Durham College’s (DC) first-ever crowdfunding initiative, Field to Fork: Sowing the Seeds of our Community, is beginning to see financial support for the Centre for Food’s (CFF) landscaping needs come to fruition via funding from generous donors within the community.

Most notably, to date, 100 per cent of the funding required for the culinary herb garden has been achieved, thanks to generous donor Tina Bax, founder and president of CultureWorks, a private English-as-a-second-language (ESL) school located at post-secondary institutions such as Durham College, who pledged the full amount needed.

“Canadian colleges have the ability to be nimble. You see so many different programs cropping up, which is encouraging when you think about what it means for today’s young people,” said Bax. “All of these experiences help open their minds – at school! It’s great to have a chance to fund a creative, fresh facility like the CFF that combines both of my passions:  education and food. I hope to have a chance to participate in more of the CFF’s projects, and perhaps involve some of our international students or partners.”

In addition to the culinary herb garden reaching its fundraising goal, the fruit-bearing shrubs category is quickly gaining momentum, reaching 38 per cent of its goal, and the kitchen garden is up to 28 per cent.

Inspired by the college’s commitment to bring field to fork, the vision of bringing locally sourced, quality produce from field to table to Durham Region, Field to Fork: Sowing the Seeds of our Community aims to garner support from the community for the completion of the landscaping and planting needed at the CFF. With 14 remaining projects to choose from, the campaign rolled out to alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, community members and the general public in August.

The CFF was created in direct response to the demand of the local culinary, hospitality, tourism, agriculture and horticulture sectors. Supported by ambassador and celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy it opened to students in September 2013. Accommodating approximately 900 students studying in the college’s culinary, hospitality, event management, tourism, food science, agricultural and horticultural programs, it houses Bistro ’67, a teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a unique retail store that sells student-created fresh-baked items, meals-to-go, preserved foods and ready-to-cook meals prepared in house.

To make a donation or for more information on how the college is changing the way our local communities eat and grow food, please visit the Field to Fork: Sowing the Seeds of our Community website.

Following its fall convocation ceremony on October 30 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Durham College (DC) is proud to announce that more than 950 students from more than 110 programs graduated this fall. In addition, the college recognized the success of 420 students who earned a place on the highly regarded President’s Honour Roll as a result of their hard work and dedication.

“Whether you came to Durham College straight from high school; following the completion of a post-secondary credential in another field; or because you decided to make a career change – either by choice or by circumstance; tonight you are graduating from one of Canada’s top colleges,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC, as he addressed graduates during the ceremony. “That means that you have proven yourself in the classroom and workplace and have the tools to be successful in the workforce or in further post-secondary studies.”

The annual event honoured students from the schools of Business, IT & Management; Centre for Food; Continuing Education; Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology; and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology.

“Whatever your journey has been, each of you chose Durham College to further your education and for that we couldn’t be more proud,” said Lovisa.

DC’s Student Leadership Award winners include graduates Michelle Brand, Mikki Decker and Amy Galloway O’Neil , who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to campus life, and the commitment and exemplary leadership they demonstrated during their time at the college. In order to receive this award, students must accumulate a pre-determined amount of leadership points through the college’s Co-Curricular Recognition program by participating in activities that enhance student life; engage students; and encourage involvement.

The college’s fall convocation ceremony brings the total number of alumni to more than 67,000 strong. Video from the ceremony will be available in approximately two weeks at www.durhamcollege.ca/convocation.

A new pathways program agreement between Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) will provide international students with greater access to opportunities to obtain their diploma and an undergraduate degree in less than the traditional amount of time.

The Pathways Program Agreement on International Student Recruitment, signed by both institutions on September 25, will see eligible international students who apply to DC receive a Letter of Admission (LOA) indicating that when they complete their college studies, they will be eligible to directly enrol into a relevant UOIT undergraduate program with advanced standing.

“This new agreement reflects the shared commitment of DC and UOIT to provide all students with access to the most comprehensive post-secondary education possible”, said Nevzat Gurmen, vice-president, Corporate Services and chief financial officer, DC. “DC’s international student population, more than 450 students strong as of fall 2014, continues to grow and we look forward to working with UOIT to provide new international applicants with access to academic pathways that will enable them to earn both a diploma and a degree in several different areas right here in Durham Region.”

The new agreement will take effect as of the 2014-2015 undergraduate recruitment cycle with the university and college working closely to facilitate international student recruitment across both institutions. Applicants must successfully complete an applicable program at Durham College and meet all academic requirements during the applicable admissions cycle with specific enrolment restrictions and program capacities discussed between the university and the college on an annual basis.

“This Pathways agreement further strengthens our partnership with Durham College and our collective commitment to providing seamless access to high-quality, industry-driven and career-oriented programs,” said Dr. Michael Owen, vice-president, Research, Innovation and International, UOIT. “The University of Ontario Institute of Technology is proud to partner with Durham College to offer this unique post-secondary education opportunity to students from around the world.”

There are currently more than 60 academic pathway opportunities in place between DC and UOIT including credit transfer, bridging, direct-entry and post-graduate programs in areas including arts, business, health, justice and more.

The Centre for Integrated Justice Studies (CIJS), a training function of Durham College’s (DC) School of Justice & Emergency Services, is pleased to announce it has new, dedicated branding and an updated, user-friendly website format.

Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/cijs to check out unique seminars and workshops developed to give DC students a competitive edge in preparing them for job searching and interviews, as well as training and workshops to enhance the skills of professionals working in the justice, law enforcement and emergency services-related sectors.

Courses currently available include:

• Court Transcription.
• Crisis Negotiation Techniques for First Responders.
• Mental Health First Aid Certificate.
• One-on-One Coaching for Police Interview.
• Paralegal Practice Enrichment Nights.
• PEACE Model — Interviewing/Interrogating.

Courses, workshops and seminars are developed and taught by trainers and faculty who are experts in the legal profession, law enforcement field and community service area.

Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) are working on a Campus Master Plan (CMP) designed to address the future expansion and needs of both institutions.

As part of the planning process, DC and UOIT invite students, faculty, staff and the public to attend an Open House on Monday, October 20, to learn more about the Campus Master Plan at the Oshawa campus; interact with the planning team; and offer feedback in the areas of:

• Public areas and open spaces.
• Building locations and landscaping.
• Transportation: driving, transit, cycling and pedestrian.

You can also submit comments via the CMP website; complete a questionnaire in person at the open house or online (beginning October 20); or speak with a member of the project team. Please submit comments by Friday, October 31.                                                                                             

CMP Open House
Date: October 20
Time: 3 to 6 p.m.
Location:  Gordon Willey building, Dining Room (Room G213)

For more information on the CMP and the Open House, please visit www.campusmasterplan.ca. 

Durham College (DC) was recognized for its commitment to diversity on October 8 when it was presented with a Diversity & Immigration Champion Award by the Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council (LDIPC).

DC President Don Lovisa and Ron Chatteron, chair of the DC Board of Governors (BOG), accepted the award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that show leadership in diversity and immigration matters; embrace the principles of inclusion; and have a commitment to sharing in the responsibility of making Durham Region a more welcoming community.

“As we internationalize our college community, this award is an excellent testament to the hard work of our Diversity office and our commitment to being an accessible college that serves students of every social and economic background, culture and ability,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “We are thrilled to be recognized for our dedication to ensuring a Durham College education is accessible to everyone.”

Allison Hector-Alexander, DC diversity officer, and Scott Blakey, DC vice-president, Administration, are both LDIPC members, with the council comprised of individuals representing agencies, school boards, faith groups, local business groups and the region. Its main objectives are to create a culture of inclusion; improve labour market outcomes for newcomers; attract and retain newcomers; and enhance Durham’s settlement capacity.

“As a campus community, we should all be very proud of this recognition,” said Hector-Alexander. “Our goals of respect and inclusion for all our members continue to lead our efforts in this area. As our many areas of diversity continue to grow so does our commitment to creating a campus culture that celebrates and embraces the uniqueness at this college.”

On October 9 Durham College (DC) had the opportunity to host Prime Minister (PM) Stephen Harper for dinner at Bistro ’67, which is located at the Centre for Food at the Whitby campus.

The PM visited the college’s green-certified, teaching-inspired restaurant between stops during a day-long visit to Durham Region. The dinner provided students in the college’s culinary programs with an opportunity to show off their skills for the PM and several of his colleagues.

DC welcomes visits from politicians at all levels of government to its campuses. The visits offer an opportunity to showcase the college’s programs and facilities, while also discussing issues of importance to the college and post-secondary education in general. 

Durham College (DC) today announced that it has welcomed more than 11,100 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students to its Oshawa and Whitby campuses and Pickering Learning Site since classes for the 2014-2015 academic year officially began on September 2.  With the college one of only three in Ontario to experience growth this year, the number marks an overall enrolment increase of more than 2.5 per cent over fall 2013 including more than 5,600 new students, and a new college high of 459 international students from more than 32 countries around the globe.

“As we reach the end of the first month of the academic year it’s evident from our enrolment numbers that more students than ever before, including those from abroad, have discovered that at Durham College, the student experience truly does come first,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic. “From being one of only three colleges in the province to see growth this year – a direct result of our commitment to fostering student success through high-quality academic programs designed to meet the needs of today’s employers –  to the introduction of new programs in areas including health, justice and engineering; our commitment to providing students with opportunities to gain real-world work experience;  academic pathways; and more, we continue to be dedicated to working with our community and business partners to ensure we are offering programs in high-demand areas that will enable to students to serve critical industry needs post-graduation.”

New programs at the college this year include Activation Coordination in Gerontology (graduate certificate), Law Clerk Advanced (fast track) and Mechanical Engineering Technician – Non-Destructive (compressed, fast track), all offered at the Oshawa campus, and Event Management (graduate certificate) and Hospitality Skills, which are offered at the Centre for Food (CFF) at the Whitby campus.

In addition to increasing the number of students on campus and rolling out new programs, September marked other important milestones for the college including the launch of Experience DC, the most progressive marketing campaign in the college’s history. The campaign illustrates the college experience via a unique group of students representing a wide cross-section of programs, personal interests and personalities, through a specially designed website, personal interaction and social media platforms. It was created and to uniquely support the college’s recruitment strategy, enhance reputation and build the DC brand including attracting the attention of the Durham Region, Peterborough/the Kawarthas and Markham/Vaughan markets with robust campaign marketing initiatives in all three areas.

DC also recently launched its first-ever crowdfunding campaign, Field to Fork: Sowing the Seeds of our Community. Inspired by the college’s commitment to bring field to fork, the vision of bringing locally sourced, quality produce from field to table, to Durham Region, the online campaign aims to garner support from the community for the completion of the landscaping and planting needed at the CFF. Supported by ambassador and celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy, the CFF can accommodate approximately 900 students studying in programs based on the field-to-fork concept.

In total, the college offers more than 140 full-time programs through its nine academic schools, along with more than 450 pathway opportunities with universities in Ontario, Canada and around the world.

Durham College (DC) acknowledges Dr. Leo Groarke on his installation as Trent University’s eighth president and vice-chancellor.

Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, DC, attended the installation ceremony at Trent’s Symons campus in Peterborough, Ont. on Monday, September 22.

With campuses in Peterborough and Oshawa, Trent and DC have enjoyed a long and co-operative partnership that Dr. Groarke recognized in his installation speech as important to providing post-secondary growth in the area.

Providing students opportunities to earn additional credentials following graduation is one way DC’s dedication to the student experience extends beyond convocation. This includes many agreements with Trent, as well as campus partner the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, that exist for DC students to potentially obtain a degree without having to leave the City of Oshawa.