DC professors featured on Tech Talk

Tech Talk and the Virtual Research On Call team showcase the skills, talents and career highlights of two Durham College professors, Anna Rodrigues; a professor in the Journalism – Print and Broadcast program, and Cesar Juarez; a faculty member of the School of Media, Art, & Design.

Anna, who has a Master of Education with a specialization in Digital Technologies from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology is an experienced journalist and new media professional. She shares her work experience, both past and present, providing advice for students to carve a meaningful and lasting career. Watch Anna’s video.

Cesar is a media and technology buff with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from the University of Toronto, and has seen the industry evolve from print and film, to going digital. He states that honing a broad spectrum of skills within your industry can truly pay off, which is the route that he took. Cesar advises students to know where they are going, and proceed without fear. Watch Cesar’s video.

Tech Talk is a video podcast series in Ontario that allows experts to present their stories of success to inspire students, and is designed to educate and expose people to possible career opportunities and the paths they may use to get there.  It pertains mainly to the areas of science and technology, relating it to the environment and society.


CampusFest headliner announced

The Student Association has announced that popular house music producer and DJ Wolfgang Gartner will be headlining this year’s CampusFest concert on Friday, September 13 as part of Orientation Week festivities.

Wolfgang has collaborated with a number of musical artists including will.i.am, Eve, Deadmau5 and Skrillex.

Other performers at CampusFest include Tommy Trash, an Australian DJ, record producer and remixer who has collaborated with Swedish House Mafia and Tiesto. Back by popular demand is Monster Truck; Durham Region’s 20 Amp Soundchild; and E.P. Taylor’s house DJ, DJ Donny C.

Tickets are now on sale in the Tuck Shop located in the Student Centre from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Durham College students may purchase tickets for $28 and may also purchase one guest ticket at a cost of $40 until Thursday, September 12 at noon. Campus ID cards or printed copies of class schedules are required to prove student status. Don’t miss out on this end-of-summer blast; buy your ticket today!

For more information on CampusFest please visit The SA website.


Update on status of elevator installation at the CFF

This message is being posted on behalf of the Project Management office.

October 8, 2013

We are pleased to inform you that the installation of the two elevators at the Centre for Food is now complete, following the strike of Ontario’s elevator workers earlier this summer. The building is now fully accessible. 

Thank you for your support during this time of transition.  


August 22, 2013

The installation of the two elevators at the new Centre for Food (CFF) at our Whitby Campus was delayed due to the recently-ended strike of Ontario’s elevator workers under the International Union of Elevator Constructors.

As of today, August 22, the installation has begun, with an aim to have the elevators in place and functioning by early October.  The CFF will still open for classes on Tuesday, September 3 with the rest of the building fully operational and in line with accessibility standards. 

We remain committed to student success and working with students and guests to meet individual needs as we move through this time of transition. Those using the CFF are encouraged to contact Beth Smith, Facilities and Ancillary Services, at 905.721.2000 ext. 2213 with any questions or concerns.

We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available.  


Bistro ’67 chosen as name for DC’s new restaurant

After a month-long naming contest, Durham College is pleased to announce the name of its new full-service restaurant: Bistro ’67, located at the Whitby campus’ new state-of-the-art Centre for Food (CFF). In addition to serving the public, the restaurant will provide a supportive and creative teaching environment and hands-on learning experience that will train the chefs and hospitality professionals of the future.

The name was chosen from more than 1,152 online submissions through the Feed Us Your Ideas contest which was launched on June 21. After one week, a seven-person panel reviewed the entries and determined their top five choices. The public then voted on the top five and after 1,242 votes were cast, Bistro ’67 was determined as the winning entry.

“The name Bistro ’67 encapsulates the proud and rich history of Durham College by paying tribute to the year we opened our doors, with a fresh, modern perspective,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “I look forward to my first dining experience at the very first green-certified teaching restaurant in Canada. True to the inspiration of Jamie Kennedy’s local food movement, I am confident that Bistro ‘67 will be an excellent addition to the field-to-fork culinary landscape for years to come. Bon Appétit!”

The winning name was submitted by Gail McKenzie, manager of strategic initiatives with the School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services at Durham College. For creating the name, Gail will receive dinner for six at the chef’s table, a Durham College prize pack including an iPad mini, and will be recognized at the CFF’s grand opening event on Thursday, October 17 at the Whitby campus.

“I brainstormed and submitted a few ideas trying to incorporate a name that would reflect the history of the college,” said McKenzie. “Since the college opened in 1967, I thought Bistro ’67 would work well!”

Scheduled to open this September, Bistro ’67 is a 70-seat, full-service, teaching and learning restaurant which will be green certified and feature dishes prepared and served by students in our culinary and hospitality programs, including produce and delicious flavours of the region.

The CFF is designed to accommodate approximately 900 additional students studying in culinary, hospitality, tourism, agriculture and horticulture programs. This incredible new learning centre will also feature state-of-the-art labs including a food and beverage pairing lab and hotel living lab, classrooms and meeting spaces, a retail store and a lecture theatre.

Highly-skilled graduates in a variety of programs including Culinary Skills, Culinary Management, Event Management (graduate certificate), Horticulture – Food and Farming, Hospitality Skills, Golf Facility Operations Management, Horticulture TechnicianHospitality Management – Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism,  Special Events Planning and Cook Apprenticeship will fulfil the demand for next-generation workers in sectors critical to our local economy.


FLEX Centre gets cardio equipment upgrades

The FLEX Centre is one of the most popular places for students and staff to visit on campus, accommodating about 1,000 users every day.

Naturally over time, equipment in any facility begins to experience wear and tear.

That is why the FLEX Centre cardio equipment is being replaced just in time for the start of the school year.

The equipment in the FLEX gets replaced regularly to make sure that all of its users are using only the best equipment during their workouts. The cardio equipment gets replaced every three years and the strength equipment gets replaced every five years.

Last year (summer of 2012) the FLEX saw the strength equipment exchanged and this year is the cardio equipment’s turn.

Between August 6 and 13, the FLEX Centre was closed to make way for the installation. The equipment involved in the move included the treadmills, cross trainers, up-right bikes, recumbent bikes, spin bikes, rowing machines and step mills.

Most of the equipment is being replaced with newer versions of the same equipment; however some noticeable changes include improved cross trainers and a change in the equipment layout.

The cross trainers are now more dynamic in allowing the user to exercise moving laterally instead of just linearly. They also automatically adjust the stride length of an individual based on the speed of their workout. The changeover also saw a switch of less used equipment to more popular equipment to maximize the usage of all pieces.

One of the main reasons the athletic centre frequently upgrades its equipment is to keep up with what is available on the market. Fitness equipment is constantly being tweaked and improved to give a better workout and experience to the people that use it. The athletic centre wants to provide the best equipment for all users of the FLEX.

FLEX fitness coordinator Angela Wood, commented on the equipment upgrade and how it will benefit the users of the FLEX.

“After visiting and experiencing many fitness facilities over time, all users of the FLEX are very fortunate to have an opportunity to work out in a facility where equipment replacement is as highly regarded as it is on our campus,” she said. “I hope people continue to use the FLEX in record numbers this year like they did last year.”

The FLEX Centre also offers a number of fitness classes to improve cardio and/or strength & flexibility. New classes introduced this year include cardio core, ginga, yoga for the chakras, zumba & muscle conditioning, yoga 101, beginner fitness boxing and warrior workout.

Returning fitness classes include movestrong, spin, muscle conditioning, belly dance, zumba, HIIT, power yoga and yoga for relaxation.

For more information on the FLEX Centre and its fitness classes, visit www.campusrecreationcentre.com.


Lifelong learning at Durham College

Over a period of six decades, Kenneth Jenkins has taken a number of Continuing Education classes at Durham College to support his career goals and in some cases, just because the topic interested him on a personal level.

“Initially I enrolled to expand my opportunities, to move ahead in the company I worked for and to expand my qualifications in the job market,” said Jenkins. “I realized much of what I was taking was enlightening, rewarding and enjoyable for life outside my job.”

One particular area that interested Jenkins was a French language course, which ultimately proved to be difficult for him due to the onset of severely deteriorated hearing. Although he successfully completed the course, Jenkins resigned himself to the possibility that it could be his last opportunity for enrolment in a continuing education program.

Rather than give up on his journey of learning, Jenkins decided to try a new approach by taking advantage of one of the many online courses offered at Durham College.

“I decided to try online learning and enrolled in a Political Geography course,” he said. “Online courses have expanded the opportunities for me to continue learning.”

Although he was intimidated by the technology, Jenkins found that he was able to quickly adjust and succeed in the class due to the academic and technical supports provided to him at the college.

“I felt somewhat apprehensive coping with this new learning venue,” he said. “But the availability of online assistance and the quality of technical support I received helped me to overcome my apprehensions and I was able to enjoy the course.”

Jenkins continues to be impressed with Durham College and the diversity of its curriculum and delivery methods.

“DC has expanded its curriculum over time, there are many courses available to satisfy ones interest or to stimulate new interests,” he said. “The courses I’ve taken have exceeded my expectations.”


DC professor wins Photography Exhibition

Durham College announced today that John Davidson, a photography professor with the School of Media, Art & Design (MAD), has won the 2013 Beaches International Jazz Festival’s Annual Juried Photography Exhibition.

The fourth annual exhibition, which took place at the end of July, tasked participants with capturing images that display the essence of jazz music, jazz musicians and the audience who supports them with Davidson winning for his submissions titled Tab’s Guitar and Havana Guitar.

“The Jazz in Motion photography exhibition is a real marriage of two of my passions – jazz and photography,” said Davidson. “There were many wonderful entries and I feel very fortunate to have placed first.”

As the first-place winner he will have his work and biography displayed on the Beaches International Jazz Festival website and will be invited to return to next year’s competition as a juror.

Davidson, a part-time professor who has been with the college since 2006, teaches within in a variety of programs under the School of MAD including Pre-Media, Interactive Media Design, Advertising and Marketing Communications and Digital Photography.

“On behalf of the entire Durham College community I extend my sincere congratulations to John on this wonderful recognition,” said Greg Murphy, dean, School of MAD. “In addition to being a true testament to his talent, this award is a great example of our faculty’s commitment to continuing to gain real-world experience they can bring into the classroom and share directly with students.”

In addition to his teaching duties, Davidson also helped with the creation and implementation of the college’s History of Photography course. He continues to maintain his photographic work with both corporate and private clients.

“It is important to explore many of your interests as it will allow you to bring more to the classroom,” added Davidson.


Campus Bookstore introduces Price Match Policy

On Monday, August 19, the Campus Bookstore will kick off a new Price Match Policy.

The following items are covered:

  • All textbooks

The following items are not covered:

  • E-books
  • Online Orders
  • Clothing
  • Stationary items (notebooks, writing utensils, binders, calculators, etc.)
  • Quick Study Guides
  • Other non-textbook items

The Campus Bookstore will only price match the listed value with the following websites:

*Member pricing does not apply for the sites listed above

Price matching will only apply to in-store purchases at the Campus Bookstore, excluding online sales. For previous purchases, you have 10 days to price match from the date of your original receipt (this will only be honoured once). You may only price match items that are in-stock, no rain checks available.

The bookstore reserves the right to refuse to price match on any textbook priced lower than our cost from the publisher.

To price match, please visit the Bookstore’s front counter with a smartphone displaying the website URL, date and following book information:

  • ISBN
  • Price
  • Title
  • In-Stock

*Paper printouts with the above information will also be accepted with the current date.

For further information please contact the Campus Bookstore at 905.721.3026 or visit the Campus Bookstore website.


DC graduate shines in The Big Apple

Amanda de Souza is living proof that anything is possible if you set your goals high and work hard to obtain them.

A 2007 Advertising and Marketing Communications Management (formerly Advertising) program graduate, de Souza is a successful graphic designer and artist living and working in New York City (NYC).

Although she has learned much and evolved in her career, she still remembers and values the lessons she learned while a student at Durham College.

“The classes I took and projects I worked on in my program were very similar to the kind of work I’ve done in the real world,” de Souza said. “We had also focused on portfolio development and interviewing skills, so by the time I was interviewing for jobs I was extremely confident.”

Prior to graduation, she completed a field placement that allowed her to work as a writer/producer for three years at a Toronto-based digital agency post-graduation. The position furthered her marketing and advertising skills while fostering her natural love of art.

She then moved to NYC and worked for a number of agencies in various roles including as an executive account assistant, a graphic designer and a community manager.

Today she works as a senior designer at W Magazine with Condé Nast with an impressive client roster including Proctor & Gamble, Universal, Starbucks and Panasonic. In addition, she shows and sells her art in galleries in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

De Souza was also selected as a 2013 artist for Sing for Hope Pianos, a public art project that saw a piano she painted displayed in Central Park, included in a concert at Lincoln Center and featured in the New York Times.

“It was surreal to be selected and I was overjoyed. I was so surprised at how much of a reaction it received from visitors and New Yorkers alike,” said de Souza.

She credits her success to hard work, a positive outlook and a willingness to tackle new challenges, qualities she feels current students can benefit from as she did.

“If you are passionate about what you want to do and put in everything you have, opportunities will open up to you. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and encourage you. Have courage,” she said. “Each time I reached a milestone, getting an internship, my first job, a promotion, moving to Toronto, moving to New York, I always kept thinking, what’s my next challenge? I’ve realized there is no limit, anything is possible.”


DC grad hosts and produces TV show for people living with a disability

Being a role model for children with disabilities wasn’t Scott Bremner’s goal when he started his career, but it’s something he is proud of and hopes to continue to be.

Bremner, a Journalism – Print and Broadcast alumnus is host and community producer of DurAbility, a television show that endeavours to improve the lives of people with disabilities by helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities they face every day.

“I got a call from a parent who thanked me for what I was doing because now she can tell her son with a disability to go out and follow his dreams,” Bremner said.

In addition to his TV show, Bremner is also a motivational speaker sharing his personal experiences and the obstacles he has overcome to connect with his audience.

“I talk a lot about bullying, the different types you encounter when you have a disability,” said Bremner. “And about finding the drive in yourself to keep going and the steps you need to take to benefit yourself.”

Bremner credits his professors at Durham College for helping him get to where he is today and he appreciates the lessons he learned in the Journalism program that have helped him to become a good professional.

“The instructors taught me the type of person you need to be to do this work,” said Bremner. “And they taught me you can still be a good person while asking those tough questions.”

Bremner plans to continue to be an advocate and role model for people with disabilities and to contribute positively to the people he comes in contact with.

“It’s great that I’ve been able to do this on my own while still helping my community,” he said. “Attending Durham College helped me a lot.”