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DC’s Global Class to host discussion on the legalization of marijuana

The legalization of marijuana has been a hot button topic for years. In Canada, it has gained considerable momentum since the Federal Liberal government announced that it will introduce legislation in 2017 to legalize the drug.

To explore the complexities around this issue, Durham College (DC) professor Ruth Martin has organized a Global Class discussion on Canada’s prospective decision to legalize the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 27 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and will feature speakers in two locations brought together using the Global Class platform.

Canadian Army veteran Sergeant Fabian Henry, president and founder of Veterans Helping Veterans: Marijuana for Trauma Inc., a consultation service to help veterans register for legal supplies of marijuana from licensed producers, will participate from the Global Class in Room A150 of the Gordon Willey building at DC’s Oshawa campus, and Dr. Lester Grinspoon, associate professor emeritus of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, will join from the university’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

A 12-year veteran of the Canadian Forces, with six deployments, Sgt. Henry developed post-traumatic stress disorder during a second tour in Afghanistan. After suffering from depression, he was prescribed antidepressants that left him agitated and suicidal. Sgt. Henry experienced a pivotal moment in his care when he was accidently offered marijuana and found that for the first time he was able to feel and deal with his memories of combat, war and destruction, and their aftermath. Since then, he has worked with countless doctors and neuroscientists to investigate the brain to see exactly how tetrahydrochloride (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) respond to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

Dr. Grinspoon was the senior psychiatrist at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center in Boston for 40 years and is the author of several books including Marijuana Reconsidered, Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered, Marijuana: The Forbidden Medicine and Psychedelic Reflections. As a physician, Dr. Grinspoon was initially against the use of cannabis until 1967 when the drug helped his young son while he was dying from leukemia by eliminating the horrible nausea and vomiting he experienced after each round of chemotherapy. That was the tipping point for Dr. Grinspoon as he decided to research cannabis and the positive effects of the plant.

DC’s Global Class allows for an open exploration of common topics free of outside influence and geographic boundaries. Participants interact with provocative guests, meet people from varied backgrounds, share materials and learn from one another. The experience offers a better understanding of our societies and ourselves in complex “glocal” times. The classes are free and open to everyone.

The event will be livestreamed on the Global Class website and viewers can submit questions and comments via Twitter to @GlobalClassDC.

Kia Canada Inc. donates luxury sedan to Durham College

Kia Canada Inc.’s (Kia) slogan – The Power to Surprise – was in evidence today as the award-winning automotive manufacturer donated a 2014 Kia Cadenza Premium to Durham College’s (DC) School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology.

Representatives from Kia, including Ted Lancaster, vice-president and chief operating officer, were joined by DC President Don Lovisa and DC students and employees at an event held at the college’s

Whitby campus to reveal the details of the donation. This includes the importance of community partnerships to both organizations and the value that donations such as this provide in terms of offering students access to hands-on training opportunities using current and in-demand technology and equipment.  

“At Durham College we prepare our students to meet the demands of a technology-driven workplace,” said Lovisa. “Thanks to Kia’s continued support of our automotive programs and this donation of the world-class Cadenza Premium, our students will be equipped with the latest skills and training required to be successful in Canada’s competitive and evolving automotive industry post-graduation.” 

The Cadenza Premium, a fully-equipped sedan rivaling its luxury counterparts, was delivered to the college’s Whitby campus last week. It will serve as an important training tool for students enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship, Motive Power Technician – Service and Management program and the School-College-Work Initiative – Dual Credit and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship.

“Kia Canada is proud to be supporting the community at Durham College by donating a Kia Cadenza to prepare students for the future through education and experience.” said Lancaster.  “This vehicle offers cutting-edge technologies which will provide students hands-on experience and the depth of knowledge necessary to succeed in their careers.”

Known for its well-designed interior cabin, the 2014 Cadenza Premium has loads of standard features and a powerful 293 horsepower V6 engine. It has received high praise and numerous accolades for its smooth ride and handling as well as its high level luxury features including onboard navigation and entertainment systems, premium Nappa leather interior, heated and cooled front seats, Lane Departure Warning System (LDW), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Blind Spot Detection System.

DC students bring field-to-fork to life at second annual Harvest Dinner

Traditionally, harvest time is a time for community celebration. That was certainly the case at Durham College (DC) on September 22 as students, faculty and more than 130 community members came together for the second annual Harvest Dinner in celebration of the amazing work being done at the college’s Centre for Food (CFF) at the Whitby campus.

The sold-out event brought DC’s field-to-fork vision to life and marked the culmination of countless hours spent in the fields, labs, classrooms and kitchens as students and faculty from the culinary, horticulture, hospitality and events programs worked side-by-side to plan and execute an evening that guests won’t soon forget.

“Watching our students in action at all stages of the planning and execution of this event filled me with immense pride,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The Harvest Dinner is both an incredible opportunity and an immense undertaking for everyone at the CFF and I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone, and our students and employees in particular, who helped make the evening a resounding success.”

CFF ambassador and celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy was also in attendance to show his support and greet guests. The multi-course, family-style meal was served under the stars, surrounded by the CFF’s fields and greenhouses, and featured recipes inspired by and featuring food planted, picked and prepared by DC students.

“It’s extremely meaningful to have so many members of the community joining us tonight to celebrate our students’ achievements,” said Kevin Baker, dean, CFF. “Tonight’s dinner embodies what field-to-fork is all about and this experience of working together to put it into action is one our students will draw on throughout their careers.”

The evening’s delicacies started with sweet corn cakes with cranberry caviar, and baba ghanouj served on a beet chip passed during the cocktail hour. Next, the meal was presented in three rounds that featured a wide range of flavours and ingredients, including a pickled-and-cured platter of vegetables and venison-pork salami; pan-seared trout with lemon geranium and chili; a Caprese salad made with DC-produced mozzarella; smoked Ontario turkey with braised fennel and cranberries; and roasted Ontario pork loin with red cabbage and apples, among numerous other dishes.

“To be in the gardens harvesting produce this morning and then see our guests enjoying the fruits of that labour this evening is a special experience,” said Ryan Cullen, a second-year student in the Horticulture – Food and Farming program and student governor with the college. “It’s wonderful to see all the programs working together and students applying what we’re learning to one convivial harvest experience.”

Anyone who missed out on the Harvest Dinner is still in luck. CFF produce and other local ingredients will continue to inspire the dishes being served at Bistro ’67, the CFF’s full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant, which recently received a prestigious Feast ON designation for its use and support of locally sourced products. Garden Fresh Wednesdays will continue at Bistro ’67 until the end of November and upcoming Jamie Kennedy Thursdays special dining experiences are scheduled for Thursday, November 17 and Thursday, December 15. There will also be a celebration of Bistro ‘67’s new Feast ON designation with a 100-mile dinner on Thursday, October 20. Food lovers can also enjoy pre-packaged meals and daily lunch specials from Pantry, the CFF’s unique retail store for student-created goods, or expand their own culinary skills and knowledge through the CFF’s cooking experience classes and demonstrations.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/cff. 

Going the #distanceforDC at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Next month, 26,000 people will take part in The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) and this year Durham College (DC) will be front and centre! Earlier this year, DC was selected as an official charity for the event and on Sunday, October 16, three teams of DC walkers and runners, comprised of employees, students and alumni, will participate in the marathon, half-marathon and 5 km events to help raise funds for the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) at the Oshawa campus. To support the Run for DC, please visit DC’s page on the STWM website.

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 serve as an educational access point for students while bringing together local, Indigenous and global community groups and members of key business sectors.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who has signed up to participate in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to support the new Centre for Collaborative Education,” said Linda Marco, associate vice-president, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. “We hope that our terrific college community, along with our alumni and community supporters, will rally and sponsor our walkers and runners.  With the college’s 50th anniversary in 2017, now is the time to help us build something amazing at Durham College.”

The STWM, is an elite-level marathon with Gold Label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations. Both the marathon and half marathon begin at Queen Street West and University Avenue in Toronto and finish on Bay Street, with the 5 km starting on Lake Shore Blvd and also finishing on Bay Street. Event activities get underway at 8 a.m. with the 5 km kicking off first.

Go DC!

Durham College men’s soccer nationally ranked

After their strong start to the season, the Durham College (DC) men’s soccer have landed themselves in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) rankings. Released by the CCAA on September 21, the Lords have moved into the national rankings in the 14th position.

Ranked fourth in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) polls, Durham has a 2-1-0 record to start conference play including a 2-1 comeback victory over the Fleming Knights on the road Saturday.

“We are very proud of our men’s soccer program’s success this season,” said Ken Babcock, director of athletics. “Since becoming head coach, Dave (Ashfield) has made our program an annual contender in the OCAA and CCAA. It is a good start to the year, but the team knows they will have to continue to work hard in order to achieve their year-end goals.”

The Lords only loss came to No. 3 ranked Algonquin, as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Thunder on the road.

Overall Durham has posted a 6-2-0 record including a pair of wins against National Junior College Athletic Association opponents.  

The last time DC’s men’s soccer was nationally ranked was in Dave Ashfield’s first year as head coach when the Lords reached the 12th spot in October of 2014.

That season, the team had their first OCAA final four finish since 1999.

Durham is set to host two games at home this weekend as they welcome the St. Lawrence Vikings (Saturday) and Cambrian Golden Shield (Sunday) to Vaso’s Field. Kickoff is at 3:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. respectively.

Taylor Murray’s FUNctional Accessories – A FastStart DC success story

What if guitars had clothes? The thought came to Taylor Murray at a young age when as her step-mom was teaching her to sew, she realized that any shape could be wrapped in fabric. It was a strange question, but it proved to be an important one. Murray took her passing thought and turned it into a business idea at age 11, then held on to it for years until she was finally able to make it a reality. In October 2015, Murray launched her first product, AcouSkins, a line of machine-washable fabric covers designed to personalize and protect acoustic guitars from daily wear, which eventually led to her founding FUNctional Accessories, a creative guitar accessories business.

Back when AcouSkins was still only an idea, Murray enrolled at Sir Wilfred Laurier University, where she pursued a degree in Concurrent Education with hopes of becoming teacher. However, by her third semester she felt teaching might not offer the kind of flexibility and creativity she craved. Murray left the program in pursuit of more control over her career path, and after careful consideration of numerous options, she chose the Entrepreneurship and Small Business program at Durham College (DC).

“I felt this particular program could help me gain the tactical skills I needed to support my ideas — and I was right,” said Murray. “By my second semester I was creating the business plan for what would become FUNctional Accessories. When I started, I didn’t know about marketing and branding strategies, so going through the programs, I learned a lot.”

It was also during this time that Murray learned about FastStart DC and met team member and mentor Jay Fisher. “Jay was extremely supportive in terms of solidifying my idea,” said Taylor.

In the course of her entrepreneurial journey, Murray has found the manufacturing process to be the most challenging. The production of AcouSkins was an intensive process. She first approached several professional sewers with the project only to hear that a customizable, one-size cover would be impossible to produce. Finally, Murray purchased a sewing machine and spent months learning how to use it just to be able to finalize a prototype that she could share with potential manufacturers.

Next, with her custom product designed, Murray moved into her sales and marketing mode, going so far as to audition for the hit reality TV show Dragons’ Den, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists in the hopes of securing financing.

As she gained experience and confidence in her business abilities, Murray added to her stable of brands, including her own Freshly Picked line of guitar picks, which feature designs of fruits and flowers (pun intended!), as well as Strings by Aurora and Inlay Stickers, for which FUNctional Accessories holds the exclusive Canadian licensing rights. Now she is focusing on developing a family-oriented music accessory brand and getting her products into more major retailers. Murray has already found success with Long & McQuade, Canada’s biggest music store chain, and Amazon.ca, both of which are now carrying FUNctional Accessories products thanks to her hard work, persistence and passion.

Armed with a clearer understanding of her market segment, Murray plans to eventually launch an online store and hire staff, including sales representatives, administrative assistants and a social media manager.

The FastStart DC team has helped Murray throughout her journey and taught her how to see the bigger picture. No wonder she references the program when asked for her advice to young and aspiring entrepreneurs. “Just start talking to people and get useful feedback,” she said. “FastStart was great for this and it introduced me to the best tools.”

For more information or to connect with FUNctional Accessories:

Telephone:
647.956.4802

Email:
Taylor@Acouskins.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/acouskins

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/funcmusic

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/funcmusic/

Website:
http://functionalmusicaccessories.com/

 

Jennifer Whyte’s Barefoot Veggies – A FastStart DC success story

Jennifer Whyte’s interest in sustainable energy and living methods led her to the Renewable Energy program at Durham College (DC). But when she was faced with a serious health condition, Whyte was forced to change course — literally. She transferred to DC’s Office Administration – General program, and was inspired to make another move after taking a business course.

Whyte joined DC’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business program, where she met members of the FastStart DC team. During this time, she also came up with an idea to combine her passions for sustainability and business. Under the guidance of FastStart mentor Jay Fisher, she began to fill in her knowledge gaps and build a business. “Jay really made me aware of the realities of running a business,” said Whyte. ”His experience made him a great guide who could point me in the right direction.”

With a goal to provide fresh, local vegetables from her garden to her community, and a habit of picking them barefoot, Whyte officially launched Barefoot Veggies, an urban organic farm in Oshawa, Ontario, on July 15, 2015. She even threw a successful, sponsored launch party where not even rain could stop DC representatives and other attendees from showing up to support Whyte’s exciting venture and sample the produce.

Since its launch, Barefoot Veggies has captured the attention of local media and benefited from strong word of mouth that’s drawing customers from surrounding areas, including Courtice and Brooklin. The unique Barefoot Veggies shopping experience of buying groceries that can be picked at the time of purchase sets Whyte’s business apart from conventional grocery stores.

Whyte’s garden is also becoming an experiential learning ground where children discover the nature of healthy foods while having fun and picking their own green beans and tomatoes. Parents are drawn to Barefoot Veggies to not only buy fresh organic produce for their families, but to also let their kids explore a fun, new side to nutrition.

Following the recent milestone of Barefoot Veggies’ one-year anniversary, Whyte is now turning her attention to growing her team and expanding her business. She’s planning to build an irrigation system for the raised beds that were recently added to the farm, and her greenhouse includes a nutrient filtration system with the potential to support over 1,000 plants. Her five-year plan also includes keeping her home open as office space and expanding through partnerships with community-based organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity.

Whyte is also looking to move her business toward the edible landscaping field, where she can teach people how to use their lawn space as a garden and grow their own fresh food. She hopes to continue teaching kids about growing their own food and has several ideas for continuing education courses on organic farming that she’d like to teach, perhaps even at Durham College.

“It’s comforting to know that FastStart is always around and I can always come back for help,” said Whyte. “I didn’t know much about business when I started, but it really helped me out.”

Asked if she now has advice for students with a dream or a business idea, Whyte shared: “If you just ask, stuff happens — you can’t sell a secret. Just do it. Don’t overthink it and it will come together.”

For more information or to connect with Barefoot Veggies: 

Website: www.barefootveggies.ca

Applications now open for FastStart’s Pitch It! student entrepreneurship competition

Have you envisioned a way to help combat the climate crisis? Have a beef with the state of industrial agriculture? Maybe you’ve dreamed up an innovative technique to enhance a trade or brainstormed a new IT or media technology? If you’ve spent time on any of these topics, it’s time to take your idea and Pitch It!

Applications are now open for Pitch It!, FastStart’s second annual entrepreneurship competition, which offers aspiring student entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet like-minded peers, get help bringing their ideas to market and win $500.

Students enrolled at Durham College (DC), Fleming College, Trent University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology are eligible to compete by submitting applications under one of four categories:

  • Agriculture and food
  • Information technology and media
  • The environment
  • The trades

Applications must be submitted by noon on Thursday, September 22. A judging panel comprising top-notch industry leaders will review all submissions and create shortlists of three to five entrants per category who will then battle it out in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch competition on Wednesday, October 5 for a chance to win one of four $500 prizes.

Pitch It! is presented by FastStart, an entrepreneurial training partnership designed to increase the entrepreneurship skills and awareness of college and university students, as well as help them to develop solid business plans and take their products to market. FastStart enables students to apply entrepreneurial thinking to their future careers, whether in startups, established businesses, social innovation or public service.

For more information about Pitch It! or to download a submission form, visit faststartfs.ca/pitchit2016.

DC receives $13 million in federal funding for new CFCE

Durham College (DC) announced today that it has received $13 million in funding from the federal government through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) toward the construction of the new Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) at the college’s Oshawa campus. The announcement was made by Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Liberal MP for Whitby, on behalf of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada at an event held at the college this morning.

The $13 million commitment, combined with the $22 million in funding received from the provincial government toward the building in April 2016, brings the total amount being invested in the CFCE to $35 million, the largest single-project investment by government in the college’s history.

With a total build cost of $40 million, the CFCE will replace the college’s aging Simcoe building, which was originally built as a temporary structure and opened in 1969. The new multi-level, 75,000-square-foot-facility, a legacy project tied to DC’s 50th anniversary in 2017, will serve as an educational access point for students while bringing together local, Indigenous and global community groups and members of key business sectors. The CFCE will be located to the east of the current building, where it will connect directly to the Student Services building, and is being designed to reflect and address the needs of both students and the community, including the desire for more collaborative learning and social spaces.

“On behalf of everyone at Durham College, I extend my sincere thanks to the federal government for this significant investment in our unique vision and commitment to creating a facility that will expand local programming, further connect Indigenous communities to post-secondary education and drive entrepreneurship and internationalization via Global, Open and Collaborative spaces that connect the college to more than 50 academic institutions around the world,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “Providing us with the opportunity to expand into new programs areas that offer experiential learning opportunities designed to match the labour needs of industry, the CFCE is a legacy building for the next 50 years that truly reflects Durham College’s dedication to meeting the demands of students, employers and Ontario’s changing economy.”

Designed to reflect DC’s commitment to working with local business and community partners to create a new facility where students, employees and the broader community can work together in ways that transcend the traditional concepts of education, the CFCE will house the following:

  • The School-College-Work Initiative and the affiliated Centre for Success program, a partnership between DC and the Durham District, Kawartha Pine Ridge District, Durham Catholic District, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District, and Trillium Lakelands District school boards that assists in-risk students by helping them find their way to college.
  • The Aboriginal and Student Diversity Centres.
  • Entrepreneurial, Innovation and Creative spaces including the Spark Centre, which will expand applied research opportunities for students, faculty and small-and medium-sized businesses.
  • Global, Open and Collaborative spaces 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.
  • Health science facilities including state-of-the art classrooms and labs; a spa focused on massage therapy, cosmetology and aesthetics; and programming centred around occupational therapy and physical therapy.
  • Foundation programs designed to prepare students for the continuation of post-secondary education at college or university.
  • Significant collaborative learning and social spaces for our students, faculty and community.

“These infrastructure investments will help create high-quality, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today, while also delivering sustained economic growth in the Durham Region for years to come”, said MP Caesar-Chavannes. “Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are strengthening the foundation for building Canada into a global centre for innovation.”

Since announcing plans to replace the aging Simcoe building in April, DC has made steady progress on plans for the CFCE. The construction and architecture tenders have been awarded and initial work is expected to begin this fall with construction to be completed in 2018. A comprehensive design consultation process involving the builder and architects is now underway with each of the services, programs and departments that will be moving into the CFCE.

“Durham College has long been a vital component of our community,” said Granville Anderson, MPP, Durham. “This significant investment from the provincial and federal governments, which supports expanded programming and enhances Durham’s state-of-the-art learning environment, provides the renewal necessary to continue that important work.”

The college will soon launch a capital campaign to raise the additional $5 million for the construction of the building in partnership with individuals, corporations, community partners and alumni over a two-year period.

Anne Sabat leaves legacy gift to students

Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced today a $900,000 donation from the Estate of Anne Sabat. The gift will be shared equally by the two institutions to create scholarships and bursaries for students to pursue post-secondary education.

Ms. Sabat, who passed away in 2015, was a longtime resident of Oshawa whose family built a successful dry goods and retail business after arriving in Canada in the early 1900s. Although Ms. Sabat’s father and mother had little formal education, they strongly believed in its benefits and this commitment was carried on by their children, and in particular Anne, who strongly supported the college and the university.

“My Aunt Anne took great delight in meeting with staff and students and learning more about their work, studies and needs. I know she was very pleased with her decision to make these gifts to both the college and UOIT, which will total almost $1 million,” said Sylvia Boissoin, Sabat family.

This generous bequest will create bursaries for graduates from DC’s Centre for Success (CFS) program. The program is a partnership between the college and five local school boards designed to enable in-risk secondary school students to complete their high school academic requirements in a college setting via access to smaller class sizes, flexible schedules and increased one-to-one access to teachers. Approximately $9,000 will be distributed annually to CFS graduates who are in need of financial assistance to continue their post-secondary education. In the event that none of the centre’s graduates meet the eligibility criteria for a given year, funds will be made available to other DC students facing financial hardship to help them continue their education.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Sabat family, and particularly to Ron and Sylvia Boissoin, who have served as executors of Anne’s estate and have worked tirelessly to ensure that her wishes to make this generous donation to DC become a reality,” said Don Lovisa, President, DC. “Thanks to their commitment to education and to the young people of Durham Region, more students will be able to continue their post-secondary education and go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives.” 

At the university, the legacy gift will be added to the Sabat Family Endowment. This fund rewards students with a minimum average of 80 per cent who are entering or continuing full-time studies. Annual income from the fund will be matched by the university to support as many as 12 annual awards with a value up to $3,000 each.