Niagara College News and Media

Niagara College Continuing Education is offering the chance to explore the world with custom-designed small group excursions that show the real side of the many fascinating places on the planet, hosted by an experienced College representative.

The new Niagara College Explorers’ Club will be taking its inaugural trip on a 15-day journey to Africa. Nine days will be spent camping (in comfort) in Botswana, one of the last areas of unspoiled bush in Africa, followed by three days at a beautiful game lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, one of the Earth’s greatest natural wonders.

The safari leaves April 25, 2010, and is available for booking now, but space is limited. Additional trips planned for the coming year include a summer family trip to a dude ranch in the Wild West and a trip to London and Paris in late September 2010.

An information session will be held Friday, Nov. 20, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in W114 at the Niagara College Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. The session will include a drawing for door prizes from CAA, with a CAA representative on-hand to answer booking questions.

For additional information, visit ncexplorersclub.wordpress.com or contact Erica Jurus, program coordinator and host, at 905-641-2252, ext. 4435, or ejurus@niagaracollege.ca.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, baccalaureate degrees and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

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For more information, contact:

Erica Jurus
Administrative Services
Business Development Centre
905-641-2252 ext 4435
ejurus@niagaracollege.ca

Niagara College has joined a unique national program designed to provide financial support to the children of fallen Canadian soldiers.

Inspired by retired General Rick Hillier and Honorary Lt. Colonel Kevin Reed, Project Hero is a program through which colleges and universities offer scholarships and bursaries for dependent children of Canadian Forces personnel killed while serving in an active military mission.

“Project Hero recognizes the sacrifices made by Canadian men and women in defence of freedom around the world,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “It creates new opportunities for young people who may otherwise be unable to pursue their dreams. Niagara College is very proud to join this important initiative.”

The scholarship program will provide tuition and help to offset other expenses for the duration of the recipient’s full-time program of study.

Eligible recipients must be Canadian citizens under the age of 26 who are a dependant of a member of the Canadian Forces who lost his or her life while serving in an active military mission, and must be registered as a full-time post-secondary student at Niagara College.

For further information, including how to contribute to the Project Hero Scholarship Fund, contact Lyn Russo, Director of Development, Niagara College Foundation at lrusso@niagaracollege.ca or 905 735-2211 ext. 7864.

The Project Hero Scholarship Fund furthers Niagara College’s commitment to providing financial assistance to help students and parents with the costs associated with post-secondary education.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, baccalaureate degrees and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

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For information, contact:

Gordon Hunchak
Director, Marketing & Communications
905 735-2211 ext. 7567
905 650-7820 (cell)
ghunchak@niagaracollege.ca

Lynn Russo
Director of Development
Niagara College Foundation
905-735-2211 ext. 7864
lrusso@niagaracollege.ca

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited Niagara College November 5.

The Prince commemorated his visit to Niagara College’s new Wine Visitor + Education Centre at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus as part of the Royal Couple’s Canadian tour.

“This is an historic day for the students, faculty and staff of Niagara College, and it is a tremendous honour to welcome His Royal Highness,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “This visit offers an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our students, our College, and the important work all Canadian colleges do in preparing skilled, job-ready graduates who drive our key industries.”

His Royal Highness was given a tour of Niagara College’s new Wine Visitor + Education Centre and the College’s teaching vineyards. During his tour, Prince Charles observed a number of demonstrations in the wine-making process and in viticulture research by College students, faculty, staff and notable alumni. Following the tour, at an industry reception, His Royal Highness unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit during the Centre’s opening.

The Royal Visit is the lead event celebrating the opening of the $3.6 million Wine Visitor + Education Centre, a unique state-of-the-art industry centre set in the College’s teaching vineyards. The Centre will showcase and promote the Ontario and Canadian wine industry, provide wine tourism information services, and feature academic and wine industry programming. The Wine Visitor + Education Centre is part of an unprecedented $90 million campus redevelopment plan that includes major projects at Niagara College’s Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses. Details and images of Niagara College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre can be found at www.winevisitorandeducationcentre.ca.

“The visit by Prince Charles shines a spotlight on our new Wine Visitor + Education Centre, which has been developed in response to the feedback and needs of the Canadian wine industry and serves as a model for responsive, industry-linked applied education. Our graduates enter the workforce with real-world industry learning and experience,” said Patterson, “The new facility will also serve as a living laboratory for Niagara College’s leading cluster of wine, culinary and hospitality and tourism students. The graduates from these top-rated programs are in high demand across Canada, and throughout the world.”

The Wine Visitor + Education Centre will also house the operations of the Niagara College Teaching Winery, Canada’s first and only commercial teaching winery. With a full range of production winemaking equipment and facilities, the Niagara College Teaching Winery provides students with learning opportunities that range from the grape crush to selling the finished product in the Teaching Winery’s on-site retail store. All proceeds from wine sales support student learning in Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician, Wine Business Management and Certified Sommelier programs. Details of the Niagara College Teaching Winery and Niagara College’s wine and viticulture programs can be found at www.nctwinery.com

Niagara College will be hosting a public open house at the new Wine Visitor + Education Centre on November 7 and 8.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, baccalaureate degrees and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

• Wine Visitor + Education images and backgrounders are available for download at http://www.winevisitorandeducationcentre.ca/downloads.htm

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For information regarding the Royal Visit, contact:

Caroline Marchildon

Federal Media Coordinator

Department of Canadian Heritage

819-639-8478

For Niagara College information, contact:

Dan Patterson

President, Niagara College

905 641-2252 ext. 4040

dpatterson@niagaracollege.ca

For information regarding the Niagara College Wine Visitor and Education Centre, contact:

Jon Ogryzlo

Dean, Food and Wine Sciences, Niagara College

905 641-2252 ext.  4474

jogryzlo@niagaracollege.ca

Niagara College officially opened its new Wine Visitor + Education Centre at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus today, following an historic visit by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

“The new Wine Visitor + Education Centre is a wonderful showcase for the Ontario and Canadian wine industry,” said Dan Patterson, President, Niagara College, “The new facility also showcases our students, our College, and the important work all Canadian colleges do in preparing skilled, job-ready graduates who drive our key industries.”

The Official Opening ceremony is the lead event celebrating the launch of the $3.6 million Wine Visitor + Education Centre, a unique state-of-the-art industry centre set in the College’s teaching vineyards. The Centre will showcase and promote the Ontario and Canadian wine industry, provide wine tourism information services, and feature academic and wine industry programming.

The Wine Visitor + Education Centre is part of an unprecedented $90 million campus redevelopment plan that includes major projects at Niagara College’s Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses. Details and images of Niagara College’s Wine Visitor and Education Centre can be found at www.winevisitorandeducationcentre.ca.

“The new Wine Visitor + Education Centre has been developed in response to the feedback and needs of the Canadian wine industry and serves as a model for responsive, industry-linked applied education. Our graduates enter the workforce with real-world industry learning and experience,” said Patterson, “The new facility will also serve as a living laboratory for Niagara College’s leading cluster of wine, culinary and hospitality and tourism students. The graduates from these top-rated programs are in high demand across Canada, and throughout the world.”

The Wine Visitor + Education Centre will also house the operations of the Niagara College Teaching Winery, Canada’s first and only commercial teaching winery. With a full range of production winemaking equipment and facilities, the Niagara College Teaching Winery provides students with learning opportunities that range from the grape crush to selling the finished product in the Teaching Winery’s on-site retail store. All proceeds from wine sales support student learning in Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician, Wine Business Management and Certified Sommelier programs. Details of the Niagara College Teaching Winery and Niagara College’s wine and viticulture programs can be found at www.niagaracollegewine.ca

Niagara College will be hosting a public open house at the new Wine Visitor + Education Centre on November 7 and 8.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, baccalaureate degrees and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

Wine Visitor + Education images and backgrounders are available for download at www.winevisitorandeducationcentre.ca/downloads.htm

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For information regarding the Niagara College Wine Visitor and Education Centre, contact:

Jon Ogryzlo

Dean, Food and Wine Sciences, Niagara College

905 641-2252 ext. 4474

jogryzlo@niagaracollege.ca

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will visit Niagara College November 5.

The Prince will commemorate his visit to Niagara College’s new Wine Visitor + Education Centre at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus as part of the Royal Couple’s Canadian tour.

“We are deeply honoured that the Prince of Wales has chosen to visit Niagara College during his time in Ontario,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “It will be an historic day for Niagara College, and offers an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our students, our College, and the important work all Canadian colleges do in preparing skilled, job-ready graduates who drive our key industries.”

Prince Charles is expected to arrive at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus in the afternoon. His Royal Highness will be given a private tour of Niagara College’s new Wine Visitor + Education Centre and the College’s teaching vineyards. During his tour, Prince Charles will observe a number of demonstrations in the wine-making process and in viticulture research by College students, faculty, staff and notable alumni. Following the tour, at a closed industry reception, Prince Charles will unveil a plaque commemorating his visit during the Centre’s opening.

The Royal Visit is the lead event celebrating the opening of the $3.6 million Wine Visitor + Education Centre, a unique state-of-the-art industry centre set in the College’s teaching vineyards. The Centre will showcase and promote the Ontario and Canadian wine industry, provide wine tourism information services, and feature academic and wine industry programming. The Wine Visitor + Education Centre is part of an unprecedented $90 million campus redevelopment plan that includes major projects at Niagara College’s Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses. Details and images of Niagara College’s Wine Visitor and Education Centre can be found at www.winevisitorandeducationcentre.ca.

“The visit by Prince Charles shines a spotlight on our new Wine Visitor + Education Centre, which has been developed in response to the feedback and needs of the Canadian wine industry and serves as a model for responsive, industry-linked applied education. Our graduates enter the workforce with real-world industry learning and experience,” said Patterson, “The new facility will also serve as a living laboratory for Niagara College’s leading cluster of wine, culinary and hospitality and tourism students. The graduates from these top-rated programs are in high demand across Canada, and throughout the world.”

The Wine Visitor + Education Centre will also house the operations of the Niagara College Teaching Winery, Canada’s first and only commercial teaching winery. With a full range of production winemaking equipment and facilities, the Niagara College Teaching Winery provides students with learning opportunities that range from the grape crush to selling the finished product in the Teaching Winery’s on-site retail store. All proceeds from wine sales support student learning in Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician, Wine Business Management and Certified Sommelier programs. Details of the Niagara College Teaching Winery and Niagara College’s wine and viticulture programs can be found at www.nctwinery.com

Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, will spend 10 days in Canada next month, starting November 2. Their itinerary includes 12 cities in four provinces.

Niagara College will be hosting a public open house at the new Wine Visitor + Education Centre on November 7 and 8.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma, baccalaureate degrees and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Media accreditation information is available online at pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/infoCntr/avMediaAdv/index-eng.cfm?action=doc&DocIDCd=AS091599

• Wine Visitor + Education images and backgrounders are available for download at www.winevisitorandeducationcentre.ca/downloads.htm

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For information regarding the Royal Visit, contact:

Caroline Marchildon

Federal Media Coordinator

Department of Canadian Heritage

819-639-8478

For information regarding Niagara College,, contact:

Dan Patterson

President, Niagara College

905 641-2252 ext. 4040

dpatterson@niagaracollege.ca

For information regarding the Niagara College Wine Visitor and Education Centre, contact:

Jon Ogryzlo

Dean, Food and Wine Sciences, Niagara College

905 641-2252 ext. 4474

jogryzlo@niagaracollege.ca

The Niagara College Teaching Winery continues to sit at the head of the class after winning five medals at the recent InterVin International Wine Awards.

The NCT Winery received silver for its 2007 Dean’s List Pinot Noir (Cuvee Awards 1st place in 2009) and bronze for its 2007 Dean’s List Chardonnay, 2007 College Rosé, 2007 Merlot and 2008 Cabernet Franc Icewine.

The InterVin International Wine Awards, presented by the founders of Vines Magazine and the producers of the annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, are designed to recognize and celebrate the very best wines available to Canadian consumers. The evaluation features an expert team of judges using a blind tasting format to evaluate the wine. The judges’ panel features industry professionals with backgrounds in hospitality, wine media, wine education and winemaking.

The Niagara College Teaching (NCT) Winery serves as a practical learning enterprise for students in Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician, Wine Business Management (post-graduate) and Certified Sommelier programs. Since opening in 2002, the wines of the NCT Winery have captured more than 70 national and international awards.

The NCT Winery will soon have a new home at Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, as the College prepares to open its Wine Visitor and Education Centre later this fall.

NCT Winery wines are sold at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus Wine Store, with all proceeds supporting student learning. Learn more at www.nctwinery.com.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

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For more information, contact:

Steve Gill
Manager, Wine and Viticulture
Niagara College
905-641-2252 ext 4076
sgill@niagaracollege.ca

Niagara College will host an Information Fair October 29 designed to showcase the world of opportunities available through a College education.

The event will feature several interactive exhibits and displays that allow students to explore educational and training opportunities. Representatives from all Niagara College programs and student services will be on site.

The event will also include representatives from more than 20 Ontario colleges as part of the College Information Program.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. Guests will be entered into draws for a variety of prizes.

For more information, visit www.niagaracollege.ca/infofair, or contact 905-735-2211 or 905-641-2252, ext. 7559.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

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For more information, contact:

Phil Hayes

Associate Registrar

Niagara College

905-735-2211 ext 7898

phayes@niagaracollege.ca

More than 570 graduates of Niagara College will receive diplomas or certificates during Fall Convocation ceremonies at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

The ceremony will honour graduates in several program areas, including: Business, Hospitality and Tourism; Environment, Media & Technology; Food & Wine Sciences; Health Sciences; Liberal Arts and Science; Continuing Education and the Workforce and Business Development Division.

Angelique Sobschak, owner and head event planner of Angelique’s Weddings & Events, will deliver the evening’s convocation address and will also receive an Honorary Graduate Certificate in Event Management. A Niagara College graduate, Ms Sobschak opened Angelique’s Wedding & Events in 2004 and was the first planner hired by Slice Network’s television reality series Rich Bride, Poor Bride, which is syndicated in 86 countries.

The ceremony will take place in the auditorium on the lower level of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. A reception for graduates and guests will follow.

With 8,000 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, applied health and community safety, and the College is home to the globally-recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and Niagara College Teaching Winery. In 2008, Niagara College launched a $90 million campus redevelopment project, which is scheduled for completion in 2011.

*Angelique Sobschak bio attached

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For more information, contact:

Gordon Hunchak
Director, Marketing & Communications
905-735-2211 ext. 7567 (Office)
905-650-7820 (Cell)
ghunchak@niagaracollege.ca

Angelique Sobschak

Angelique Sobschak, owner and head event planner of Angelique’s Weddings & Events overcame a difficult childhood to become one of Ontario’s premier event planners. She’s no stranger to challenges, losing her adoptive mother at an early age, and spending 11 years in the foster care system. Throughout, she maintained her personal integrity, battling the stigma attached to foster children and proving to those who’d given up on her that she was a woman who would make her mark on the world.

Sobschak opened a modeling and talent agency in 1996, and enjoyed the creativity and demands of being her own boss, but by 2002 she realized that in order to grow her agency she would need to relocate to Toronto. As that move wasn’t feasible at the time, she closed her agency and decided to pursue her first love, wedding planning.

After planning her own wedding 20 years ago, she became determined to help other brides avoid the pitfalls she encountered, and created her own business to provide memorable, enjoyable and worry-free celebrations for her clients. Her calm and gracious demeanour has soothed troubled waters for families since she began offering her services formally in December, 2004. Her desire to help others is so strong that, in order to avoid disappointing the brides who lined up for her services while she was taking a small business course at Niagara College, Sobschak orchestrated their weddings for free until she was able to officially open her business.

Angelique became the first planner hired by Slice Network’s Rich Bride, Poor Bride, and she has become an enduring favourite, as well as one of the show’s primary promoters. She has contributed to a new book about wedding planning by the show’s producers and plans to write her own books on ‘wedding war stories’.

Angelique has been featured on Entertainment Tonight Canada. She was a 2006 winner of the “40 Under 40” Business Achievement Award and a nominee for the 2006 Women in Business Awards. She is a member of the Association for International Wedding Professionals; teaches wedding planning courses at Humber College; is on the advisory committee for the Event Management Graduate Certificate program at Niagara College; mentors other up-and-coming wedding planners; and is an enthusiastic advocate of the beauty, extensive facilities, and high-quality vendors and service to be found in the Niagara Region. She is a member of the Small Business Club of Niagara and is on the board of Women in Niagara. On behalf of the Ontario Tourism Board, Sobschak regularly speaks in high schools about the value of wedding planning for promoting tourism in our province. Angelique was a finalist in the 2007 Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Angelique’s dedication to providing the best possible services for her clients has led her to form the New Professionals Association that brings together all Niagara-based event planners to network, promote collaboration and provide referrals. The Association’s mandate is to promote awareness of event planning services in Niagara, and to provide clients with a consistent level of top quality service throughout the region.

Angelique started at Niagara College in 1991 in the Interior Design program. She completed the first year, then in 1992 changed to Fashion Merchandising graduating in the Winter of 1994. She has also completed the Niagara College Business Development Centre’s Entrepreneurship program.

Niagara College’s Niagara Environmental Corps (NEC), in partnership with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sustainability Network and the Onghiara International Film Festival, will host the first Niagara screening of the award-winning film “The Age of Stupid” on October 23.

“The Age of Stupid” is a film by Fanny Armstrong, the Director of “McLibel”, and stars the Oscar-nominated Pete Postlewaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching “archive” footage from 2008, and asking why steps weren’t taken to stop climate change.

The screening takes place Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m. in the Yerich Auditorium at Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. Admission is free, refreshments will be served, and an opportunity for discussion will follow the film.

The Niagara Environmental Corps (NEC) is a student-led organization created in 2006 to increase environmental awareness at Niagara College and empower students to be proactive in solving environmental issues and build healthy communities. In 2007, the NEC joined with the College’s Niagara Research department to gain experience in environmentally-focused applied research initiatives. These activities focus on protecting and restoring natural environments, including habitat restoration and monitoring, ecosystem restoration, site remediation, wetland conservation and solutions towards urban sustainability. The NEC has grown to include more than 135 members, and has collaborated with local high schools to develop an NEC Junior Corps.

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For information, contact:

Kerry Kennedy
Research Project Coordinator – Environment
Niagara Environmental Corps Coordinator
Niagara College
905-641-2252 ext. 4284
kekennedy@niagaracollege.ca