Celebrating five years of student success: Durham College to honour Centre for Success graduates Posted on January 19, 2011 at 9:22 pm. More than 130 secondary school students will be recognized during on-campus ceremony January 19, 2011 OSHAWA, ON. – Bill Robinson, chair of the Durham College Board of Governors will join more than 130 secondary school students at the college’s Oshawa campus on Monday, January 24 as they celebrate their completion of the Centre for Success program. The program, operated by Durham College, helps decrease secondary school dropout rates by engaging students in a college environment and demonstrating the many pathways to post-secondary education. Students will also be joined by their families, representatives from Durham College and teachers and principals from the Durham District, Durham Catholic District, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District and Kawartha Pine Ridge District school boards. Beginning as a pilot project at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax, Ont. in 2006, the program has more than quintupled its original enrolment and gained ongoing support and partnerships from numerous school boards, colleges and universities in just five years. By completing the program, most of this year’s students will have also fulfilled their Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements while successfully completing one college-level course. Supported by the Ministry of Education’s Student Success/Learning to 18 program and the joint Ministry of Education and Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ School College Work Initiative, Centre for Success offers students an opportunity to study outside of a high school environment and consider their post-secondary options. While completing their high school diploma, students have access to support systems and state-of-the-art amenities while experiencing small classes and hands-on teaching. When: Monday, January 24 Reception: 12:30 to 1 p.m. Ceremony: 1 to 2 p.m. Who: Bill Robinson, chair, Board of Governors, Durham College; Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, Durham College; Susan Pratt, professor and co-ordinator, Centre for Success program, Durham College; Representatives from various school boards; and Secondary school students, teachers and principals. Where: Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre gymnasium Durham College 2000 Simcoe Street North Oshawa, Ontario Parking: Enter off Conlin Road and proceed to Founders 3 parking lot. For more information contact: Michelle Roebuck Communications, Marketing and External Relations Durham College 905.721.2000 ext. 2197 michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations. SHARE: