In 1967, Durham College (DC) had just opened its doors and a brand-new program, Business Administration – Information Systems, was preparing students for careers in an emerging field.

This fall, members of that pioneering class returned to DC to celebrate their 55-year reunion, reconnect and reminisce how much the college has grown over the past five decades. The alumni met at Bistro ’67, DC’s on-campus teaching restaurant – a long way from the limited vending machine options the alumni enjoyed as students.

“When we’re together it’s just like we’re sitting in the classroom again,” said Adrian de Laat, who attended the event organized by Beth Sheyan and Gary Dionne. “Fifty years disappears and we just pick up right where we left off. We’re all proud to be DC graduates. I meet fellow alumni everywhere I go and I say ‘I’m student number 23.’”

De Laat and his friends have been connected for the majority of their lives, first meeting during their first semester.

“At the time I had the option to complete Grade 13,” explained de Laat. “But I had heard Durham College was opening up close to home and I was eager to start learning something I could apply to my future.”

After completing his credential, de Laat enjoyed a long career in information systems. Working at GMAC – a subsidiary of General Motors (GM) – right out of college, he set up their computer rooms, including the equipment, procedures, and practices. He was then hired on as a Programmer at GM in 1972. During his time at GM, he was promoted to progressively senior roles and then continued to work as a Senior Security Systems Analyst at Electronic Data Systems until retiring in 2005.

Looking back, de Laat credits DC’s industry-informed education for helping prepare him and his classmates for long, successful careers. “The faculty truly cared and treated us like adults,” said de Laat. “I remember Jim Walker took time to teach us how to write our resumes and do mock interviews to ensure we were prepared.”

They also reflected on how much the college has grown since its first year, noting the campus was made up of 16 portable classrooms. Lunch options consisted of four vending machines and a food truck operated by Tony’s Refreshment Services. All extra-curricular activities were organized by the Students Council, including the memorable Winter Carnival. DC’s first building was erected in 1970, during the final year of their program, and Alice Cooper came to play in the student lounge.

This reunion is not the first time the group has met up over the years. They began meeting in 2007 and have since met a total of five times. The driving force behind the ongoing reunions was their friend and classmate Rob Stewart who passed away in 2025. To honour their friend and celebrate his deep appreciation for DC, Stewart’s classmates made donations to the college, which supported the Faculty of Business and Information Technology’s annual Business Conference.

“Hearing stories about how our graduates’ time at Durham College shaped their lives always brings me joy,” said Sally Hillis, Senior Alumni Development Officer, Advancement and Alumni Relations. “I’m so thankful for people like Rob Stewart who inspire DC pride and life-long connection.”

This month, over 1,000 career-ready students and alumni from Durham College (DC) seized the opportunity to meet employers at the on-campus Job Fair.

Organizations from a wide range of industries sent representatives to events at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses, where they connected directly with students in search of full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions.

Students like Lisa-Marie Potthoff of the Finance – Business program made the most of the chance to meet directly with employers.

“I’m mainly looking for internships for the summer. I’ve already applied to a bunch of them online, but I think you make a better impression in person,” she said.

The annual event has become a tradition for students and employers alike, including Ontario Power Generation (OPG).

“It allows us to connect with young professionals and individuals and discuss the potential opportunities in Ontario’s power sector, in both renewable generation and our nuclear facilities,” said Draven Majoor, a nuclear operator at OPG as well as a DC alumnus. “We have a wide variety of roles across almost every kind of job you can think of, from communications, marketing and finance to engineering and operations.”

There were 85 employers at the Oshawa event, and 40 in Whitby. Like OPG, many of them were eager to meet students from a variety of disciplines.

“Every program brings skills and experience. Every student has a unique experience that’s excellent and that brings an opportunity that we’d be interested in,” explained Sergeant Gerald O’Kane of the Toronto Police Service.

For the City of Oshawa’s Supervisor of Talent Acquisition, Alex Holland-Guy, the proof of the event’s effectiveness was sitting right next to her. Talent coordinator Rachel Spade is a graduate of both DC and Ontario Tech University who enjoyed coming full circle and attending the event as an employer.

“It’s a rewarding experience to come back and see how far I’ve come, personally and professionally,” said Spade.

Her career success demonstrates the quality of the graduates produced at Oshawa’s post-secondary institutions, according to Holland-Guy.

“We have a lot Durham College and Ontario Tech graduates reach out to us, and their experience is always very impressive,” she said.

By engaging with employers and making connections, attendees at the Job Fair added crucial building blocks to their future careers. For Animation – Digital Production student Sarah Barcelos, it was invaluable.

“Just to be on our campus and have opportunities like this feels kind of inspiring. I’m going to take full advantage of it.”