWA, Ont. –Thanks to the efforts of sponsors, donors, volunteers and more than 240 golfers, the 14th annual Durham Region Chairman’s Charity Classic golf tournament was another huge success, raising $341,500 The event, which took place on June 10 at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax, Ont., welcomed hundreds of community members, golfers and dignitaries as they teed off for a chance to improve the lives of individuals living in Durham Region.

The tournament, hosted by Durham Region Chairman Roger Anderson, has raised close to $4 million since its inception. Continuing the legacy of giving to community organizations, the funds raised by the tournament will be used to provide assistance to students in financial need at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and assist with the ongoing construction of the Abilities Centre Durham.

Representatives from each of the three organizations receiving proceeds from the tournament were on hand for a cheque presentation and the chance to extend their gratitude for the ongoing and enthusiastic support of sponsors, donors, volunteers and participants.

This year’s tournament featured a number of specialty holes including three Fraser Ford hole-in-one holes and three opportunities for golfers to win $100,000, while live and silent auctions prizes included a one-week stay at Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Alabama with $1,000 in spending money; a vacation to the Dominican Republic; a suite at an Oshawa Generals game and tuition packages for the college and university.

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

Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing, UOIT
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@uoit.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.

St. Leo Catholic School student Patrick Schuck cleans the teeth of one of Durham College’s Dental Clinic’s practise heads. More than 280 grade 7 and 8 students explored the college on May 12 and 19, learning about the programs offered by the college through a series of fun and informative workshops.

Students from several Durham Region elementary schools visited Durham College’s Oshawa campus on May 12 and 19 to explore the benefits of post-secondary education during the college’s annual Building Future Connections event.

Drawing faculty from each of the college’s schools, the two-day event saw more than 280 grade 7 and 8 students explore various programs via group activities and course content discussions.

The goal of the event was to get students thinking about their futures early by introducing them to a variety of job fields including environmental studies, computer networking, journalism and dentistry.

“As early as Grade 1, students are learning about careers and post-secondary education,” said Susan Pratt, a professor with the School of Communication, Language & General Studies and the co-ordinator of the event. “About 20 per cent of kids leaving high school are eligible to come to college but don’t. We want to let them know just how important a college education is.”

Each workshop had its own hands-on activity to engage students. Visitors to the Dental Clinic cleaned the teeth of practice mannequins while students in the offices of Durham College’s newspaper, The Chronicle, interviewed one another.

“It’s pretty good,” said Patrick Schuck, a student from St. Leo Catholic School in Brooklin, Ontario who participated in the dental workshop. “Really interesting. Doing the teeth stuff is pretty fun.”

Building Future Connections is part of the provincial government’s School-College-Work Initiative, which aims to help students plan for a future in a college program. The workshops are one of several initiatives being conducted by the college to teach younger students about college life. A series of workshops on animation and film design were held on May 4 and 5 and Nursing Career Day was held on May 14.

June 11, 2010

Event will also feature honorary credential recipient; six Alumni of Distinction Award winners

OSHAWA, ONT. – Durham College will recognize the convocation of its 50,000th graduate next week as more than 2,500 students celebrate their graduation at the college’s annual spring convocation ceremony on Friday, June 18.

Students will be joined by family and friends and Durham College faculty members, staff and administration as they receive their diplomas and certificates from the schools of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology; Business, IT & Management; Career Development & Continuing Education; Communication, Language & General Studies; Health & Community Services; Justice & Emergency Services; and Media, Art & Design.

In addition, the college will present its first-ever honorary credential to Dr. Peter Zakarow, former chair of the college’s Board of Governors, in the category of Business Administration, and present Alumni of Distinction awards to Margaret Campkin, Wayne Clarke, Eugene Dupuis, Ron Motum, Christopher Russell and Michael Whittaker.

A native of Oshawa, Ont., Dr. Zakarow owned and operated his own dental practice in Oshawa for more than 40 years and was elected as the youngest-ever president of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons in 1962.

He received the prestigious American College of Dentist Awards Fellowship in 1988 and the Prime Minister’s Certificate of Distinguished Service in 1989. On the 125th anniversary of the confederation of Canada, he received the Governor General of Canada Award and was also awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for years of community service.

Dr. Zakarow began his association with Durham College in 1982 as a college governor, volunteering and canvassing for donations at numerous fundraisers. After serving as vice-chair of the Board of Governors, he was named chair in 1985, a position he held until 1987. During this time, he was also a member of the college’s Dental Advisory Committee and was instrumental in implementing the Dental Hygiene program.

In 1996, Dr. Zakarow resumed fundraising efforts for the college, serving as the lead gifts chair for Creating Futures campaign.

Campkin, a 1985 Nursing program graduate, is a patient care manager with the Critical Care department at Lakeridge Health Corporation and a part-time professor with the college’s Critical Care Nursing program.

Clarke, a 1971 General Business – Office Administration graduate, is a property and tax assessment administrator with Halloway Developments Limited and has spent 20 years working in the financial sector. He is also past president and a current member of the Durham Region Home Builders Association.

Dupuis, a 1979 Sports Administration graduate, has spent more than 25 years in the advertising division of Metroland, the country’s largest suburban newspaper chain. He is also responsible for the successful launch of CJSB The Bear radio station in Ottawa, Ont., and the launch of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s first-ever consumer show.

Motum, a 1974 Chemical Technology graduate, is an instructor in the college’s Water Quality Technician program following more than 34 years in the chemical technology and operations sector including 32 years with the Region of Durham’s Works department.

A 2006 Police Foundations graduate, Russell has served his country abroad and at home with the Department of National Defence including being deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan where he earned a General Campaign Star Medal, Sacrifice Medal and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service Commanding Officers Commendation.

A 1977 Public Relations graduate, Whittaker has helped build some of Atlantic Canada’s best-known food brands and products. He is currently president and partner of Trucorp Investments Limited, president of Bonte Foods Limited and co-owner of both Haystacks Media Production and OPCO Restaurants.

When:

Friday, June 18

9:30 a.m.
School of Justice & Emergency Services
School of Communication, Language & General Studies
School of Career Development & Continuing Education
Russell to receive Alumnus of Distinction Award

1:30 p.m.
School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology
School of Business, IT & Management
Dr. Zakarow to receive honorary credential in Business Administration
Clarke, Dupuis and Motum to receive Alumni of Distinction awards
50,000th graduate to cross the stage

5:30 p.m.
School of Health & Community Services
School of Media, Art & Design
Campkin and Whittaker to receive Alumni of Distinction awards

Where:
General Motors Centre
99 Athol Street East
Oshawa, Ontario

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications, Marketing and External Relations
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.

Third-year Journalism student Andrew Huska accepts his National Student Award for Radio Spot News at the Broadcast Educator’s Association of Canada awards gala May 13.

Success matters at Durham College and third-year Journalism student Andrew Huska, has another accomplishment to attest to this. Huska recently won a Broadcast Educator’s Association of Canada (BEAC) National Student Award in Radio Spot News.

The awards gala took place on May 13 in Toronto where Huska became the first-ever Durham student to accept an award from BEAC.

When notified by e-mail last week, the award didn’t strike Huska as a major accomplishment at first. “I read it and didn’t check my mail again until a week later,” he said. “Once I started getting e-mails from important people, I realized it was a big deal.”

BEAC, a national organization that promotes excellence in media education, recognized Huska’s piece about the vandalism of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Whitby, Ontario. This was the second time the church was vandalized and shortly after his story aired, it burnt down.

Professor Anna Rodrigues from the School of Media, Art & Design, sent in Huska’s radio clip because it was one of the best created by a student all year. “It was of very high quality,” said Rodrigues. “He even called people outside of the school to get additional clips.”

Another one of Huska’s professors, Brian Legree, was also impressed with the award. “Andrew worries about words,” said Legree. “Even if he gets good grades, he still asks where to make improvements.”

Both professors were excited for their student and attended the awards gala with Huska. Still soaking in his glory, the soon-to-be graduate is keeping his options open. “I like the news aspect more than anything else,” he said. “I want to be where things are happening.”

In the meantime, he is applying for jobs locally, to begin his career. This is one student that’s not afraid to work hard.

Nursing students Lindsay Ingram (left), Stefanie Lamoureux and Saudia Jadunandan strike a pose with their patient dummy in Durham College’s Simulation Lab for National Nursing Week.

What better way to celebrate the beginning of International Nurse of the Year, than to have guest speakers, demonstrations and a career day for post-secondary students?

That’s exactly what Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) did in honour of National Nursing Week from May 10 to 16. Inspired by Florence Nightingale’s birthday, National Nursing Week was created in 1985 as a joint effort between the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the federal government.

The week kicked off with a presentation on humanitarian nursing which featured a panel of nurses that have travelled all over the world working with patients. The panel presentation sparked the interest of fourth-year UOIT Nursing student Zainab Lulat, who is taking travelling into consideration while pursuing her future career.

“I would definitely work in another country,” said Lulat. “It was great to see people in our field working in different places like Haiti and Peru.”

A mix-and-mingle was held on May 11, where students could interact with their peers while meeting other nursing students. Simulation demonstrations took place on May 13 in the student Simulation Lab, one of the most advanced nursing labs in Ontario. Current nursing students provided live demonstrations of situations covered in the program, showcasing what they’ve learned throughout their studies.

Career Day was featured at the end of the week, where the college and university hosted Grade 9 and 10 students to provide them with a glimpse of what the schools’ nursing programs have to offer. “It increases your skill set,” said Lulat. “You learn something new every day.”

Sue Coffey, director of the Nursing program at UOIT was pleased with the turnout and support from students considering the time of year. She feels this national week will only become more successful in the future.

“The field is growing and will continue to grow as awareness is raised and information is provided,” said Coffey. “For some students it’s a life of adventure.”

Susan Sproul, dean of the college’s School of Health & Community Services collaborated with Coffey to create activities for the week-long celebration. Events were open to everyone – including nursing staff and educators from the department’s community hospital partners, who came out to help people recognize that everyone works together to make nursing happen.

“National Nursing Week is a great opportunity to put nurses in the spotlight and recognize them for all they do,” said Coffey.

For more information about Durham College’s nursing program, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

June 3, 2010

Annual tournament to benefit Durham College and UOIT students, Abilities Centre

AJAX, ON. – Region of Durham Chairman Roger Anderson will once again host golfing enthusiasts and community dignitaries on Thursday, June 10 for the Durham Region Chairman’s Charity Classic golf tournament at the Deer Creek Golf Club and Banquet Facility in Ajax.

All funds raised at the 14th annual event will directly benefit students in financial need at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and assist with the creation of the region’s Abilities Centre.

Since its inception, the Chairman’s Charity Classic is regarded as one of the most successful fundraising golf tournaments in Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area, having raised more than $3.5 million dollars including $354,000 at last year’s tournament.

This year’s tournament features a number of specialty holes including three Fraser Ford hole-in-one holes and two opportunities for each golfer to win $100,000. The extensive live and silent auctions prizes include a one-week stay at Golf Shores, Orange Beach with $1,000 spending money; a vacation to the Dominican Republic; a suite at an Oshawa Generals game; VIA rail packages and many more.

When:
Thursday, June 10
9:30 a.m. – Registration and buffet breakfast
11 a.m. – Board golf carts
11:30 a.m. – Shotgun start
6 p.m. – Dinner and live and silent auctions

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

For more information 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.