Graduating students gathered to meet with vendors, enter draws and learn about the perks of being Durham College alumni at annual Countdown to Grad event.

Durham College graduating students gathered for the third annual Countdown to Grad celebration in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC) gymnasium at the Oshawa campus on March 6 to prepare for their fast-approaching spring convocation.

The aroma of pizza greeted guests as they mingled; applied for graduation; received gifts; and explored the many perks available to them through the Durham College Alumni Association. TD Insurance Meloche Monnex and Manulife Financial were also on-hand to discuss the special insurance discounts available to alumni.

“I’m so excited to graduate,” said second-year Journalism student Nicole Patton. “I didn’t know about all of these things. This is a great way to start thinking about graduation, and the pizza was great too.”

The Alumni Association offers a variety of programs and activities year-round to benefit its growing membership. The association now has a Facebook Alumni page open to the college’s 56,000 alumni, and hosts a bi-annual contest for a $100 Keg gift card.

“I think it’s important for the Alumni Association to get our names out there,” said Lori Connor, alumni relations officer.

The association offers discounts at the CRWC, access to the Campus Library and career advisors. In addition, alumni receive many discounts at a variety of outside venues including Canada’s Wonderland, Casey’s, Choice Hotels, Ontario Place, and Wild Water Kingdom.

Access to these benefits is granted through the Durham College alumni membership card, which is mailed out to all graduates after convocation and can be expected sometime in July. Students are urged to change their address if they are planning to move after graduation, so they are able to take advantage of the benefits.

Another Countdown to Grad event will take place on Thursday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for graduating students at the Whitby campus. The event will take place in the student lounge.

For more information on the Alumni Association, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/alumni.