FALLING INTO THE STORYCurrently, Hunter is a repor ter, photographer and submissions editor, and manages the online edition of Wawatay News in Thunder Bay.
BUILDING A BETTER BRANDStrengthening the college’s public image.
DURHAM COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE WINTER 06 | VOL. 57
DEAD MAN TALKINGThe patient is not human. He is a simulator, called SimMan.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE ALUMNIASSOCIATION
Dear fellow members:
I am pleased to report that your Alumni Association Board ofDirectors are hard at work, putting together new and excitinginitiatives to roll out over the coming months. Our dedicatedgroup is focused on providing our members with new value foryour membership.
As representatives of Durham College, each of us has a uniquestory to tell about our experience here as a student, and in thecoming months we will be focused on gathering many of thosestories to share. We have untold numbers of successfulgraduates, both those that are successful professionally, as well as other who are equally successful through lives filled with rich experiences. As part of our focus on raising the profileof alumni, we are excited about sharing those stories with thepublic, and prospective students.
I look forward to working with many of you in the weeks aheadas we reinvigorate our programming, and move forward on anexciting new course.
As always I am open to your comments and suggestions andlook forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Laurie Beaton Class of ‘75
President,
Durham College Alumni Association
Class of '96International Sales & Marketing
10 Year Reunion, June 2006
For more information, please contact
Helen Mercedes Brown
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 613.531.9044
4
IS PUBLISHED BY THE DURHAM COLLEGE ALUMNI OFFICE, P.O. BOX 385, OSHAWA, ONTARIO L1H 7L7T: 905.721.3035 | F: 905.721.3201E: [email protected]: 21,000ABOUT THIS ISSUEPUBLISHER: DONNA MCFARLANEEDITOR-IN-CHIEF: GINNY COLLING
EDITORS: KATHERINE KALICZYNSKI AND CLAIRE MCNABBCOPY EDITORS: KATIE ARSENAULT, LINDSAY BAX,MEGHAN CHRISTIANSEN, JILLIAN COURNEYEA,ANGIE GURLEY, JENNI JOZKOSKI, R.J. NAVIA,KRISTEN PEN, RACHEL REID, CRYSTAL SAMUEL,SARAH VANDEWALKER, MICHELLE WHITE, JOSH ZORZI
REFLECTIONS IS WRITTEN AND EDITED BY DURHAM COLLEGEPUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENTS. PUBLICATION AGREEMENT#4006455
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:DURHAM COLLEGE, P.O. BOX 382OSHAWA, ONTARIO L1H 7L7E-MAIL: [email protected]
WWW.DURHAMCOLLEGE.CA/ALUMNI
WINTER 2006CONTENTS
5 DISTINCTLY DURHAM
6 PRESENTING…ACCEPTANCE
7 NEW INITIATIVES UNDER DEVELOPMENT BY ALUMNI
8 BUILDING A BETTER BRAND
9 GOLD DIGGER
10 AND THE AWARD GOES TO
11 FALLING INTO THE STORY
12 SCULPTURE EN’COMPASS’ES SCHOOL SPIRIT
13 DEAD MAN TALKING
15 OPG ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION PARTNERSHIP
16 TRAVELLING ON THE SPEED OF LIGHT
17 DOMINATING THE DIAMOND/
ATHLETE MAKES SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
18 NEW KIDS IN THE HALL/O’NEIL BROWN
19 IN MEMORIAM
REFLECTIONS
MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI OFFICE
Over the past few months, your Alumnioffice team has been busy preparing newopportunities for involvement with theCollege, as well as new affinity programsto benefit our alumni membership.
Some examples of this are the newAlumni in Admissions program, our newreunions initiative, and our soon to be
launched Graduates of the 21st CenturyProgram.
The aim of all of these is to demonstratehow valuable alumni are to DurhamCollege, and to extend opportunities foreach of you to maintain involvement withthe campus community.
Day after day our campus continues togrow, both in terms of physical size, and
our student population. Our goal remainsthe same, to consistently seek to provideexcellence in education for each of ourstudents.
As always, our Alumni office is here toserve you, and should you have anyquestions, please do not hesitate to callus at 905.721.3035, or by e-mail [email protected].
www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
5 REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
CHRIS BOVIEby JENNIFER MCCALLUM
Considering he ismanaging editor ofOshawa, Whitby,Clarington This Week,it is no surprise that inthe afternoon youmust wait in line tospeak with DurhamCollege Alumnus ofDistinction ChrisBovie.
A 1987 graduatefrom the college'sJournalism program,Bovie came toDurham withaspirations of being asports writer. Now inhis 11th year withOshawa, Whitby,
Clarington This Week, his job title has changed but he says hestill loves the news and likes to get involved in any way he can.
“To me, the most rewarding part, at this stage, is beinginvolved in a news story, and still getting my hands involvedthat way,” says Bovie. “Any time I can be involved in the newsand help in even a little way - for instance, helping a reporteror giving them an idea they maybe didn't have and it makes abetter story - that to me is something I love to do.”
Having been awarded with the Alumnus of Distinction thispast spring, Bovie says he was humbled by the honour. Hesays he appreciates it and all of the people who made itpossible but, when it comes down to it, he does not do his jobfor attention or praise. He does it because he loves the job. Helikes the news business and wants to make a difference.
“There are so many great people out in the community. It'snice to be rewarded, but I don't think of myself as any betterthan anyone else,” says Bovie. “You work hard and you try tohave an impact in your community. Anyone who does not do itfor that reason is doing it for the wrong reason. Their heart isnot where it should be.”
Bovie credits his career successes to working with goodpeople. He says a newspaper is a team and if the paper doesa good job or a bad job, it reflects on everyone as a whole. Itis this selflessness and love of the job that makes Bovie trulyan Alumnus of Distinction.
KEN BABCOCKby MICHAEL D'AGOSTINO
Ken Babcock wasdestined to work in thefield of athletics. An avidsports fan and athlete, heis not only a graduate ofDurham College's SportsAdministration programbut, as the college'sathletic director, has risento become an integralpart of the community.Recently, he washonoured with theAlumnus of DistinctionAward for his work.
“I was very surprisedthat I won,” saysBabcock about hisaward. “I work with suchgreat people and it is
very much a team effort here. They are the ones in thetrenches doing the work, and the fact that I was nominated bya co-worker was a great honour.”
Babcock earned his award through the work he has donewith local youth. On top of overseeing the annual summercamps for kids at Durham College (DC) and the University ofOntario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Babcock developed aprogram for Durham elementary students that promotes theimportance of staying in school. College athletes regularlyvisit elementary schools to bring home that message.
“Ken is very active in the community and exemplifies exactlywhat Durham College has to offer,” says Laurie Beaton, presidentof the Durham College Alumni Association. “He has done well forhimself professionally and overall in life. Ken is an outstanding all-around candidate for this award.”
As the athletic director of DC/UOIT, Babcock oversees thegeneral operations of the Campus Athletic Centre, whichincludes marketing and promotions, intercollegiate athleticsand the summer camp. He has also spent a good part of thepast year researching ideas and planning for a new athleticcentre that is due to open in 2007, as well as putting togethera university varsity program which will launch in the fall.
“There are some neat challenges ahead,” says Babcock. “They are important and benefit the students and that is whattruly makes this an exciting job.”
DISTINCTLY DURHAM
6www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
by MAJA IVKOVIC
His presentations were once illustratedby stick figures. Now John Draper has aprofessional illustrator to increase thequality and appeal of his work.Nevertheless, his message remains thesame.
“I want to…build a college and universitythat is accepting and inclusive of studentswho have a disability,” says Draper, a 2005Journalism graduate.
From the age of 16, he has been tointernational conferences and schoolsacross Canada to make presentationsgeared to improving equality for people withdisabilities. The young entrepreneur wasalso a guest speaker at the most recentmeeting of the Ontario Journalism
Educators' Association.
Born with cerebral palsy, Draper uses a wheelchair to get around and acommunication board and laptop computerto 'speak.' On his communication board, hepoints at letters and common phrases tospell out and put together sentences. As he points to the letters and phrases, hisattendant reads them out. His laptop comesin handy for e-mail and his presentations.
The technology is relatively simple toengage. For instance, a quick click ofDraper's knee switch flips on hisPowerPoint presentation. He also uses ahuman voice recording of his presentationand humourous tactics, stories and jokes toget his point across and make the audiencefeel at ease.
“In a perfect world I have a laptop thatworks,” he quips. “I will be concentrating onmy computer screen during most of my
presentation, but periodically I will look upto check if you're still awake.”
Draper conducts these presentationsbecause he has faced many problems in hislife. He says he is aware as a non-speakingindividual that it is often difficult for peopleto be comfortable with his type ofcommunication.
“I know people are worried that theywon't understand me. I have watchedsenior administrators at this educationalfacility break into a cold sweat and facultymembers become frozen with fear becauseI want to communicate with them,” the 25-year-old tells his workshop audience.
“Some have tried to avoid me byattempting to outrun my wheelchair, I now have a turbo engine. Some try toignore me, but I eventually track them down in their office and park my wheelchairin the doorway so they can't get out.”
JOURNALISM GRADUATE JOHN DRAPER
NOW GIVES PRESENTATIONS ABOUT
ACCEPTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
PRESENTING.. .ACCEPTANCE
PH
OTO
BY
MA
JA IV
KO
VIC
7 REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
NEW INITIATIVESUNDER DEVELOPMENTBY YOUR ALUMNIOFFICE - WINTER 2006
It was Draper's difficult experiences as aperson with a disability that inspired him toteach others about how people withdisabilities can be treated as equals withinthe community. He said it is important forhim to freelance his work and continuerelaying his message. Occupationaltherapists, Early Childhood Educationstudents and teachers are all examples ofpeople he has presented to.
“The first time I met John he told me tohave patience with him. I told him to havepatience with me,” says Rob Paxton,Draper's former Journalism teacher. “Youdon't want to rule out having aconversation with him, so after a while youlook beyond the guy in the wheelchair -that's John. I probably learned as muchfrom him as he did from me.”
In his presentations to teachers, Draperstresses the importance of believing instudents with disabilities-that they can besuccessful in their courses. Teachersshould keep an open mind and not makeassumptions about the help these studentsneed. As long as students with disabilitieshave the tools they need, they will haveequal access to education.
When he applied to the JournalismProgram, the young man believed he couldhandle all of the requirements except one-photography. He had no idea how he couldtake pictures. But the teacher believed hecould do it and together they found a way.With the right equipment, like a tripod onhis wheelchair tray and a digital cameraoperated with an accessible switch, Johncould snap his own shots.
Recently, the former student completedresearch on another presentation he planson conducting about media language. It will address the proper ways to writeabout people with disabilities. Forexample, a writer should first address theperson and then the disability. So Draper isnot a disabled person, but a person with adisability.
Now that he has completed college, he isin the process of starting his own publicspeaking business.
Through his seminars, Draper says hewants to “make a difference…and changehow people think.”
ALUMNI IN ADMISSIONS
Do you remember how you chose toattend Durham College? Did you havequestions about what life on campus waslike, what type of job you might get aftergraduation, what your post-secondaryexperience was going to be like?
The Registrar’s and the Alumni officesat Durham College are teaming up toprovide prospective students withanswers to many of these questions, butto do so, we need help from alumni in allareas of study.
Recognizing that alumni are some ofthe best ambassadors in communitiesacross Ontario for what the DurhamCollege experience is really like, theAlumni in Admissions program connectsyou with prospective students to provideanswers to some of their questions.
We are searching for alumni who wouldbe interested in running presentations atrecruitment events outside of thesouthern Ontario /Greater Toronto Area.As well, our hope is that alumni will alsobe aware of stellar students in theircommunity who they feel DurhamCollege should work to recruit.
If you're interested in helpingprospective students choose theireducational path, consider working withDurham College to attract some of thebest and brightest minds to study on ourcampus. Please contact the Alumni officeat 905.721.3035, or by e-mail [email protected].
REUNION IN A BOX
Have you ever wanted to catch up withold classmates or wanted to attend areunion for your program, but didn't knowwhere to start? The Durham CollegeAlumni office has created a simple
solution - the Reunion in a Box. Thisguide to organizing a reunion answers themost commonly asked questions abouthow to organize a successful reunion,what the costs are, and how to contactformer classmates.
This program is aimed both at facultyas well as alumni who are interested inorganizing a reunion. The Alumni officehas also recruited staff and volunteers toensure your event is a successful one.
If you are interested in organizing areunion, please contact our office at905.721.3035, or by e-mail [email protected]
GRADUATES OF THE 21STCENTURY
Since 2000 Durham College has seenour Alumni population grow byapproximately 10 percent year over year.This large group of young Alumni facenew challenges in the ever-changingworkplace.
The aim of the Alumni office is toprovide opportunities to remain engagedwith the campus community, and toprovide support through existingservices to assist you in achievingsuccess in the 21st century workplace.
Over the coming months watch fornew events aimed at our young alumni,including pub nights, career andemployment advice, and tips on moneymanagement. The Graduates of the21st Century program is beingorganized by new graduates, and theyare always looking for new recruits toassist them in getting this program upand running. For more information onthis initiative, please [email protected].
continued from page 7
8www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
McDonalds has its golden arches andits record of community service. TimHortons has its reputation for qualitycoffee. Today corporate branding iseverything from corporate colours to thequality of its product. It is definitely morethan just the company's logo, it's about acompany's look and feel.
Building a corporate brand consists ofcreating value, acceptance and loyalty inconsumers. “Brand is a way you packagea college,” says Carol Beam director,Design and Marketing at Durham Collegeand the University of Ontario Institute ofTechnology (UOIT). “It is so much morethan what it appears.”
A web presence can be an importantpart of building a brand. A website iscurrent and hands on. Durham and UOIThave won awards for such things aswebsite design and online accessibility.The websites are great for immediateinformation gathering and communicating.Potential students and parents still requireprinted communication as well, so about50 per cent of the college'scommunication remains paper-based.
The Communications and Marketingdepartment is focusing on having thecollege's image resonate well with thepublic. They want the public to be able toidentify and relate to the college withouthaving to think twice about the school'strue meaning.
“High job rates, increasing growth andhigher learning standards are a few keymessages that Durham College tries toemphasize,” says Beam. “Getting themessage across to all our markets will takesome time.” Research has been completedin order to appropriately target and reflectthose key messages, so the school cansuccessfully enhance its brand.
To develop these messages, the collegeheld focus groups from September toNovember to gather information fromfaculty, staff, high school students, currentstudents, and board members. Thecollege's current promotional material andits website were also discussed.
“We wanted to find out how consumersreact to our product,” says Beam. “Theresearch from the focus groups tells usabout the importance of having to sell thebrand, how the public perceives us, andwhat we need to focus on.”
After creating the messages and visualsfor Durham, the Communications andMarketing department will unveil a newbrand before welcoming students this fall.
CAROL BEAM, DIRECTOR OF
DESIGN AND MARKETING, IS
WORKING WITH FOCUS GROUPS
AT THE COLLEGE TO STRENGTHEN
THE COLLEGE’S PUBLIC IMAGE.
by NICOLE MANDZIUK
BUILDING A BETTER BRAND
9 REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
DAVID CHAMBERS IS WORKING HARD TO RAISE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AS PRESIDENT OF THE DCFOUNDATION AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT AT UOIT. by CAT WILL AND ERIN FARQUHARSON
GOLD DIGGER
David Chambers' first foray into diggingtook place at an archeological site inBritain. These days, he is digging for goldat Durham College (DC). With hischarismatic personality and extensiveexperience in the field, Chambers was theideal choice for president of the DurhamCollege Foundation and vice-president ofAdvancement at the University of OntarioInstitute of Technology (UOIT). His dualposition at DC and UOIT reflects exactlywhat these schools strive for unity.
A native of Hamilton, Chambers studiedat McMaster University in BusinessAdministration and Commerce, and has hisCertified Fundraising Executiveaccreditation.
Chambers and his department are morethan halfway to their $100-million goal. Thefunds generated in the campaign will go toscholarships and bursaries, research, newbuildings and other areas of the campus.
Chambers has been fundraising for mostof his professional career. He wasadministrator to the Bach Elgar ChoralSociety, establishing a subscription seriesat Hamilton Place and a small touringchoir. He served as director of operationsfor the Toronto Symphony Orchestra duringits move to Roy Thomson Hall. Mostrecently, he served as president and seniorpartner of The Goldie Company, asuccessful Toronto-based fundraising firm.Although he holds accreditation in the fieldof fundraising, he credits his abilities tobeing a generalist, listening, having asense of humour and, above all, respectingothers.
After completing university, Chambersbegan the first of his travels to England,where he took part in a restoration projectof a 16th-century village. He found thatthis experience taught him newdimensions in learning, cultural
differences, attitudes and standards ofliving, all of which he says are importantaspects of his current position. He feelsthe opportunity to educate himself onother cultures both past and present wasworth the trip. It was certainly a humblingand enlightening experience.
“In the whole scheme of things, we areall pretty fortunate to be where we are,”says Chambers. “If we look at the fragileworld that we live in, we realize all thechallenges that we have are problems thatare pretty miniscule compared to otherparts of the world. We have many seriouschallenges here at Durham College andUOIT. However, we have a wonderfulhistory of success, and we have muchinspiration to build on, including a stellarstudent body, faculties, committedvolunteers and staff.”
The same can be said of Chambers himself.
10www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
AND THE AWARD GOES TO.. .PRESIDENT GARY POLONSKY HAS WON MANY AWARDS IN HIS 18 YEARSAT THE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY. NONE, UNTIL NOW, HAS BEEN FORARCHITECTURE. by LARISA CAPAR
Gary Polonsky has risen to new heightsonce again while building school spirit—literally. Recently, he accepted the 2005Advocate for Architecture Award from theRoyal Architectural Institute of Canada.The award recognized Polonsky’s majorcontribution to the elevation ofarchitecture and his long-term support forthis profession in Canada.
September 26, 2005 marked Polonsky’s18-year anniversary as President ofDurham College and May 9 willcommemorate his fifth year as Presidentof University of Ontario Institute ofTechnology (UOIT). Durham College hasbeen nominated for architectural awards inthe past, but this was the first time thecollege and university combined havebeen successful in winning an award.
“This was a team award, and it’s greatbecause it’s recognition for us emergingas a lovely, peaceful, safe and I hopeinspiring campus. I hope students feel thatit is great because that’s what it’s allabout,” says Polonsky.
Through his vision and direction, abeautiful campus was designed—something that Polonsky considers ratherironic given that he lives with two learningdisabilities in the areas of depthperception and spatial relations. He madesure the campus was not overly lavish, butbeautiful, and that it exceededexpectations. The new buildings were builtfrom Canadian materials, and the campuswas constructed in a way that was bothcost-effective and energy efficient.
“In a nutshell, working with GaryPolonsky was fantastic,” says Mike Szaboof Diamond and Schmitt Architects. “Hereally set the tone and vision for the entire
project, and showed fantastic leadershipskills.”
The campus leaves room for a lot ofnatural light and has plenty of alcoves toslip into for studying, socializing, or simplyrelaxing. The buildings on campus are amaximum of four storeys high, whichleaves them looking intimate and notintimidating. The Durham College/UOITcampus is wheelchair accessible and veryaccommodating for everyone.
The recent award does not mark the endof growth for the DC/UOIT campus, as thewave of expansion is not due to subsideuntil 2010. In the next couple of years, athird residence will be built as a result ofthe demand for more on-campus housing,along with new academic buildings,sculptures, a new Simcoe Building andPolonsky’s favourite project that has yet tobegin, the River Valley. Once it comesalive, the River Valley will be a peacefulsite just off Conlin Road, where students,staff and neighbours will be able toexplore nature, study and reflect.
“We are the Canadian story of the last10 years in education,” says Polonsky.“Nobody has risked what we’ve risked, orachieved more. We will be one of theworld’s greatest campuses. It takes morethan bricks, it takes attitude, vision, policyand the physicality of a gorgeous campus.It took a sensational team, and there is alot more to come.”
With Polonsky’s retirement fastapproaching, he says he feels lucky tohave been a part of this major constructionproject in Canada and looks forward to what lies ahead for Durham College and UOIT.
11 REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
Joyce Hunter used to follow her siblingsaround the house, asking them questionsto the point of them telling her to stopbugging them. That childlike curiosityeventually developed into a true passionthat would determine her career -journalism.
“I just fell into it,” says Hunter, who is nowa reporter for Wawatay News in ThunderBay. “I thought I was going to be a jet-setting reporter, but at the beginning of thejournalism program the teachers quicklytold us that probably would not be thecase. I stuck with it anyway.”
Good thing she did. At 26 years old andwith four years experience in the field,Hunter already has a unique collection oflife experiences that would make any jet-setting reporter jealous.
Hunter grew up in a small Cree villagecalled Peawanuck on the coast of HudsonBay. She is a Mushkegowuk native and isfluent in the language of her birth. Thevillage that she is from has permafrost yearround, so the trees do not grow very tall.Most people will tell you about raccoonsrunning around their neighbourhood, orducks they see at a local pond. Hunter, onthe other hand, tells people about thebeluga whales, polar bears, seals, andsometimes even wolves that wander intoher village at night. She recalls a time whenher aunts and uncles took the kids on boattrips 15 kilometres up the bay.
“We would hunt, collect berries, andsmell sea salt. One time, I was sitting on aboulder by the water with my cousin. At thetime we didn't notice, but a polar bear wasapproaching us,” she says. “Another of mycousins was trying to get our attention froma distance, but we thought he was waving,so we waved back. We did manage to getout of harm's way. Polar bears are not aswhite and fluffy as they appear ontelevision.”
Hunter started school a year early and, atthat point, could not speak English. By thetime she was in Grade 7, her vocabularywas at a Grade 10 advanced level. Theyoungest of 10 siblings, Hunter left homewhen she was 13 years old to attend highschool, which is common for First Nationschildren. While attending Timmins High,she lived in a boarding home.
There was a period of adjustment,though, as many of Hunter's customs wereopposite to those of the culture she wasstepping into. Where she grew up, a youngperson did not look an elder in the eyewhen they were talking. Instead theybowed their head as a show of respect. Inthe south, not making eye contact wasseen as disrespectful and possiblydishonest. She had to learn and accept thecustoms of her neighbours to the south inorder to be successful in her new world.
During a school year, Hunter would onlymake three trips home to visit family. Once
she finished high school, she went on tocollege in North Bay.
Good recommendations, an opportunityto travel, and the chance to meet newpeople prompted Hunter to attend DurhamCollege. Her first day at Durham came inthe fall of 1999.
“When I walked into Durham, I wasnervous. It was different than what I wasused to,” she says. “People would thinkthat I was Polynesian. They would neverguess I was Cree. It was weird.”
The hands-on aspect of the school wasvery appealing to Hunter, who stillremembers going to court to cover adangerous-offender hearing. She speakshighly of the teachers and the support staffthat she met during her time at Durham.Still, there were rough times. In particular,the passing of a close cousin and noopportunity to go home to his funeral at thetime really hit her hard. Her grades startedto slip, and she was not doing well.
“The teachers and support staff weregreat,” she explains. “I don't think I wouldhave graduated if it wasn't for them. Theyare damn good at what they do. I lovedthem. Still do. They gave me everything Ineeded to succeed and I'm forever gratefulfor that.”
Gerry Rose, Journalism program co-ordinator, remembers Hunter as anexcellent reporter and a conscientious
FALLING INTO THE STORY by MARINA GARBUTT
12
student. As a reporter for the Chronicleshe was willing to tackle anyassignment and come back with thestory.
“She had the ability to get to theheart of even the most complicatedstory, and present it in clear terms tothe reader,” says Rose. “I never hadany doubt that Joyce would be asuccess in the journalism business.”
Currently, Hunter is a reporter,photographer and submissions editor,and manages the online edition ofWawatay News in Thunder Bay.Wawatay is part of an organization thathas television, radio, and a newspaper.Her coverage area includes theNishnawbe Aski Nation - an areaspanning two-thirds of the province ofOntario - and has 49 First Nationcommunities. The paper covers FirstNations issues and stories that gobeyond that. Topics are up for grabs atthe small weekly, but right now Hunteris covering a lot of political stories.
“I attend a lot of chief meetings. Atthis time, resolutions are passed,which is basically like passing by-laws,” Hunter explains. “It is verydifferent from attending municipalmeetings. I have learned to respect alot of chiefs because they really knowwhat they are talking about.”
Despite what mainstream media hassaid about poor education levels inFirst Nations people, Hunter haslearned the chiefs are articulate, andwell-versed on the issues affectingtheir people and are speaking out.Their passion is matched only by hersas she continues to do what she loves.
She says she has learned to reallyput herself out there when she iswriting a story and believes the peoplethat have influenced her most arethose who can be strong during tryingtimes.
“I'm doing something that Iabsolutely love,” says Hunter. “In myshort time as a reporter, I have metreally amazing people, that have addedto my life experiences. They have reallytouched me.”
continued from page 11
There is a 40-foot high,steel-posted objectsprouting from the ground infront of Durham College thathas students asking, “Whatis that?” This mysterysculpture is a fusion of artand technology, and is thebrainchild of Animation andDesign Co-ordinator DarBolahood. With its fourjagged points reaching inopposing directions, thecreation is simply known asThe Compass.
According to Bolahood,every detail of The Compasshas meaning that embodiesschool spirit.
“The panels are like thepages of a book, but thearrangement suggestsgrowth . . . the freedom offlight,” Bolahood says.
Even the invisible parts ofthe sculpture can relate to Durham College. The framework underground isprecisely installed to connect the tower to the bars of steel, which Bolahood seesas, “a metal receiver that gathers energy out of the earth, and sends it outward,”summarizing the education cycle at Durham College.
The Compass is composed of four steel towers, with louvered panels on the endof each in the combined RGB (red, green and blue), and Painter's Colour Wheelcolours: blue, red, green and yellow. The poles are aligned to four directions, whichallows The Compass to serve as a sundial.
“The blue tower casts the most intense shadow, and that's aligned to true North.If you're looking directly down the axis of the blue and yellow towers and the sun isright on that line, it's solar noon,” Bolahood says.
Bolahood designed The Compass using the software Maya. Last summer, shespent four weeks working alongside engineers, welders and contract workers toperfect the creation.
“Planning, researching, thinking it through and solving problems is a huge part ofany design,” Bolahood says. “The Compass is meant to pay homage to all of thepeople that are here, and how dedicated they are. People can always do their bestand things can't always be perfect, but that positive belief is huge. That's what thisis all about.”
SCULPTUREEN’COMPASS’ES SCHOOL SPIRITANIMATION AND DESIGN CO-ORDINATOR DAR BOLAHOOD'SNEW SCULPTURE TOWERS OVER THE SOUTH WING ENTRANCE.by JENN MCCARTHY
www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
13 REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
DEAD MAN TALKING
It's her first day as a nurse on thehospital's cardiac floor. She has to find herpatient's room, check that she has the rightfile, and complete his chart. She finds theroom and quietly goes in. It looks like herpatient is asleep. As she approaches he stirsand yells, “Go away!” When she tries tocheck his vitals, he tells her he's sick andwretches violently. Disgusted, she dartsaway from the bed and looks across theroom to where June MacDonald-Jenkins, aprofessor with the Collaborative Nursingprogram at Durham College (DC), ismonitoring her every move and laughing.
“That was purely for entertainmentpurposes,” MacDonald-Jenkins tells her.
All jokes aside, the patient is not human.He is a simulator, called SimMan orSimulation Interactive with Mannequins,used in the Health-Care Learning Centre ofthe Collaborative Nursing program.
In the winter of 2004, the provincial
government granted funding to nursingschools across the province to purchasesimulators and build labs mimicking ahospital setting. Using the governmentfunds, the school purchased 14mannequins, or four complete families, fromLaerdal, a Norwegian company specializingin high-tech medical equipment. Each familyincludes a mother and father, a child aged
seven or eight and an infant. All themannequins have their eyes closed and theirmouths half-open. They are life sized andweigh approximately what their human
counterparts would weigh. They are sorealistic that MacDonald-Jenkins says shewould take the baby home with her if shecould.
Anaesthetists, medical students andparamedics were once the primary users ofsimulators. That's why all the mannequinshave their mouths half-open and their eyesclosed. They are all patients who are underanaesthetic. Simulators are now being usedin nursing schools because diseases suchas SARS forced students out of thehospitals and back into the classroom. As aresult, teaching practical skills in theclassroom presented unique challenges toprofessors. For students to hear a heartmurmur, MacDonald-Jenkins would runcircles around the classroom to get herheart rate up. Then when the murmur wasaudible, all 40 students would try to listen toher heart.
“Now I have 14 simulators who are morethan happy, on command, to repeat
by COSETTE KAZARIAN
THIRD-YEAR NURSING STUDENT KELLY PETTUS PRACTISES HER BEST HANDS-ON SKILLS BY TAKING SIMMAN'S PULSE.
FACING PAGE: (TOP) PROFESSOR
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN STUDIES
JUNE MACDONALD-JENKINS MONITORS
SIMMAN'S REACTIONS.
(BOTTOM) MACDONALD-JENKINS AND
PETTUS CHECK SIMMAN'S VITALS
AFTER ADMINISTERING OXYGEN.
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14www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
everything,” says MacDonald-Jenkins. “It'snot as exhausting for me as it once was.”
Since this technology is so new in thenursing world, many studies are beingconducted to gauge its effectiveness.Wendy Stanyon, assistant professor of theCollaborative Nursing program at theUniversity of Ontario Institute of Technology(UOIT) and Susan Sproul, with the sameprogram at DC, are sharing a $250,000Research grant with McMaster and Westernuniversities. Stanyon and Sproul want toanalyze how the simulators enhance critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Duringthe three-year study researchers also wantto look at how well the simulators preparenurses for practice in the real world.
“There is an assumption by most nursingfaculty that the simulators will never replacethe practicum experience but will enhancethat experience,” says Stanyon.
Before going to a placement, students canpractise a variety of skills in the lab usingSimMan such as: take a patient's pulse andblood pressure, 'give oxygen', insertcatheters, IVs, or feeding tubes. The firsttime the simulators were used in theclassroom, some students were “freaked-out” because of the capabilities of theSimMan. The mannequins are run through acomputer-driven box and a monitor.Professors plug in their laptops anddownload a different series of instructions toeach simulator. These instructions make themannequins move, talk and breathe.Professors also have remote controls, whichthey use to change the instructions at will.During one class, the teacher had a SimManscream while a student was checking himfor a pulse.
“Well, didn't the student jump back andscream too. It was a bit like a horror movie,”laughs MacDonald-Jenkins.
Several cameras and a speaker aremounted at strategic points near each bedwhere the “patients” are sleeping. Thisallows the professor to observe and recordthe exchange between patient and nurseand burn it on CD for analysis. Students canthen review their actions and learn throughself-reflection. Teachers can also stopunfolding events, playback any incidentsand debrief students immediately.
Sometimes it's disabling for a student tocome across a “high risk, low frequency”event. These are situations where the patient
almost dies (“crashes”). Students wouldn'toften encounter these conditions in apracticum setting. Using the simulators inthe lab, professors can make a patient crash25 times a day. Students' initial shock andfear lessen with each encounter, so whenthey do come across these same incidentsin a hospital, they won't have that dread todeal with. MacDonald-Jenkins sayssimulators are valuable tools in teachingpractical skills.
A necessary innovation in the nursingworld, SimMan is being rolled out across allyears in the Collaborative Nursing program.Although the lab is extremely advancedtechnologically, with wireless capability anduse of laptops, the patient is still the mainfocus in nursing. Through the use oftechnology, the school is creating a cultureof critical thinking.
“We're going to have some of the bestnursing students come out of our doors,”says MacDonald-Jenkins. “Thinkers first anddoers second, always.”
WHAT'S NEXT ?
The Collaborative Nursing program isnow developing another initiative, whichgoes hand-in-hand with the SimMan,called Virtual Clinical Excursion (VCE).Faculty are working with an Americancompany to create a virtual hospital torun like a video game. Students willchoose a patient's chart andinformation, then go to the video andexperience the interactions with thepatient on screen. Later, students willanswer a series of questions based onthe scenario they experienced.However, the VCE doesn't have theclient contact. That's where the Health-Care Learning Centre comes in.Students will go into the lab, where thegame they played is re-created with thepatient simulators, giving them thepractical experience they need.
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ONTARIO POWER GENERATIONANNOUNCES $10 MILLION PARTNERSHIP
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has revealed its plans for a $10-millionpartnership with the University of OntarioInstitute of Technology (UOIT) and DurhamCollege. The agreement providesexceptional training facilities to help OPG meet the labour need for energyspecialists in the coming years.
“Over the next decade, Ontario PowerGeneration will be challenged with helpingthe province meet an ever-growing need for electricity at the very same time weexperience as much as 50 per centattrition in our skilled workforce due toretirements,” says OPG President, JimHankinson. “This investment is an integralpart of our succession plan to ensure wehave the best-prepared candidatesavailable to replenish our knowledge-based, skilled workforce.”
The funding will come in the form of $2million installments annually over the nextfive years. To honour OPG for itscontinued generosity, the new engineeringbuilding on campus, which is due to openin September, will be named the OntarioPower Generation Engineering Building.This building will be equipped withleading-edge technology and thenecessary tools to train the engineers offuture generations.
“Today's students truly are tomorrow'sleaders and it is up to us as an institutionand a community to ensure they have theresources and training they require tomeet the challenges of our ever-evolvingworkplace,” says Gary Polonsky,president of UOIT and Durham College.“OPG is helping to make that happenthrough this financial contribution, throughthe mentoring and placementopportunities it provides students, andthrough continued partnerships.”
The partnership between OPG andDurham College existed well before thisagreement. The proximity betweenDurham College and the two main nuclearstations at Darlington and Pickering hasled to a win-win situation for both OPGand the college. Durham College offersfuture workers with its Power Engineering
Technician program and UOIT offers future engineers with its NuclearEngineering program, which is also the only program of its kind in Canada. Inreturn, OPG will donate money andresources over the next five years,culminating with this generouscontribution.
This business association betweenOPG, UOIT and Durham College willcontinue to have a positive impact on thecommunity at large. With access toexceptional facilities, the university canattract the best professors and students.With so many brilliant minds, researchopportunities will abound. As theuniversity grows, so too will thecommunity, which will nourish theeconomy.
While the agreement has numerousbenefits for all parties involved, it is not the end of the long-standing collaborationbetween them.
“We have been a presence in thiscommunity for more than four decades.Today's investment and our many othercommunity investments demonstrate that we intend to be here for many moreyears to come,” says Hankinson.
by TIFFANY WRY
TOP: EXECUTIVES AND FACULTY
PRESENT FOR THE UNVEILING OF
THE NEW OPG CAMPUS PARTNERSHIP.
FROM LEFT, DR. GARY POLONSKY,
DC/UOIT; DR. GEORGE BEREZNAI, DEAN
OF ENERGY SYSTEMS AND NUCLEAR
SCIENCE; JIM HANKINSON, OPG
PRESIDENT; THOMAS COUGHLAN,
STUDENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT,
AND DR. MARC ROSEN, DEAN OF
ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE.
16www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
The sun is truly shining on the DurhamCollege (DC)/University of Ontario Instituteof Technology (UOIT) Solar Car Team.With the planning stage complete, theteam is now building a prototype to seewhat a full-scale model will really look likeand how well it will perform. The target ofthe team is to have a vehicle in motion bythis summer, and to compete in the NorthAmerican Solar Challenge in July 2007.
Visiting the University of Western Ontariosolar car team and having Queen'sUniversity bring its car to the campus lastyear helped the DC/UOIT solar car team in
its planning process. Also, the team'sVice-President of Recruitment, GeoffChadsey, was a volunteer for the NorthAmerican Solar Challenge. One of thelargest solar car races, the challengestarted in Texas, winding 4,000 kilometresnorth to Winnipeg and heading west toCalgary. The race takes place over 12days and brings together some of NorthAmerica's top colleges and universities.The top speed of some cars is around 125kilometres per hour, while cruising speedis from 60 to 80 kilometres per hour.
Chadsey shared his experiences at theNorth American Solar Challenge.“I'velearned many different lessons from theother schools in the race that will help oursolar car team be competitive in 2007.Most importantly, the race isn't won with agreat car but won by a great team behinda great car,” says Chadsey.
The team is much more than a learningexperience; it shows the benefits of solartechnology. “Part of our mission is toeducate students and the public about
renewable energy and sustainabledevelopment” says Team PresidentSamveg Saxena. The team is launching aneducation campaign for Durham Regionstudents in Grades 5 and 11 because theyhave units based on energy conservation.They believe this would benefit thestudents because they can learn by doingand will eventually have a chance to see afunctional solar-powered car in action.Since this project is entirely studentdriven, it can show younger students thatwith the right motivation and inspirationthey can accomplish tremendous things.
To help raise funds to support theircause, the team has launched an Adopt-A-Cell program. The top of the team's caris covered with 509 photovoltaic solarcells that sponsors will be able to “adopt”at a cost of $50 per cell. The team islooking for individuals or groups willing todonate and be a part of history by helpingfund the first-ever DC/UOIT solar car,estimated to cost $218,000 to build.
For further information about the Adopt-A-Cell program or general infoabout the team, call: 905.721.3111 ext.6980, e-mail [email protected] or checkout their web-site at www.uoitsolarcar.ca.
SOLAR CAR PRESIDENT SAMVEG
SAXENA SITS IN THE CUTOUT OF
THE SOLAR CAR
by J. GREGORY CODDINGTON
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17 REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
“This is our house,” is the slogan of the Durham LordsWomen's Fastball Team. Their motto could be: “This is ourprovince.” Last year, they brought home their twelfth provincialgold medal and this year, they entered the 2005-06 seasonwith a four-year winning streak, winning over 43 consecutivegames. They also won silver in October at the 2005 OCAAWomen's Fastball championships in Hamilton.
Team Coach Jim Nemish says, “The secret to the team'ssuccess is both in the coaching and what the girls bring to theteam. We can teach the fundamentals and the basics to thegirls and let their individual talent take over.”
This year, the team of 15 is led by three captains: KristenPandoff (pitcher), Vanessa Chaborek (catcher) and KarenMcWilliams (second base).
The women's fastball team works on being focused,aggressive and playing at a competitive level. They are trainedto work as hard on the fundamentals of the sport as theywould on their education. Sheena Viner excelled in her firstyear on the team. The first base player says, “It can be hard tobalance school work and sports but you have to be in goodacademic standing to do sports.”
To help them succeed on and off the diamond, all new andreturning players annually attend a time management seminarthat talks about juggling school, varsity sports and practices.
Durham has fielded a women's fastball team for almost 20years. Taking over from Coach Richard Snowden, Nemish hascoached the team for 17 seasons. Under his leadership, theteam has made the podium every year but once. The team ishighly respected in the province and south of the border inNew York, Illinois and Michigan where they went 2-2 againstU.S. competitors last year.
Viner says, “One thing I am learning from this fastball varsityexperience is the spirit of teamwork and helping each othertowards a common goal.” The Durham Lords plan to continuedominating the diamond with the same spirit of teamwork.
She entered the doors of DurhamCollege as a stranger to all, but left asthe girl no one could ever forget. InOctober, Erin Smith, former varsityathlete, was profiled in Sports Illustrated,one of the most popular sportsmagazines in the world. It wasn'tsomething she expected, but somethingshe always dreamed of.
“It was the beginning of September when I was first told Iwould be profiled in Sports Illustrated,” says Smith. “Irepresented the Durham Lords in both volleyball and fastball.However, I was profiled because of my fastball achievements. Ididn't know how to react because it wasn't something I wasever expecting. I knew it would be a day I would never forget.”
Smith went to Durham College for four years, starting in theGraphic Design program and graduating with an Advertisingdiploma. During her time at the college, she received manyprestigious awards for her athletic excellence. She was namedan OCAA League All-Star in both volleyball and fastball. She was also named the Player of the Year in OCAA Women'sFastball and was recognized as the top pitcher in the provincefor the third time. Smith led her team to their third straight goldmedal and also a 42-game unbeaten streak. She also led the volleyball team to a bronze medal and ranked second in the entire OCAA in scoring. In 2005, she graduated as the most decorated female student athlete in the history of Durham College.
“I had many great experiences at Durham College. I metmany people in my courses and also through various sportingevents,” says Smith. “Although I enjoyed all the time I spent atDurham College, my two fondest memories were winning OCAAAthlete of the Year and having my No. 11 fastball jersey retired.”
Although Smith hasn't pursued a career as an athlete, she stillhas a strong passion for sports. She plans on working to pay offher student loans over the next year and will then pursue acareer in advertising, a field where knowing how to win isparamount. And as her athletic record shows, that is somethingSmith does exceedingly well. During her four years at DurhamCollege, Smith impressed many, including athletic director,KenBabcock.
“Erin Smith is a student athlete that comes along only every10 or so years. She is a quiet leader who leads by heractions,” says Babcock. “Simply a good person, good studentand superior athlete.”
DOMINATING THE DIAMONDTHE WOMEN'S FASTBALL TEAM HAS BEENHARD TO BEAT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. by JAMILA KYARI
ATHLETE MAKES SPORTSILLUSTRATEDby KRYSTLE RUSSEL
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NEW KIDS IN THE HALLby LEA WATTERSON AND AMY TERMINESI
Whether she was stepping up to theplate or setting herself up on the court,Samantha Langford was always on theball. A 1997 graduate with diplomas inSports Administration and BusinessMarketing, Langford was recentlyrecognized for her athleticaccomplishments by being inducted intothe Durham College Sports Hall of Fame.
“I began playing sports when I was quiteyoung,” says Langford. “I had a reallygreat physical education teacher whoencouraged us to try anything at leaseonce and to always give it our best. I
decided to try volleyball, baseball, soccer,basketball, and track and field. I alwaysseemed to excel at athletics, and foundvery quickly that it became my passion.”
At Port Perry High School, Langford wasnamed captain of her school volleyballteam, and held the position untilgraduation, when she was recognized forher outstanding athletic accomplishmentsand named Athlete of the Year.
Langford wasn't finished yet. The nextphase in her athletic career came whenshe joined the women's softball andvolleyball teams at the college. She playedsoftball for three years and varsityvolleyball for four years. Because of heroutstanding abilities, her No. 4 jersey wasretired in April 1997.
“Samantha was an exceptional studentathlete in both softball and volleyball atthe college level,” says Ken Babcock,athletic director at Durham College. “Shewon six medals for her outstanding
athletic skills, as well as countless otherindividual awards.”
Langford continues to play volleyballregularly and has also become acompetitive beach volleyball player. Morerecently, she completed her firstmarathon.
After graduation, Langford worked forthe Ontario Volleyball Association and hadthe opportunity of a lifetime to volunteer atthe 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.Currently she is working for the graphicdesign firm Spencer Francey Peters. Inthe future, she hopes to be back workingin the sports field.
As for becoming a member of thecollege's Hall of Fame, she remainsappreciative and humble.
“It's funny. At some Durham Collegefunctions since my graduation, KenBabcock introduced me as 'SamanthaLangford, a future Hall of Fame star,' andit always made me blush and smile.”
O’NEIL BROWNby EMMA BOWIE
O'Neil Brown spent three years at DurhamCollege lighting up the soccer field. Afternumerous awards and championships, he'sfinally hit a goal that only 25 Durhamathletes have achieved. In November, hewas inducted into the Durham CollegeSports Hall of Fame.
“It is an honour to be a part of DurhamCollege's tradition of athletic excellence, andnow to be a part of its history is fantastic,”says Brown, who was the first Durhamathlete to get drafted professionally.
“It's great to be the first Durham Collegeathlete to be drafted pro, but I definitely willnot be the last,” he says.
After graduating from General Arts andScience and Business Administration heplayed pro for 12 years. He started off hisprofessional career with the EdmontonDrillers and later played for the Toronto
Thunder Hawks and Toronto Shooting Stars,all in the National Professional SoccerLeague (NPSL). This small defenceman hasmade a name for himself in the Canadianprofessional soccer circuit.
“The first time I saw Brown play I knew hewas a great player. He made other playersbetter by leading by example. His work ethicand consistent high level of performancemade him stand out on the field,” saysformer teammate Anthony Whitney.
While at Durham College Brown picked upmany awards including OCAA All-Star twoyears in a row, CCAA All-Canadian in 1995-96, and Durham College Men's Soccer MVPin 1994-95 and 1995-96.
Brown now lives in Barrie with wifeNatasha and son Jamal. A projectmanagment employee with WESCO, hetries to keep active within the grassrootssoccer movement by volunteering as acoach with the Barrie Soccer Association,as well as instructing at minor league clinics in Toronto.
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Robert Anderson, known to most as“Speeder,” brought enthusiasm and passion into the classroom. A PoliceFoundations professor at Durham Collegefor only six years, Anderson left us muchtoo early this past July.
With well-respected opinions, Andersontaught students with encouragement andlove. He facilitated student successwhenever possible.
“He was very demanding and strict, hedidn’t fool around, but he was always fair,”said former student Chris Paiero.“Students respected him.” The respectwas mutual. Anderson always tried tobring out the best in people.
Graduating at the age of 20 andbecoming a Metropolitan Toronto Policeofficer was his life-altering fate. With over25 years experience, Anderson brought
many great qualities to Durham College.Being a well-rounded investigator andundercover drug operative allowed for agreat understanding of the technicalitiesof law. He could articulate legal cases,and held an outstanding reputation withlawyers and fellow officers. This honourablereputation extended beyond the force.
As Paiero says, “He was simply a goodguy. He was a big influence on the entirePolice Foundations program and will begreatly missed.”
During his time at Durham College,Anderson created a course on wire taplaw and investigation, which is still beingtaught. Not only did he try to help theprogram as a whole, he tried to reachstudents on a more personal level.Anderson started the annual JusticeStudies Golf Tournament to help thosewho were financially troubled.
“Speeder” will not only be missed by former students and the School of Justice faculty, but also by his belovedpartner Corinne.
IN MEMORIAMFRIEND, COLLEAGUE, MENTOR - ROBERT “SPEEDER” ANDERSON by CARLY SIMONSE
ROBERT “SPEEDER” ANDERSON
(LEFT) WITH COLLEAGUE (RIGHT)
AT THE 2004 ANNUAL JUSTICE STUDIES
GOLF TOURNAMENT
20www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
1970RUSS GOHEEN (Business Administration) resides inPefferlaw, Ontario with his wife Nancy. Russ retiredfrom Ontario Hydro in May 2000 after 30 years ofservice. He now runs a small used car business.
1976WILLIAM DOUGLAS CARMICHAEL (Air Transport)resides in Burlington, Ontario with his wife Sharon.They have three children Tara, Bryan and Heather.William works as a radiographer for HHS.
1981BRIAN HAINES (Mechanical Engineering Technologist)resides in Bowmanville, Ontario with his wife Mary,17-year-old daughter Laura and 15-year-old daughterAmie. Brian is a quality assurance manager for theCanadian Progressive Tool and Transfer.
1982DAVE HOSSACK (Chemical Technology) resides inBurford, Ontario with his wife Chris. He has threechildren, a 10-year-old daughter named Samantha, a20-year-old daughter named Katelyn and a 24-year-old daughter named Kara. Dave works in IT SystemsSupport for Home Hardware Stores Limited.
1984LYNN KLAGES (Business Administration — DataProcessing) currently resides in Uxbridge, Ontariowith her husband Boyd. They have three children, an18-year-old son named Brody, a 16-year-old sonnamed Bret and a 12-year-old daughter named Abby.Lynn is the secretary/treasurer for Mill Run Mech.
1985JUDITH YOUNG (Dental Assisting) currently residesin Picton, Ontario with her husband Matthew. Theyhave two children, a 10-year-old daughter namedLaura and a two-year-old son named Nicholas.Judith works as a level two dental assistant forPicton Dental.
1987DAVE LLOYD (Sports Administration) resides inMarkham, Ontario with his wife Lisa. They have twochildren, an eight-year-old daughter named Emilyand a six-year-old son named Zachary. Dave is thevice-president of Sales and Marketing for Stormtech.
1989TAWNI SHEPPERDSON (Legal Administration)resides in Greenbank, Ontario with her husbandSteve. They have two children, a seven-year-olddaughter named Jessica and a five-year-olddaughter named Sarah. Tawni is an executiveassistant with Durham College and the Universityof Ontario Institute of Technology.
1991PAMELA MOORE (Registered Practical Nurse)resides in Chatsworth, Georgia with her husbandJeff. They have two children, 20-year-old Amandaand 10-year-old Jaydon. Pamela works for theHamilton Medical Hospital.
1992DARLENE LANDRY (Early Childhood Education)recently returned to Canada and resides inCampbellford, Ontario. She has lived in Singaporefor the past three years working as the supervisorof The Learning Ladder, a child care centre.
1994GRAHAM HOLMES (Law and SecurityAdministration) resides in Guelph, Ontario with hiswife Carla. They have a two-and-a-half-year-oldchild named Ethan. Graham is a youth pastor forThe Salvation Army.
1996RODNEY PENNEY (Food and Drug Technology)resides in Upper Gullies, Newfoundland with hiswife Stacey. They have a six-month-old son namedJackson. Rodney completed a Biology degree atMemorial University of Newfoundland and is now apackaging manager for Labatt Breweries of Canada.
THERESE FERGUSON (Electronic EngineeringTechnology) resides in Edmonton, Alberta.
BARRY FORTH (Sports Administration) currentlyresides in Dundas, Ontario with his wife Terri-Lynn.Barry is the general manager of Copetown WoodsGolf Club, a family owned and operated golf andbanquet facility.
1997HEATHER CROSS (Public Relations) resides inKingston, Ontario. Heather is a graduate assistantwith the Queen's University Faculty of Education.
CHRISTY STONE-CURRY (Human Resources)resides in Port Perry, Ontario with her husband Rob.Christy is the owner of the Piano Café in Port Perry.
1999MELANIE FISHER (Office Administration — Medical)resides in Lindsay, Ontario with her spouse Rob.They have a 20-month-old son named Coulter.Melanie works in administration for the HKPRDistrict Health Unit.
TERRI LUSH (Electronic Engineering Technology)resides in Oshawa, Ontario. Terri has two children,14-year-old Sarah and 10-year-old Corrina.
CHRIS JACKSON (Graphic Design) resides inOshawa, Ontario with his wife Laura. They have a10-month-old son named Hayden. Chris is aplumber apprentice for UA Local 463.
2000BLAIR BIRD (Mechanical Engineering Technology)currently resides in Trenton, Ontario with his spouseTracey. They have two children, one-year-old Ericaand seven-year-old Emma. Blair is an engineeringtechnologist for Birds Machine & Welding Co. Ltd.
2001STEPHEN MCGRATH (Electronic EngineeringTechnology) resides in Brooklin, Ontario with hiswife Molly. They have two children, two-year-old
Hunter and four-month-old Daphne. Stephen is anRF specialist with Telus Mobility.
LESLEY WARFORD (Business Administration —Information Systems) resides in Oshawa, Ontario.Lesley is an underwriter for State Farm InsuranceCompanies.
ANDRIA EVANGELISTA (Advertising) resides in PortColborne, Ontario. Andria is a customer servicerep for TD Canada Trust.
AUNDENE ST. BERNARD (Mechtronics) resides inMississauga, Ontario. Aundene is a contactadministrator for Moeller Electric.
GARY PAULIN (Police Foundations) resides inOshawa, Ontario with his spouse April Briggs.They have three children, nine-year-old Jeffrey,five-year-old Austin and five-year-old Brandon.Gary is a nuclear security officer for Ontario PowerGeneration.
BRETT UPTON (Business Administration —Information Systems) currently resides inSaskatoon, Saskatchewan. Brett is a team leaderfor Apple at Minacs Worldwide Inc.
2002JULIE JONES (Executive Office Administration)currently resides in Oshawa, Ontario. She has aone-year-old child named Jasper. Julie is a callcentre agent at Minacs Worldwide Inc.
2003JUDY ROCHE (Human Services Counselling) residesin Bowmanville, Ontario with her husband Jason.They have a one-year-old child named Cadell. Judyis a placement co-ordinator for Jobs Now.
JOHN SCOTT (Legal Administration) resides inWhitby, Ontario with his wife Jennifer. They havethree children, 10-year-old Christopher, seven-year-old Aaryn and 18-month-old Brenna. John isa healthcare advisor for Aviva Canada Inc.
DAWN CUMBY-DALLIN (Graphic Design) currentlyresides in Cavan, Ontario with her husbandMatthew. They have two children, 18-month-oldAurora and five-year-old Zachary.
2004MARLENA GOS (Registered Nurse) currentlyresides in Ajax, Ontario. Marlena is an RN/NICUfor Sunnybrook and Women's College Hospitals.
CHRISTINE MCCLELLAND (Business Administration— Accounting) resides in Oshawa, Ontario with herhusband Jason. Christine works in A/P andRoyalties for McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
2005SCOTT GUTTERIDGE (Law and SecurityAdministration) resides in Port Perry, Ontario. Scott is a security officer for Intercon Security.
SASHA STANOJEVIC (Multimedia/Animation)currently resides in Chatham, Ontario.
ALUMNI UPDATE
21 REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
ALUMNI UPDATE CONTINUED
ALUMNI RECORD
FIRST NAME LAST NAME LAST NAME UPON GRADUATION (IF DIFFERENT)
STUDENT NO. BIRTH DATE o MALE o FEMALE
PROGRAM YEAR GRADUATED
NO. AND STREET NAME CITY/PROVINCE/COUNTRY
POSTAL CODE TELEPHONE NUMBER EMAIL ADDRESS
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (ATTACH A BUSINESS CARD IF APPLICABLE)
COMPANY NAME POSITION/TITLE
OTHER POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DATE OF GRADUATION
PROGRAM/DEGREE OTHER INFORMATION
SPOUSE’S NAME (INCLUDE MAIDEN NAME IF RELEVANT)
MARITAL STATUS SPOUSE IS A DURHAM COLLEGE GRADUATE o YES o NO
IF YES, PROGRAM AND YEAR OF GRADUATION
CHILDREN: o M o F NAME/AGE ____________________________________ o M o F NAME/AGE _____________________________________________________
PLEASE ATTACH ANY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OR NOTES REGARDING SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS, PROMOTIONS, BIRTHS, MARRIAGES
o PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION ON THE ALUMNI UPDATE SECTION ON REFLECTIONS
WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY: DURHAM COLLEGE RESPECTS YOUR PRIVACY. FROM TIME TO TIME THE ALUMNI OFFICE OR THEIR PARTNERS MAY CONTACT YOU WITH REGARD TO UP COMING ALUMNI EVENTS OR EXCLUSIVE
OPPORTUNITIES BASED ON THE NEEDS OF OUR GRADUATES. IF YOU WOULD RATHER NOT RECEIVE THIS INFORMATION FROM US OR ANY OF OUR PARTNERS, PLEASE CALL THE ALUMNI OFFICE AT 905.721.3035.
ANDREW BURKE (Mechanical EngineeringTechnician — NDE) resides in Waterloo, Ontario.Andrew works as an NDE inspector for EclipseScientific Products.
MEGAN HERD (Executive Office Administration)currently resides in Pickering, Ontario. Megan is an administrative co-ordinator for the MunicipalProperty Assessment Corporation.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - 2006 ALUMNUS OF DISTINCTION AWARDS
The Alumnus of Distinction Awardshonour the extraordinary contributionsDurham College graduates make tosociety. Nominees need not be rich andfamous, but have a real commitment toothers and have achieved career success.
If you know a successful DurhamCollege graduate who rightly deserves
recognition, please consider nominatingthem for this special award. The awardswill be presented at the springconvocation ceremony in June.
NOMINEE SUBMISSION:Please send a completed form andresume, along with the nomination
package, which is available at:www.durhamcollege.ca/alumni to:
Durham College Alumni Office, 2000 SimcoeStreet North. Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4
Nomination deadline: May 1, 2006
2005 recipients: Ken Babcock and Chris Bovie
22www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
ALUMNUS OF DISTINCTION NOMINATION FORM
NOMINEE INFORMATION
NAME DIPLOMA/FIELD OF STUDY GRADUATION DATE (YY/MM/DD)
ADDRESS CITY POSTAL CODE
HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
NAME OF INSTITUTION FIELD OF STUDY GRADUATION DATE (YY/MM/DD)
NAME OF INSTITUTION FIELD OF STUDY GRADUATION DATE (YY/MM/DD)
NOMINATION INFORMATION
NOMINATED BY & RELATIONSHIP HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS HOME ADDRESS
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE (A RESUME MAY BE ATTACHED) START WITH MOST RECENT POSITION
EMPLOYMENT DATES (YY/MM/DD) COMPANY POSITION
TO FROM
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
EMPLOYMENT DATES (YY/MM/DD) COMPANY POSITION
TO FROM
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
COMPANY POSITION
ACCOMPLISHMENT
COMPANY POSITION
ACCOMPLISHMENT
23
VOLUNTEER WORK/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
DATE OF VOLUNTEER WORK (YY/MM/DD) ORGANIZATION POSITIONTO FROM
RESPONSIBILITIES
DATE OF VOLUNTEER WORK (YY/MM/DD) ORGANIZATION POSITION
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RESPONSIBILITIES
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1. IN WHAT WAYS HAS THE NOMINEE PROMOTED, OR GIVEN BACK TO, DURHAM COLLEGE SINCE GRADUATION?
EXAMPLE:
• HAS THE NOMINEE HIRED DURHAM COLLEGE CO-OP GRADUATES AND/OR OFFERED FIELD PLACEMENTS?
• IF SO, FROM WHAT SCHOOLS AND HOW MANY?
• HAS THE NOMINEE EVER PARTICIPATED IN ANY COMMITTEES OR BOARDS AT THE COLLEGE?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WOULD ASSIST THE ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN IT’S DECISION MAKING.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 39(2) OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THE PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED ON THIS FORM IS COLLECTED UNDER THE
AUTHORITY OF THE "MINISTRY OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACT", R.S.O., 1990 AND REGULATION 770. IT WILL BE USED BY DURHAM COLLEGE PERSONNEL ONLY FOR RELEVANT COLLEGE ACTIVITIES AND MAY BE USED
FOR STATISTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTING PURPOSES OF THE COLLEGE. NO PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THIRD PARTIES.
COMPLETE APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2006.
PLEASE FORWARD TO THE DURHAM COLLEGE ALUMNI OFFICE AS PER CONTACT BELOW:
DURHAM COLLEGE ALUMNI OFFICE
2000 SIMCOE STREET NORTH
OSHAWA ON L1H 7K4
TELEPHONE NUMBER 905.721.3035 | FAX NUMBER 905.721.3201
REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
24www.durhamcollege.ca REFLECTIONS | WINTER 2006
GRAD HELPS HUBBELL CANADA LPLIGHT THE WAY
Hubbell Canada is not only a familiarpresence around campus, but also adedicated supporter of many causesacross the Durham Region.
As an employer of Durham Collegegraduates; a supporter of the college'sawards program; and a community partnerin expanding campus facilities, HubbellCanada has demonstrated time and againits commitment to higher education locally.
One example of the impact that HubbellCanada has had with Durham College isthrough Robin Billingsley, a 2002 graduateof Durham's Multimedia Design program.
“About six months after graduation, Ifound out about a job at Hubbell Canadathrough Durham College's Jobsite,” saidBillingsley. “If I hadn't located it throughthe Jobsite, I wouldn't have been aware itexisted.”
Having begun her post-secondaryeducation in graphic design, Billingsleyswitched programs in her second yearafter taking a course with instructor MarkJohnson who brought her focus into thearea of multimedia. It was this
combination of skills that made Billingsleya perfect fit for the team at HubbellCanada. Starting as a junior graphicdesigner, Billingsley quickly proved herselfin the fields of graphic design andmultimedia, earning her a promotion toweb designer.
As Hubbell Canada's Web Designer,Billingsley plays an important role in thecommunication of the organization'soperations to both internal and externalcustomers. Responsible for both theinternet and intranet sites for HubbellCanada, Billingsley is presently involved ina complete design upgrade due for launchin the fourth quarter of 2006.
One of the greatest advantages of workingat Hubbell is the large number of alumniwho are part of the team, notes Billingsley.She estimates that close to 30 DurhamCollege graduates work in a number ofdepartments including Accounting,Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Operations,and Customer Service.
As an employee of Hubbell Canada,Billingsley is particularly proud of the high-
degree of community involvement that heremployer has throughout Durham Region.Two shining examples of Hubbell's strongcommitment to give back to thecommunity are its work with the UnitedWay and the Whitby Mental Health Centre.
Recently, Hubbell gave back again, thistime with a generous gift of product, aswell as monetary support to DurhamCollege. Hubbell's gift of $280,000 isbeing used to create new awards to assiststudents with the costs of education, andhelp complete key systems such aslighting in some new facilities.
“I take pride in my role, and in thecompany I work for. Not only are weproducing quality products, but our effortsto give back to the community are makinga great difference in so many areas,” saidBillingsley.
A great college is defined by the quality of itsgraduates and the willingness of employersto hire them. With Robin Billingsley andHubbell Canada, Durham College has trulyfound an example of success.
by MICHELLE WHITE
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