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DC Alumni reconnect while cheering on the Oshawa Generals

It’s always a good time when Durham College (DC) alumni get together – especially when the home team gets the win. With the Oshawa Generals taking the lead in the third period, it was good cheer all around at the annual DC Alumni Hockey Night on January 24.

Hosted by the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA), the event welcomed DC alumni, employees, and their friends and family to watch the Oshawa Generals take on the Peterborough Petes at the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC). Guests reconnected while enjoying dinner and the game in the TCC’s Medallion Lounge.

“Durham College Alumni Hockey Night brought together more than 170 attendees this year, showcasing the incredible strength of our alumni community,” said Mary Weller, Alumni Officer at DC. “A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsor, TD Insurance – their support makes nights like this possible!”

At the top of the game, DC’s Vice President, People, Equity and External Relations, Bonnie St. George; DCAA President, Drew Samuels; and DC’s mascot, Lou, represented the college during the ceremonial puck drop.

Next year, the DCAA will be celebrating the 10th DC Alumni Hockey Night. DC grads are encouraged to watch for more information about this and upcoming events in the digital Alumni Newsletter or on DCAA’s Instagram account.

Durham College to honour exceptional graduates with 2025 Alumni of Distinction Award

Durham College (DC) has been providing dynamic, hands-on learning for over 50 years, and our graduates can be found all around the world, contributing to their communities, making a positive impact and driving change. Each year, DC recognizes some of our remarkable graduates through the Alumni of Distinction Award. Nominations for this year’s awards are now open.

DC’s rapidly-growing alumni community exceeds 116,000 people who play impactful roles both locally and internationally. Since 1990, more than 120 alumni have been honoured with the Alumni of Distinction Award. Recipients are chosen based on their professional, community and personal accomplishments, the scope of their impact, as well as their contributions to the advancement of DC. Winners have ranged from respected medical practitioners to accomplished broadcasters and leaders in sport.

“We are proud of all our alumni, who are making a difference around the world, using the skills and knowledge learned at Durham College,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, President, Durham College. “This award is our opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional contributions they are making in their communities while recognizing and celebrating their remarkable achievements.”

The 2024 Alumni of Distinction included Shelby Nelson, Vice-President of Florida Operations for the Toronto Blue Jays, and Adam Ruppel, founder of Chico Racing and co-founder of Mud Hero and the Drive Festival at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

The nomination form is available online at www.durhamcollege.ca/alumniofdistinction and must be submitted to alumni@durhamcollege.ca before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 7. The award recipients will be recognized at DC’s Spring Convocation in June.

Durham College grad receives G.W. McLaughlin Award

Durham College (DC) alumnus Kyle Douglas has been named the 2024 G.W. McLaughlin Award recipient by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC), recognizing the profound impact he has made in his community. Selected by the Chamber’s Board President, this award is given to an individual who displays exceptional dedication to the community, outstanding career achievement, civic pride and who has been a mentor, both in business and in life, to the Board President.

“Kyle truly embodies the spirit of the G.W. McLaughlin Award,” said GOCC CEO, Jason King. “I’ve only known Kyle for just over three years. In this time, I’ve seen firsthand his dedication to both the Chamber and the Oshawa community. His easy style of community leadership, enthusiastic commitment to service, and genuine care for others make him more than deserving of this recognition.”

Winning this award so early on in his career underlines Douglas’ natural commitment to community, which he says was instilled in him by his family who emphasized the importance of giving back. In addition to leadership roles on various Chamber committees, he also served on the GOCC’s Board of Directors from 2018 to 2019, making him the youngest President in the Chamber’s history.

Outside of his involvement with the GOCC, Douglas currently volunteers his time through coaching his children’s sports teams, on the Durham Regional Police Appreciation Dinner & Awards Night committee, and as a Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA) Board Director.

“Joining the DCAA Board of Directors felt like a great way for me to stay connected with the college,” explained Douglas. “To give back to the institution that played such a pivotal role in my life is really important. I’ve always believed that supporting the alumni association strengthens the community. It’s inspiring to see the positive impact our college has on students and the local workforce.”

A 2011 graduate of DC’s Human Resources – Business Administration program, Douglas began his DC education as a mature student and attributes his choice to enroll at DC to the college’s strong presence in the community. In his role as Manager, Corporate Services at DKI CRCS, a family-owned business started by Douglas’ parents, he acknowledges his company hires a large percentage of DC grads from a wide range of programs.

“Durham College provides their students with the practical skills and real-world experience they need to succeed in their career,” said Douglas. “You can get an education anywhere, but when you have top-level faculty, staff and facilities, it really makes it difference in in what students get out of their school.”

DKI CRCS provides residential and commercial restoration services from their offices in Oshawa and Peterborough. The company just celebrated its 45-year anniversary in September.

Music Business grad nominated at 2024 Canadian Live Music Awards

This spring, Durham College (DC) alumnus Brendan Kennedy was nominated in the Road Warrior (Tour Manager) of the Year category at the 2024 Canadian Live Music Industry Awards (CLMIA), recognizing his more than 10 years on the road working with bands including The Glorious Sons, Valley and Billy Talent. The 8th annual CLMIAs took place on June 4 and celebrated Canada’s live music industry.

Kennedy grew up in Brockville, Ontario, playing in local bands as a drummer. In a small town with minimal resources, he also took on the role of promoter and sound technician – creating a clear vision for a career in the music industry.

Coming from a musical family, with both of his parents being teachers, he was encouraged to get a post-secondary education in an area he felt passionate about. He enrolled in the Music Business Administration program at DC and graduated in 2013.

“I went into the program with a pretty solid goal of what I wanted to accomplish, but the courses and faculty helped me understand how the whole music industry ecosystem works,” said Kennedy. “I took every available opportunity to gain experience doing sound. I did every open mic and took on a really big leadership role at The Reel Music Festival.”

The Reel Music Festival, now Oshawa Music Week, is an annual event organized by students in DC’s Music Business Administration/Music Business Management program and features live music showcases, entertainment for music lovers, and music-industry education for aspiring and established music-business practitioners.

After graduation, Kennedy moved to Toronto with his band, but quickly found his existing connections in the industry were opening opportunities for him to kick-start his career off stage. He began working in the studio with his friend, and future Juno Award-winning producer, Derek Hoffman. He then secured a position doing sound at two Toronto venues working DJ nights and shows. A bartender at one of the venues was Chris Cresswell from Canadian punk-rock band, The Flatliners. Cresswell heard Kennedy mixing a show and invited him on tour.

Since that first tour, Kennedy has been on the road with different bands consistently for 10 years touring Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada and the United States.

He attributes his success not only to technical skills but to soft skills like organization, problem solving and an ability to connect with people. “You have to be good at your job, but being personable is also important,” he said. “I’ve been told I’m a very patient person, so that helps. I’ve always attributed that to my grandparents because they were so patient with my cousins and me as kids.”

A self-described open-book, Kennedy returns to campus when he can to offer guidance and inspiration to current students. His advice to those starting out in the music industry is to find an area you enjoy and stick with it.

“If you know you want to go into tour management for example, find people in that role to network with and just work really hard at that one thing. Putting yourself out there is the most important thing you can do in this business, and if you can stick close to your goals, it’ll pay off.”

* photo credit: Becca Hamel