The entire Durham College family extends its congratulations to President Don Lovisa who was named the Business Person of the Year by the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade (APBOT) at its 19th Annual Business Excellence Awards, held at the Ajax Convention Centre on October 10.  

Lovisa was recognized for his leadership style, commitment to entrepreneurship on campus, community involvement, support of faculty and staff development and more. Addressing the audience as he accepted his award he said “I am both humbled and appreciative of this wonderful award and proud to be the president of Durham College. This award is a true reflection of the work of everyone at Durham College and affirms the direct social and economic impact we have on Ajax and Pickering and the broader Durham Region community.”

Under Lovisa’s leadership Durham College has become the fastest growing college in Ontario, moving from under 7,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students in his first year as president, to more than 10,000 at the start of the 2013-2014 academic year.

The college has also taken on several revitalization and construction projects including opening the Pickering Learning Site in September 2012 and the Centre for Food at the Whitby campus in September 2013. In addition, it has enhanced its academic programming via the introduction of more than 30 new full-time programs.

The Business Excellence Awards are given to outstanding local businesses and business persons in Ajax and Pickering for their achievements in several different categories including Business Excellence 1-9 Employees, Business Excellence 10-49 Employees, Business Excellence 50+ Employees, Global Business Excellence, Sustainability Champion and Business Person of the Year.

Congratulations President Lovisa!