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Student Orientation underway at Durham College

With the 2018-2019 academic year soon underway, Durham College (DC) is busy getting ready to welcome more than 7,100 first-year students to campus during its annual Orientation, which runs from September 4 to Thursday, September 13.

Designed to help first-year students acclimatize to college life, meet staff and faculty, explore student services and enjoy the college’s Oshawa and Whitby campuses, Orientation also provides students with an opportunity to learn more about program expectations and student clubs, all while developing new friendships.

“Orientation sets new students up for success by helping them establish a community of support on campus,” says Krista Licsi, student orientation and transitions co-ordinator, Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions. “They can step out of their comfort zone to meet other first-year students, learn about their program and discover opportunities to get involved in campus activities, all of which will help them should they encounter any barriers while completing their program here at DC.”

This year’s Orientation includes over 25 activities to help introduce students to college life, including the First-year Fun Fair on September 4, followed by the men’s and women’s soccer teams in the 8th annual Campus Cup later in the day, pitting the DC Lords against the UOIT Ridgebacks.

New this year are a few activities, like the LGBTQ2+ Paint Night and Social on Wednesday, September 5, designed to help members of the campus LGBTQ2+ community make connections on campus; and the Black Student Success Network social event on Wednesday, September 5, providing students with opportunities for mentorship, wellness and social engagement.

For a full list of Orientation activities and more details please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/orientation.

DC welcomes new International Students to campus for Orientation

This week Durham College (DC) welcomed more than 1,000 new international students from 62 countries to campus for the 2018-2019 academic year. To help prepare students for the year ahead, an International Orientation was held on August 31 at the Oshawa campus.

DC president Don Lovisa and Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic, kicked off the event by delivering welcome remarks on behalf of the entire college to the diverse group of new students.

Throughout the day, students received guidance on the many services and supports available to them and how to prepare for post-secondary education. They learned about their health insurance plan, banking in Canada, how to find part-time work and also gained valuable information about building a future in Canada. The event also facilitated the development of new friendships, with activities like Race Around DC, a fun twist on the traditional campus tour inspired by The Amazing Race Canada, and Get-to-Know-Your-Peers Bingo.

 “International orientation really kick-starts the college experience for students and provides them with the foundation of support they need to succeed while attending post-secondary studies in Canada,” said Janine Knight-Grofe, manager, International Education. “Our goals for orientation and every day after are fourfold – we work to integrate students into the DC community, foster an inclusive and caring environment, enhance understanding of expectations and resources, and build resiliency and personal development.”

More than 1,800 international students will be studying at DC for the 2018-2019 academic year. With additional students expected to arrive as the year gets underway, DC prides itself on offering international students the highest-quality Canadian education, a safe and vibrant campus environment and a fun and rewarding student life – with everything from clubs and cultural activities to sports and recreation – to balance studies with activities outside the classroom.

For more information, please visit the college’s International website.

DC congratulates research partner Partake Brewing on 2018 World Beer Awards win

Durham College (DC) research partner Partake Brewing (Partake) has been recognized on the global brewing stage, after being named the best low-alcohol pale beer by a panel of international judges at the 2018 World Beer Awards. The title was bestowed upon the company’s pale ale, a recipe which the college’s Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation (CCBI) helped develop.

Partake’s collaboration with DC and its Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) began in October 2016. Funded through a $25,000 Engage grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, ORSIE researchers and the CCBI’s brewmaster used its brew lab and line to work with the company in developing the winning recipe.

This honour is the latest in a line of achievements for the growing craft brewer; Partake also recently secured a deal on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, again using a recipe – an India Pale Ale – developed in partnership with the CCBI. Its products can now also be found at select Beer Stores and LCBO locations across Ontario.

In all instances, the centre’s team has worked to help develop the recipes for the locally made, non-alcoholic craft beers that have the taste, variety, authenticity, creativity, and passion of their full-strength counterparts.

The World Beer Awards select the best in internationally recognized styles, awarding and promoting the world’s best beers to consumers and trade across the globe.

The CCBI, which is located at the Whitby campus, was officially launched in spring 2018. Consisting of a pilot brew line and brew lab, which were purchased using a $150,000 Applied Research Tools and Instruments grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, it offers craft brewers access to expertise and state-of-the-art technology, as well as micro-analytical and research services.

Three Durham College alumni nominated for 2018 Premier’s Awards

Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that, in recognition of their outstanding career success related to their college experience and the significant contributions they have made to their community, three of its alumni have been nominated for Colleges Ontario’s 2018 Premier’s Awards.

Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, who graduated from DC in 1998 from DC’s Registered Nursing program, draws on her passion for nursing and advocacy in her role as chief executive officer of Grandview Children’s Centre, the only children’s treatment centre in Durham Region. There she has championed its unprecedented growth and expanded its service offerings, while also giving back to the community. She has sat on and led both provincial and national committees focusing on children’s rehabilitation, has used her expertise to help develop Ontario’s Special Needs Strategy and has worked in direct care and senior-leadership roles at St. Michael’s Hospital and Lakeridge Health Oshawa. She is nominated for a Premier’s Award in the Health Services category.

Manjula Selvarajah, a 2014 graduate of the Journalism – Print and Broadcast program, works as a technology columnist and associate producer for Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC Radio. There she has appeared on and produced a variety of shows including Metro Morning and Big City Small World. She has also presented on the Live and Learn and Fresh Air shows. Manjula uses her training and voice to help the Tamil community, leveraging media platforms to tell their stories. She co-hosted one of the few English shows on Canadian Tamil television, Crossroads on Tamil Vision International, where she moderated panels on issues that affected Tamil Canadians and has blogged on tamilculture.com. She is nominated in the Recent Graduate category.

As chief executive officer (CEO) of Bird Mechanical Ltd., Brandon Bird, who graduated from DC in 2012 as a Level 3 Plumber Apprentice, is continuing the company’s three generations of excellence. Since taking over in 2016 as its youngest CEO, he has generated $30 million in sales revenue while overseeing a team of 80, 60 of which are tradespeople. Through strategic expansion and service offerings, the company has worked on projects ranging from $100,000 to $20 million; its clients include the Hospital for Sick Children and Cadillac Fairview. Brandon also chairs DC’s Mechanical Techniques Program Advisory Committee and serves on the Education Committee for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Toronto. He is nominated for a Premier’s Award in the newly-created Apprenticeship category.

Academic Kickoff energizes DC employees for new school year

On August 28, employees from all corners of Durham College (DC) gathered together at the annual Academic Kickoff event for a morning of inspiration and motivation ahead of the new school year.

Led by Dr. Elaine Popp, DC’s vice-president, Academic, the event gave colleagues at the college a chance to reconnect while also sharing and igniting new ideas to continue growing the student experience inside the classroom and beyond.

Dr. Gerard Puccio, department chair and professor at the International Centre for Studies in Creativity, Buffalo State, delivered this year’s keynote address. A renowned creativity scholar, Dr. Puccio discussed creativity as a life skill and shared strategies with DC employees to unleash creativity in their own work and inspire it in students.

The morning also featured a panel presentation and discussion by student entrepreneurs from FastStart, the college’s free, co-curricular program that helps DC students and youth from the greater college community to develop and launch their own businesses.

The FastStart panel shared examples of how DC encourages and supports students’ entrepreneurial pursuits. Emphasis was also put on promoting and encouraging entrepreneurship to more students, including those specializing in creative arts, social innovation, food and more.

Lords win first pre-season match on newly-turfed Vaso’s Field

In the first match played on Vaso’s Field since it was upgraded with artificial turf, the Durham College (DC) women’s soccer team walked away with a win against the St. Clair Saints on August 25.

The new FIFA-certified infill artificial turf is the first of its kind to be installed at a post-secondary school in Canada and offers an improved playing surface for varsity and intramural sports leagues and community recreation groups using the multi-sport facility.

“Today was a special day and I feel honoured that the DC women were the first team to play a match on the field and did the school proud in our victory,” said head coach Alex Bianchi. “This is a tremendous facility we now have, the field surface is really, really good and will serve present and future players very well. This facility is second to none and I’m excited to call this field ours.”

Lords players Vanessa Juras, Madison Haigh, and Shae-Lynn Young each contributed to the win with goals against the Saints, giving DC an easy 3-0 victory, and Jenna King earned the clean sheet for the Lords with seven saves.

Introducing the redeveloped DC Student Centre

As part of its ongoing commitment to putting the student experience first, Durham College (DC) is redeveloping its Student Centre to offer new spaces, dining options and additional space for supports.

While the location remains the same, the redeveloped space will now be home to:

  • New dining options for all students and employees, available as of Tuesday, September 4
    • Booster Juice – Enjoy premium smoothies and juices.
    • The Grill House – Enjoy fresh food options representing global cuisine.
  • New student spaces
    • eSports Gaming Arena – Scheduled to open in 2019, the arena is part one of a four-phase eSports plan, which will also see an eSports club, varsity program and eventually, integration of eSports into current and future curriculum.  More information about eSports at DC can be found on the website.
    • Student Lounge – Students will be able to enjoy downtime and study in the newly renovated Student Lounge, which is scheduled to open at the end of September.
  • SALS Tutoring Centre available as of Monday, September 3
    • Student Academic Learning Services (SALS) is extending their services to the Student Centre. In addition to the supports and programs offered in the Student Services building, students can access the SALS Tutoring Centre in room 217, a space dedicated to peer tutoring. SALS workshops and drop-in tutoring sessions will be offered and the area will also serve as a student study space for individuals and homework groups. Contact SALS by email or at ext. 2491 for additional information on available services.
  • DC Students Inc.
    • DC Students Inc. (DCSI) provides a range of services from administration of the health and dental plan to offering outreach services:  support, counselling, information, referrals, events, and training with a focus on four key areas: Women’s Issues, Pride and the LGBTQ Centre, sexual health and the Campus Food Centre, a food bank available to all DC students who need help making ends meet. Email DCSI for additional information on the services they offer.

As the college prepares for another exciting academic year, the Student Centre will continue to play a vital role in campus life and we look forward to sharing it with the college community.

New DC service to help break down barriers to post-secondary education

Durham College is pleased to share the launch of its new RISE program in the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions. Part of the Ontario Post-Secondary Access & Inclusion Program (OPAIP), RISE stands for reach, include, support and elevate, and aims to ensure equal opportunity exists for all Ontario residents to pursue a post-secondary education.

Replacing the First Generation initiative, RISE and its community partners, including school boards and agencies, will support any current or potential student who may need assistance overcoming barriers preventing them from considering, accessing or pursuing a post-secondary education.

RISE will offer one-on-one coaching to ensure a smooth academic and social transition to the post-secondary environment and facilitate and promote academic success by providing dynamic programming and making referrals to additional college and community services when needed.
For more information on RISE and its services, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/RISE.

TeachingCity celebrates its inaugural year

It’s been just over one year since Durham College (DC) became partners with the City of Oshawa, Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, and the Canadian Urban Institute, to help Oshawa become a TeachingCity.

Together all parties have been working together to establish Oshawa as a living laboratory focused on experiential learning, applied research and innovative teaching partnerships to address urban issues.

The TeachingCity focuses on:

  • Developing practical, scalable and sustainable solutions to urban issues;
  • Building research partnerships;
  • Coordinating experiential learning opportunities, applied research and innovative educational activities;
  • Developing new technologies; and,
  • Sharing access to facilities, resources and equipment.

Driven by a steering committee comprised of representatives from each partner, DC’s own Janse Tolmie, associate vice-president and chief information officer, IT Services and Marianne Marando, executive dean, School of Business, IT & Management, have been working along with the rest of the group to help successfully launch the initiative, focusing on putting processes in place, understanding how to assess project proposals and working with deans, associate deans and faculty at DC to kick-start several projects.

These included the TeachingCity Hackathon, which provided students with an opportunity to propose a solution to a public policy challenge around the theme of improving residential rental housing in Oshawa. Supported and mentored by faculty, City staff and community and business leaders, DC’s team, known as P.A.M., placed second, receiving a $750 prize for their solution of a website that focused on the inclusivity of the most marginalized Oshawa populations. 

The TeachingCity Hub also opened its doors. Located in downtown Oshawa, the Hub provides opportunities for TeachingCity partners to share access to facilities, resources and equipment, and includes office, classroom and lab spaces. The open-concept area will be used for meetings, collaborative learning opportunities and co-design.

Other highlights include students from DC’s Fine Arts – Advanced program exhibiting their works in Oshawa City Hall as part of the City’s Art and Culture in the Hall program. Students from the college’s School of Media, Art & Design also had a chance to show their creativity as part of its Community Collaborations course, where they designed vinyl artwork in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, which was then displayed on the windows of the City’s Arts Resource Centre.

With one year completed, the partners are looking ahead to further develop the initiative. There are a number of diverse research projects in the works including getting a DC course recognized as a TeachingCity course; a project to provide certain services to low income residents and the establishment of the City Idea Lab, which will offer experiential learning opportunities to post-secondary students via a credit course at the TeachingCity Hub. Students working in the lab will learn about identified urban issues in Oshawa and will have the opportunity to collaborate with City staff to co-design possible solutions. The first intake of DC and University of Ontario Institute of Technology students to use the lab will be in the 2018-2019 academic year.

A graduate from DC’s School of Media, Art & Design will also be given the opportunity to create and install a mural in the TeachingCity Hub.

The full TeachingCity Progress Report is now available. Please visit to learn more about this past year’s activities and the plans for the future.

Durham College says goodbye to Simcoe building

On July 16, in anticipation of the opening of Durham College’s (DC) new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE), demolition of the Simcoe building began.

“Thousands of students, hundreds of employees and countless student groups and service areas called the Simcoe building’s classrooms, offices and meeting rooms home for nearly 50 years,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “While the building will no longer be physically present, its place in the college’s history will be forever remembered.”

Part of DC’s Building Something Amazing capital campaign, the new four-storey CFCE will replace the Simcoe building by bringing together local, Indigenous and global communities, and provide a new home for several of the college’s innovative and ground-breaking programs.

The demolition will also reclaim land for the Simcoe Geothermal Field project, a living lab that will help to create a net-zero carbon footprint in existing campus buildings. It will be incorporated into a wide variety of program curricula to address new green-energy technologies and careers.

In commemoration of the Simcoe building and its impact on campus life through the years, pieces of its iconic stone façade, removed as part of the ground-breaking ceremony in 2016, have been incorporated into the CFCE as part of a unique entrance feature wall that symbolizes the integration of DC’s history and future. Additional stone will also be relocated to the student lounge in the Student Centre after its renovations are complete.

Demolition on the Simcoe building is expected to be complete in August.