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DC professor Chris Daniel named Outstanding Educator by OACETT

Durham College (DC) Professor Chris Daniel has been named a 2025 Outstanding Educator by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), earning province-wide recognition for his student-focused, hands-on approach to teaching the college’s Mechanical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technician programs.

Chris received the award at OACETT’s Annual General Meeting in Windsor this June. Nominated by his own students, Chris was celebrated for his outstanding teaching, mentorship, and dedication to experiential, industry-aligned education.

His dedication was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Chris and his students leveraged innovation and campus resources to design and deliver support for frontline workers – just one example of the meaningful, real-world learning he brings into the classroom.

“When I realized that my students had taken the time to write letters to support my nomination indicating that I had such a massive impact on them – it meant a great deal,” Chris said in an interview, reflecting on the recognition.

Inspired by a family of educators, Chris knew from the age of nine that he wanted to teach. His approach blends classroom instruction with real-world experience, creating opportunities that connect students directly with industry demands.

“Chris’ passion for engineering education is clear from the moment you meet him,” said Liam Croft, a 2025 graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program and one of the students who nominated Chris for the award. “He is an enthusiastic and energetic instructor, who excels in relating complex concepts to practical applications while keeping classes fun and engaging. Many of my favourite academic memories come from the friendly design competitions incorporated into his classes.”

Chris’ commitment to the student experience extends far beyond the classroom.

“The time Chris invests in his students’ development to ensure they’re prepared for both the technical and personal challenges of their careers is truly inspiring,” said Tania Clérac, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering Technology. “This award is a well-deserved recognition of his impact, and DC is proud to have such a dedicated leader championing our students’ success.”

“Watching my students blossom, having those connections with them and playing a role in guiding them in the field they choose, that’s the real reward,” said Chris.

D.G. Biddle visits Whitby campus to celebrate support for DC’s Civil Engineering Technician and Technology programs

Durham College (DC) welcomed local civil engineering and planning services consultancy, D.G. Biddle & Associates Limited, to the Whitby campus in March to celebrate their gift of $50,000.

D.G Biddle’s generous donation allowed the college to purchase a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for use in the Civil Engineering Technician and Technology programs, greatly enhancing students’ hands-on learning experience.

During the visit, first-year Civil Engineering Technology students, James Gallagher-Conejo and Zain Khan, demonstrated a double shear test on aluminum and copper.

“A UTM can be used to perform tensile, compression, shear, double shear, hardness, and flexure tests on materials like steel, aluminum, brass and copper,” explained Myla Minelli, Program Coordinator. “These tests allow students to understand how materials behave under different loading and how they are applied in real-world construction scenarios.”

After the demonstration, guests visited the D.G. Biddle & Associates Limited Computer-Aided Design Lab, named in recognition of the firm’s generous support for capital equipment at DC – the college’s top fundraising priority at this time.

“We’re proud to support students at Durham College,” said Michael Carswell, Managing Principal, D.G. Biddle & Associates. “We like to hire local talent and believe that supporting DC’s programs is a great way to contribute to the education of those seeking satisfying and rewarding careers in civil engineering.”

In 2024, D.G. Biddle & Associates Limited marked the company’s 50th anniversary. Located in Oshawa, their team includes technicians, clerical, and field personnel providing civil, structural, mechanical, electrical engineering and planning services to both private and public clients. Over the years, D.G. Biddle has built a strong partnership with the college, offering co-op and field placements to students as well as hiring DC grads.

“I’d like to thank Michael and the team at D.G. Biddle for seeing the value of DC’s civil engineering tech programs,” said Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations. “This investment in our programs and students ensures our students have access to the equipment and opportunities they need to acquire the experience employers are looking for.”