June 11, 2010

Event will also feature honorary credential recipient; six Alumni of Distinction Award winners

OSHAWA, ONT. – Durham College will recognize the convocation of its 50,000th graduate next week as more than 2,500 students celebrate their graduation at the college’s annual spring convocation ceremony on Friday, June 18.

Students will be joined by family and friends and Durham College faculty members, staff and administration as they receive their diplomas and certificates from the schools of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology; Business, IT & Management; Career Development & Continuing Education; Communication, Language & General Studies; Health & Community Services; Justice & Emergency Services; and Media, Art & Design.

In addition, the college will present its first-ever honorary credential to Dr. Peter Zakarow, former chair of the college’s Board of Governors, in the category of Business Administration, and present Alumni of Distinction awards to Margaret Campkin, Wayne Clarke, Eugene Dupuis, Ron Motum, Christopher Russell and Michael Whittaker.

A native of Oshawa, Ont., Dr. Zakarow owned and operated his own dental practice in Oshawa for more than 40 years and was elected as the youngest-ever president of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons in 1962.

He received the prestigious American College of Dentist Awards Fellowship in 1988 and the Prime Minister’s Certificate of Distinguished Service in 1989. On the 125th anniversary of the confederation of Canada, he received the Governor General of Canada Award and was also awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for years of community service.

Dr. Zakarow began his association with Durham College in 1982 as a college governor, volunteering and canvassing for donations at numerous fundraisers. After serving as vice-chair of the Board of Governors, he was named chair in 1985, a position he held until 1987. During this time, he was also a member of the college’s Dental Advisory Committee and was instrumental in implementing the Dental Hygiene program.

In 1996, Dr. Zakarow resumed fundraising efforts for the college, serving as the lead gifts chair for Creating Futures campaign.

Campkin, a 1985 Nursing program graduate, is a patient care manager with the Critical Care department at Lakeridge Health Corporation and a part-time professor with the college’s Critical Care Nursing program.

Clarke, a 1971 General Business – Office Administration graduate, is a property and tax assessment administrator with Halloway Developments Limited and has spent 20 years working in the financial sector. He is also past president and a current member of the Durham Region Home Builders Association.

Dupuis, a 1979 Sports Administration graduate, has spent more than 25 years in the advertising division of Metroland, the country’s largest suburban newspaper chain. He is also responsible for the successful launch of CJSB The Bear radio station in Ottawa, Ont., and the launch of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s first-ever consumer show.

Motum, a 1974 Chemical Technology graduate, is an instructor in the college’s Water Quality Technician program following more than 34 years in the chemical technology and operations sector including 32 years with the Region of Durham’s Works department.

A 2006 Police Foundations graduate, Russell has served his country abroad and at home with the Department of National Defence including being deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan where he earned a General Campaign Star Medal, Sacrifice Medal and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service Commanding Officers Commendation.

A 1977 Public Relations graduate, Whittaker has helped build some of Atlantic Canada’s best-known food brands and products. He is currently president and partner of Trucorp Investments Limited, president of Bonte Foods Limited and co-owner of both Haystacks Media Production and OPCO Restaurants.

When:

Friday, June 18

9:30 a.m.
School of Justice & Emergency Services
School of Communication, Language & General Studies
School of Career Development & Continuing Education
Russell to receive Alumnus of Distinction Award

1:30 p.m.
School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology
School of Business, IT & Management
Dr. Zakarow to receive honorary credential in Business Administration
Clarke, Dupuis and Motum to receive Alumni of Distinction awards
50,000th graduate to cross the stage

5:30 p.m.
School of Health & Community Services
School of Media, Art & Design
Campkin and Whittaker to receive Alumni of Distinction awards

Where:
General Motors Centre
99 Athol Street East
Oshawa, Ontario

For more information contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications, Marketing and External Relations
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

 

 

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