The votes are in and the top selfies have been selected! Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that Irshaad Sherally, Meagan Holwerda and Greg Hussey are the winners of our DC Selfie Contest.

Sherally, who is enrolled in the Computer Systems Technology program, won a laptop computer of his/her choice while Holwerda, enrolled in the Library and Information Technician program, has won a new iPad. Hussey, enrolled in the Police Foundations program, will receive a pair of Beats by Dre headphones.

Upon receiving their acceptance letter, students were encouraged to submit a selfie photo of themselves holding a DC pennant and people voted for the top three selfies that showed the most school spirit.

Congratulations to the winners and special thanks to everyone who entered – and welcome to the DC experience!

Think you missed your chance to experience DC this September? It’s not too late! Seats are still available in a variety of programs that will provide education and training to place you at the forefront of today’s job market.  Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/september for a complete list of available programs, and be a part of it.

Every child has a Steven Spielberg, van Gogh, Einstein or Lady Gaga waiting to make a grand appearance. This year, let Durham College’s (DC) summer camps allow their talent to shine.

Offered through the School of Continuing Education, children between the ages of six and 14 have the opportunity to let their creativity blossom. Several weeklong programs are available to entertain, stimulate and provide children with lifelong memories, skills and tons of fun. All camps are offered at a beginner’s level in order to show new and creative ways of expression. Those who have previously completed one of the camps are offered advanced techniques and helpful tips to improve their skills.

Not all kids have the same interests but DC offers a variety of camps designed to appeal to all individual passions. Artistic children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of camps intended to further develop and strengthen artistic expertise while having fun. From filmmaking to sewing, DC’s summer camps offer a chance to explore new interests or expand on the old.

There is still room for creative thinking in one of our science-based camps. Children will be introduced to physics and the process of inventing through a variety of hands-on activities. These unique camps are catered to your child’s growing interest in all things science.

Children also have the opportunity to learn about engineering, architecture, construction and teamwork by participating in one of the LEGO® build camps made possible by Bricks 4 Kidz. These build camps are available as both creative and educational outlets, allowing children to understand complex concepts in a simple way.

All camps run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and childcare is available before and after each session. Parents have the option to send their child with a nut- and citrus-free lunch or enjoy a camper lunch for an additional fee.

For more information (including registration), visit the summer camp website.

Families throughout Durham Region and beyond discovered just how exciting science can be as Durham College (DC) and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) co-hosted Science Rendezvous on May 9.

From university labs to shopping malls and farmers’ markets to hospitals, science champions gathered at dozens of venues across the country to share their passion for science and technology, and encourage public understanding and interest in this dynamic field.

With nearly 650 attendees at Science Rendezvous in Oshawa, the day proved to be an engaging, informative and a fun-filled adventure into the impact that science and technology has on our everyday lives – from candy and cookies to bugs and bones.

More than 60 activities were spread across DC and UOIT’s shared campus in Oshawa, providing something to pique everyone’s interest. Some highlights included; extracting actual DNA from a strawberry, which participants even got to take home; building a balloon dragster while learning about Newton’s law of motion; launching bottle rockets using only air and water; making ice cream out of liquid nitrogen; integrating science with art in a colour symphony; and a tour of ACE, a performance testing facility featuring one of the largest and most sophisticated climatic wind tunnels on the planet.

The grand finale was a spirited game of Science Jeopardy that tested the knowledge participants had gained throughout the day by visiting the different exhibits.

“Science Rendezvous is a wonderful event that brings science to life for even the youngest of curious minds,” said Susan Todd, dean, School of Science, Engineering & Technology at DC. “We all have an intuitive sense of the role science plays in our lives, but don’t always realize how fun it can be to learn its many functions. This event makes science accessible to everyone and provides an exciting hands-on experience that also engages the imagination and showcases the endless possibilities in this exciting field.”

“It was a remarkable day”, said Dr. Greg Crawford, dean, UOIT Faculty of Science. “Kids, parents and grandparents wandered among the various displays, seeing, smelling, touching, and playing with a wide range of activities, and learning a little science and how the world works along the way. We are grateful to the many UOIT and DC faculty, staff, students and alumni that helped make this possible.” 

Check out the Science Rendezvous gallery for photos.

On Thursday, April 30, Durham College’s (DC) Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) hosted its fifth-annual Research Day at the college’s Oshawa campus. Staff members from ORSIE were joined by the DC Leadership Team, student and faculty researchers and community and business partners to share the importance of research on campus and highlight the applied research and innovation projects currently underway.

The day focused on areas significant to the local and provincial economies and highlighted the agriculture, health care, gaming and wearable technology sectors. Diverse breakout sessions were held throughout the morning and Courtney Cole, founder and CEO of ForAHealthyMe Inc. delivered the keynote address about the convergence of economics, aging, demographics and the role of technology in the delivery of healthcare. DC’s rapid prototyper was also demonstrated for those in attendance.

“Over the past five years the college’s research agenda has advanced significantly thanks to the creativity and expertise of our faculty, staff and students,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic. “Under the leadership of ORSIE many unique applied research projects have been supported, helping us all prosper through innovation.”

Since launching five years ago, ORSIE has made incredible strides in the pursuit of the college’s applied research agenda by responding to business and industry needs for practical solutions through applied research and innovation activities, while providing real-world experiences for students. As part of DC’s research agenda ORSIE has entered into several agreements with local small and medium-sized businesses in the environmental, energy, social sciences and humanities fields, developing strategic research plans, forming an ethics board and receiving significant research funding from several government agencies. 

“There is an incredible commitment to research that runs through every level of the organization and applies to faculty, staff and students alike,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The work ORSIE has undertaken to drive the research agenda forward in the pursuit of research excellence, is something to be shared and celebrated. Research Day gives us an opportunity to do just that.”

Research Day concluded by honouring both student and faculty researchers for their contribution to applied research projects on campus.

The following students received awards:

• Third place went to Alfred Massardo, a second-year student in the Computer Programmer Analyst program.
• Second place winners included Steven Murray, a third-year student in the Computer Programmer Analyst Program, and Kenneth Gardner, a third-year student in Electronics Engineering Technology Program.
• Draven Majoor, a third-year student in the Electronics Engineering Technology program, was awarded as top student researcher.

The following faculty members received awards:

• The third place recipient was Kay Corbier from the School of Health & Community Services.
• Second place went to Lauren Fuentes from the School of Science Engineering & Technology.
• Andrew Mayne from the School of Business IT & Management was awarded as the top faculty researcher.

ORSIE will continue to be instrumental in ensuring academic quality and building successful partnerships. A broad range of research and scholarly initiatives will continue to be supported for the benefit of faculty, students, industry and the community. More information about ORSIE’s research areas and projects can be found here.

It was a gouda day at Durham College’s (DC) Centre for Food (CFF) as 13 teams of grade 11 and 12 students faced off in the college’s first ever Epic Man N’ Cheese competition on Saturday, April 11.

The students developed their own unique twist on the old family favourite using top-quality local ingredients such as smoked duck, Montreal smoked beef, salmon, lobster, fresh vegetables and herbs, and, of course, a range of cheeses including asiago, blue, brie, fontina, Colby, cheddar, goat’s cheese and more provided by a variety of sponsors.

Each team produced a stunning dish, but the winning recipe was Spicy Mac N’ Cheese whipped up by Tamara Pantaleo and Johanna Buttle of East Northumberland Secondary School, in Brighton, Ont. With Muenster cheese, merguez sausage made by the students in DC’s Culinary Skills program, cayenne pepper and fresh herbs, it was a combination that couldn’t be beat.

“Winning the contest definitely helps me get my name out there in the field and builds confidence in my cooking abilities,” said Tamara Pantaleo. “I plan on going to DC in the fall so it’s also nice to already have experience with the culinary program there.”

“The competition helped decide my post-secondary path,” said Johanna Buttle. “Winning proves that I can succeed with a future in culinary arts.

The winners were chosen by event attendees who enjoyed a sample size portion of each concoction then voted for their top choice. Honourable mentions go to:

Second Place:  Notre Dame Catholic High School
Megan McGrath
Jaelyn Mason

Second Place:  Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School
Morgan Mackenzie 
Nic Cranney

Third Place:  J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate
Jeni Monette
Jack Lloyd

“We were thrilled to see so many aspiring chefs cooking up a storm in our kitchens, and the support from the community was outstanding,” said Dave Hawey, chef, professor and coordinator of the culinary programs, at DC. “We’d also like to thank our generous sponsors for donating the ingredients and prizes, which allows the college to reinvest 100 per cent of ticket sales back into student education and training.  Several local businesses also purchased tickets to support the event.”

All the cheddar raised at the Epic Mac N’ Cheese Competition will be held in a bursary fund to support students considering a career in culinary, hospitality or special events planning at DC. All students who participated in the competition are eligible to apply for the bursary.  

Epic Mac N’ Cheese Competition Winning Recipe: Spicy Mac n’ Cheese
Sauce:

• 1/3 cup of salted butter
• 5 tbsp. of flour
• 1 cup Muenster cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tbsp. of mustard
• 1 egg yolk

 Melt butter in pan and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the flour, one tablespoon at a time. Keep the heat on low, whisking until it darkens in colour (about seven minutes). Add the milk a bit at a time, whisking until it’s absorbed, then adding more. Simmer for as long as possible but 20 minutes is advised, stirring every five minutes to keep it from sticking to the bottom. Add the mustard and egg yolk.

 Meat:

• 2 stripped Merguez sausages, separated (made by the students in DC’s Culinary Skills program – available for purchase at Pantry)
• Cayenne
• Salt / pepper
• Oregano
• Crushed chilly flakes
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh basil
• Chives
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 diced onion
• Green onion, chopped
• 1 roasted red pepper
• 3 chopped mushrooms

Caramelize garlic and onion in a pan. Brown the sausage in the same pan. Add a pinch of each spice. Add the mushroom and roasted pepper last. Add the mixture to cooked pasta and sauce. Put it into a dish.

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tbsp. oregano
• tbsp. melted butter
• 1/3 cup asiago cheese

Mix breadcrumbs and oregano. Mix a 1/4 into the meat and pasta mixture. Add the butter to the rest of the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle asiago over the mixture. Apply the rest to create a layer on top of the pasta and broil for five minutes.

While the weather conditions may not have been entirely spring-like, dozens of Durham College (DC) and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) students, staff, faculty, and community members put on their sneakers April 8 to support the eighth-annual Campus Charity Walk and Run for the Boys and Girls Club of Durham (BGCD).

The regular five-kilometre course route was cut a bit short this year because of the poor weather. Still, the hearty participants raised more than $3,300 for the BGCD’s Youth Justice Program. Other runners included Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) cadets, staff and youth from the BGCD, and students from G.L. Roberts Collegiate Vocational Institute in Oshawa, Ontario. In addition, 28 volunteers assisted with setup and registration for the two-loop course at the joint DC-UOIT campus location in north Oshawa.

“This annual event is a sure sign of spring on campus and we are grateful for the support of so many people from across the community who recognize the importance of this cause,” said event co-ordinator Dr. Carla Cesaroni. “The Boys and Girls Club of Durham provides children a safe and supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.”

2015 awards:

DC/UOIT registered runners

• Male
  • Matthew Hack 7:37
  • Tyler Tompsett 8:05
  • Ben Suter 8:21

• Female
  • Johanna Tooners 10:14
  • Lori Wilson 10:50
  • Daria Ruginis 11:12

 Faculty and staff runners

• Dan Walters 9:59

 G.L. Roberts Collegiate Vocational Institute

• Male
  • Scott Valade 9:28
  • Kyle Watt 9:42
  • Demetrius Empey 10:14

• Female
  • Christina Branch 9:29
  • Jolesha Allen 11:20
  • Sam Mclean 11:25

• Durham Regional Police Service
  • Jeff Statham 12:16 (cadet instructor). Organizers say the DRPS team ran together and made sure Jeff crossed the line first.

Two Durham College (DC) alumni wowed students with stories of their remarkable journeys from college to career at this year’s Alumni in the Pit on April 7. The annual event welcomes back former DC students to share their experiences since graduation and provide guidance to those who are about to embark on their own career paths.

This year’s event featured, Amanda de Souza, designer and professor, and Mike Arsenault, broadcaster and author, who both graduated from DC in 2008. Though they received very different educations, they had the same advice to share – work hard, volunteer, learn as much as you can (even in that “meaningless” job) and be passionate about everything you do.

“I used to spend my weekends doing a self-defence show for Rogers TV Durham,” said Arsenault, who graduated from the Sport Business Management – Graduate Certificate program. “They were 12-hour days, but if you enjoy what you do, it’s not work. So get your foot in the door. Even if it’s not what you want to do it can still give you answers, it’s still valuable experience and it gives you a lot of networking opportunities.”

Mike eventually transitioned into sports writing and broadcasting, and even published a book, 60’6″: Balls, Strikes, and Baseball Mortality, in 2012. He currently works as a field reporter for The Weather Network and CBC.

De Souza graduated from the Advertising program at DC. She moved to New York City (NYC) where she landed a job as senior designer for W Magazine and found success as an artist. In fact, one of her pieces, a decorated piano, was featured in NYC’s Central Park as part of a city-wide art exhibit.

“Be passionate about what you’re studying,” de Souza said. “Focus on your passion, then use the skills you develop here at DC to pursue what you enjoy. I didn’t even realize how many skills I learned in my program until I started applying for jobs, and said, ‘I can do this, and this, and this.’”

Both grads attended DC after completing a university degree to develop more hands-on skills that carried them through a range of exciting opportunities, including de Souza’s time as social media manager for Justin Timberlake’s restaurant, Southern Hospitality, in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC, and Arsenault’s gig as editor for two newspapers.

“It’s exciting to reconnect with these amazing young people who once stood where our students stand now,” said DC President, Don Lovisa. “They have both accomplished great things, and I hope our students were inspired by their tenacity, enthusiasm and drive to follow their dreams. We offer outstanding programs here at DC, and we’re proud to have played a role in the success of these two, and so many more, alumni.”

There was lots of love for the environment at Durham College (DC) as students, faculty and staff commemorated Earth Week 2015. The DC Sustainability Committee helped students go green with a number of exciting events held both on and off campus.

The week’s activities began on Saturday, March 28 when DC and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) partnered with the City of Oshawa when they hosted a screening of the documentary No Impact Man, a film about one family’s attempt to live a year without making any impact on the environment. Taking place at the Regent Theatre, the movie showing coincided with Earth Hour 2015, a global event encouraging people to turn off the lights to symbolize their commitment to the planet.

Events continued throughout the rest of the week including:

• A mini farmer’s market in The Pit where students had the opportunity to purchase fresh locally produced goods and learn more about Aramark’s eco-initiatives,
• An artisanal chocolate workshop and tasting featuring ChocoSol Traders, where Founder Michael Sacco explained how they are working to incorporate the research of spiritual ecology of the forest garden and polyculture into local projects,
• An eco-showcase at EP Taylor’s students enjoyed live music while sampling some sustainable menu items and browsing local green vendors.

“We wanted our Earth Week activities to be fun and engaging for staff, students and faculty alike,” said Tanya Roberts, sustainability co-ordinator. “We had a great response and were able to showcase sustainability in a number of unique ways.

Earth Week may be over, but sustainability never stops. Visit durhamcollege.ca/livinggreen for more information on how you can participate in eco-friendly activities on and off campus.

Durham College (DC) students from the School of Media Art & Design are drawing on the talent of the next generation with a venture that gives a voice to high school art students.

A group of 10 third-year fine arts students started the Speak Up! project as an opportunity for youth to have their art showcased at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG).

 According to Rachel Wilde, project co-ordinator and student in the Fine Arts – Advanced program at DC, the purpose of the project is not just to showcase young people’s artwork, but to make a statement.

 “As artists, it’s important to us to use art not just as a means to highlight our technical ability, but also to make people think and challenge their beliefs,” Wilde said. “As a result, we wanted to give youth in Oshawa the opportunity to provoke thought and to inspire people to see things differently. How they would do that and what they would say was completely up to them.”

 It is her hope that the RMG will continue to use this project as a means to give a voice to young people in Oshawa following her graduation from DC in June.

 “This project, for me, became so much more than just another school assignment, it’s something that I care about very much,” Wilde explained. “This is because I want youth to feel valued and to be a part of something that may help them through difficult times and give them a sense of identity.”

 Visit the RMG before April 11 to catch the Speak Up! art exhibit. A juried show is scheduled for April 10 where students will receive feedback and awards for their work.

 

The Durham College (DC) School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship and Renewable Technology (START) is sending a team of students to help the Athletes’ Village across the finish line before competitors arrive for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am games.

Twelve students from DC’s Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program will work as carpenters and carpentry assistants to build and maintain residences for more than 7,000 athletes who will participate in the international sporting event.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience and valuable knowledge in their field,” said Darrin Carron, dean, School of START. “After their summer work at the 2015 Pan Am Games, they will have an exceptional portfolio that will greatly support their job search following graduation.”

Repair teams will be broken into three eight hour shifts so workers are available to address any issues 24/7. Following the event, the residences will be gutted and transformed into high-end condos, so the opportunity provides students with valuable hands-on experience in the field.

“When the Zegas Group Ltd. approached DC looking for candidates to work with them as part of their Pan Am and Parapan Am Games team, it seemed a bit unattainable,” said Robyn Walter, Construction Carpentry student. “I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity, and am thankful to DC for providing me with the knowledge required to land such an excellent opportunity for the summer and perhaps the future.”

The 2015 Pan Am Games runs from July 10 to 26 followed by the Parapan Am Games from August 7 to 15.   The Region of Durham is hosting a number of the events that were spread across southern Ontario.