May 31, 2010

Three gold and two silver medals won by Durham College students include national gold medal

OSHAWA, ON.– For the second time in the college’s history, a Durham College student has claimed the national title at the annual Skills Canada competition held May 20 to 23 in Waterloo, Ontario. Peter Coughlin, a student in the advanced Plumber Apprenticeship program, displayed his prowess with the pipes, winning the gold medal in the Plumbing division and giving the college its second-ever national title and third national medal in three years.

Prior to claiming the national title, Coughlin also won gold in the same category at the Ontario Technology Skills Competition (Skills Ontario) held in Waterloo from May 17 to 19. In addition, he received the prestigious honour of being named the Highest Placed Individual at the provincial event, marking the first time a Durham College student has received the distinction.

A number of other Durham College students also participated at Skills Ontario with outstanding results. Riley Andrusiak, a third-year student in the Computer Systems Technology program took home a gold medal at the provincial competition in the IT and Network Support division and finished just out of the medals at Skills Canada, placing fourth in the same category. Reuben Baker and Brittany Pap, both third-year Animation – Digital Production students, finished second in the 3-D Character Animation Team category and Christopher McFarlane, an intermediate Machinist Apprenticeship student, won silver in the CNC Machining division.

“Once again, our students have achieved exceptional results on the national and provincial stage,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “Their accomplishments are a direct reflection of the hard work and commitment they put into their studies and receive from their professors and re-affirms that the skills and programs taught at Durham College will prepare them for success in their professional careers. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them on their performance at these highly regarded competitions.”

Both annual competitions promote and showcase skilled trades and technology careers to youth across the province and country. In total, 17 students from Durham College took part in the provincial event with 14 individuals/teams placing in the top five in their respective categories.

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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 that will serve the growing needs of the emerging energy sector. Phase 2 will increase 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.ca or 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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