Durham College celebrates 2025 Alumni of Distinction recipients

Jeremy Burns

Penelogy and Youth, 2005
Law and Security Administration, 2004

Aaron dale

Police Foundations, 2005

As Canadian Armed Forces veterans, Burns and Dale have a personal understanding of the gaps in support for military veterans. Together, they co-founded the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP), a pioneering initiative designed to support Canadian military veterans in their transition to civilian life and improve public safety. The program is now part of mandatory training for Toronto police officers and more than 18,000 people have participated in the training in Canada. MVWP has been adapted internationally and is in the process of implementation in Australia, Ukraine, and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). Burns graduated from the Penology and Youth program in 2005 and the Law and Security Administration program in 2004, while Dale graduated from Police Foundations in 2005. Both have served as Toronto Police Service officers for the past six years.

CHRIS CULL

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician, 2007

A 2007 graduate of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician, Cull’s inspiring achievements in health sciences are rooted in his personal transformation from opioid addiction to recovery and advocacy. Collaborating with DC’s Social Impact Hub, he created his 2023-2024 docuseries, Surviving Addiction, which highlights the humanity behind addiction and how it affects individuals and those surrounding them. A motivational speaker, filmmaker, and policy consultant, he has advised numerous institutions, including but not limited to, the Ontario Health Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, the Government of Canada, and the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. In addition, he is a member of the World Health Organization's Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Neurological and Substance Use Conditions.

SHAWN SMALL

Sports Administration, 1998

Founder and President of RISE Integrated Sports + Entertainment, Small has built an agency that champions diversity, inclusion, and innovation in sports partnerships. Throughout his career, he has spearheaded major sponsorship initiatives for organizations, including Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Northern Super League, and the Canadian Elite Basketball League. An industry leader, he regularly shares his insights as an event speaker, panellist, and awards judge. Beyond driving measurable success for sports organizations, Small is dedicated to mentorship, helping to guide the next generation of sports leaders. He has also made an impact on DC students, previously teaching in the program that shaped his own professional journey in 1998, Sports Administration, and serving as a member of the Program Advisory Committee.

PAULA SOJO

Photography, 2025
Video Production, 2024

At the age of 18, Paula Sojo was diagnosed with a severe case of Crohn’s disease, resulting in 17 surgeries and a permanent ostomy. Determined to help others, she teamed up with her brother to found Ostome Fashion, a thriving business that provides fashionable and empowering options to all ostomy users. With help from family, friends, and mentors, she has not only changed her life but also promoted representation and acceptance and empowered her community. Sojo is a 2024 graduate of the Video Production program and will cross the Convocation stage for a second time this spring as a 2025 graduate of DC’s Photography program.