For many students, time spent obtaining their post-secondary education is often a balancing act, with school commitments in one hand and employment, family responsibilities and other demands in the other. This is why the annual Durham College (DC) Student and Donor Recognition evening is such a special event.

On Monday, January 25, the college not only honoured 198 students for their outstanding academic achievements, but also recognized the numerous individual, organizational and corporate donors who provide financial assistance to help relieve some of the post-secondary pressure.

“To our award recipients, I offer sincere congratulations,” said DC President Don Lovisa. “Your willingness to work hard and your dedication to learning will serve you well when you graduate and as you launch into your careers.

“And to our donors, your investment in our students shows the value you place on a Durham College education, and for that we are truly thankful. Through your ongoing support we can continue providing the best possible education in the best possible learning environment while contributing to the future success and prosperity of both the college and the community.”

Lovisa also paid special tribute to the Oshawa Folk Arts Council, which celebrated its 20^th anniversary as a donor to DC. Each year, for the past 20 years, the council has generously contributed two memorial awards to help support student success: the Anna Racz Memorial Award and the Jan Drygala Memorial Award.

Several new donors were also recognized during the ceremony for choosing to invest in DC through a scholarship or bursary. These included:

Scholarships:

• The Jack and Marg Sills Memorial Scholarship.
• The Ontario Water Works Association Scholarship.
• The Ontario Water Works Equipment Association Scholarship.

Bursaries:

• Aramark Canada Ltd. Award.
• Brooklin Horticultural Society Bursary.
• CIBC Endowed Bursary.
• Dick Huang Memorial Bursary.
• Estates of Kathleen Nawrot and Jean Kroll.
• Owasco Volkswagen Bursary.
• Trillium Automobile Bursary.
• Roughley Insurance Brokers Ltd. Bursary.
• Travis Pepper Award.

Seven years ago, an idea was planted at Durham College (DC) to create a facility that would change the way our local communities eat and grow food as well as meet the growing demands of the local culinary, hospitality, tourism, agriculture and horticulture sectors.  The idea sprouted into a vision and, with the generous support of many donors, has come to fruition and continues to blossom.

On Monday, January 25, a donor wall was unveiled at the Durham College (DC) Centre for Food (CFF) to honour its donors as well as establish a distinct marker where all donors could be recognized for years to come.

“Our vision for the Centre for Food was to bring ‘field-to-fork’ to Durham Region, while creating a place where students would receive an exceptional, hands-on learning experience,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “Thanks to the support of our donors, we have been able to substantially grow our vision and make great strides in advancing our programs, grounds, research projects, facility and offerings to our students and the community.”

To complement the warm and natural atmosphere of the CFF, the wall was designed using walnut name plates and metallic inlays in platinum, gold, silver and bronze that denote the amount of each donation.

“On behalf of everyone at DC, I would like to truly thank all our donors for believing in our vision and helping us to establish a state-of-the art facility that supports both the success of our students and the economic development of our communities,” said Linda Marco, associate vice-president, Office of Development and Advancement. “This is exciting for all of us here at the college and testament to your collective support and commitment to the CFF.”

Three donors in particular were acknowledged for a contribution of more than $1 million to the CFF. They were:

• The Region of Durham
• The Town of Whitby
• The Estate of Lois Sleightholm

Lovisa also announced that a new $1 million donation towards the CFF has recently been confirmed, and details will be shared publicly in the coming months.

The CFF has the capacity to accommodate 900 students, and is Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on field-to-fork. In addition to Bistro ’67 – a green-certified teaching restaurant, the CFF houses Pantry, a retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs. The grounds feature an apple orchard, gardens, farm fields and greenhouses that support academic applied-learning and research while growing fruits, vegetables and other produce for use in its kitchens, laboratories and Bistro ‘67.

The college was joined by its campus partner, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, in hosting the 2016 Summit on Talent and Skills in the New Economy, which was presented by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). In addition to Premier Wynne sharing her thoughts in a panel discussion, the day also included keynote addresses from MTCU Minister Reza Moridi and Education Minister Liz Sandals.

“We’ve all come together with a common goal of helping Ontario’s workforce adapt to the demands of a technology-driven knowledge economy,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “This particular goal resonates with me because of its strong alignment with Durham College’s commitment to producing graduates with the professional and technical qualifications required to meet the ongoing advancement and changes in today’s labour market.”

The day featured presentations and panel discussions on topics such as building a highly skilled workforce and the value of partnerships between employers and post-secondary institutions with a view to skills development. This included the ‘What Do Youth Think? Perspectives from Student Leaders on Pathways’ panel, which was moderated by Lovisa. All the discussions will help inform the work of the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Expert Panel.

Students in DC’s Culinary Management program were also given the opportunity to prepare food for the summit’s mid-morning break, enabling them to showcase the college’s commitment to field to fork through its Centre for Food, to the more than 300 guests in attendance.

“As we look toward the future, I truly believe that events such as today’s skills summit, which has brought together such a strong group of leaders, will enable us to bridge the gap between education, training and skills development and ensure our economy is both prosperous and competitive – now and in the future,” said Lovisa.  

Durham College announced today that its Centre for Food (CFF), which is known for its unique blend of creativity and innovation in design, has been awarded a 2015 Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) Award.

ARIDO, which conducts the annual ARIDO Awards to showcase excellence, innovation and originality in interior design, recognized the CFF in the Public and Institutional Spaces category with entrants judged on design elements, budget and project objectives, strategies employed, overall creativity, examples of project results and sustainability and collaborative elements.

With the capacity to accommodate 900 students, the CFF is Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on field-to-fork. Designed by Gow Hastings Architects, it offers warm woods, soft stones and natural colours that create an inviting and open atmosphere conveying a connection to nature. Ample windows cast light into the heart of the building’s atrium where a two-storey living-wall herb garden highlights the space. The atrium also serves as a central meeting place for special events and celebrations. Showcasing food preparation, the windows on the floor above provide a glimpse into the culinary labs, where marble, Corian, stainless steel and ceramic tile reduce visual clutter, maintain sanitation and enhance function.

“Gow Hastings Architects truly brought our vision for the CFF to life,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “We were committed to the creation of a unique teaching and learning facility that could also support cooking demonstrations, workshops and corporate events; Bistro ’67, our full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant; and Pantry, our retail store, while utilizing eco-friendly elements and maintaining an atmosphere of innovation and creativity. This wonderful recognition confirms that we have done just that.”

Celebrating the best in Ontario’s design profession, the ARIDO Awards bring superior design to the forefront each year by recognizing winning projects in ten different categories: residential; retail spaces; workplaces; health-care facilities; marketing centres; public and institutional spaces; hotels and recreational spaces; restaurants, bars and clubs; restoration and adaptive reuse; and special projects.

While recognizing the exceptional work of ARIDO members, the awards also serve to raise public awareness of the power and effect of interior design among the Ontario public.

“It is an exceptional privilege and honour to win this award,” said Valerie Gow, partner, Gow Hastings Architects. “This award, one of the most highly regarded distinctions in the interior design community, recognizes excellence, innovation and creativity through an intense competition adjudicated by esteemed industry representatives. We are extremely proud that the CFF was selected as one of the best design projects in Ontario.”

Created by the college in direct response to the demands of the local culinary, hospitality, tourism, agriculture and horticulture sectors, the CFF houses a 70-seat, green-certified restaurant, Bistro ’67, and Pantry, a retail store featuring fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals created by students in the college’s culinary programs. The grounds feature an apple orchard, agricultural planting fields, gardens and greenhouses that support academic applied-learning and research while growing fruits, vegetables and other produce for use in its kitchens, laboratories and Bistro ‘67.

Durham College is pleased to welcome Andrée Robichaud to its Board of Governors as a new external member, effective December 10, 2015.

Robichaud, who takes over from former Governor Renate Ilse, brings a wealth of management and governmental experience within the health-care sector to the position. She is currently president and chief executive officer of Rouge Valley Health System in Toronto, Ontario and has served in the same roles for numerous other health authorities including the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre and the Vitalite Sante Regional Health Authority in New Brunswick. In addition, she has worked in senior leadership roles with the New Brunswick Ministry of Health.

“Strong governance is incredibly important, especially as Durham College continues to develop and grow,” said Robichaud. “I am looking forward to contributing to the success of both students and the institution as a whole through my participation on its Board of Governors.”

Robichaud holds both a degree in recreation and a Masters of Public Administration from the Universite de Moncton. As part of the board, she will work with its 16 other members to provide oversight and leadership for Durham College and its students.

“On behalf of the Durham College Board of Governors, I am pleased to welcome Andrée to Durham College, “ said Pierre Tremblay, chair, Durham College Board of Governors. “Her significant knowledge and unique expertise complement the strength of our existing Board and I look forward to working together to provide guidance to the college as it continues to evolve.”

To learn more about the college’s Board of Governors, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/bog.

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of donors and volunteers, the annual campus Holiday Food Drive was able to raise more than $47,000 to provide assistance to 275 Durham College (DC) and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) student families, including more than 700 people in total.

Holiday Food Drive co-chairs Kevin Dougherty and Brad MacIsaac were especially grateful to the more than 100 volunteers who joined them on December 20 at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre to pack and deliver hampers.

“The success of the drive would not be possible without the kindness of volunteers,” said Dougherty. “Thank you to everyone who contributed food, money, time and resources to this year’s campaign.”

One recipient also wanted to convey their gratitude and let everyone involved in the campaign and hamper delivery to know how appreciative she is of their efforts:

“When my husband passed away five years ago and I decided to go back to school, I didn’t anticipate how challenging things would be financially for myself and my three children. This coming year I am set to graduate. Your assistance with the wonderful food baskets these past few years has helped us tremendously at a very difficult time of the year and we want you to know how much we appreciate your kindness, contributions and efforts. On behalf of my family to all of you, thank you, happy holidays and a very happy and healthy New Year.”

With the New Year fast approaching innovative ideas are sure to follow, which is why FastStart DC, along with the Spark Centre, is once again offering its popular Accelerator program for the winter 2016; applications are now being accepted.

The Winter Accelerator is looking for passionate and motivated Durham College students and alumni with an interest in entrepreneurship and innovation. Over the course of 10 weeks, participants will develop their businesses, meet with industry professionals and participate in seminars and pitch competitions, allowing them to take their innovative ideas and ventures to market faster, while utilizing the professional services of an experienced support team.

All those who are interested and eligible to participate are encouraged to apply before the January 6, 2016 deadline.

For more information on the DC Winter Accelerator, including specific program dates, please visit our webpage.

In recognition of being an exceptional place to work, Durham College (DC) has once again been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2016. This is the sixth consecutive year the college has received this honour.

Home to over 770 full-time employees, some of whom have been part of the college family for over 35 years, DC is proud to be acknowledged for its commitment to its faculty, support and administrative staff. Benefits for full-time employees include skill-building and development, the opportunity to move into various roles throughout the college, investment in education for employees and their families through tuition subsidies, a robust pension plan and maternity and paternity leave top-up payments. These benefits, coupled with a supportive work environment where the focus is on community, has created a highly engaged and motivated employee base, as indicated by an annual one per cent employee turnover rate.  

“We rely on the vast experience and expertise of our employees to help ensure that the student experience comes first,” said Scott Blakey, chief administrative officer, Durham College. “Our employees often tell us that the college is like a family. It is a sentiment that underlies everything we do as we all work together for the betterment of the entire college community.”

Greater Toronto’s Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes the greater Toronto area employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Organizations are judged on several categories including physical workplace; work and social atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

For more information, please visit www.canadastop100.com/toronto/.

Durham College (DC) was recently recognized for its contribution to the flourishing farming industry in Durham Region. The second-annual Celebrate Agriculture Gala, hosted by Durham Farm Connections at the Royal Ashburn Golf Club, welcomed community members to gather together in celebration of the region’s agricultural roots.

During the event, DC was awarded the Spirit of Agriculture award that recognizes the contributions of an organization that supports and champions the agriculture industry. Maureen Calhoun, associate dean, School of Science, Engineering & Technology, accepted the award on behalf of the college.

“I am extremely proud of our food and farming team,” said Calhoun. “Several years ago Durham College had a vision to create a school that could embrace a field-to-fork concept, networked with our local agricultural community. Now this concept has become reality at the Centre for Food. This award is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication students and employees put into bringing the field-to-fork vision to life.”

The field-to-fork vision is based on the harvesting, storage, processing, packaging, sale and consumption of local food. This vison continues to grow at the Centre for Food (CFF), allowing students from DC’s culinary, hospitality and horticulture programs to directly help strengthen the link between the college and the community.

“Students truly experience field-to-fork as they see the product they’ve grown in the fields and greenhouse served at Bistro ’67, the college’s teaching-inspired restaurant located in the Centre for Food,” said Calhoun.

Durham College (DC) has signed a five-year contract with Agriteam Consulting Ltd, to work with Vietnam’s Hau Giang Community College (HGCC) to develop a technical vocational program in the sector of post-harvest production. Funded by the Government of Canada, the partnership sees DC’s School of Science & Engineering Technology and Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment (CAFÉ) working with HGCC to share its expertise with programs in the areas of food and pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food sciences.

Four high-level officials from HGCC recently travelled from Hau Giang Province, Vietnam on a one-week study tour to observe DC’s facilities and gain a deeper understanding of DC’s post-harvest programs and best practices in curriculum development.

“It was an honour to host the rector, vice-rector and dean from HGCC,” said Mark Herringer, executive director, International Education. We’re looking forward to many more opportunities for both institutions to work together as DC shares its experiences combining the areas of science and technology with post-harvest production. As we’ve discovered, when you bring together multiple disciplines it leads to innovative solutions that help our partners, employees, students and wider community flourish.”

In addition to working with HGCC to address its specific needs, the project team will also be lending its expertise to assist in developing a new program model that can be adapted for use at the national level in Vietnam. Two other Canadian colleges are also taking part in the project, having partnered with additional Vietnamese institutions. Work will be ongoing until September 2019.