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CFF Ambassador Jamie Kennedy shares tricks of the trade with students

Durham College’s (DC) Centre for Food (CFF) and Bistro ’67 hosted CFF ambassador and celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy on December 1. He was at DC’s Whitby campus to join community members for lunch at Bistro ’67 and visit with students studying in the college’s field-to-fork-based culinary and hospitality programs. Kennedy is an avid proponent of the field-to-fork movement, a vision at the heart of the CFF as Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on the concept.

“I draw my inspiration from flavours that have imprinted on my palate and memory,” said Kennedy. “Whether it was my first taste of summer strawberries or Ontario corn, the connection I feel with local produce and the land informs everything I do. Students at the Centre for Food are learning to draw on those same inspirations by following the field-to-fork philosophy. With programs like the ones being taught at Durham College, both students and the Ontario food industry have a bright future ahead of them.”

Community members who purchased tickets to this event were treated to an intimate three-course lunch with Kennedy, prepared by students under the guidance of Benjamin Lewis, manager and chef de cuisine at Bistro ’67, a 70-seat, full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant open to the public. Based on recipes from his new cookbook, J.K. The Jamie Kennedy Cookbook, dishes included cucumber and sheep milk feta with bulgur wheat and cherry tomato; hors d’oeuvres including curried sweet potato and Swiss chard, chicken liver pâté and marinated pickerel; roast and confit of duck with roasted potato and sour cherries; and bread and butter pudding with homespun ice cream. Following lunch, Kennedy shared insight about the field-to-fork movement, answered questions, and signed cookbooks for 140 students studying in culinary and hospitality programs.

“Our Centre for Food offers students a best-in-class education across culinary, hospitality, event management, food science, agricultural and horticultural programs, from completing the full cycle of farming to the preparation, serving and celebration of food,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “Our field-to-fork focus teaches students a valuable philosophy, one that is shaping the future of our local food and farming industries and helping maintain Ontario’s strong agricultural tradition.”

With the capacity to accommodate 900 students, the CFF is a green-restaurant certified building. In addition to Bistro ’67, it houses Pantry, a retail store featuring food prepared by the college’s culinary students. The CFF grounds also feature an apple orchard, 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.

Community-based and committed to providing an outdoor extension to the indoor classroom for students, the CFF is currently involved in two fundraising campaigns: Field to Fork: Sowing the Seeds of our Community, a crowdfunding campaign, and the Plant a Tree and Watch a Student Grow Program, both in support of the landscaping needed to complete the CFF’s grounds.   

For more information on programs offered at the CFF please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/cff.

Communicating campus status during winter months

As the winter season approaches, questions often arise from students, faculty and staff about Durham College (DC) remaining open or closed due to changes in the weather. As stated in the Emergency Closure procedure, “if there is no specific announcement about a closure, Durham College will remain open”, meaning during most days of the winter season, the campus remains open and all classes and activities will be held as scheduled.

To reduce this uncertainty, as of Tuesday, December 2 a campus status feature will be added to the top right corner of www.durhamcollege.ca. This indicator will advise students, faculty, staff and campus visitors of the current status of the Oshawa and Whitby campuses and the Pickering Learning Site at any given time.

If winter weather results in situations that affect the teaching or working environment (such as power outages) or situations that place members of the college community at risk, a red status alert bar containing messaging about the situation will appear throughout the Durham College website. 

Additionally, we have developed a campus status webpage that contains helpful links and information such as:

  • DC’s emergency communications channels
  • The inclement weather procedure
  • What a closure means to me?
  • Winter driving tips
  • Links to public transit websites, the college’s social media accounts and a local weather report 

Watch a short video demonstrating this new feature on how we will communicate changes in the status of Durham College locations.

At all times, regardless of weather conditions, Durham College reminds you to allow for plenty of time to get to the campus, ensuring you drive with due caution and care, especially if you are in an area heavily affected by the weather. 

Sustainability meets charity as DC students pay it forward

Students from Durham College’s (DC) Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program are preparing to give back this holiday season through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity by building birdhouses as gifts for children, to help make this the most wonderful time of the year.

With the curriculum focusing on sustainable construction, students reuse surplus materials in creative ways, including building 150 birdhouses for Habitat for Humanity over the past two years. When the organization asked students to build another 50 in time for this holiday season, the response was a resounding “yes”. Children who attend workshops hosted by Habitat for Humanity will have the opportunity to assemble a birdhouse, paint it, and sometimes add bark or stones for a different effect.

“Our students are eager to give back or as the phrase goes, pay it forward,” said Don Fishley, Construction Carpentry – Sustainable professor and program co-ordinator. “The birdhouse projects started as a mini-idea to use up some of the scrap and recycled wood. When Habitat for Humanity discovered what we were doing, they asked if we could build 50 houses for their kids’ program and the project has snowballed. It has been very successful, but even more rewarding as a professor when you can see the hearts it has touched.”

Students of the two-year program study all aspects of construction with an emphasis on sustainability, thus the recycling of skids and other construction materials as they become available. In addition to the birdhouses, Fishley’s students have helped with Habitat for Humanity’s Centre Town build, which is composed of several housing units scheduled to be constructed over the next few years.

“It is a great hands-on experience for students as we co-ordinate the help that Habitat for Humanity requires with the course outcomes of our program,” said Fishley. “Currently we are studying exterior finishes, such as soffit, fascia and siding – which we installed on the Habitat project this fall.”

For more information on the Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/ccst.

New transfer agreement for Ontario college business students

Durham College (DC) is pleased to join Ontario’s 23 other colleges in signing the first-ever province-wide agreement that grants recognition for entire previous years’ credits when a student in a business diploma program transfers to the same program at another college.

“Durham College is proud to be a part of this agreement,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Our goal is to ensure a smooth learning process for our students. Any post-secondary student who transfers from another institution shouldn’t have to repeat already completed courses. This new agreement helps eliminate any duplication, cut costs for students and makes sense from an overall learning perspective.”

The agreement, announced by Colleges Ontario and the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), applies to students in accounting, business administration, human resources and marketing programs.

This unique universal college agreement allows students to easily transfer among all college business programs across Ontario.

The agreement means that business students who transfer at the end of their first or second year will receive full credit for their completed courses. Given the high enrolment of business programs, these pathways provide additional flexibility for a significant number of students.

“Ontario’s colleges and universities continue to strengthen their systems for transferring credits among post-secondary institutions,” said Glenn Craney, the executive director of ONCAT. “We are pleased that all of the province’s 24 colleges have signed this agreement which demonstrates their high level of commitment to institutional collaboration on student mobility.”

Expanding credit-transfer options and helping students make informed decisions about their post-secondary education is a priority for the Wynne government. Ontario is investing $73.7 million toward credit-transfer improvements between 2011 and 2016.

“Our government knows a strong credit transfer system will lead to a more effective and cost-effective post-secondary education for students across the province. That’s why we continue to work with our sector partners to make Ontario’s post-secondary education system more seamless, flexible and affordable,” said Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Colleges Ontario is the advocacy organization for the province’s 24 public colleges.

ONCAT was created to enhance academic pathways and reduce barriers for students looking to transfer among Ontario’s publicly funded institutions. More than 21,500 students transfer within Ontario each year. ONCAT’s support for those students includes producing the Course-to-Course Transfer Guide, which can be found at ONTransfer.ca.

Ontario’s colleges are working to develop similar province-wide agreements for other program areas.

DC becomes school of choice for two international student athletes

Coming from two different ends of the world, Caio Reis Ramon and Jordan Edmonds have travelled thousands of miles to further their education at Durham College (DC). With just over 400 international students, Durham provides these students with not only the opportunity of learning abroad but also to be a student athlete for the Durham Lords.

Hailing from Belem, Brazil, Ramon is the newest midfielder for the men’s soccer team and Edmonds from Horsham, England takes the mound as pitcher for the men’s baseball team. Despite limited resources and opportunities, Edmonds and Ramon started playing their chosen sports at young ages and have worked hard to excel both in their athletic and educational goals. Now they are able to continue to do that in Canada.

Although they’re playing on different teams at Durham, Edmonds and Ramon have both enjoyed their experience so far, but admit that the beginning of their journeys were a little intimidating.

“I was pretty nervous, just trying to find my way around was challenging,” said Ramon about his first week at Durham College. “When I started playing with my team, I started making friends and they really helped making the whole process of coming to a new school in a different country easier.”

Coming from Brazil, which has a strong cultural connection to soccer, the sport has always been familiar to the 20-year-old Ramon. Throughout his childhood, Ramon grew up playing soccer. He has continued to be inspired and motivated to improve his soccer skills like other professional athletes from his country. Being on a variety of school teams throughout his life, it was an obvious choice for Ramon to continue to play soccer at Durham.

As the midfielder for the men’s soccer team, Ramon credits his success so far to coach Dave Ashfield and his teammates that have helped him throughout his transition, especially with overcoming language barriers. After completing his education in the Operations Management – Business Administration program, Ramon plans to return to Brazil and work, while hoping to play soccer in his spare time.

Unlike Ramon, Edmonds’ exposure to his sport was only by chance. At the age of 12, Edmonds was introduced to baseball by an American who ran clinics at a baseball club in his hometown of Horsham, England. Although the lack of participation and funding for baseball made playing in England challenging, Edmonds continued to play in the baseball club in his hometown. When the opportunity to play for the Great Britain National Team presented itself, Edmonds did not hesitate to take it. It was on that team that he met Sam Dempster, who is also the head coach for the Durham Lords’ baseball team.

Now the pitcher for the men’s baseball team and a first-year Journalism – Web and Print student at Durham College, the 19-year-old has big plans for his future. After Durham, Edmonds hopes to join a league in either the United States or in Europe to see how far he can progress with his baseball career.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Canada and when I learned that Sam Dempster was the head coach, I knew that Durham College would be a good fit for me,” said Edmonds. “My whole team gets along and we just have a really good time together so it helps us play the game that much better.”

Although they haven’t changed their personal style of play, both Ramon and Edmonds try to improve their skills and learn from practices and games. Their coaches push them hard during practice to prepare them both mentally and physically for games.

For Edmonds and Ramon, their game winning plays have been the highlight of their time here in Canada. For Ramon it was scoring the first two goals of his Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) career to defeat George Brown in a 4-0 victory and more recently when the team qualified as one of the final four teams for the OCAA championship for the first time since 1999. As for Edmonds, it was his first win while pitching against George Brown and finishing silver in the OCAA championship that made all of his hard work worth it.

According to Ramon, “One of the best parts of being an international student athlete at Durham is being able to travel around with my teammates and seeing parts of Canada that I would not have seen otherwise.” Edmonds adds, “Durham really has a strong sense of community both in the school and in it’s athletics programs, I love being not only a student but also an athlete for the Durham Lords.”

DC Alumni Association sells out first-ever etiquette dinner

A sold-out crowd of current Durham College (DC) students and alumni attended the first-ever etiquette dinner hosted by the Alumni Association on November 10. Taking place at Bistro ’67, Fatima De Valentin, an etiquette consultant, walked guests through a full three-course meal with tips and dos and don’ts, for a fun-filled social learning experience.

“The etiquette dinner was a wonderful evening that mixed delicious food with an educational opportunity,” said Matisse Hamel-Nelis, a second-year Public Relations student and member of Team Experience, who attended the dinner. “It was great to learn the various etiquette protocols along with my friends as it eased the tensions whenever we did make a mistake. Having made several missteps myself throughout the evening, I appreciate the Alumni Association’s efforts and I hope they make this into a regular event, particularly for students about to graduate.”

Guests received stickers if they made an etiquette error, and the three guests with the most stickers at the end of the evening received a door prize.

Durham College’s Experience DC campaign offers chance to win $1,000

It’s simple. All you need is your 15-second Instagram video to get the most votes and win one of three $1,000-cash prizes. Share any experience, whether it’s funny, kind, inventive or creative – just about anything for your chance to win.

The contest is part of Durham College’s (DC) Experience DC campaign that was launched in September and is seeing 14 students sharing their experiences to offer a unique perspective of what a year in the life of a DC college student is really like. You can meet members of Team Experience via their custom website at www.durhamcollege.ca/experience, where they interact via blogs, videos and social media.

“Experience DC is all about making connections and showing the world the heart of Durham College – our people – in a very authentic way,” said Carol Beam, executive director, Communications and Marketing, DC. “Our new Experience video contest will further bring that message to life as people submit their own experiences, sharing them on social media to gain votes and make new connections in the spirit of friendly competition.”

Team Experience is encouraging residents from across Ontario who are over the age of 15 to enter the contest by visiting www.durhamcollege.ca/win. There, visitors can vote on their favourite videos, while contestants can view example videos posted by entrants and members of Team Experience and find inspiration for their own entries, which will be accepted until Thursday, January 15.

“We’ve been sharing our experiences with people since Experience DC launched in September and it has been so much fun giving people a glimpse into our lives as students of Durham College,” said Matisse Hamel-Nelis, a second-year Public Relations student and member of Team Experience. “I can’t wait to see how people interpret the contest and I’m excited for others, whether here on campus, within the local community, or across the province, to start sharing their experiences with us.”

Campus Holiday Food Drive provides support for students this holiday season

The annual campus Holiday Food Drive kicks off today and runs until Friday, December 19. Helping to feed many Durham College (DC) and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) student families in need over the holidays, this special campaign is a joint fundraiser between DC and UOIT in partnership with the Student Association and the Kinsmen Club of Oshawa.

Financial donations and non-perishable food items are collected during the months of November and December and several fundraising events and initiatives are held on campus. Last year, the food drive raised more than $24,000 to provide much-needed assistance for 184 DC and UOIT students and their families, including 279 children.

Students who may benefit from this initiative can visit one of the registration areas located at the Financial Aid and Awards offices at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses, as soon as possible. Assistance is based on need, regardless of tuition or bursary status. The deadline for registration is Friday, December 12.

“The Holiday Food Drive truly brings our entire community together to support our own,” said Kevin Dougherty, campus Holiday Food Drive co-chair. “This initiative receives overwhelming support not only from our internal community but our entire extended community including our unions, the Durham College Retirees’ Association and the college’s Alumni Association. It’s such a unique partnership and everyone is to be commended for its success.”

Dougherty and co-chair Pat Vale-Dougherty have volunteered with the campus Holiday Food Drive for 15 years, and began co-chairing it in 2006. Dougherty graduated from the DC Business Administration, Information Systems program in 1998 and is currently a professor with DC’s School of Business, IT & Management, while Vale-Dougherty graduated from DC’s Graphic Design program in 1976 and is currently executive assistant to the dean of UOIT’s Faculty of Education.

Get involved

Whether you want to volunteer your time; donate a non-perishable food item; or write a cheque, there are numerous ways you can contribute to this worthy and amazing cause. Please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/campus-holiday-food-drive for more information.

Follow @DCUOITFoodDrive on Twitter along with the #needhelp #givehelp hashtags for updates and to spread awareness.

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario gives keynote address at DC

On November 18, Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) hosted Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO), for a keynote address focusing on the recently released annual report Managing New Challenges (2013/14).

Miller, brought to campus by the joint DC/UOIT Sustainability Committee, spoke to an audience of staff, faculty and students about the annual report, which looks at emerging environmental challenges. Subjects such as bees and neonicotinoids, sustainable farming and logging in Algonquin Park were all discussed. Following his address Miller answered questions from those in attendance.

“Durham College and UOIT held an informative session that featured the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario,” said Brennan Amofah, Environmental Technology student with DC Green Team. “The ECO provided students of both campuses with information about what he does and who he answers to at Queens Park. The session wrapped with a Q & A and was a great event.”

Engaging questions were asked by those in attendance covering issues such as the commissioner’s predictions about fracking in Ontario, the recent emissions reduction announcement from the United States and China and his thoughts on development in the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Gord Miller was first sworn in as the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario on January 31, 2000, to oversee the continued implementation of the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR). He has now been re-appointed for his third term. As an independent officer appointed by the Legislative Assembly, Commissioner Miller oversees 13 ministries and monitors and reports annually on government compliance with a number of environmental issues include the provisions of the Environmental Bill of Rights and government progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Celebrity Chef Jamie Kennedy to host exclusive lunch at Bistro ’67

Food enthusiasts with an appreciation for the field-to-fork movement are invited to enjoy a dining experience with celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy on Monday, December 1 at Durham College’s (DC) Bistro ’67 at the Centre for Food (CFF). The renowned chef, who serves as an ambassador for the CFF, will be working with DC culinary students to prepare an intimate lunch for guests, inspired by recipes from his new cookbook, J.K. The Jamie Kennedy Cookbook.

Tickets are $150 per person and include:

  • A meet-and-greet with Kennedy.
  • A signed copy of J.K. The Jamie Kennedy Cookbook.
  • Lunch prepared by DC culinary students under the guidance of Kennedy and Benjamin Lewis, manager and chef de cuisine of Bistro ’67.

Date: December 1
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Bistro ’67, CFF, 2nd Floor, 1604 Champlain Ave., Whitby

Seating is limited to the first 50 guests who make a reservation with a credit card by calling Christine McSorley, the CFF’s operations manager, at 905.721.2000 ext. 4255 by Friday, November 28.  

The CFF is Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on the field-to-fork vision, a concept at the heart of Kennedy’s culinary philosophy. After lunch, Kennedy will visit with students studying in the college’s field-to-fork programs to share information about the field-to-fork movement and answer their questions.

The CFF can accommodate 900 students studying in culinary, hospitality, event management, food science, and agriculture and horticulture programs, completing the full cycle of farming to the preparation, serving and celebration of food. For more information on programs offered through the CFF visit www.durhamcollege.ca/cff.