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DC ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges for fourth consecutive year

Durham College (DC) announced today that for the fourth year in a row it has been ranked among Canada’s top 50 research colleges by Research Infosource Inc., a Canadian research and development intelligence company.

The annual list is informed by data on research income, research intensity and research partnerships and projects at colleges across the country.

“Research and innovation have always been at the heart of what DC does as one of Ontario’s leading post-secondary institutions,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), DC. “This ranking once again proves the importance of and our commitment to prioritizing applied research on campus to enhance our students’ experiences, provide real-world solutions, and advance business and industry ideas to support our community’s economic health.”

Led by the team at ORSIE, DC continues to initiate and support a variety of research activities aimed at integrating discovery and innovation into the academic environment. The college puts particular focus on the areas of energy efficiency, agriculture, health care and wearable technology, which closely align with the college’s market-driven academic programs and research capabilities, and help support local business, industry and community organizations.

Some of DC’s most recent applied research projects include:

  • Building a novel, innovative control and monitoring system for an energy-efficient refrigeration unit as well as a pre-packaged solar electric system ideal for remote locations and applications such as radio, security cameras, telemetry or lighting where normal power is not readily available, and a power conservation module for traffic cameras.
  • Building a software application for a company using unmanned aerial vehicles for farm scouting.
  • Developing pest management strategies to control apple leaf curling midge in apple orchards.
  • Building a semi-automated harvesting system to increase productivity and reduce the labour requirements involved in the spinach harvesting process.
  • Developing a video conferencing system to connect patients with their physicians and caregivers to reduce hospital re-admissions.
  • A prototype with low-cost, non-invasive sensors and signal processing to monitor vital signs wherever Wi-Fi is available, making it possible to monitor patients in the least inhibiting way.

DC and Durham Catholic District School Board sign agreement to boost international education

Durham College (DC) and the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) announced today that they have signed a five-year academic agreement to enhance opportunities for DCDSB international students looking to pursue post-secondary education in Canada following high school graduation.

“DC prides itself on offering international students a high-quality college education and we’re proud to be working with the DCDSB to offer international high school students the opportunity to further their studies in Canada, and with Durham College in particular,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “This agreement provides a new way of engaging our educational partners in DC’s ongoing international activities and outreach and we are proud to be working with the board to provide this group of students with access to our unique academic programming and student services.”

The formal General Agreement of Co-operation (GAC), signed today by Lovisa and Anne O’Brien, director of education, DCDSB at the college’s Oshawa campus, is designed to stimulate and support educational, professional and intercultural activities and projects among students and employees of both organizations with respect to international education.

This includes the creation of an educational pathway from the DCDSB to DC, including the potential for students to pursue further post-secondary studies via the more than 450 educational pathways the college offers in partnership with universities in Ontario, across Canada and around the world. Additionally, the GAC will promote collaboration in program delivery, scholarship opportunities, international marketing, student recruitment and academic training.

“We are pleased to partner with DC as we encourage international students to discover the numerous pathways that are available through our Durham Catholic secondary schools into our local college programs,” said O’Brien. “Adopting a pathways planning mindset, our programs are designed to assist students with transition planning, and we look forward to working with international students as they prepare for the next step in their individual educational journeys here in our very own Durham Region.

In September 2016, DC welcomed more than 350 new international students, bringing the total number to over 600 students who have travelled from 42 countries around the world to study at the college.

 

Durham College names the Centre for Food after W. Galen Weston

Durham College (DC) announced today that it has named the Centre for Food (CFF) at the Whitby campus after Mr. W. Galen Weston in recognition of a $1-million grant being made to the college by the W. Garfield Weston Foundation (the Foundation). One of Canada’s most prominent business executives, Mr. W. Galen Weston is a leader in food innovation who has been at the forefront of change in the food retailing and baking industries for more than five decades. From bagging groceries in the supermarket to Executive Chairman of George Weston Limited, he has remained committed to the continued advancement of the food industry through teaching and learning.

Focused on the field-to-fork concept, the CFF opened to students in September 2013. Home to a range of complementary programs, the Centre boasts numerous sustainable features and extensive grounds including an apple orchard, agricultural planting fields and a ramped garden feature with a pollinator garden and two-acre arboretum, providing a teaching and learning environment for students, the local agri-food industry, community organizations and the general public. In addition, the grounds include an unheated hoop house, gardens and greenhouses that support applied learning and research while growing produce for use in the Centre’s kitchens and laboratories. The CFF also features Bistro ’67, a full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, and Pantry, a unique retail store for student-created goods, which are both open to the public. 

“Durham College is honoured to receive this significant gift from the W. Garfield Weston Foundation,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “On behalf of the college, in particular the hundreds of students studying in our CFF programs, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the W. Garfield Weston Foundation for its generosity. Mr. W. Galen Weston is one of Canada’s most accomplished businessmen and philanthropists and well renowned for his leadership in the food processing and distribution industries. The Weston family has long supported the field-to-fork concept and we are extremely proud to have his name linked permanently to the CFF.”

The second significant contribution made by the Foundation in the last two years, this gift is being used to establish $100,000 worth of scholarships and bursaries for students studying in a two-year field-to-fork program; develop new research and testing programs related to food product development and food processing studies; and to purchase equipment to support new research programs related to agriculture and agri-food products.

“I have spent my entire life working in the food business and have seen it evolve dramatically since my younger days working in the bakery with my father. I am proud to be supporting the innovative programs offered in the Centre for Food,” said W. Galen Weston. “These young people are the future leaders of our industry.”

“Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing sector is the third largest in North America with manufacturing revenues of more than $35 billion and the agri-food industry is the leader for goods production in Durham Region,” added Lovisa. “This gift will enable DC to further its commitment to bring the field-to-fork philosophy to life, harness the vibrant relationships in our region’s food industry, and provide a lasting legacy that will benefit our students and the region now and in the years ahead.”

Durham College honours graduates at 2016 Fall Convocation

While the fall season meant the beginning of school for many Durham College (DC) students, it has also brought an exciting culmination of post-secondary pursuits for others. Those achievements were celebrated on October 27 at the college’s annual fall convocation, commemorating the graduation of 1,159 students from 109 programs.

The event also honoured students who earned a place on the highly regarded President’s Honour Roll as well as recipients of scholarship and leadership awards.

Graduates from the Centre for Food and the 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 were awarded their diplomas and certificates in front of hundreds of family and friends.

In his address to graduates, DC President Don Lovisa encouraged students not to buy into the negative perceptions of their generation often perpetuated by the media.

“Some of you are part of the generation that’s been loosely termed as ‘millennials’ or ‘Generation Y’ and for a lot of media commentators, it’s become a handy stereotype to say that this generation has a sense of entitlement when it comes to their work and personal lives,” said Lovisa. “My advice to you is simple. Don’t accept that. Don’t accept for a minute that your generation, and those who follow you, are any less prepared, any less capable and any less willing to work than previous generations. I know this to be true because of my work at DC, and when I look at you here today, I see individuals who are ready to take on the important issues of the world and make a positive difference.”

DC also bestowed its prestigious Faculty Emeritus award to retired professor William (Bill) Marlow in recognition of his outstanding contributions and exemplary service to the college community. During his more than 30 years with the college, Marlow brought his expertise and good humour to several positions including professor and co-ordinator for the Computer Programmer Analyst program, field placement co-ordinator, and acting dean of the School of Business, IT & Management. He also served as a faculty member of DC’s Academic Council where he helped select the software and best practices that have supported the college’s evolution into a modern post-secondary institution.

With the fall convocation, Durham College now boasts more than 76,000 alumni over its 49-year history.

Golden Again! DC wins their 18th OCAA women’s softball title

Durham College won their unprecedented 18th Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) women’s softball title last weekend with an 11-6 victory over the St. Clair Saints in the gold medal game.

A week prior, Durham’s spot at the championship was in jeopardy as they sat in fifth place with eight games remaining in the regular season. The Lords reeled off seven wins over that time to qualify for the championship, where they went 3-0 outscoring their opponents 28-7 en route to the gold medal victory.

“Our bats came alive,” said head coach Jim Nemish. “The coaching staff told the girls that their pitching and defence was where we wanted it to be but they just needed to believe in themselves at the plate. Everyone started hitting and it became contagious. I am so proud of the way we rallied.”

Durham earned a berth in the gold medal game with a 10-3 win over Fanshawe and an 8-4 victory over St. Clair. The Saints beat Fanshawe 7-1 on Saturday morning to get back into gold medal contention.

In the top of the first inning in the finals, St. Clair loaded the bases with none out. Durham managed to get two fly outs and a ground out to keep the Saints off the board.

“That was a real turning point,” said Nemish. “The game could have easily gone the other way but we managed to stay composed and escape the inning.”

Ashley Black (Waterloo, Ont.), who was the Lords hottest pitcher down the stretch, threw the complete game managing to shut down the Saints offence in the first four innings. Following the tournament she was named a championship all-star. Rebecca Ropp (Milverton, Ont.) was 3-for-4 in the championship game with two runs and four RBIs. She was named championship MVP.

Durham finishes the year with a 24-11 overall record, giving Nemish 471 career victories in 28 years on the bench.

For more information please visit durhamlords.com.

DC students and staff host filmmaking demonstration

Recently over 30 Durham College (DC) students and employees from the School of Media, Art and Design (MAD) hosted a filmmaking demonstration at the Docville Movie Set in partnership with the second annual Durham Regional Film Festival.

For over two hours, students shot footage on five movie sets consisting of a cabin, general store, saloon, jail and mine using 10 60D cameras (two at each set). The demonstration was attended by more than 75 people who were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at how a film is made. Audience members also participated by acting out the script that was written by DC Advanced Filmmaking students under the guidance of professor Kevin D. Fraser. After four hours of editing, a five-minute film was screened on the same day.

“Filmmaking is a way to change the way people think about the world,” said Greg Murphy, executive dean, MAD. “To get your voice, your story out there, whether it’s about you, or somebody else, or something you have completely imagined, it’s a way of telling stories. We are helping people to do that and really preparing the next generation of content creators for Canadian media.”

Students were mentored by DC faculty and staff including Kris Felstead, Phil Raby, Jennifer Bedford, Kevin Fraser, Colin Burwell, Jim Ferr, Oliver Fernandez, Keir Broadfoot and Margret Campkin, as well as Carla Sinclair, chair of DC’s Media Fundamentals program advisory committee.

Additionally a ‘making of’ photomontage of the filmmaking demonstration was shot by MAD Photography students under the guidance of faculty members Al Fournier, Tim McGhie and Brian Stephens.

DC to host the inaugural National College Baseball Invitational

Durham College will host the top intercollegiate baseball teams in the country at the 2016 Canadian College Baseball National Championship from Thursday, October 27 to Saturday, October 29.
 
Six teams will participate in the championship that features 13 games over three days.
 
“We are very excited to host a national college baseball championship for the first time,” said Durham College athletic director Ken Babcock. “Baseball is growing throughout the country and we felt it was necessary to host a national championship at the collegiate level. With a national championship on the line, teams will be going all out on the field making for some thrilling action for fans to appreciate.”
 
The teams vying for the national championship will include the St. Clair Saints (Windsor, Ont.), John Abbott Islanders (Montreal, Que.), Fanshawe Falcons (London, Ont.), Holland Hurricanes (Charlottetown, P.E.I.), Humber Hawks (Toronto, Ont.), and the host Durham Lords (Oshawa, Ont.).
 
“Durham College and Ritson Field will be excellent venues to host this year’s national championship,” said Durham Lords head baseball coach Sam Dempster. “The program has a rich history that is second to none and I’m certain that nationals will be a success for all of the participants involved.”
 
First pitch for the championship will take place at 1 p.m. as the Lords match-up against the St. Clair Saints at Kinsmen Civic Memorial Stadium. Action will run through the weekend with the national title game set for Saturday, October 29 at 5 p.m.
 
The Lords have hosted award-winning and highly regarded national championships in the past including men’s volleyball (1990 and 2003), women’s volleyball (1990), men’s soccer (1999), women’s soccer (1999), men’s and women’s golf (2001 and 2002), baseball (2009), men’s basketball (2011), golf (2012) and women’s softball (2015).

For more information visit www.durhamlords.com.

Participants and sponsors go the #distanceforDC at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

On Sunday, October 16 more than 26,000 people took part in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon including 28 participants from Durham College (DC). Three teams of DC walkers and runners comprised of employees, students and alumni, participated in the marathon, half-marathon and 5 km events raising over $22,000 for the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) at the Oshawa campus.

“Thank you to our amazing college community, along with our alumni and valued community members for supporting our walkers and runners and helping us to surpass our original fundraising goal of $20,000,” said Linda Marco, associate vice-president, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. “Everyone who participated in Run for DC at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in support of the new Centre for Collaborative Education, is contributing to a new modern learning space where students, employees and the broader community can work together in ways that transcend traditional concepts of education.”

A legacy project tied to the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017, the CFCE will replace the aging Simcoe building, which was built at the Oshawa campus in 1969. It will provide inspiring space for students, employees and the broader community to access a wide variety of programs and services, including ones focused on providing students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in post-secondary studies and health sciences programs. It will house the Aboriginal Student Centre and the Entrepreneurship Centre, and special, flexible space that will enable faculty, students and the broader community to use technology in creative ways to gain unprecedented access to students, educators, thought leaders, subject matter experts and other visionaries from more than 40 countries around the world.

DC’s three Run for DC teams included:

  • Durham College IS Awesome with team members Nicole Mastnak (team captain); Sue Hawkins; Stephanie Ball; Karen Founk, Susan Smith; Tanya Roberts; Dave Smith; Ramon Morales; Claire Mastnak; Leilani Morales and Kevin Griffin.
  • Team Durham College with team members Jennifer Clark (team captain); Sally Hillis; Judeline Innocent; Meri Kim Oliver; Elaine Popp; Don Lovisa; Marianne Marando; Elaine Garnett; Linda Marco; Catherine Hardman; Debby Allbon; Michelle Forrest; Dan and Simon Blomme; Sandra Mairs; Maureen Calhoun; Joanne Paterson; Dennis Donnelly and Hannah Elkington.
  • Team DC Whitby with team members Mary Pearce (team captain); Pam Stoneham and Falon Hurlburt.

In support of the event and to raise awareness on campus, team Durham College IS Awesome held Run for DC Day on October 12 at the college’s Oshawa campus. Fundraising activities included a boot drive, a combined effort of students (primarily in the Firefighter program) and employees; a bake sale; motivational poster signing and live entertainment provided by students. In total the students and employees’ efforts raised over $900.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated and supported the event.

Ontario colleges are leading the fight to tackle climate change: report

Through multiple initiatives and research projects focused on sustainability and a commitment to sound building principles, Durham College (DC) announced today that it pleased to be part of a group of Ontario colleges that are playing a leading role in Canada’s efforts to tackle climate change.

A newly released report, Moving to Net Zero: Colleges Leading the Way, highlights the achievements of the province’s 24 publicly funded colleges in everything from leading-edge research that promotes energy efficiency to the development of programs that prepare increasing numbers of graduates for careers in areas such as renewable energy and sustainable building construction.

“Doing our part to improve the health of the planet is a priority at our college,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC.  “We are firmly committed to the global effort to fight climate change.”

The report documents achievements in five areas: research, community leadership, college programs, transportation and campus upgrades. The examples in the report confirm that all 24 colleges are playing an active part in the effort to reduce the province’s carbon footprint.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, DC is continually implementing new measures to reduce its carbon footprint and demonstrate environmental stewardship in Durham Region and well beyond.

For example, in September 2016, the Centre for Food (CFF) at the Whitby campus received international recognition from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Awards of Excellence, winning gold in the Green Colleges category. The college was recognized for its work to advance environmental sustainability, including its field-to-fork philosophy and 3 Star certification from the Green Restaurant Association. In addition, in June 2016 the CFF was recognized with an Eric Krause Innovative Plans/Policies/Initiatives Award from the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee for its commitment to conserving energy and protecting the environment and in July 2016 Bistro ‘67, the college’s full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, was honoured with a Feast ON designation in recognition of its use of local food and beverages.

Home to a range of complementary post-secondary programs, the CFF offers numerous sustainable features and extensive grounds that include an apple orchard, agricultural planting fields, an unheated hoop house, gardens and greenhouses. The south side of the building includes a ramped garden with a pollinator garden for native birds, bees and butterflies and a two-acre arboretum. These areas also feature trees, shrubs, perennials and fruit-bearing plants, providing a teaching and learning environment for students, the local agri-food industry, community organizations and the general public.

Additional examples of DC’s commitment to sustainability include:

  • A dedicated Sustainability office that leads initiatives on campus, including partnerships with local environmental organizations such as Durham Sustain Ability, GM Canada, Friends of the Greenbelt and the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, and roles with regional committees including the Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change.
  • Sustainable transportation options for students and employees travelling to and from campus, including electric vehicle charging stations, designated carpool lots and bicycle storage units.
  • A commingle recycling program with a diversion rate of 53.2 per cent as well as additional recycling programs for items such as batteries, e-waste, spent lightbulbs, used textbooks and furniture.
  • Water conservation through the installation and use of low-flow toilets, waterless urinals and sensor taps.
  • Energy conservation and efficiency through the use of a comprehensive energy monitoring system, replacement of existing windows with high-efficiency models, installation of variable speed drives and lighting occupancy sensors.
  • Adoption of renewable energy models at the Whitby campus including the installation of 350 solar panels that provide clean energy back to the grid; six vertical axis wind turbines on the roof of the main building that serve as a learning tool for students in the Renewable Energy Technician program; a white roof that reduces energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions; and a 70-tonne geothermal system that provides energy efficient heating and cooling.
  • Applied research projects, including a recent collaboration with industry partner DynaCurrent Technologies Inc. on the development of a new and innovative technology to heat liquid using electricity in a significantly more efficient way than other electrical heating technologies in the marketplace. The technology has the potential for commercial use as an alternate heating source to oil, propane and electricity in homes and small- to- medium-sized buildings.
  • Programs such as Construction Carpentry – Sustainable, which provides students with the knowledge required to construct energy-efficient and environmentally responsible residential buildings and obtain the skills required to upgrade existing buildings in a little as 16 months.

The college’s initiatives are reflected in the overall findings of the report, which include:

  • Throughout the province, colleges offer more than 300 programs that prepare graduates to work in sectors that directly impact emissions reductions, conservation and renewable energy.
  • In 2015-2016, more than 20,000 students were enrolled in programs that prepare them for careers that address climate change. That represents an increase of more than 20 per cent over the previous five years.
  • Millions of dollars have been invested in retrofit programs and other upgrades at campuses across the province. The retrofitting projects have included weatherization initiatives, energy and greenhouse gas audits, the installation of wind turbines and solar panels, and the integration of new designs that include green roofs and pollinator gardens.

“While we’re proud of our successes, we also know there is more to do,” said Lovisa. “We are aware of the important role DC plays in producing a strong workforce determined to reduce emissions and help Ontario combat climate change and ultimately achieve greater sustainability.”

The full report is available here.

Durham College student’s mural installed at City Hall

A mural design created by Allanah Larsen, a graduate of Durham College’s (DC) School of Media, Art & Design (MAD) in the Fine Arts – Advanced program, was recently installed at Oshawa City Hall.

Located on the retaining wall facing Centre Street outside City Hall, the city’s newest piece of public art features a stained-glass-like pattern that shows detailed glimpses of Oshawa and its main attractions within an evolving colour scheme.

A timeline of abstract art, the mural was produced by Allanah and her fellow students from MAD’s Community Collaboration class, including Alex Duffy, Stephanie Galanis, Shawn Robinson Gray, Maria McGarny, Vincent S. F. Neal, Kristen Sali, Schott Shepel and Kristie Yuill.

As part of the Civic Square community mural project, a partnership between the City of Oshawa and DC, students were asked to develop mural concepts based on feedback from Oshawa community members about their aspirations for the city. Three finalists were selected by the City of Oshawa and guest adjudicator Linda Jansma, senior curator, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Community members were then asked to vote for their favourite entry to determine the winning design.

The City of Oshawa and DC are both pleased with the collaborative efforts behind the community-inspired mural, which now serves as a new focal point within Oshawa’s Civic Square and is playing a large role in the revitalization of the space.

“This has been such a fabulous experience for the school,” said Greg Murphy, executive dean, MAD, DC. “We need partners to give us an opportunity to make a contribution to the cultural landscape of Oshawa, and the city has been a great partner. I’m grateful for the effort and expertise that a lot of generous people gave, but especially for the wonderful leadership of this project from MAD faculty Dani Crosby and Sean McQuay”.