July 16, 2010

Oshawa, Ont. – Christopher Russell, a graduate of Durham College’s Police Foundations program in 2006 and a veteran of the Canadian Forces recently received an Alumnus of Distinction award at this year’s spring convocation ceremony held on June 18 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa.

Russell, who currently resides in Petawawa Ont., has bravely served his country overseas and at home, continuing a lifelong dedication to protecting the freedom and safety of others. Before enrolling at Durham College, he spent his summers at the Department of National Defence, joining the ranks as a company cadet warrant officer at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, Ont. in 2004 where he supervised 1,500 cadets while organizing field operations.

In 2007, Russell joined the Canadian Forces Military Police as a corporal and patrolman at CFB Petawawa, Ont. In September 2008, he was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan where he handled, processed and guarded detainees; escorted injured Afghans by medical air lift; and conducted forensic identification before being seconded to the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) for highly sensitive investigations.

As a result of his work and service in Afghanistan, Russell was awarded the General Campaign Star Medal for service, the Sacrifice Medal for injuries sustained and the CFNIS Commanding Officers Commendation. Russell has also provided his specialized services to the community, as a volunteer of more than 280 on-call hours and 20 hours of on-scene service for the Victim Services of Durham Region.

The Alumnus of Distinction Award honours the extraordinary contributions Durham College graduates make to society while achieving career success.

About Durham College 
At Durham College, the student experience comes first, an approach it has taken for more than 40 years. Through a vast range of market-driven programs that are taught by exceptional professors with real-world experience, students develop the skills required to meet the ever-changing needs of employers and the job market. Moving forward, Durham College’s expansion plans will see its Whitby campus grow by 40,000 square feet. Phase 1 of the construction features an energy-neutral living laboratory for new technologies and education to serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. Phase 2 is increasing the size of the Skills Training Centre to create classroom and laboratory space to support new program development and Phase 3 will be a Food Centre designed to house culinary arts programs; a food and agricultural component; a food processing centre and agriculture and science laboratories. Durham College has more than 7,000 full-time students, thousands of part-time students and more than 1,400 apprentices. For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.caor call 905.721.2000.

Media contact: 
Michelle Roebuck
Communications, Marketing and External Relations
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

 

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