Niagara College News and Media

A group of Niagara College Pre-Health Sciences students, along with their professor, will travel to South Africa on Monday to participate in an applied research housing project.The research housing project is sponsored by the Eastern Cape Department of Housing and the Ikhwezi H.I.V./A.I.D.S. Wellness Center in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa and will examine the housing circumstances of individuals infected and affected by the H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. pandemic in the informal settlements and township of the Eastern Cape. The Niagara College International Education and Development Division, who are partners with the Ikhwezi H.I.V./A.I.D.S. Wellness Center on the project, have facilitated the students’ trip. The students will stay in South Africa for three weeks, returning May 26.

The students travelling to South Africa on Monday to take part in the project are Rebecca Cosby of Port Dover, Carly Frayne of Hannon, Brad James of Portland, ON, Courtney Laschelle-Nancekivell of Brantford, Kayli Pfab of St. Catharines, Stephanie Wozny of Caledonia and Elizabeth Edwards of Smithville – all of whom are Pre-Health Sciences program, and They will be accompanied by Lora Miani, a professor in the Pre-Health Sciences program, and Kelano Forbes and Samantha Hunter, students in the College’s International Commerce and Global Development Bachelor’s Degree program. Forbes and Hunter will complete a three-month internship in the area.

“This is a great international opportunity for our students, and promises to provide a unique learning experience that will add tremendous value to their educational experience,” said Miani. “We’re fortunate at Niagara College to have significant involvement in international projects across the globe that provide international opportunities for students in a wide range of programs.”

Pre-Health Sciences is offered through Niagara College as a one-year certificate program preparing students for higher learning in both the College and University level, or as a bridge for entering the health field. Students are required to participate in 135 hours of hands-on lab experience. For more information on the Pre-Health Sciences program visit www.niagaracollege.ca/phsu.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The students, along with Lora Miani, will be available for photos/interviews on Friday, May 1 at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, where they will be involved in pre-trip information sessions. Please contact Michael Wales, Senior Communications Officer at 905 735-2211 ext. 7773 or at mwales@niagaracollege.ca to arrange for interviews/photos.

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For more information, contact:

Lora Miani
Faculty
Niagara College
905-641-2252 ext. 4021
lmiani@niagaracollege.ca

The Niagara College Foundation raised a record amount of $138,000 at its 20th Annual Seafood Gala, held April 3, 2009. More than 600 guests attended the event at the Grand Ballroom of the Fallsview Casino Resort.

The Ontario Trust for Student Support program will match every dollar raised increasing the total to $275,000, which will be added to the College’s endowment fund for scholarships and bursaries.

“This was the most successful Seafood Gala ever – it is a testament to the important role the College plays within Niagara in such challenging economic times. We thank everyone for their support,” said Sean Kennedy, CEO of the Niagara College Foundation and Vice President of Student and Community Relations for Niagara College.

Sponsors included the Fallsview Casino Resort, Casino Cares, Aquicon Construction, aTRM Architects Tillman, Ruth, Mocellin, KPMG, TD Commercial Banking, Sodexo, Pinders Security Products, Ricoh Canada, Telecon Datvox Cabling Solutions and Telus.

Gala Chairperson, Rachel Delaney, led the Seafood Gala committee in creating an atmosphere with a spectacular seafood buffet, live entertainment from Lesley Pike, Kenny V, and James Doolin and the Mob, a live auction and a special 20th Anniversary raffle.

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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

As you may be aware, cases of Swine Flu have recently been reported in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The Niagara Regional Public Health has characterized Swine Flu as a respiratory illness with symptoms that are similar to the regular flu. It is spread by coughing, sneezing and contact with germs. In terms of taking proactive prevention measures, the Niagara Regional Public Health recommends regular hand washing, covering your mouth with a tissue or your arm when coughing, and staying home if you become ill. If you have recently travelled to the affected areas or areas of cluster of illness (Mexico, U.S., and Canada) and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your doctor.

Although no cases have been reported in the Niagara Region as of April 28, the College has taken precautions, including the extra cleaning/sanitizing of doorknobs and handrails. Staff and students are also reminded that hand-sanitizer dispensers are installed at various locations at all Niagara College Campuses. College personnel will continue to liaise with the Niagara Regional Public Health Unit to monitor the situation and provide updates to the College community as required.

For further information, visit the Regional Niagara Public Health at www.niagararegion.ca/living/health_wellness/pandemic-planning/Swine-Flu.aspx

Niagara College’s 17th annual Grafiti Awards were held Saturday April 25, 2pm at the Welland Campus. The annual Grafiti Awards showcase and celebrate the best of the best of student projects in Niagara College’s popular Broadcasting – Radio, Television, and Film (BRTF) program.

More than fifty awards and scholarships were handed out, including: Best Film Documentary, Best Music Video, Photography Contest, Best Interview, Best Journalism Award, Best Radio production, Best New Media, Best Screenplay, Best NewsMagazine Show, and many others.

The 2009 Grafiti Awards were sponsored by Future Shop, MT Bellies Tap and Grillhouse, Boston Pizza, Pizza Hut, Central Music, Remedy’s Rx, and Niagara College.

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For more information, contact:

Danielle Boucher
Executive Producer, Grafiti Awards
2nd Year Television Production student
905-531-5258
dboucher1@students@niagaracollege.ca

As part of the Shiny Smiles for All project, more than 20 area elementary school students received dental treatment today at Niagara College’s Dr. James Sim Dental Clinic at the Welland Campus.

The project represents a unique community outreach program aimed at children who don’t have access to dental coverage. Now in its third year, the project is a partnership among Niagara College dental programs, the United Way of South Niagara, the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association and Regional Niagara Public Health Dental Programs.

The young patients underwent an assessment in February, and were identified as being in need of treatment. Six local dentists donated their time to provide the services required. The dentists involved were Dr. Woon Fat, Dr. Tuck, Dr. D. Smith, Dr. Boyce, Dr. Lee and Dr. Emphringham.

“This is a project that allows our students to gain key practical experience, and also teaches lessons in the importance of giving back to the community,” said Ruth McMullan, Co-ordinator of the College’s Dental Assisting program. “We’re very grateful to our community partners for making this program a reality.”

Also present were local politicians and dignitaries: Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn, Welland Mayor Damian Goulbourne and St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan, Matt Robinson (Policy and Operations Advisor to the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation), Niagara College President Dan Patterson, Niagara College Vice President Sean Kennedy, Stephanie Gordan (Health Unit) and Drew Toth (Southridge Shelter).

The Niagara College Dr. James Sim Dental Clinic is operated by staff and students from the Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene and Dental Office Administration programs. The clinic is open Monday to Friday, from September to the end of May.

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For more information, contact:

Ruth McMullan
Coordinator
Niagara College Dental Assisting Program
905-735-2211, ext. 7755

Niagara College art and design students’ life drawing projects will be the subject of an exhibit that begins April 26 at the Niagara Gallery in Niagara Falls.

The works represent the final projects of second-year students in the College’s Graphic Design Production-Art & Design Fundamentals diploma program.

A variety of images will be on display in a range of media, including canvas and illustration board.

The exhibit begins with an opening reception on Sunday, April 26, 2009, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Niagara Gallery and the exhibit runs until Friday, May 1, 2009. The Niagara Gallery is located at 4323 Queen Street, across from City Hall, in Niagara Falls.

Students of Graphic Design Production-Art & Design Fundamentals receive instruction in various disciplines, from Life Drawing and Illustration, to Graphic Design, 2D and 3D Design and Computer applications. Students complete up to 950 hours of design studio and production work, as the program stresses practical application of design principles. For more information on the Graphic Design Production-Art & Design Fundamentals program, visit www.niagaracollege.ca/gdp.

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For more information, contact:

James Gielfeldt
Faculty, Graphic Design Production-Art & Design Fundamentals
905-735-2211 ext 7809
jgielfeldt@niagaracollege.ca

Niagara College Event Management students, with a group of volunteers, completed an environmentally-friendly restoration of the HOPE Centre’s Sprouting Hope Community Garden on Saturday, April 18 as part of the 12th Annual Many Hands Project.

The project included an expansion of the garden to provide additional plots, an installation of a fence, a shed to store tools, water barrels to collect rainwater and more.

“We are thrilled for the expansion of the garden, which helps to provide food for the food bank and kitchen here at the HOPE Centre” said Aaron Hussey, Executive Director of the Hope Centre. “We appreciate all the hard work that the students and volunteers have put forth. We’re looking forward to further planting seeds of hope.”

More than 80 volunteers participated in the eco-restoration, including Niagara College faculty members Gary Dolch, with his Construction Techniques class and Mike Hoeksta, with his Horticulture and Landscaping class. Welland’s Centennial High school, Canadian Tire Financial Services and the Hope Centre’s employees and clients also provided volunteers for the project.

“The Many Hands project allows our students to gain valuable hands-on experience in their field of student, and they also learn important lessons about giving back to their community, and using their skills to enhance the lives of others,” said Shelley Merlo, professor and coordinator of the College’s Event Management program.

Based in Welland, the HOPE Centre provides a full continuum of services and support to individuals and families struggling with poverty-related issues, and are committed to building and strengthening the Welland community by attending to the basic needs of the marginalized citizens, and by advocating change in existing social structure which contribute to poverty, homelessness, and compromised health. Its Hope Garden, located at the Niagara College Welland Campus, is an initiative developed in partnership with Leadership Niagara.

Many Hands, now in its twelfth year, is a one-day community-driven project organized by Niagara College students as part of the Event Management post-graduate program. The project involves selecting a not-for-profit organization for an eco-friendly restoration of an outdoor space. The Event Management students planned all aspects of the project, which takes place leading up to Earth Day, utilizing environmentally-friendly products. For more information on the Many Hands initiative, visit www.niagaracollege.ca/manyhands.

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For more information, contact:

Jaime Riley
Marketing Coordinator
Many Hands Project
905-641-2252, ext. 4233
jriley1@students.niagaracollege.ca

Adam Hogan
Marketing Coordinator
Many Hands Project
905-641-2252, ext. 4233
ahogan4@students.niagaracollege.ca

Shelley Merlo
Coordinator
Event Management Program
Niagara College
905-641-2252, ext. 4233
smerlo@niagaracollege.ca

Niagara College has completed the “Drive for Five.”

For the fifth straight year, Niagara College is ranked number one in student satisfaction among all Ontario Colleges according to the results of the provincially-mandated Key Performance Indicator survey, released today.

“This outstanding result is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and faculty, and their unwavering focus on the success of our students,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “This success has translated into unprecedented growth – we’re the fastest-growing college in Ontario and we’re bursting at the seams. We’ve launched a $48 million campus redevelopment to accommodate this growth and expand our capacity. This ambitious project will position us well for future success and growth for years to come.”

In all, 85.2 percent of students said they are satisfied with the education they’re receiving at Niagara College according to the results of this year’s KPI survey. The survey was administered at all 24 Ontario colleges this past February by an independent research firm for the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

The results mark the ninth year in a row that Niagara College has been at or near the top in student satisfaction.

The survey results also show that students aren’t the only ones satisfied with the College. More than 94 percent of employers indicated they are satisfied with the graduates they’ve hired, and more than 80 percent of graduates said they’re satisfied with the education they received. The survey results also show that 88.9 percent of the College’s 2008 graduates were employed within six months of graduation.

“These results are particularly significant in light of our current economic conditions,” said Patterson. “Niagara College is a leader in terms of helping our region adjust to a new economic reality, and these results show that college graduates have the specialized skills and knowledge they need to find careers, and help our key local industries meet the challenges of a marketplace that has become more and more competitive.”

The student satisfaction survey measures satisfaction in four key areas of college life. Niagara College’s results show:

• 90.7 percent of students said they are satisfied that their program is providing the knowledge and skills that will be useful in their future careers (third overall);
• 87.5 percent said they are satisfied with the overall quality of the learning experiences in their program (second overall);
• 81 percent said they are satisfied with the quality of facilities and resources at the College (first overall);
• 81.4 percent said they are satisfied with the overall quality of the services at Niagara College (first overall).

Results are available online at www.niagaracollege.ca/kpi.

With 7,500 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 hospitality and tourism, technology and community safety. The College is also home to the globally recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and to Canada’s first commercial teaching winery.

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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

Opimian, Canada’s largest wine club, is proud to announce the first recipient of the Opimian Society scholarship for the Winery and Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College. Casey Kulczyk, a second year Winery and Viticulture Technician student  will be presented a scholarship cheque for $1000 on April 7 at 12 pm.  The cheque will be presented by David Ledingham, Opimian area representative for Toronto West and Pierre Chanzonkov, General Manager.

In March 2008, the Board of Directors of the Opimian Society voted to make a donation to the Niagara College Foundation. In keeping with Opimian’s mandate to provide wine education, it was decided to give to the community by assisting Canadian students in the study of wine.  The donation was made in two parts; firstly $20,000 was donated to establish the Opimian Society Scholarship. This money will be awarded to students with financial need and given in the field of Winery and Viticulture Technician or the Wine Business Management Program. In addition, a $30,000 donation was given towards the building of the Wine Education Centre.

The criteria for the award is:

The Opimian Society Scholarship is awarded to students in the Winery and Viticulture Technician and Wine Business Management programs.  Additional criteria include financial need and a demonstrated determination to overcome additional challenges to achieve academic success.

The first Opimian Society scholarship is Casey Kulczyk, a 2nd year Winery and Viticulture Technician student at Niagara College. Casey has overcome many additional challenges through his time at Niagara College, including family illness and financial stress. Casey stayed in the Niagara region for his co-op because jobs were limited in his small hometown. While working 60 hours a week during harvest, Casey has still been able to maintain a 89% average and has also helped to organize and create the student wine club with two fellow classmates.

Opimian was founded in 1973. The wine club has 19,000 members across Canada and offers wines from around the world to its members that are not available in any of the liquor boards. Wines are ordered through mail-order catalogues and on-line. In addition, Opimian offers members wine tasting events and dinners through 26 areas across Canada. Also offered are wine tours and Tidings magazine is included in membership.

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For more information, contact:

Anne Walby
Marketing Manager
613-393-2671
anne@opim.ca

The Niagara College Foundation will host its 20th Annual Seafood Gala on Friday April 3, 2009, in the Grand Ballroom of the Fallsview Casino Resort, in support of Niagara College’s Building Futures Campaign.

This year’s event will be attended by more than 600 Niagara business, community and educational leaders. In its 20 years, the College’s premier fundraising event has raised more than $1 million in support of students.

“The Seafood Gala, and its supporters, helps so many people achieve their educational and career goals,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “Many people who would otherwise be unable to pursue a College education have found success thanks to scholarships and bursaries funded through this important event.”

Generously hosted by the Fallsview Casino Resort, this year’s event will feature a sumptuous seafood (and more) buffet and dancing to the music of James Doolin and the Mob.

The Seafood Gala is sponsored by Fallsview Casino Resort, Casino Cares, KPMG, TD Commercial Banking, White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa, Design Electronics, Sodexo, Rogers and Telus.

Proceeds from the Seafood Gala will support the Building Futures Campaign, which will raise the community portion of the funds required for the College’s $50 million Master Plan, which includes $48 million for buildings, equipment and learning resources, and $2 million for scholarships and bursaries.

More than 2,000 of Niagara College’s 7,500 students received financial support in 2008/09 thanks in large measure to those who support events like the Seafood Gala, which generate funds for student scholarships and bursaries.

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For more information, contact:

Lyn Russo
Director of Development
Niagara College
905-735-2211, ext. 7864
niagaracollege.ca/seafoodgala