Canada Basketball’s junior women’s national team recently held their tryouts and training camp at Durham College to prepare for the FIBA U19 World Championships being held in Panevezys, Lithuania. Players from across the country joined head coach Rich Chambers for the two-week training camp from June 28 to Sunday, July 7 at the Campus and Recreation Wellness Centre located at the Oshawa campus.

The team will travel overseas following the conclusion of camp for exhibition games in France and Spain before arriving at the World Championships in Lithuania on Tuesday, July 16. The 11-day tournament begins on Thursday, July 18 with Team Canada being drawn in Group C alongside Senegal, France and the Netherlands.

Canada is currently ranked ninth in the FIBA World Rankings and has previously finished third in the 2012 U17 Women’s Championship in Netherlands, defeating Japan 84-77 in the bronze medal game and fifth in the 2011 U19 World Championship in Chile, defeating France 70-52 in the consolation round.

For more information on all the national teams and programs visit Canada Basketball.

Through partnership with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), Durham College was pleased to welcome six international Chinese delegates to its Oshawa campus for vocational education leadership training from June 8 to 22.

Consisting of presidents and vice-presidents from international colleges, these delegates were invited to learn about the post-secondary level of education; issues that the college has faced; and the policies and procedures that Durham has in place.

An interpreter accompanied the four male and two female delegates to their many scheduled activities as they expanded their knowledge in Canadian-style teachings, focusing mainly on student services cultivation and professional development for faculty.

These activities included gaining knowledge in school services such as strategic planning and governance; human resources, project and budget/financial management; internationalization; marketing and communications; strategic enrolment management; student services; and academic programs while showcasing the Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment and the Whitby campus.

Delegates were also given the opportunity to experience culture off school grounds with a field trip to meet with the Region of Durham.

At the end of their tours and meetings where they discovered the many services offered by Durham College, each delegate was provided with a gift to commemorate their time at the school. 

“We were greatly impressed by (Durham College’s) education quality, its commitment to the community and industry and its focus on the student experience as well as the efficient leadership and the hardworking staff team,” said Zhao Ye, translator, on behalf of the delegates. “This valued experience not only deepened our understanding of the Canadian college education system but also offered a great opportunity of sharing and accessing best practices. We are more than excited to develop and promote the friendship and partnership with Durham College in the near future.” 

On June 18, the history books were reopened for almost 100 founding faculty, staff and alumni at the Founders Appreciation Day, hosted by the Durham College Retirees Association (DCRA). Positive energy filled the room as old friends were reunited and stories and memories were shared by the ones that were there when the foundation of the college was established.

The event transported individuals back to 1967 where it all began. Durham College officially opened on September 18, 1967 with 16 portable classrooms and 205 students, offering courses in applied arts, business and technology. “We used to make bets on how many students would show up,” said Lister Robinson, Durham College dean in 1967.

“There was no building, we were brand new. We had no money for advertising and there were no buses that came to the school.”

Current Durham College President Don Lovisa thanked those in attendance for starting the dream with only 14 faculty and staff members – an energetic and determined group who made it happen.

Reg Smith, who was the second employee hired in 1967 also shared his memories. “What made it possible was the good fortune to have a wise and strong founding board, and to have successive boards with a deep and sincere interest in the welfare of students who enrolled at Durham College,” he said.

Through events like this, it is evident that putting the student experience first was and still is Durham College’s mission. 

Dozens of faculty and staff members from Durham College teamed up with counterparts from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) on June 26 for a great show of community support for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Both groups hopped aboard the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Big Bike and wheeled their way through downtown Oshawa to raise money for the charity. Combined donations topped the $10,000 mark.

2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the Heart and Stroke Big Bike event, which invites community organizations, companies and groups across Canada to help support heart disease and stroke research. Each rider makes a commitment to raise a minimum of $50. Last year, over 40,000 riders in more than 200 communities helped raise more than $7 million.

Durham College’s What matters to you? Recruitment campaign recently won bronze in the Best Student Recruitment Initiative category of the Prix d’Excellence awards from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE).

The Best Student Recruitment Initiative category recognizes successful marketing strategies and techniques that show an understanding of the institution’s mission, strengths and unique qualities and how well they are communicated to prospective students.

Launched in May 2012, the What Matters to You? campaign was a multi-platform recruitment campaign designed and implemented by Durham College’s Communications and Marketing department. It was developed to help support enrolment numbers for the fall 2012 intake.

With more than 95 full-time programs and a variety of disciplines involved, the team worked diligently to create a cohesive campaign that’s representative of all academic schools and applicable programs. By personalizing the campaign to the individual and speaking directly to students, the campaign also stayed true to the college’s mission statement – the student experience comes first.

From May to September, the campaign garnered 1,075 video views on YouTube; 16,671 page views to the microsite; 398 visits through advertising to the microsite; and 430 unique submissions through the What matters to you? online form, leading to an overall enrolment increase of 15.3 per cent – the highest enrolment growth in the province.

For an overview of the various elements of the campaign view this presentation.

The PRIX d’Excellence is the annual awards program of the CCAE, recognizing outstanding achievements in alumni affairs, public affairs, communications, marketing, development, advancement services, stewardship, student recruitment and overall institutional Advancement. Competitors include universities, colleges, institutes, independent schools and cégeps from across the country.

The college’s 2013 recruitment campaign recently kicked-off. When I graduate, I’m going to builds off of the success of last years campaign and promises to be another successful initiative.

As more than 2,500 graduates crossed the stage to accept their diplomas and certificates at Durham College’s spring convocation ceremonies last week, the college also recognized Linda Franklin, president and chief executive officer, Colleges Ontario, awarding her its fourth Honorary Credential.

Designed to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the college and/or the Durham Region and beyond in the areas of leadership, innovation and partnership, the credential honours the excellence of those committed to learning, the learner and the college’s success.

Franklin, who received the award in the category of Public Relations, has built a successful and distinguished career in communications and government relations, using her knowledge and expertise in strategic planning to aid in bringing the province’s 24 colleges together into one singular organization.

In addition, she has developed essential policy positions and increased media coverage and awareness of the college system through proactive marketing strategies.

“Having worked alongside Linda, it gives me great pride to award her with our honorary credential in the category of Public Relations,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “She has helped to strengthen the voice and reputation of the Ontario College system and in-turn, contributed to the success of Durham College.”

Franklin previously held positions including chief of staff to the Honourable Ernie Eves, minister of Skills Development; director of the Public Affairs and Communications department with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; vice-president of Enterprise Canada Consulting; and president of the Wine Council of Ontario.

“I can’t express how proud and honoured I feel to receive this award from this wonderful institution for my work to advance the college system,” said Franklin. “From your Whitby campus expansion that will help solve our coming skills shortage, to the new Student Services building in Oshawa, to the community outreach embodied in a new aboriginal student centre and new Durham Chinese Canadian cultural centre, and of course my favorite, your soon-to-be-opened Centre for Food – Durham is clearly a leader in post-secondary education.”

Franklin also goes beyond her professional work to better her community by serving on several charitable and community organizations including as a board member for Ontario Place and with the Canadian National Exhibition Association Board.

“Linda has an unwavering commitment to our colleges and is a strong advocate at the local, provincial, national and international level,” added Lovisa. “She is a deserving recipient of this single honour given annually at Durham College.”

In partnership with the Regional Municipality of Durham – Social Services Department, Durham College hosted a research workshop on June 18 investigating improved methods of measuring the impact of social services. The workshop, titled Capturing the Significance of Social Service Work: From Experience to Impact, was an experiential event focusing on engaging participants in a space where everyone could be actively involved in input and feedback and was a follow-up from an innovation forum held in November 2012. 

Participants at the workshop included Durham College staff and faculty, Regional Municipality of Durham – Social Services Department staff, local community members and social service providers including representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association and Hillsdale Terraces in Oshawa, Ont.

Randy Uyenaka, professor and program co-ordinator for the Social Services Worker program at Durham College, detailed the importance of their partnership with various social service providers throughout the community that will continue to benefit the student experience.

“Both Durham College and the region, we work with these community service providers,” said Uyenaka. “From the Durham College standpoint a lot of the programs that we have here; Practical Nursing, Social Service Worker, and Personal Support Worker; these community agencies actually host our students for field placements and in a lot of cases end up hiring our students.”

Darren Levine, Research and Innovation manager with the Regional Municipality of Durham – Social Services Department, also stressed the significance of partnering with Durham College.

“It’s been a wonderful partnership both with the School of Health & Community Services and the Office of Research Services and Innovation,” said Levine. “It’s allowed us to bring faculty with expertise in their fields of work and staff members with expertise in service delivery together to look at opportunities to collaborate and share experiences and ideas.”

Levine also indicated that the potential is there for future research opportunities for students as the Region looks to continue its partnership with the college.

Whether they’re preparing to enter the working world or will be furthering their education, more than 2,500 graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and certificates at Durham College’s annual spring convocation. 

Held at the General Motors’ Centre on June 20 and 21, the ceremonies honoured students graduating from programs in the schools of Business, IT & Management; Continuing Education; Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology; and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology.

“Class of 2013, the combination of your Durham College certificate or diploma, with resilience, courage and teamwork, can set you on the right path toward great success,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College.

In addition to celebrating this year’s graduates, the college also presented its fourth Honorary Credential to Linda Franklin, president and chief executive officer, Colleges Ontario, in the category of Public Relations.

Cala Dimitroff, a former Academic Upgrading professor, advisor and program co-ordinator, with the School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services also received the college’s Professor Emeritus award for her commitment to the success of her students and her dedication to offering a personalized student experience.

Alumni of distinction awards were presented to Kevin Campbell (Renewable Energy Technician, 2011); Paul Clark (Machinist, 2008); Steven Dickson (Business Administration – Human Resources, 1998); Marnie Ham (Air Transport and Industrial Engineering Technology, 1991); Michael Lysko (Sports Administration, 1983); Patricia Mazzotta (Practical Nursing, 1997 and Nursing, 2002); Eddy Racine (Renewable Energy Technician, 2011); and Erik Walchuk (HVAC, 2004 and Gas Technician, 2005).

This year’s spring convocation ceremony brings the college’s total number of alumni to more than 62,000. 

This fall, Durham College will open its newest building, the Centre for Food (CFF), and its new, full-service restaurant. But before we open the doors to the region’s newest dining experience, we need your help! In anticipation of the CFF’s grand opening, the college is holding a contest to name the new restaurant.

We want you to send us your best suggestions by filling out the submission box on the contest’s microsite. If your entry is chosen, you’ll win dinner for six at the restaurant’s chef’s table and a prize pack including an iPad mini!

Once all of the submissions have been reviewed, the top five names will be released for the public to vote on. All voters will then have the chance to win an amazing Durham College prize pack.

If you need some inspiration, more information or you’re ready to send us your ideas, please visit www.websiteredesign.durhamcollege.ca/nameit before midnight on Friday, June 28.