On July 15, Durham College (DC) held a barbeque event to welcome hundreds of competitors, coaches and families, along with organizers of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), to its Oshawa campus and Durham Region. The college, which is providing residence for many of the NAIG participants, was excited to show their support for the competition.

“The games are a wonderful opportunity to share the talent, skills and dedication of the Indigenous community,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, vice-president, Academic. “With that in mind, it is very fitting that DC is one of the host locations for the game’s participants because community is an important part of our history.”

Attendees were blessed by Elder, Dr. Shirley Williams and heard remarks from Dr. Popp, as well as Oshawa Mayor John Henry, Durham MPP Granville Anderson and Oshawa MPP Jennifer French.  Performances followed, by Indigenous artists Smoke Trail, the All Our Relations Métis Drum Circle and Knowledge Keeper, Troy White, who performed Mi’kmaq drumming.

DC’s Aboriginal Student Centre also opened its doors to any participants seeking support from Aboriginal employees, Bawaajigewin Community Board members and volunteers, and/or those looking to participate in fun activities during their stay.

Hosted by the City of Toronto with events throughout the Greater Toronto Area, NAIG is the largest continental sporting and cultural gathering of Indigenous people. This year’s games will see 5,000 participants, including athletes and coaches, in attendance.

 

The games can be followed on Twitter and Instagram with #AllOne and #NAIG2017.

In May, Durham College (DC) alumnus Dominic Rehayem received the Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery from the provincial government in honour of a heroic rescue he made in 2015.

A graduate of DC’s Advanced Care Paramedic program, Rehayem was working as an advanced care paramedic with the Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services when he rescued a man who had fallen into a river following an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident.

On April 11, 2015, Rehayem made a 20-minute ATV ride to find the man, who had been helped to a nearby island by a friend who then left to find help, because an ambulance could not reach the area.  After finding the man lying on the island, freezing, Rehayem sprang into action. He gave the man some of his own clothing before strapping him to Rehayem’s body and swimming back across the river. Once back to shore, Rehayem brought the man into a nearby cabin to raise his body temperature, lighting a fire and making some hot chocolate, before making the 20-minute ride back to the ambulance.

The Government of Ontario bestows the Ontario Award for Paramedic Bravery annually to recognize paramedics for individual acts of outstanding courage. Individuals are nominated by their home services and honourees are selected following a committee review of submissions.

 

On June 15, Pam Stoneham, associate dean of the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology (START), added to Durham College’s (DC) 50 Acts of Kindness by taking part  in the Habitat for Humanity Durham: Women in Power Build 2017 with an all-women group of colleagues. The female-focused build rolled out across three days and saw 150 like-minded women from all professions and backgrounds join forces to build new homes for local families in Oshawa and raise funds for the cause.

Stoneham, who is also an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Durham, was joined by a DC team that included Mary Pearce, Sue Moore, Julie Hauber, Melissa McLean, Arian O’Neill-MacLellan, a DC graduate and START welding professor, and students Nataskki Frazer and Michelle Pegg.

While participants enjoyed a quick Zumba warmup, entertainment and lunch over the course of the day, among other treats, their energy was focused on helping to build safe, decent and affordable homes for families in Durham Region.

“Initiatives like this are a great opportunity to highlight that the skilled trades are a place for women,” said Stoneham. “It was a privilege to work alongside women on a build project that contributes so meaningfully to our local community.”

Habitat for Humanity Durham is a chapter of Habitat for Humanity Canada, a national non-profit organization with a mandate of working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. The Women in Power Build project is part of the group’s larger Women Build initiative that is held across the Greater Toronto Area. Since the event started in 2009, over 5000 women have taken part and constructed 85 homes. Additionally, over $4 million dollars has been raised as a part of this event through fundraising and sponsorship of the volunteers.

Donations to the Habitat for Humanity Durham: Women in Power Build 2017 campaign are still being accepted and can be made via the DC team’s fundraising page.

On June 26, Durham College (DC) welcomed guests to the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food for its first ever Celebration of Excellence and Distinction, to recognize the achievement and success of DC alumni, employees and community partners in the college’s 50th anniversary year.

Guests reconnected with fellow Alumni of Distinction winners and recipients of the Founder’s Cup, President’s Award of Excellence, Employee Awards of Excellence, Honorary Credential and Emeritus Award, to learn about college news and developments while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by DC students working in Bistro ’67.

Durham College (DC) is excited to share that Edith Alger was awarded the college’s sixth honorary credential during its 2017 Spring Convocation, which took place on Tuesday, June 13 at Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre.

Edith, a long-time Oshawa resident and community philanthropist, received her diploma in Community Development. The honorary credential recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the college, Durham Region and beyond in the areas of leadership, innovation and partnerships.

“We are incredibly pleased to honour Edith with this award,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “She has played an integral role in the growth and development of DC, not only through financial contributions but also the donation of time and expertise. Her diploma in community development is well-suited given all she has done for organizations across the region.”

Edith’s roots within the community are deep, as she has dedicated her life to volunteering with and financially supporting many non-profit organizations focused on advancing education and improving access to healthcare. Her involvement with DC began when she served as a member of the Board of Governors from 1987 to 1992. In the late 1990s, she also served on the DC President’s Advisory Committee providing insight into the creation of the partnerships between the college and the newly established University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

She has supported students at both institutions through generous gifts towards construction of the Oshawa Campus Library and the purchase of new adaptive technologies for the joint Centre for Students with Disabilities. In 2011, she also donated funds towards construction of the Centre for Food, to help turn the college’s field-to-fork vision into reality.

Edith has also delivered Meals on Wheels, organized blood donor clinics for the Canadian Red Cross and coordinated events and day-programs at WindReach Farm. She has served on the Boards of Directors for the Durham Region Heart and Stroke Foundation, Hearth Place, Information Oshawa, WindReach Farm and the WindReach Farm Foundation, the YWCA and the Columbus United Church. She is currently serving as chair of the Board of Directors of the Durham Community Foundation and is a community advisor with the Community Innovation Lab, a hub providing programming and support for entrepreneurs at all stages of business development.

Edith and her late husband Bill have four children. One of them, as well as three of her grandchildren, are Durham College alumni.

 

Durham College (DC) proudly celebrated as more than 3,700 students walked across the stage to receive their credential during the 2017 Spring Convocation ceremonies. Whether beginning their career or pursuing further education, these individuals will continue their journey knowing they have the skills they need to succeed.

Held from June 12 to 14 at the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa, graduates from the Centre for Food and schools of Business, IT & Management; Continuing Education, Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology received their diplomas and certificates, cheered on by family, friends and college employees.

Guest speakers at each ceremony included DC alumni and its immediate past vice-president, Academic:

• Shelley Jones, lawyer and registered trademark agent and graduate of DC’s Legal Administration program;
• Rob Leth, Global News sports anchor and graduate of DC’s Journalism program;
• Judy Robinson, immediate past vice-president, Academic at DC;
• Brent Lessard, co-founder of the online think tank rLoop and graduate of DC’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program; and
• Nancy Shaw, CEO and general manager of the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and graduate of DC’s Nursing Assistant program.

Emeritus Award

As part of the college’s commitment to building on its positive reputation, the outstanding contributions and exemplary service of retired faculty and staff members were recognized through the honorary designation of emeritus:

• Ben Kelly, a professor in the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology received the title of professor emeritus; and
• Judy Robinson, immediate past vice-president, Academic received the title of vice-president emeritus.

Honorary Credential

DC also awarded its seventh honorary credential, a diploma in Community Development, to Edith Alger, during Tuesday afternoon’s ceremony. A long-standing Oshawa resident, Edith has volunteered with and financially supported many non-profit organizations focused on advancing education and improving access to healthcare in Durham Region, including DC.

Alumni of Distinction

Three past DC graduates also received Alumni of Distinction awards, in honour of the extraordinary contributions they have made to society while achieving career success:

• Richard Gauder – Marketing Administration, 1984;
• Joyce Hunter – Journalism – Print, 2003; and
• Brent Lessard – Mechanical Engineering Technology, 2014.

The full videos of each ceremony will also be posted later this month for those who missed the ceremony or want to relive the moment.

There was much to celebrate at this year’s Roger Anderson Charity Classic, as the golf tournament marked its 20th anniversary and the fact it has now raised more than $6 million to support local youth since its inception.

One of Durham Region’s most popular and well-established fundraising events, 220 golfers took to the Deer Creek golf course on June 8, raising $403,000 to support students in financial need at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, as well as child and youth programs at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.

“This golf tournament was started to raise valuable funds for local youth, and we’ve had two decades of fun doing that,” said Roger Anderson, Durham Regional chair and chief executive officer. “I am so grateful for the support of the community – from the golfers, many of whom represent local organizations and businesses, to the volunteers who tirelessly dedicate their time – for helping make this tournament a success every year.”

Karim Mamdani, president and CEO, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences; Tim McTiernan, president, UOIT; and Don Lovisa, president, Durham College, attended the evening’s cheque presentation, offering their own thanks for the hard work and dedication of the tournament organizers and the generosity of its sponsors.

Tournament organizers also give recognition and gratitude to all sponsors and volunteers for their generous and continued support.