Info for
Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play

Feed us your ideas – name our new restaurant!

This fall, Durham College will open its newest building, the Centre for Food (CFF), and its new, full-service restaurant. But before we open the doors to the region’s newest dining experience, we need your help! In anticipation of the CFF’s grand opening, the college is holding a contest to name the new restaurant.

We want you to send us your best suggestions by filling out the submission box on the contest’s microsite. If your entry is chosen, you’ll win dinner for six at the restaurant’s chef’s table and a prize pack including an iPad mini!

Once all of the submissions have been reviewed, the top five names will be released for the public to vote on. All voters will then have the chance to win an amazing Durham College prize pack.

If you need some inspiration, more information or you’re ready to send us your ideas, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/nameit before midnight on Friday, June 28.

Centre for Success continues to flourish at Durham College

Durham College celebrated the academic achievements of approximately 150 Durham Region secondary school students from the Centre for Success program on June 17.  The program, hosted on campus through the School College Work Initiative, helps students graduate from secondary school by engaging them in a college environment as well as demonstrating that they can be successful in post-secondary education. 

Gail MacKenzie, manager of Strategic Initiatives at Durham College, attributes the continued success of the program to its ability to be an alternative route for secondary school students.

“The change of venue, to get them out of their traditional high school environment where they haven’t been successful for a number of reasons and all of a sudden put them on a college campus where they feel like college students, they instantly mature and become responsible for their own learning and success,” said MacKenzie.

This year’s event marked the seventh successful year of the educational initiative.  The project has grown significantly over the years from the first pilot project in 2006 with 14 students to the current program that will see almost 300 students enrolled between September and June at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses.

Adriana McDonough, co-ordinator with the Durham Catholic District School Board points to the yearly success of the program for its longevity.

“It has been a hugely successful program right from the start. We have had success rates anywhere from 80 to 92 per cent,” said McDonough. “These are students that have struggled with credit completion in high school and they come here and they seem to thrive and succeed and see a bright future ahead of them.”

In addition to the Durham College administration and staff, students were joined by their families, teachers and representatives from the partnering school boards:  Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic School Board, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board.

Durham College campus sets the scene for music video shoots

The beautiful campus of Durham College is being taken over by local directors who are incorporating the school into their music videos.

Within the last two years, five different music videos have been produced on the grounds of Durham College featuring a variety of artists including Najjah Calibur (It’s Been a Pleasure), Tyler Medeiros (Please Don’t Go), 20 Amp Soundchild (Lights Go Out), Jordan Mcintosh (Walk Away) and K-Simone (Can You Hear Me).

Each artist has been a recipient of the MuchFACT fund that provides grants to Canadian recording artists to help them produce music videos. Production company Next Element (NE) specializes in music video shoots and two of their directors have directed four of the five music videos taped on campus.

Students from the Digital Video Production and VFX and Digital Cinema programs were incorporated into the filming of these videos, allowing the students to showcase what they’ve learned while gaining great hands-on experience in the comprehensive field of media production.

Marc Andre Debruyne and fellow NE director Cazhhmere have spent a lot of time at Durham in the past few years, creating visual works of art that tell a story with the help of the diverse areas and state-of-the-art facilities on campus.

After directing It’s Been a Pleasure in 2012, Debruyne found a lot of positive and versatile aspects that the campus had to offer and returned a couple months later to direct the Say I Love You – Please Don’t Go video by Tyler Medeiros.

“Durham College offered a nice diversification in architecture, giving me the chance to shoot two videos there, without it looking the same,” he said. “They were both very fun, youth-oriented videos with storylines revolving around schools.”

In his time spent on campus, Debruyne was most taken with the impressive layout of the library as it added to the beautification of the Najjah Calibur video.

“It really elevated (It’s Been a Pleasure) to a whole other level of production,” he said. “Durham College has always been a friendly place to shoot and there are still many buildings that I could shoot in.” 

The student experience off to a great start for two future DC students

Durham College’s mission that the student experience comes first is ringing true for two future students who visited the college’s annual Spring Open House on March 23.

Welcoming approximately 4,700 visitors to the Oshawa, Whitby and Pickering campuses, potential students were given the opportunity to win free tuition (maximum $2,500) at Durham College by filling out a survey of their open house experience or an iPad for visiting all indicated open house areas and completing the Passport to Success challenge.

As Wilson Martins of Brampton, Ont. finalizes plans to begin in the General Arts and Science – Pre-Health program in September, that simple survey turned into a $2,500 tuition cheque.

Martins was selected as the winner from a pool of more than 1,100 entrants who completed the open house experience survey. Upon learning of his big win, Martins took to Twitter to express his excitement.

“Just won $2,500 from @durhamcollege…I’m freakin’ out!”

With the initial goal of graduating from the Pre-Health program, Martins hopes to use that diploma to enter either the Practical Nursing or Paramedic program at Durham College in September 2014.

Brittany Estwick of Oakville, Ont., who will begin the Animal Care program at the Whitby campus this September, was also a lucky winner, receiving a new iPad for completing the Passport to Success challenge. During her open house experience, she visited all designated areas including program information sessions; the walking tour; photo booth; admissions, career planning and financial aid and awards presentations; and the student services booth.

“I felt very excited, I didn’t think I would win the iPad,” said Estwick. “The prize will definitely help me for school on those days when it isn’t necessary for me to bring a computer to school.”

For more information regarding Durham College’s Fall Open House, which will take place on Saturday, November 16, please visit the DC Open House page.

Annual Durham Region Roger Anderson Charity Classic raises $324,000

Thanks to the support of sponsors, donors, volunteers and participants, the 16th annual Roger Anderson Charity Classic golf tournament was another huge success, raising $324,000. Held on June 13 at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax, Ont., the annual event hosted more than 240 golfers as they teed off for a chance to improve the lives of individuals living in Durham Region.

The tournament, hosted by Durham Region Chairman and CEO Roger Anderson, has created and maintained a legacy of giving to community organizations including providing assistance to students in financial need at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and child and youth initiatives at the Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health.

Representatives from each of the three organizations receiving proceeds from the tournament were on hand for a cheque presentation and the chance to extend their gratitude for the ongoing and enthusiastic support of everyone involved in the tournament.  

Tournament organizers would also like to recognize all of the sponsors for their ongoing and generous support.  Special thanks to major sponsors AECOM, Covanta Energy Corporation, Lenovo, Metroland Media, Metropia, Ontario Power Generation, Runnymede Development Corporation, Scotiabank Group, Brookvalley Developments, Fieldgate/TACC/Paradise Homes, The Miller Group and Tribute Communities and tournament sponsors Fraser Ford, HDR Corporation and King Square. 

Silver lining:DC student takes silver at Skills Canada Competition

Following a successful showing at last month’s 2013 Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), Durham College announced today that it has also made an impact at the national level. Michael Mills, a Level 3 – Advanced Tool and Die Maker apprenticeship student, won silver in the Precision Machining category at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC), which was held from June 5 to 8 in Vancouver, B.C., giving the college its fifth national medal in only five years.

 Prior to claiming the national title, Mills won gold in the same category at the OTSC, held in Waterloo from May 6 to 8. In addition, Mitch Tempro, a second-year student in the Mechanical Technician – Mechanical Maintenance and Control program, also competed at the national competition in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright category after winning gold at the OTSC.

“Once again, our students have achieved exceptional results on the national stage,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, Durham College. “Their accomplishments are a direct reflection of the hard work and commitment they put into their studies and the instruction and mentoring they receive from their professors, re-affirming that the skills and programs taught at Durham College prepare students for success in their professional careers. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Michael on his performance at this highly regarded competition.”

The 19th annual event is an Olympic-style, multi-trade and technology competition welcoming more than 500 competitors from across the county to compete in more than 40 trade and technology categories.

“I am honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to compete at the OTSC, representing Durham College and the province of Ontario,” said Mills. “I owe a big thank you to my workplace and Durham College for all the knowledge they have given me to help me be successful. Without them I would not be where I am today. I would also like to thank my professor Andrew Prior for giving me the opportunity to compete and the faculty in the Tool and Die Maker program for their help along the way. Also thanks to my family and friends for their support during this amazing experience that I will never forget.”

Skills Canada is a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth. The organization offers experiential learning opportunities including skilled trades and technology competitions for hundreds of thousands of young Canadians through regional, provincial/territorial, national and international events, as well as skilled trade awareness programs.

DC summer sports camps score with the kids

This summer, local children can grab their running shoes, a bottle of water, a hat and some sunscreen and take the opportunity to have fun and make friends through a variety of summer sports camps at Durham College.

Developed by the college’s Athletics department as a means of showcasing the state-of-the-art sports facilities to youth, this summer marks the 27th year of providing sports camps at Durham College, and the fifth year being voted one of the top summer camps in Durham Region.

Children can register to improve their skills in a variety of sports including basketball, golf, badminton, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball and tennis or they can sign up for the multisport camp and get a chance to experience a variety of sports and games.

Michael Duggan, summer sports camp co-ordinator, said when these camps started, they only offered two sports, but have continued to phase in more activities with each new summer.

“This year, we will be introducing floorball, an upbeat version of floor hockey,” he said.

Head coaches from Durham College varsity sport teams, local high schools, club programs and other colleges and universities will be banding together to form a highly qualified lineup of staff to ensure constant entertainment and optimal results for campers.

“Wayne King is the head coach for the University of Toronto badminton team, but he loves to teach badminton at our summer camps,” said Duggan.

More than 500 campers are expected to enrol in this summer’s camps and youth are encouraged to return and serve as camp counsellors once they reach the proper age.

Lunch programs are available as part of the camp schedules as well as morning and afternoon caretaking programs for parents who start work early or end late to accommodate various family schedules.

“(Our objective is) to give kids the opportunity to experience what Durham College is all about, to see the facilities to promote (the college) within our community and to offer programs where kids can go and have fun,” said Duggan.

In addition to a variety of sports offerings, Durham College also offers a number of special interest camps including music, photography and design. For more information, please visit the summer camps website.

Optimize your learning with SALS workshops

Struggling with some of your program’s courses? Take a deep breath and pay a visit to the Student Academic Learning Services (SALS) office for the help you need, delivered the way you need it.

SALS has been helping Durham College (DC) students excel academically and earn the credits they paid for through strategically organized workshops for more than 10 years.  Their services offer a variety of classes that directly reflect student life as well as each individual learning techniques to ensure optimal results and a good grade.

Located on the second floor of the Student Services building, SALS is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has staff to assist students in their quest for academic excellence. They also offer services at the Whitby campus from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Nicky Patel, Manager of SALS, says these resources have become even easier for students to access since the addition of SALS to DC Connect last September. “You don’t even have to go to (the office) if you don’t want to, everything you need is right online,” she said.

Recognizing that each student has specific learning styles, SALS has developed their workshops to meet the unique methods each person uses to store information most efficiently.

Since the launch of SALS on DC Connect, there have been 2700 self-registered members who have downloaded the tool for extra help. There are currently 469 resources available online through SALS as well as video modules, quick tips and a personality test to determine your own learning style, as well as practice tests and quizzes created by faculty to allow students to get the most out of these workshops just by putting in the effort.

“As a student who has been out of school for a long time, readjusting back to studying and being in a class was extremely hard for me,” said Jimmy Whorms, a first-year student in the Mechanical Technician – Mechanical Maintenance and Control program at the Whitby campus. Then I decided to try SALS. I was suddenly able to understand math formulas, and as a result, I was able to salvage my grades for the first semester, now I’m looking forward to making the honour roll for my second semester!”

Patel has seen the positive results of SALS first-hand and says if help is sought soon enough there is no reason any student should ever have to fail a class.

“84 per cent of students who came for help last year received their credit,” she said.

Thirst for Knowledge: Construction continues on Centre For Food

It’s only a matter of time before everyone will get to see what they’ve been cooking up at the Center for Food (CFF). After more than three years, the CFF located at Durham College’s Whitby campus, is in its final phase of construction and on track to hitting its scheduled date of completion.

Opening this September, the state-of-the-art facility will accommodate more than 900 students pursuing careers in sectors such as hospitality, tourism, culinary, agriculture and horticulture.

This 36,000-square-foot establishment will be stocked with a full-service, green-certified teaching restaurant, retail store featuring student-made edibles, lecture theatre complete with cooking equipment, lounge, classrooms, meeting spaces and a living hotel lab.

As the official fall opening of the new building approaches, Michelle Darling, manager, Planning and Project Management, says it’s an eventful time to be a part of the building of the CFF.

“Lots of exciting ideas are being presented by faculty in support of the academic programs that will be delivered in the Centre for Food,” she said.

Aside from some environmental challenges of high winds and rain, all has gone off without a hitch.

“It speaks to the quality and care that went into the installation and co-ordination of the construction of the site,” said Darling.

This far into phase three, the curtain wall framing, ductwork, plumbing, sprinklers fire protection and basement are 90 per cent complete, with delivery of freezers and coolers not far behind. 

Durham College professor nominated for Golden Sheaf Award

Some say those who can’t do teach, but whoever said that hasn’t met Durham College Professor, Kevin Fraser.

Teaching in the Digital Video Production program, Fraser is also a TV writer, editor and documentary filmmaker who was recently nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award in the Documentary and Arts Culture category at the Yorkton Film Festival for his short film, Analogue.

Held from May 23 to 26, the Yorkton Film Festival is the longest running festival in North America and showcases the best of the best in Canadian short cinema. Fraser was honoured to have gained recognition.

“I was really happy (to be nominated),” said Fraser “When you start a project from scratch, especially an artistic one, you’re never sure how it will turn out, much less that people would take it in such a positive way.”

Analogue follows a group of artists who use outdated or antiqued processes in a world that is becoming digital. It expands on the importance of individual craftsmanship and the beauty that comes from doing things the old fashioned way, capturing the true essence of hard working composers.

It took Fraser about two years to finish his documentary all the while balancing his job, getting his masters and raising his daughter. Fraser holds a master of fine arts degree in Documentary Studies from Ryerson University and has written for a variety of TV projects for many years.

Before becoming a professor at Durham College, Fraser worked as a new media producer for a commercial production house and his love for creating cinematic adventures stemmed from his experiences.

After five years of work, he completed his first documentary, Living as Brothers, in 2011. The movie is a story of Jamaican migrant men who work in the orchards of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., sometimes for 20 years or more.

This is Fraser’s first nomination and he shows no signs of slowing down on his movie-making career and how he can incorporate his passion into his teachings.

“As a professor at Durham, I’m always looking for the next thing so I can share them with my students, whether it’s a non-linear documentary, crowd sourcing or online collaborations,” he said. “I think my next project has to incorporate some new ways of working, just to keep things interesting!”