Durham College celebrates 2025 Alumni of Distinction recipients Posted on May 28, 2025 at 9:42 am. This year, Durham College (DC) welcomes five individuals to the long list of outstanding graduates who have been recognized as the college’s Alumni of Distinction. The 2025 Alumni of Distinction recipients Jeremy Burns, Aaron Dale, Chris Cull, Shawn Small and Paula Sojo, will be celebrated at DC’s Spring Convocation. “We are so proud to celebrate this group of inspiring DC graduates,” said Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations. “Each of them has found success in a career path using their own experiences to guide and assist others.” 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. Thousands of graduates will celebrate their achievements next month at DC’s Spring Convocation, which takes place from Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 19 at the Tribute Communities Centre. Police Foundations student wins $5,000 Durham College tuition credit Posted on October 29, 2024 at 1:46 pm. First-year Police Foundations student James Fluri is the lucky winner of a $5,000 tuition credit from Durham College (DC). The annual contest is open to all Durham College applicants who register for campus events such as Open House, Program Information Nights and even scheduling a one-on-one appointment with the Start at DC team. Fluri was entered into the draw after taking a campus tour earlier this year and announced as the winner on October 28. The Oshawa resident said he was surprised and excited to win the draw. Durham College President Dr. Elaine Popp met with Fluri and his parents Jim and Christina Fluri and congratulated them. “Education really does transform lives, it gives you opportunities – doors will open that weren’t there before so consider it a gift and an investment in yourself and make the most of it,” said Popp. “I’m very excited about it,” said Fluri. “It’s going to help me go after what I want to do and I’m excited for this opportunity.” Christina Fluri said when they first found out their son won, they couldn’t believe it, but when the news sunk in, it felt great to know that the prize means he will save $5,000 in potential student debt. She said her son has wanted to be a police officer since he was four-years-old and she still has a picture of a police car he drew in kindergarten. Before starting at DC, he was an honour roll student in high school. “We’re proud of him,” she said. Fluri said he’s excited about pursuing his goal of becoming a police officer and he’s enjoying his program, which he started in September. “It’s something that really interests me and something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time so Police Foundations is a great way to get into that,” he said. Interested in exploring options for financing your education? Connect with the Financial Aid and Awards office can help. And if you’re attending DC next year, it could be your turn to win!
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