International Education Week proves to be a feast for the senses with music, food and cultural connections Posted on November 21, 2023 at 11:45 am. Durham College (DC) joined global International Education Week celebrations with crowd-pleasing performances for students and a mouth-watering street food festival. Held during the third week of November each year, International Education Week was celebrated in more than 100 countries this year. At DC’s Oshawa Campus, events included the Community Cultural Mosaic in The Pit on November 14. It featured music and dance performances, booths from culturally-focused community groups and snacks for students including warm samosas. Spike Universe, a second-year student in the Music Business Management program, was among the performers. “I think this gives opportunity for people to meet different cultures and show what they have,” he said of the event, adding he believes when people learn about culture, they learn about themselves as well. “It helps you find your own personality and as well it builds a beautiful community around you.” Spike, who is known by his stage name, got the crowd excited, waving their hands and dancing as he performed his original music. “I’ve been making music for almost 25 years, so I’m an independent artist, I have a boutique record label, so I work with a couple of different producers from Sri Lanka and even in Canada and I’m coming out with my own genre,” he explains, adding that he’s working to launch a new genre called Ceylonese Vibe as a uniquely Sri Lankan sound. Students at DC’s Whitby Campus also looked for cultural inspiration at the International Street Food Festival held on November 17. Nine teams of second-year Culinary Management students served up street food-style samples inspired by culinary traditions in Mexico, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, India, Italy and Pakistan. After trying all the flavours, attendees voted for their favourite dish with students Paulo Delgado and Jonathan Castillo taking the top spot with their arancini—Italian rice balls—served with Romanesco sauce and aioli. The dish was topped with cheese developed through DC culinary programs. Paulo said the pair were inspired by their upcoming trip to Italy in February which is a DC Faculty-led Classroom Abroad trip. “I can’t even express how excited we are,” added Jonathan. “We both had the opportunity to go to Peru last year and it was a fantastic experience.” Paulo and Jonathan gave kudos to their fellow students who produced a tasty sampling of street food. They included Taiwanese pork buns, Sri Lankan chicken kottu, Mexican chilaquiles and Indian chicken kondattam. “It encourages and motivates us to better develop our food,” said Jonathan of the event. “We have to work as hard as we can to make these dishes and at the end of the day it’s very enjoyable for us to see people come out and tell us they loved our food and tell us we did so well.” Thom MacDonald, dean of International Education, said the International Education Week events highlighted student talent at DC. “As our region and our college become more and more diverse, I think it’s really important for us to share and celebrate some of our cultural traditions just because it gives us a framework of understanding each other and really understanding the benefits of working together and studying together,” he added. “And also, it’s really fun. Studying is hard and any time we can take a step back and enjoy our experience, I think it’s really important.” Fall season a memorable one for Durham College athletes Posted on November 20, 2023 at 9:54 am. For our Durham Lords, this fall was a season like no other. Five teams earned Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) provincial medals to set a Durham College (DC) record. From the rugby pitch to the ball diamond and beyond, they were powered by some of the best student athletes in Canada. There’s a reason why top athletes choose DC each year, according to athletic director Scott Dennis. “Durham College has always had winning teams. When a recruit sees a team that is successful, that’s where they want to go,” he said. That cycle is sure to continue next year in light of this season’s success. Every athlete wore the DC colours with pride, and many of them produced remarkable individual efforts as they guided their teams to the medal podium. Women’s soccer player Sage Thomas-Roberts was recognized nationally as well as provincially, becoming the 54th DC student athlete to be named a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) All-Canadian. She scored 22 goals in the regular season to become DC’s all-time leading scorer in a single soccer season. “It was another unbelievable season for her,” said Dennis. “Being recognized nationally is a pretty big deal.” As an All-Canadian, Thomas-Roberts’ name will soon hang from the rafters in the DC Gym. On the rugby pitch, Emily Cooper had another outstanding year. After being named OCAA Rookie of the Year in her first season, she outdid herself with a stellar sophomore campaign. She played a crucial role in her team’s undefeated season, becoming the league’s scoring champion with 29 tries for 145 points. For her efforts, she was named OCAA Player of the Year, as well as a two-time All-Star (League and Championship). The Lords women’s softball team earned silver medals at both the provincial and national levels thanks in large part to the efforts of Grace Hearns, who also earned OCAA Player of the Year status. She was also named a Championship All-Star as well as a First Team All-Star. “She’s probably the heart and soul of the team,” said Dennis. “She’s always getting on base and she’s great defensively as well. Overall, a great player.” DC’s third and final OCAA Player of the Year was Cole Cote from the men’s baseball team. The veteran catcher from the United States immediately stepped into a leadership role on the team, earning a First Team All-Star nod and another at the Championship. “It’s tough to go through all the players because they did so well,” said Dennis. “The individual accolades are nice, but the team medals mean more to them.” Below is a complete list of the impressive accomplishments made by our DC athletes this season. 3 OCAA Players of the Year Emily Cooper – Women’s Rugby Grace Hearns – Women’s Softball Cole Cote – Men’s Baseball 1 CCAA All-Canadian Sage Thomas-Roberts – Women’s Soccer 2 Scoring Champions Emily Cooper – Women’s Rugby Tyler Janes – Men’s Rugby 1 Divisional Player of the Year Sage Thomas-Roberts – Women’s Soccer, East 1 Championship MVP Ciara London – Women’s Rugby, OCAA 7 Championship All-Stars Emily Cooper – Women’s Rugby, OCAA Danika Johnston – Women’s Rugby, OCAA Grace Hearns – Women’s Softball, OCAA Chelsea Oke – Women’s Softball, OCAA Sydney Redick – Women’s Softball, CCSA Cole Cote – Men’s Baseball, OCAA Erin Michalicka – Women’s Soccer, OCAA 8 League All-Stars Emily Cooper – Women’s Rugby Shay Morris – Women’s Rugby Maya Austin – Women’s Rugby Terrell Carter – Men’s Rugby, East Tyler Janes – Men’s Rugby, East Alexander Lee – Men’s Rugby, East Liam Spafford – Men’s Rugby, East Reese Watkins – Men’s Rugby, East 11 First Team All-Stars Grace Hearns – Women’s Softball Emily Glendinning – Women’s Softball Cole Cote – Men’s Baseball Nick King – Men’s Baseball Zach Rivers – Men’s Baseball Ryan Mattes – Men’s Baseball Sage Thomas-Roberts – Women’s Soccer Jessica Ferreira – Women’s Soccer Deandre Branch – Men’s Soccer Romaine Watkis – Men’s Soccer Garrett Werner – Men’s Soccer 9 Second Team All-Stars Chelsea Oke – Women’s Softball Jessica Greene – Women’s Softball Morgan Salter – Women’s Softball Jocelyn Shelton – Women’s Softball Griffin McMillan – Men’s Baseball Erika Bjorgum – Women’s Soccer Tenzin Chonyi – Men’s Soccer Jaden Grant – Men’s Soccer Isaiah Wisdom – Men’s Soccer All-Rookie Team Members Chelsea Oke – Women’s Softball Jessica Greene – Women’s Softball Zach Rivers – Men’s Baseball For more on the remarkable DC teams that led the way this fall, click here. Durham Lords enjoy dominant Fall season Posted on November 16, 2023 at 5:09 pm. The Durham Lords took the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) by storm this fall. For the first time in Durham College (DC) history, five teams won provincial medals. The women’s rugby squad rode another undefeated season to a gold medal. Women’s softball won silver at the provincial level and added another silver at nationals. Men’s baseball, men’s rugby and women’s soccer all brought home provincial bronze. “It has been great coming back to Durham College and seeing the teams have that much success,” said Scott Dennis, DC’s new athletic director. “We’re going to be celebrating this season 20 years down the road with some potential Hall of Famers.” Read on for a closer look at how DC’s teams made us proud this fall. Women’s Rugby For the second consecutive year, the DC women were unbeatable on the rugby pitch. In a perfect 14-0 run through the regular season, they scored 538 points and allowed only 12 for an incredible differential of +526. That dominance earned them a bye through the first round at the 2023 OCAA Women’s Rugby Sevens Championship in Belleville. In the semi-final, they defeated the host Loyalist Lancers 32-0 to advance to the finals, where they won again by a 29-12 score over the St. Lawrence Surge to bring home the gold. Dennis – “Perfection would be the word to describe them. They outscored their opponents in the regular season by 526 points. Once again they proved they’re the best team in Ontario.” Men’s Rugby DC’s rugby dominance extended to the men’s side, with these Lords also registering their second consecutive undefeated regular season. Their first taste of adversity came at the OCAA Men’s Rugby Championship, where they dropped a hard-fought semifinal match to the Humber Hawks 23-20 in overtime. But they rebounded in the bronze medal match with a 29-7 victory over the St. Lawrence Surge. By bringing home the bronze, they collected their fifth medal in as many years. The stellar year earned John Watkins the Coach of the Year award. Dennis – “They’ve proven to be one of the top programs in Ontario year after year. This is John’s second consecutive year winning Coach of the Year. He put together a great team.” Women’s Softball These Lords earned not one but two silver medals this season. A 22-2 record earned them second place in the OCAA. Wins over the Mohawk Mountaineers (7-2) and the St. Clair Saints (7-4) earned them a place in the championship. Facing St. Clair once again, they gave their all in a losing effort. At the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championships in Victoria, British Columbia, they defeated Western University (7-2), the University of Victoria (4-0) and UBC – Okanagan (7-0) as they marched to the final, where St. Clair edged them out for the gold (8-3). Dennis – “They’re always in the medal hunt. They won their fourth national medal this year. Getting back on the podium at the national level was a pretty big deal for them and winning silver was a big accomplishment.” Men’s Baseball With a 15-3 regular season record, these Lords finished second in the OCAA, but their 205 runs made them the highest scoring team by far (56 ahead of first-place St. Clair). It was also their best record since joining the OCAA in 2013. By winning the provincial bronze, they earned the fourth medal in program history and their first in four years. They also earned a measure of revenge by defeating Humber multiple times after going winless against them since 2019. Dennis – “During the regular season they had the best offense, and they showed that in the championships as well. It was good for them to be back on the medal podium.” Women’s Soccer With a bronze medal at the 2023 OCAA Women’s Soccer Championship, these Lords stepped on to the provincial podium for the first time since 2018. With an 8-1-1 record in the regular season, they qualified for the Championships with a 6-2 victory over the St. Lawrence Surge. A 1-0 decision over the Mohawk Mountaineers punched their ticket to the final four at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Etobicoke. Losing their first game 2-1 to the Humber Hawks, they bounced back against the St. Clair Saints in the bronze medal game with a clutch effort that ended in penalty kicks. Dennis – “It was Bruce Cullen’s first year as head coach, so winning bronze was a great accomplishment for his first year leading the team.” Men’s Soccer An early highlight for these Lords was defeating Ontario Tech in the Campus Cup for the first time since 2015. Vaso’s Field was packed with onlookers as the game was decided in the penalty shootout. The OCAA’s men’s soccer division was highly competitive this season, with first-place George Brown going 10-0 and the next four teams (including DC) each notching six wins. Though tiebreakers relegated them to fifth place, the Lords were almost unmatched defensively. They allowed only five goals in ten regular season games, second only to George Brown’s four. Their season came to an end with a 2-0 loss to the Algonquin Wolves in a Championship qualifying match. Dennis – “They started the year off right for Durham College by winning the Campus Cup, and they had a good run to the playoffs.” Golf Our Lords hit the green for three invitational tournaments this season, finishing just shy of the podium in two of them. At the 2023 OCAA Golf Championship in Windsor, a competitive effort landed them in fifth place. Dennis – “It was a very young team, but they scrapped their way through the regular season and then the Championship and just missed out on Nationals by one stroke. They’re just going to continue to grow.” For more on the remarkable DC athletes who led the way this fall, click here. Durham College raising funds to support students experiencing food insecurity Posted on November 16, 2023 at 9:29 am. With the rising cost of food across Ontario, supporting students experiencing food insecurity is more important than ever. Durham College (DC) is currently raising funds to support the Food Insecurity Bursary which helps provide immediate assistance to students who are navigating these unforeseen financial challenges. Each year, the DC community comes together to support this valuable initiative that helps students and their families during the holiday season. Last year, the bursary distributed more than $80,000 to support 457 students and their families. “I am a single mother of four children and have limited funding,” said Jazmine, a DC student who received the bursary in 2022. “With rising costs, groceries are getting really expensive. I am thankful that DC has provided the Food Insecurity Bursary, which helped me and my family so much last year.” This year, the need is expected to be even greater, said Tara Koski, dean, Students. “With the escalating costs of living and grocery prices this year, this bursary is even more critical as economic pressures faced by our students have intensified the issue of food insecurity,” said Koski. “If we can help alleviate some of that pressure, it allows students to maintain their focus on academics and their future success.” The Durham College Alumni Association is matching the first $10,000 raised so every dollar contributed has twice the power to make a positive change in students’ lives, said Linda Flynn, associate vice president, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. “We are deeply grateful for our community who continually come together in times of need to ensure our students are well supported and can focus on their learning,” said Flynn. Donations are welcome until December 31 and gifts of more than $20 are eligible for a charitable donation receipt for income tax purposes in the 2023 tax year. Donations are now being accepted online. Are you a student who needs a little extra help this season? Learn more about applying for the Food Insecurity Bursary. Develop global skills and awareness at Durham College Posted on November 15, 2023 at 2:04 pm. Students at Durham College (DC) can become true citizens of the world with a unique Global Competency Recognition program that is now available on DC Connect. ‘Get Global’ invites all students to expand their knowledge in four key areas: cultural awareness, global connections, global learning and global sustainability. By developing global skills and awareness, students will prepare themselves to thrive in our rapidly changing and increasingly connected world. “Durham College is committed to leveraging and growing our positive impact on our community to help it prosper and diversify. And our community is local as well as global,” said Janine Knight-Grofe, director of International Education. “We have a responsibility to prepare students to be globally competent, so that they can better engage in the world thoughtfully but also productively. It’s about making them better, more well-rounded individuals who are also more employable.” Participants in the program can complete a variety of activities to earn points. There are many different options, from taking part in a Faculty-Led Classroom Abroad (FLCA) trip to attending a cultural event on or off campus or learning a new language. Once they’ve collected 100 points, students will earn a Global Learner digital badge and a certificate at graduation. The program is relatively new, but a handful of students completed it before graduation this year. “The students that go through it see a lot of value,” said Knight-Grofe. One such student is Tasharna Thompson-Henny, a 2023 graduate of the Project Management program. An international student from Jamaica, she jumped at the chance to expand her knowledge of other cultures. “It helped me to really function better in Canada and also to have a greater understanding of dealing with a different, diverse set of people on a day-to-day basis,” she said. Canadian-born students can also benefit greatly from the program, according to Knight-Grofe. “All students equally contribute to global thinking, have a role to play in addressing global challenges, and benefit personally, academically and professionally from global competency.” All students who take part in the program must start with a module on Indigenous Histories and Reconciliation, which is crucial according to Rogier Ten Kate, program coordinator for the International Business Management graduate certificate. “We recognize that globalization and internationalization can perpetuate global imbalances through neocolonial practices. So, it’s critical that anti-colonialism underpins global competency actions and activities at Durham College,” he said. “The best way to understand and reflect on this is through learning about Indigenous histories.” Thompson-Henny found those studies particularly helpful in increasing her knowledge of her adopted home. “It gave me a better understanding of what Indigenous people went through. My level of appreciation just increased significantly.” For students who want to expand their knowledge and appreciation of other cultures, the Get Global program is available now. DC students cook up gold medal finish in culinary competition Posted on November 10, 2023 at 11:01 am. For the second year in a row, Durham College (DC) students have struck gold as they were crowned Canada’s best new student chefs at Taste Canada’s Cooks the Books Student Culinary Competition. This year, second-year Culinary Management students Miguel Alves Dos Santos Fonseca and Jess Dalziel were selected to represent DC and they plated up their winning dish of Brazilian beef hearts, farofa, pickled beets, glazed carrots, crispy tripe and chimichurri on October 29. Fonseca described the excitement of winning. “I heard my name and I screamed before everyone else started clapping,” he said. Before facing off in the competition kitchen, Miguel and Jess spent long hours perfecting their dish in DC’s state-of-the-art culinary labs to ensure they could execute it in the 45-minute time limit. They looked to their peers in the Culinary Management program to offer honest feedback as they developed their recipe. Part of the challenge was using sponsored ingredients including Canadian beef, California prunes, Club House spices and Tabasco sauce. Miguel incorporated aspects of his Brazilian heritage while Jess brought inspiration from Hungarian cuisine. For example, when incorporating the prunes, Miguel turned to a traditional Brazilian side-dish called farofa, which is a cassava flour toasted with a fat like butter or oil. But there are a thousand versions of the recipe including one that incorporates bananas. “I thought maybe the prunes would work because it’s sweet as well and with the meat, you know it’ll be a little spicy.” Chef Peter Lee, the DC faculty member who mentored the pair, congratulated the them. “The recipe is delicious,” he said. “The meaty flavour of heart is balanced well with the acidity of pickled beets and sweetness of California prunes. Each school had to choose a different cut of beef, we chose to showcase unpopular cuts as a challenge to ourselves and show they can taste great.” Lee said students selected to represent DC in culinary competitions are dedicated to training and sacrifice many hours to perform at a high level. “It allows eager students to show their passion for their craft,” he said. “It allows us faculty to push students to have success at a high level. I do not want to just participate in competitions, I want to win.” Miguel credits the Culinary Management program for setting him up for success. “What DC helps us do is really build that work ethic,” he said. “Many of our chefs, they really focus on that point and it’s really important.” Interested in a career in food? DC has career-focused programs that prepare students to succeed. Culinary Management Culinary Skills Horticulture – Food and Farming Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Nutrition and Food Service Photo credit: Stephen Chu Visitors fall for Durham College at Open House Posted on November 6, 2023 at 3:49 pm. At Fall Open House, future students learned why Durham College (DC) is the best choice for their post-secondary education. The Oshawa and Whitby campuses were filled with more than 2,300 visitors on Saturday, November 4. The DC community was out in full force at both campuses, with alumni, faculty, current students and employees sharing their knowledge and experience. Attendees got a taste of everything DC has to offer, from state-of-the-art facilities like the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre and the Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology to our 145+ career-driven programs and support services. Prospective students spoke to members of our expert faculty and explored labs and learning spaces. Registered attendees were entered into a draw to win a $5,000 tuition credit, and students were able to apply for their chosen program during the event. Visitors to the Whitby campus were treated to culinary demonstrations by faculty members and students. In Oshawa, cosmetic techniques were on display at the Centre for Collaborative Education, while future paramedic students benefited from live patient care demonstrations. Open House also had a lot to offer for current students who are interested in continuing their education with graduate certificates, honours bachelor’s degrees and other options. DC will welcome prospective students once again for Program Information Nights on Tuesday, January 16 (Oshawa) and Wednesday, January 17 (Whitby). Campus tours and information sessions can also be scheduled online. Durham College Tech Talk educates guests on the power of Intellectual Property Posted on November 1, 2023 at 3:39 pm. More than 30 local business owners and founders heard from intellectual property (IP) experts on October 27 about the importance of an IP strategy, a critical component for any business and often a subject that entrepreneurs feel unfamiliar with. The event, hosted by Durham College (DC), featured an industry expert panel, a Q&A session, as well as networking to help foster collaborative relationships between the college and local talent in Durham Region. “Education is the cornerstone of success for any business, and in today’s competitive landscape, IP knowledge is a critical asset, which is why events like this are so important,” said Joshua Cohen, commercialization specialist at DC. “At Durham College, we believe that by fostering a deeper understanding of intellectual property, we are not only safeguarding businesses but also nurturing innovation and growth in the market.” The event comes a month after DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) announced a $300,000 grant from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), to help small businesses and start-ups take the next steps to bring their products and services to market. By enhancing its services and providing commercialization expertise, DC is better equipped to educate its clients and student entrepreneurs on developing an IP strategy and increase their understanding of the commercialization process – steps that are crucial to the long-term success of their businesses. The Tech Talk expert panelists discussed industry challenges, inside perspectives and personal testimonies, and included Dr. Chris Webb, Strategic Advisor at IPON; Tony Orsi, Patent Agent and Partner at Bereskin & Parr; and Michael Stanfield, Founder and COO at Inventing Future Technology Inc. (IFTech). One commonality between the panellist’s advice was the significance of having a strong IP strategy, which plays a pivotal role in the protection and growth of a business, especially when it attracts potential investors. “In my 15 years in Silicon Valley, I saw investors seek to understand how the idea for a given business was protected, so that their investment was also protected,” observed Webb. “Before they are willing to provide large sums of money backing an idea, they want to make sure no other companies can easily pursue the same market.” In collaboration with IPON, ORSIE will continue to serve as a hub for innovation, fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for its clients, students and faculty to succeed by offering free IP consultancy services, market research analyses, and investment opportunities. A recording of the Tech Talk is available for those who missed the event. You can also learn more about DC’s ORSIE and IP services online. Durham College celebrates career-ready graduates at Fall Convocation Posted on October 27, 2023 at 10:08 am. Durham College (DC) celebrated the academic achievements of nearly 2,000 career-ready graduates this week at Fall Convocation. Graduates from DC’s eight faculties received their diplomas and graduate certificates, including: Liv Domik from the Culinary Management program, who received hands-on experience working in the culinary industry and is returning to further her education with DC’s Horticulture—Food and Farming Ajurenmisan Emiko from the Social Service Worker program, prepared to make a positive impact on the lives of those in our community. Kathryn Fullerton from the Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship, ready to meet the rising demand for skilled trades workers in Ontario. Melanie Gimoto and fellow graduates from the Cybersecurity graduate certificate program, which, according to Maclean’s magazine, is one of the six hottest programs to prepare for today’s job market. Alexis Joyce and Khala Sutherland from the Child and Youth Care program, ready to provide compassionate care to children in our community. “After almost 38 years in the college system and almost 16 years as president of Durham College, Convocation remains one of my favourite events,” said Don Lovisa, president. “Durham College prepares students to make an impact in our community, and it’s extremely rewarding to witness them cross the stage to receive their credentials. Convocation marks the beginning of a new chapter, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.” Guest speakers at the ceremonies included: Lauren Bull, DC Alumna and founder & CEO, Canoe & Lake. Brandon Bird, DC Alumnus and CEO, Bird Mechanical Ltd., who was recently named one of On-Site Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction. During the evening ceremony on October 26, the college also recognized Stephanie Ball, retired executive dean, with the honorary designation of Emeritus in recognition of her many years of outstanding service to DC students and the community. For more information about Fall Convocation, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/convocation Lucky winner gets $5,000 tuition credit Posted on October 20, 2023 at 11:35 am. Justin Hooton is the lucky winner of a $5,000 tuition credit. The annual contest is open to all Durham College (DC) applicants who register at various events. Now a first-year student in the Broadcasting – Radio and Contemporary Media program, Hooton entered the draw while attending Spring Open House in April, and didn’t give it another thought. At least, not until he received a phone call from DC sharing the good news. His initial reaction was shock, but once he realized he had really won, he was thrilled. So was his family, and they joined him at the Oshawa campus this week to celebrate. Even before winning the contest, he knew he’d made the right choice in attending DC. “I’d heard good things about the school, and it was also one of the closer schools to me, so it was a no-brainer,” said the Peterborough native, who is aiming for a career in the burgeoning field of sports analytics. DC president Don Lovisa was on hand to greet the Hooton family and share his congratulations. “It’s wonderful,” he said. “Most students need financial support, whether it’s through a raffle like this, or OSAP loans.” There are a lot of options for DC students looking to finance their education, and the Financial Aid and Awards office can help. And if you’re attending DC next year, it could be your turn to win! « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 157 »
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