October 15, 2008

OSHAWA, ON. – A longtime educator and community champion is the new chair of the Durham College Board of Governors. Aileen Fletcher, who began her one-year term in September, is joined by vice-chair Gerry Warman, five new members and nine returning members on the board.

A graduate of Trent University and the University of Toronto, Fletcher has been a teacher for 18 years and currently serves as the head of guidance at Bowmanville High School. She has also served as an instructional leadership consultant for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in the area of guidance and co-operative education. In addition to her work responsibilities, Fletcher has volunteered her time for a wide variety of agencies. Most notably she served as an executive member on the ITER Community Council that worked to support the bid to bring an international nuclear fission research centre to Durham Region. The Courtice resident is also an active volunteer within her church. 

“I am honoured to serve as chair of the Durham College Board of Governors,” Fletcher said. “I look forward to working with all the board members as we continue to further the college’s reputation as a provincial leader in providing students with the market-ready skills and hands-on experiences that are in demand by today’s employers. These are exciting times at Durham College and the year ahead promises more opportunities for growth and post-secondary leadership.”

Fletcher’s extensive background in education and Warman’s years of business experience will bring significant leadership to the Board of Governors. Warman is director of Distribution at General Motors of Canada Limited, a member of the General Motors Marketing Advisory Board, the Franchise Operations Team and the Dealer Communications Team. Along with years of senior business experience in the areas of sales, marketing and customer service, the Uxbridge resident has volunteered with local minor sports organizations in the past and is an active supporter in his church community.

The college is also pleased to announce Garry Cubitt, Mary Simpson, and Fred Upshaw have joined the 2008-2009 board, along with Nicole Schoep, the elected student representative, and Judy Spring, the elected administrative staff representative.

Returning board members are Rhonda Christian, Carlee Fraser, Pansy Goodman, Karen Hodgins, Doug McKay, Michael Newell, Bill Robinson, Darrell Sewell and Franklin Wu. As college president, Don Lovisa is an ex officio member of the board. 

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
MJ Jaffray
Communications and Marketing
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
mj.jaffray@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.

October 10, 2008

Ceremony to celebrate first graduating class of Critical Care Nursing E-Learning program

OSHAWA, ON. – As they move onto the next stage of their lives, more than 400 students in more than 40 programs will celebrate their graduation with family, friends and faculty at the Durham College Fall Convocation on Thursday, October 16. The event will feature the first graduating class of the college’s innovative Critical Care Nursing E-Learning Graduate Certificate program.

The one-year critical care program provides an interactive teaching and learning environment for current and future nurses and is structured to meet the demands of personal and professional schedules. Utilizing three key components – Internet courses, hands-on simulation training and on-the-job experience in a critical care setting – the program builds student confidence as they learn highly specialized critical care skills in a high-tech and realistic environment.

Additional diplomas and certificates will be handed out to students in the areas of applied sciences, apprenticeship, skilled trades and technology; business and information technology; integrated studies; communication arts; design; health and community services; and justice and emergency services.

These newest graduates join the ranks of Durham College alumni, who are 45,000 strong, as they prepare for the next stage of their lives, whether it’s moving into the working world or pursuing further education.

When:
Thursday, October 16
5:30 p.m.

Where: 
Durham College Oshawa campus
Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre gymnasium
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, ON.

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

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.

October 8, 2008

Funding will significantly benefit Critical Care Nursing E-Learning graduate certificate students

OSHAWA, ON. – Durham College announced today that the provincial government is investing $840,000 in one-time funding in support of the institution’s Critical Care Nursing E-Learning graduate certificate program. The funding is being provided through the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Critical Care Strategy.

Durham College will distribute the funds, based on a recent needs assessment, to its 10 simulation partners across Ontario to augment existing simulation labs and facilities, ensuring these partners have the required equipment to undertake the highly specialized simulation component of the innovative program.

“The provincial government’s investment in our Critical Care program will ensure students have access to the most up-to-date equipment during the simulation portion of their training, providing them with a significant advantage during their studies,” said Susan Sproul, dean of the Durham College School of Health & Community Services, which oversees the program.

The partner institutions receiving funds are Cambrian, Centennial, Confederation, Fanshawe, Georgian, Northern, Sault and Seneca colleges, along with Queen’s University and the University of Windsor. Two new simulation partners will also be added within the next 12 to 18 months. Among the equipment being purchased are mechanical ventilators, defibrillators and triple-channel volumetric infusion pumps.

The critical care program provides an interactive teaching and learning environment for current and future nurses that utilizes three key components to build student confidence while learning highly specialized critical care skills in an innovative and realistic environment. Students begin the program with six theoretical courses via the Internet, enabling them to learn at their own pace and to schedule studies around work and home commitments. They then participate in hands-on simulation training at Durham College’s state-of-the-art, 5,700-square-foot simulation lab or at one of the partner institutions. Students then complete their learning by gaining on-the-job experience in a critical care setting of their choice under the direct supervision of an experienced critical care nurse preceptor.

“This funding will allow us to strengthen our partnerships and provide more opportunities for new and experienced nurses throughout Ontario to gain training in an area that is critical to our province’s future health-care needs,” said Sandra Goldsworthy, co-ordinator of the Critical Care Nursing program.

This announcement comes one year after the college received a $1 million contract from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to establish the program as part of an initiative to improve the quality of nursing care throughout the province. The program, which began in September 2007, was developed to standardize education and meet the new provincial standards for critical care, in addition to increasing accessibility of critical care education to all nurses in Ontario. The first graduating class will be celebrated at this year’s Durham College fall convocation in October.

The provincial government predicts a steady increase in the demand for critical care services over the next 20 years as Ontario’s population continues to grow and age. With this demographic shift in mind, Durham College’s Critical Care Nursing E-Learning Graduate Certificate program will help meet this demand and has the potential to improve patient care and reduce hospital wait times.

About Durham College

Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing

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.

September 17, 2008

OSHAWA, Ont. – Thanks to the generous contributions of sponsors, auction donors, partners and other guests at the 2008 Legacy Gala, hundreds of additional students will now be able to make their post-secondary dreams a reality through Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). 

The seventh annual gala, held September 12 at Tosca Banquet Hall and Conference Centre, raised $ 250,000 for student bursaries and scholarship endowments, which includes $125,000 in matching funds through the provincial government’s Ontario Trust for Student Support.

“Durham College would like to thank everyone for joining us to celebrate these treasured partnerships that are so intrinsic to our students’ success,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “Once again, countless businesses, community partners and individuals have demonstrated their incredible generosity. Their contributions have made the gala a tremendous success and will provide a helping hand to students as they pursue their studies and gain the market-ready skills needed to attain rewarding careers and make a difference in the world.”

The Argentina-themed event, which treated guests to an evening in an elegant Buenos Aires café setting, was attended by hundreds of guests, including business and corporate leaders, politicians and other community leaders, and students, staff and administration from both schools. Guests were treated to authentic Argentinian cuisine, wine tasting, and a professional display of tango and salsa dances. More than 70 local businesses and sponsors donated silent auction items.

“On behalf of UOIT, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in contributing to the amazing success of the 2008 Legacy Gala,” said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. “Ongoing support for this event ensures that financial barriers to a post-secondary education will continue to be broken down. It ensures that many more young men and women will be able to access UOIT’s leading-edge learning environment and pursue the kinds of innovative programs that place them in great demand upon graduation.”

Sponsors of this year’s gala included the Albis family, owners of Tosca and Avanti Trattoria; Ontario Power Generation; Bill and Delphine Patchett: the Caribbean Event and Grant Morris Associates Ltd.; The Retired Teachers of Ontario; Campus Living Centres Inc.; Durham College Alumni Association; Metroland Durham Region Media Group; Bill and Janis Robinson; BMO; Durham Region Police Services Board; RBC; and Veridian Corporation. Table sponsors were Bob and Sallie Baun; Cameco Corporation; Chartwells; CIBC Wood Gundy; Meloche-Monnex; Messier-Dowty; Rogers; Schneider Electric; and Wardrop Engineering Inc.

The Legacy Gala is held each September to raise funds for students attending UOIT and Durham College. It is designed to relieve students’ financial burden and help them pursue their post-secondary educational goals.

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About Durham College

Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of close to 95 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

 

Media contact:
MJ Jaffray
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
mj.jaffray@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.

September 3, 2008

More than 3,000 new students arriving on campus September 2

OSHAWA, Ont. – With the new academic year just days away, Durham College is preparing to welcome more than 3,000 first-year students to campus with Orientation Week 2008, beginning September 2.

The week-long event allows new students at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses to participate in a series of exciting activities and events designed to familiarize them with the college’s faculty and staff, explore the unique campuses and learn more about program expectations, student services and campus clubs.

Orientation Week 2008 events include:

• Campus Extravaganza, featuring a barbecue, music, carnival games and a clubs and service fair, Tuesday, September 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• Staff-to-Student Mentoring Social, September 2 from 4 to 5 p.m.;
• Captain Jack’s Off-shore Shack for off-campus students, featuring live music, student artwork and a nacho bar, September 2 from 4 to 7 p.m.;
• Double feature Movie-on-the-Lawn, September 2 at dusk;
• Glow-in-the-Dark Capture the Shark (Capture the Flag), Wednesday, September 3 at dusk;
• Bedouin Soundclash concert, Thursday, September 4 at 8 p.m.;
• Part-time Job Fair, Friday, September 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.;
• Shinerama Shine Day including a fundraising car wash and shoeshine for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Saturday, September 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• Durham College Varsity Soccer Games, September 6, beginning at 1 p.m.; and
• Aloha Blast, South Village Courtyard, September 6, beginning at 4 p.m.

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

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications and Marketing
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.

August 27, 2008

OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham College will welcome more than 3,000 first-year students to campus on September 3 for the start of the 2008-2009 academic year, as the college continues its tradition of providing students with the skills needed to succeed in market-driven careers and make a difference in the world.

In addition to offering high-quality programs, exceptional professors and outstanding facilities, Durham College also offers a unique and rewarding first-year experience to students beginning their studies. This includes the college’s first-year experience co-ordinator, who provides support throughout students’ first year, introducing them to the vibrant campus, staff and faculty, and cultural and recreational opportunities.

“As we begin another academic year at Durham College, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all our students and in particular our newest students as they begin their post-secondary studies and take their first steps towards a successful and rewarding career,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “All of our students can take comfort in the knowledge that as they begin their studies this semester, Durham College has a long history of providing all the tools and assistance required to ensure their success.”

Another unique service, the Staff to Student Mentoring program, eases the academic and social transition for new students by matching them with a supportive Durham College staff member. Mentoring pairs are appropriately matched to suit students’ personal interests and career ambitions and help students build a stronger connection with the Durham College community.

Durham College offers a wealth of other personal, educational, career and financial support services and resources, including financial aid, on- and off-campus employment opportunities, academic advice and peer tutoring. In addition, the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre has a full range of health and wellness services designed to keep students healthy in mind and body. These include a 10,000-square-foot fitness centre, along with access to on-site doctors, nurses and other health services.

“Our college provides opportunities to become engaged in all aspects of student life,” said Margaret Greenley, vice-president of Student Affairs. “With over 70 clubs, varsity and athletic programming, and a full range of activities, students can get involved in our enriched campus community. To support student success, there is a full range of quality services that contributes to our students’ ability to meet their full potential.”

In total, 6,100 students have registered for full-time studies this year. The college has added four new compressed fast track programs for 2008-2009: Biotechnology Technologist; Chemical Engineering Technology; Environmental Technology; and Pharmaceutical and Food Science Technology. Durham College offers programs in the areas of applied sciences and technology, arts, business, communication, design, emergency services, health and community services, information technology, justice, language studies, management, media, and skilled trades and apprenticeship.

The college recently announced plans to continue to meet the growing demands of the ever-changing workplace by expanding its facilities with a 40,000-square-foot addition to the nationally acclaimed Skills Training Centre at its Whitby campus. The first phase of the expansion is scheduled to be complete in 2009, while plans also call for a suite of new energy programs and a retrofit of the campus itself to become energy-efficient and energy-producing.

The college is home to numerous other innovative facilities, including the award-winning Campus Library, an Integrated Manufacturing Centre, a Centre for Integrated Justice Studies, state-of-the-art dental and nursing labs and a 200-seat computer learning commons where students can access the campus’ wireless network and individual computer workstations.

Since first opening its doors in 1967, the college has graduated more than 45,000 students, men and women who have gone on to take their places as leaders in industries, workplaces and communities across Canada.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. 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

 

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.

August 26, 2008

OSHAWA, Ont. – Laurie Lafrance, a Durham College professor in the School of Media, Art & Design, was honoured recently, when she was chosen to illustrate a postage stamp for Canada Post. The stamp, Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was selected from dozens of submissions and has been in circulation since its release on July 18.

Lafrance, who has been teaching Drawing courses in the Foundations in Art and Design and Multimedia Design programs at the college for five years, also works as a freelance illustrator and was commissioned by q30 design, a design consultancy firm to create the unique image.

“Being chosen to create an illustration that would represent Canada was a true honour,” said Lafrance. “To me, a stamp is precious. The fact that it’s so tiny, so accessible and so Canadian is what makes it truly special. The hardest part was not being able to show or tell anyone about it until the release date. I was almost ready to burst for five months!”

Earlier this year, Canada Post commissioned numerous design firms to submit concepts for an Olympic-themed stamp. From the dozens of ideas presented, q30 design was selected, and Lafrance was chosen to create the final image.

Lafrance worked alongside Karen Henricks, a graphic designer with q30 design, in implementing a concept that would best reflect both the Canadian athletes and Chinese culture. Focusing on the original concept of a Canadian athlete running with a flag, Lafrance used gestural, Chinese-brush drawing as the basis for her illustration.

While designing the stamp, Lafrance stayed true to Henricks’ original vision, ensuring that the design conveyed movement and exhilaration. Lafrance’s intent was to create a proud Canadian athlete that was strong and muscular, holding a windswept flag.

“Laurie is an excellent example of the wonderfully talented professors our students learn from on a daily basis,” said Robin Pereira, dean of the Durham College School of Media, Art & Design. “Our professors bring extensive experience to the classroom and by sharing their background and experiences our students are motivated to excel in their studies and find great careers upon graduation.”

This is the second time in Lafrance’s career that she has been commissioned to design a nationally-circulated stamp. In 1991, her design was chosen for a commemorative Canada Day stamp. In addition to developing images for Canada Post, Lafrance has also created works for the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

After graduating from Medicine Hat College with a diploma in Visual Communications in 1980, Lafrance graduated in 1984 from the Ontario College of Art and Design with a diploma in Communications and Design with a specialization in Illustration. Upon graduation, she became a freelance illustrator, and joined Durham College as a professor in 2003.

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About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for more than 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. 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

 

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 9, 2008

Business and community partners can help raise scholarship and bursary funds

OSHAWA, Ont. – Community and business leaders, dignitaries and other distinguished guests can anticipate a history lesson that transports them back to the romantic sights and sounds of an old-world cafe as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College today announced the theme of their 2008 Legacy Gala, Bienvenidos a Argentina!

Accented by its rich culture and European influences, Argentina’s capital city of Buenos Aires is home to the sophisticated and elegant Cafe Tortoni, which has remained a popular destination for intellectuals, artists and tourists alike since opening its doors more than 100 years ago. The world-renowned cafe will be the inspiration for an exciting evening designed to raise scholarship and bursary funds for students attending the college and university. The Legacy Gala, hosted once again by the Albis family and Tosca Banquet Hall, is Friday, September 12.

There are still sponsorship opportunities for businesses, organizations and individuals interested in participating and helping to build a legacy of opportunities for post-secondary students. The Legacy Gala is held each September to raise funds for scholarships and bursaries at both Durham College and UOIT. It brings together community members and businesses to acknowledge their contribution to each institution’s success while raising awareness about students’ need for financial assistance for post-secondary education. More than $1.4 million has been raised through the history of the gala, with last year’s event raising $412,000.

Gala festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will showcase exotic tango dances, tempting Argentine cuisine, excellent Malbec wines and will include a silent auction.

For more information about being part of this year’s gala, please contact Pamela Dunn at 905.721.2000 ext. 2278.

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About UOIT

As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT’s 5,000 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario’s first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT’s commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

About Durham College

Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market-driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:
M.J. Jaffray
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2333
mj.jaffray@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 2, 2008

OSHAWA, Ont. – More than 100 guests were on hand July 2 as John Milloy, the Ontario minister of Training, Colleges and Universities announced a $9 million government investment in the expansion of the Durham College Skills Training Centre at the Whitby campus.

Minister Milloy was joined by Durham College President Don Lovisa; Joe Dickson, MPP for Ajax-Pickering and deputy government whip; Wayne Arthurs, MPP for Pickering-Scarborough East and parliamentary assistant to the provincial finance minister; and dozens of Durham College skilled trades students, faculty, staff and community guests for the announcement.

For a Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities release, please visit the Ministry website.

 

 

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.

June 25, 2008

Second gold medal win for Machinist student Mike Van Leeuwen

OSHAWA, Ont. – Mike Van Leeuwen, a third-year general Machinist apprentice, proved once again that Durham College students are the best when measured against their peers, winning a gold medal at the National Skills Competition on May 26 to 28, his second significant victory in a month.

After taking the provincial title only a few weeks earlier, the Bradford, Ontario resident won the national gold medal for his superior machining skills, which he showcased while assembling a balloon pump. He joined over 500 secondary and post-secondary school students from across Canada competing in more than 40 trade and technology events at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta. Competition categories included transportation, construction, information, manufacturing, service and employment.

“Participating in both competitions was an amazing experience,” said Van Leeuwen. “I have learned from a group of excellent teachers who have shared their professional experience with me and my classmates. Through my experiences I have realized that the education I have received at Durham College has prepared me for a future career as a machinist.”

Selected gold medal winners at the national-level may have positions on Team Canada to represent the nation at the World Skills Calgary 2009 competition. At this time, precision machining has not been included in the competition categories.

Van Leeuwen won gold at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition on May 5 at Conestoga College’s Guelph campus. Two other Durham College students also won medals there, with Britney Kayne taking bronze for hairstyling, and Grant Henderson winning the bronze for electrical. Durham College was the top medal winner at the provincial level.

“We are immensely proud of the students who competed in all levels of this competition,” said Marj Rempel, dean of the School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology. “This is another shining example of how Durham College is providing students with the skills and hands-on experience necessary to be employed upon graduation. All three of these award-winning students have proven they have a bright and rewarding future ahead, one that will support our provincial government’s desire to continue developing a skilled trades workforce that meets Ontario’s future needs.”

This is the first national gold for Durham College since students began participating in the Skills Canada Competition three years ago.

About Durham College
Durham College is the premier college in Canada for career-focused students who will succeed in a challenging, supporting and inclusive learning environment. Offering approximately 80 full-time market- driven programs and hundreds of part-time and continuing education courses, the college has provided students with access to exceptional teachers with real-world experience for 40 years. With a graduate employment rate of over 90 per cent and employer satisfaction rate of 95.6 per cent, Durham College gives students everything they need to obtain great careers and make a difference in the world. The college has more than 6,100 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and almost 1,600 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

Media contact:

Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
905.721.2000 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@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.