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Durham College lowers campus flags to honour Quebec City mosque victims

Durham College (DC) remains stunned and deeply saddened by the hateful attack committed at a mosque in Quebec City this weekend. As the college grieves for everyone directly affected by this tragedy and the larger Muslim community across Canada, DC also wants to offer a direct message of love and support to our Muslim students, employees and community partners.

To share this message and honour the victims of Sunday night’s attack, we will lower our campus flags on Tuesday, January 31.

At DC, we take immense pride in being a welcoming place where we are all respected for the unique identities that each of us brings to campus. As an organization, we strive to provide a safe environment where diversity is embraced and everyone is treated with dignity. Our commitment to these values will not waver, particularly in the face of attacks that are designed to target and frighten members of our community.

The college wishes to extend our profound sympathies to the families and friends of the victims, and to everyone who has been affected by the events in Quebec City. Our team at the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions is available for anyone who needs support during this difficult time. Confidential counselling and support services are also available for DC students and employees.

‘Awesome’ program allows students to complete high school and earn college credits

Graduates of the Centre for Success (CFS) program thanked their teachers and the Durham College (DC) environment for enabling them to continue completion of their secondary school educations.

“It was an awesome environment. Teachers made changes to how we could approach our studies compared to high school,” said Tyler Ahrens, of Courtice, who received his certificate at the Completion Ceremony in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, on Thursday, January 19.

The CFS program is hosted on campus through the School College Work Initiative (SCWI), which is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The program is designed to enable in-risk secondary school students to complete their high school academic requirements in a college setting, with high school teachers instructing them on campus. The program offers the students access to smaller class sizes, flexible schedules and increased one-to-one access to teachers. In addition, it provides an opportunity for students to earn at least one, and potentially more, college credits toward their post-secondary education at Durham College.

Erick Joyner, of Pickering, said in his valedictory speech before about 170 CFS graduates, and their families, that the teachers made students feel respected. “They treated us like adults and made sure we completed our studies.”

He said the individualized approach of the teachers “made a difference” for him and the other graduates from four area school boards.

Graduates of the CFS program also frequently continue their studies into post-secondary education. Joyner said he is entering DC’s Paralegal program.

DC President Don Lovisa, Robert Wager, manager, SCWI and Academic Upgrading, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Heather Hamilton, from the Ministry of Education, congratulated the students on their hard work and success.

In addition to the DC employees, the students were joined by their families, professors, representatives from the ministry and the partnering district school boards (DSBs): Durham DSB; Durham Catholic DSB; Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB; and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic DSB.

2016 Holiday Food Drive a success

The co-chairs of the annual Holiday Food Drive would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s drive. A longstanding campus tradition, the campaign provides hampers and financial assistance to student families at Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

“Last year we experienced a significant increase in demand for holiday season support, and this year was no different,” said Brad MacIsaac, co-chair, Holiday Food Drive. “Thanks to the generosity of our campus community, we raised nearly $41,000 over the month-long campaign, which will provide assistance to more than 230 DC and UOIT student families–that’s more than 500 people in total.”

“We could not have achieved any of this without the help of everyone who donated food and contributed financially, nor without our wonderful volunteers who joined us on December 18 to pack and deliver hampers,” added Kevin Dougherty, co-chair, Holiday Food Drive. “Once again this proved to be a wonderful opportunity for our campus community to come together for a great cause.”

Some recipients took to social media to express their appreciation:

“I’m blown away by everyone’s generosity. I’m not sure exactly how many people received hampers, but I know it has made a big difference to their holidays. When you have to choose between buying food or Christmas gifts for your children, it’s hard to enjoy the season. All I can say is thank you so much to everyone. When I can, I will be sure to pay it forward.”

From Backpack to Briefcase – DC supports student and alumni success

Durham College (DC) has launched an exciting new initiative to further help students and alumni make smooth transitions from college to the workplace and succeed throughout their careers.

The Backpack to Briefcase (b2B) initiative, which is offered in partnership with DC’s Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, Career Development and the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions, provides students and new alumni with access to insight, skills and networks in addition to the expertise they gain in their academic programs.

DC’s b2B events include opportunities to:

  • Connect with employers
  • Learn how to build a comprehensive, relevant and appropriate social media presence
  • Gain valuable leadership skills

These are just a few examples of the non-academic components that are essential to achieving success as a young professional. 

The initiative also supports DC’s Co-curricular Recognition program, which acknowledges students’ participation in campus activities that complement their resumes, portfolios, academic transcripts and more. Students will receive one leadership point for attending four or more of the b2B events offered throughout the academic year. 

“This is a very positive initiative that will better enable DC to support our students from their first day with us, when they enter the workforce, and throughout their careers,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The b2B program is another example of DC’s commitment to ensuring that the student experience comes first.”

In addition, students and alumni who attend select b2B events will be eligible to win a $100 door prize. To learn more about b2B and register for coming events, including those with door prizes, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/b2B.  

The start of something amazing: Durham College kicks off 50th anniversary year

With 2017 marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of Durham College (DC), one of the first colleges established under the Ontario college system, DC today announced ‘The Start of Something Amazing’, a year-long celebration of the college’s past and future.

“DC has come a long way since we first opened our doors in 1967 to 205 students learning in 16 portable classrooms,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “For five decades we have been committed to meeting the needs of students, business and industry and we can’t wait to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished together, in Durham Region and beyond, while looking ahead to what we will achieve next.”

To celebrate, the college will be weaving anniversary festivities into more than 50 events and activities over the course of the year. This includes the public 50th anniversary kick-off taking place at DC’s annual alumni and employee night at the Oshawa Generals game on Friday, January 13; the college’s annual spring and fall open house events being held on Saturday, March 25 and Saturday, November 18; and the third annual Harvest Dinner to be held at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food on Thursday, September 21.

In addition, the college will host two signature 50th anniversary events in 2017. This includes a two-day homecoming celebration on Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, and a skating party scheduled for December 2017 to commemorate the end of the college’s 50th celebrations.

“Staying connected to our DC family members and the broader community is always top of mind for Durham College, but our 50th anniversary year provides a natural opportunity to take those connections to the next level,” said Lovisa. “We are encouraging everyone – prospective, current and future students; employees; retirees; alumni; business and industry partners; and community groups – to visit the college’s 50th anniversary website and learn how they can join the celebration by sharing memories, attending events and spreading the word that DC is celebrating the start of something amazing!”

While the campaign theme is a nod to the amazing impact that more than 76,000 alumni have made in our community, it also speaks to the college’s vision for the future. This includes the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) at the Oshawa campus, a legacy project tied to the 50th anniversary. A crossroad of education, services, supports and community, the CFCE will serve as a unique academic and cultural access point for students that brings together local, Indigenous and global community groups along with members of key business sectors while also providing a new home for several of DC’s most innovative programs.

“As we prepare for our sixth decade, Durham College remains committed to staying at the forefront of ‘what’s next’ for industry, business, culture and society , all in service of our students – past, present and future – which is exactly what the CFCE will embody,” said Lovisa.

As one of the first colleges established under the Ontario college system, DC is also sharing its 50th anniversary year with the province’s 23 other colleges of applied arts and technology. Colleges Ontario has a dedicated 50th anniversary website where more information on province-wide celebrations can be found.

For more information on DC’s 50th celebrations, including a complete list of upcoming events, facts, photos, videos and more, visit the college’s 50th anniversary website.

More than 150 participated in Ho Ho Ho Holiday Hullabaloo in support of campus Holiday Food Drive

The Centre for Food (CFF) at Durham College (DC) has announced the winners of its second-annual Gingerbread Competition at the Ho Ho Ho Holiday Hullaballoo, in support of the campus Holiday Food Drive.

The Gingerbread Competition and Ho Ho Ho Holiday Hullabaloo were part of the Gingerbread Festival hosted by the CFF. The Gingerbread Competition was lead by CFF professor and Chef Tanya Heck and the Ho Ho Ho Holiday Hullabaloo was lead by Kolleen Brunton, also a CFF professor, with the support of Event Management students.

“The Ho Ho Ho Holiday Hullabaloo (on Nov. 26) hosted over 150 people, of whom 100 were children who were very excited and happy to be able to kick off the holiday season. The event raised over $400 for the campus Holiday Food Drive, as well as many pounds of non-perishable food items,” said Brunton. “It was a morning filled with pictures with Santa, character visits from Elsa, Olaf, Batman and Superman, crafts, cookie decorating, and much more fun!”

Chef Heck said, “The Gingerbread Competition was a great success with 28 competitors. The houses entered this year were absolutely amazing and only a few points separated the top 10. A big thank you to our judges: pastry Chef Georg Krohn, Culinary Management program Advisory Committee member; Marco Cassano, owner of Anninas Bakeshop, in Goodwood; and Chef David Hawey, CFF professor. They did not have an easy job this year.”

She added, “I would like to personally congratulate all of the gingerbread house entrants on a job well done. So many creative and elaborate houses really made this event shine.”

Gingerbread Competition winners

High school division:

  • First Place – Connor Grimes and Riley Hennessy, of East Northumberland Secondary School, in Brighton.
  • Second Place – Sarah Cooke and Emily Doris, of Saint Peter’s Catholic Secondary School, in Peterborough.
  • Third Place and People’s Choice Award (as voted on by Hullabaloo attendees) – Kacey Payne, of Henry Street High School, in Whitby.

DC student winners were:

DC staff winners:

  • First Place – Kelly O’Brien, CFF
  • Second Place – Kolleen Brunton, CFF

All gingerbread houses were donated by the entrants to the Silent Auction with proceeds from it going to the campus Holiday Food Drive.

Durham College forges stronger ties with Irish institutions

Expanded international opportunities for student exchange and research collaboration in Ireland are on the horizon following the signing of a new agreement by Durham College (DC), the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and the Technological University for Dublin Alliance.

The signing was conducted as part of the Higher Education in Transformation Symposium (HEIT), held in November that saw DC and UOIT jointly host their counterparts from Ireland to explore new ways of improving all aspects of higher education – from curriculum and pedagogy to student experience supports. HEIT spawned robust discussion between academic leaders, as well as Canadian and Irish government officials, including Jim Kelly, Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, who was included among the many speakers at HEIT.

Key topics of discussion at the symposium included:

  • Creating new higher education programs to meet 21st-century demands.
  • Keeping up with rapid technological changes to ensure students receive a cutting-edge education.
  • Building on unique, hybrid post-secondary relationships, such as the DC-UOIT example as well as Ireland’s new trilateral Technological University for Dublin Alliance.

As part of HEIT, the college and university signed an international Memorandum of Understanding with their Irish counterparts to create the Canada-Ireland Centre for Higher Education Policy and Practice. The centre will promote inter-institutional research collaborations, joint publications, joint conferences and international exchange opportunities for faculty, staff and students. Its activities will also focus on exploring new initiatives in higher education policy and practice in both countries, and more broadly.

Durham College breaks ground for its new Centre for Collaborative Education

Members of the Durham College (DC) community, including retirees, alumni, students, employees, elected officials, and industry and community partners, gathered on November 25 to celebrate the official groundbreaking for DC’s new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE).

The event marked the start of a new chapter at DC while also honouring its past. The CFCE, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017, will replace the aging Simcoe building, which has long been at the heart of the college’s Oshawa campus.

“When I reflect on how our small community college has evolved over the past 50 years into a leading post-secondary institution serving communities locally, nationally and even worldwide, I can’t help but wonder what the next 50 years will bring,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC.

Lovisa added that while there are many exciting changes ahead for DC, one thing will remain constant – the college will always maintain its commitment to ensuring the student experience comes first.

“Staying true to our mission will be vital to ensuring our students achieve success, and together we can elevate a thriving Durham community for the prosperity of future generations,” he said.

The groundbreaking commenced with a blessing offered by Kim Wheatley, an Anishinaabe Traditional Grandmother, to honour the territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation on which the college sits and was followed by hot beverages for all and a toast from Lovisa to DC’s past, present and future.

The event also included a piece of the Simcoe building being removed that will be incorporated into the new CFCE, a symbolic integration of the old with the new.

A crossroad of education, services, supports and community, the CFCE will serve as a unique academic and cultural access point for students that brings together local, Indigenous and global community groups along with members of key business sectors.

DC thanks everyone who was able to attend the CFCE ground breaking celebration and who have contributed to the college over the past 50 years. Together we are building something amazing.

DC wins Whitby Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Award

Durham College (DC) announced today that it has won a prestigious Whitby Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Achievement Award in the category of Business Achievement (50+ employees). The awards were presented on November 17 at a gala held at the Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility.

“On behalf of everyone at DC, I’d like to thank the Whitby Chamber of Commerce for this 2016 Business Achievement Award, which recognizes the college as a valued member of the business community and contributor to the growth of Whitby and Durham Region,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “To be acknowledged by our peers in this way is a testament to the tireless work of our employees to enhance the business community through initiatives such as partnerships, program expansion, research and innovation, and creating a healthy workplace.”

The Peter Perry & Business Achievement Awards are held each year to recognize the success and outstanding contributions of companies and individuals within the Whitby Chamber of Commerce membership. Winners are honoured for their excellence in one or more of the following areas of operation: enhancement to the broader business community; business development and company growth; strategic alliances and partnerships; community relations; product or service advancement; brand profile and reputation; marketing/branding innovation; and healthy workplace.

Over the past six years, DC has invested more than $45 million at the Whitby campus to further its evolution into a community hub focused on innovative learning, skilled trades and applied research, highlights of which include:

  • The addition of new skilled trades programs, including Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices that will launch in January 2017.
  • The ongoing development of cold-frame technology by faculty and student researchers, making it possible to grow fresh, local produce year-round by harnessing the sun’s energy and redirecting it to support growth on cold days. Cold-frame technology uses framed boxes built from cedar wood that have special insulation and triple polycarbonate glass on top. Filled with sand, the boxes direct heat collected from the sun to stimulate growth.
  • The W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF). The CFF is focused on the sustainable field-to-fork concept, as supported by its ambassador, celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy. Home to a range of complementary programs in baking, culinary, food and farming, horticulture, hospitality, and event management, the CFF boasts numerous sustainable features and extensive grounds that include an apple orchard, agricultural planting fields, gardens, hoop house and greenhouses that support applied learning and research while growing produce for use in the CFF’s kitchens and laboratories, as well as Bistro ’67 and Pantry.

In addition, DC has established a strong relationship with Habitat for Humanity, a partnership that enables students from the college’s Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program to gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom while providing a way for DC to give back to our community with students and employees assisting with the construction of four homes for families in need.

DC was also a driving force behind the inaugural Idea Summit, held at the CFF in May 2016. The event brought together business leaders and employees from some of Durham Region’s largest employers, who discussed how to promote the region and the development of a set of recommendations to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation. The summit saw the creation of several task forces that are currently working to develop recommendations on how governments at all levels can support the region and its highly-educated and motivated work force.

“DC remains a strong, vibrant presence in Durham Region, and Whitby in particular, where the expansion of our campus has mirrored the community’s growth,” added Lovisa. “This growth and leadership has resulted in more opportunities than ever for our students, and supports the social and economic health of our communities. We look forward to continuing to work with the Whitby business community, including the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, to advance initiatives for the betterment of our community.”

Leave for Change international opportunity for all staff coming to DC in new year

On November 18, Durham College (DC) President Don Lovisa signed an agreement with Uniterra, Canada’s largest international volunteer cooperation program, to introduce an exciting professional development opportunity called Leave for Change.

The agreement will enable interested DC employees to transform their vacations into short-term professional and personal development experiences of three to four weeks in a developing country. During their assignments employees would contribute their skills and expertise to an established development project. Employees would be paired with a professional from a non-governmental organization and receive support from other professionals in a host country, including Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Malawi, Vietnam, Nepal, Mongolia and several others.

The Durham College Leave for Change program is currently in the initial stages of implementation with the college planning to host information sessions starting in January for interested employees. This program is open to all employees.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for all DC employees to learn from international experiences, while contributing to the social and economic stability of developing foreign communities. Those experiences will assist in advancing the internationalization of our college, a key pillar of our strategic vision,” Lovisa said. “In supporting this program, DC is fostering a more inclusive learning environment while enabling employees to develop a wider global perspective,” he added.

Celebrating the official signing, in the back row from left, were DC staffers: Larissa Strong, manager, international student support, Durham College International (DCI); Katie Boone, manager, international partnerships and contract training, DCI; Mark Herringer, dean, international education, DCI; Sandra Bennett, associate vice-president, Human Resources; and Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic. Signing the agreement in the front row, from left, were: Don Lovisa, president, DC; and for Uniterra, Tom Tunney, senior manager, University and College Programming. Uniterra is a joint initiative of the World University Service of Canada and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation.