July 16, 2010

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College congratulates Michael Whittaker of Moncton, N.B. on receiving an Alumnus of Distinction Award at this year’s spring convocation ceremony, held on June 18 at General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ont.

A 1977 graduate of the Public Relations program, Whittaker has been instrumental in building some of Atlantic Canada’s best known food brands and products. In 1981, Whittaker joined Grinner’s Food Systems (franchisor of Greco Pizza). Under his marketing direction and campaigns, Greco grew to more than 130 franchises and is now the largest pizza chain in the Atlantic region.

Since 2005, Whittaker has served as president and partner of Trucorp Investments Limited (parent company of Grinner’s and Bonte Foods) and in 2006, he added the title of president of Bonte Foods Limited. Under Whittaker’s leadership, Bonte Foods has since become one of Atlantic Canada’s most distinctive and versatile food manufacturers.

In 1995, he was awarded the President’s Award of the Canadian Franchise Association for his outstanding contributions to Canadian franchising and was named one of Atlantic Canada’s top 50 CEO’s in 2004 by Atlantic Business magazine.

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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