Niagara College News and Media

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. For more information, visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca.

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 + 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. For more information, visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca.

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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. For more information, visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca.

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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.

NOTE: 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

SPEAKER BIO:

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 more information, contact:

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

The top Men and Women Collegiate golfers in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) have concluded their pre-season rounds and will now head out to the LochNess Golf Course in Welland beginning Monday in search of their respective Provincial Championship Gold medals. Running from Monday through Wednesday, a total of 88 OCAA golfers will vie for team and individual bragging rights, before advancing to the CCAA National Championship hosted in Windsor, Ontario.

Ontario has always been know for their dominant play and this year will be no exception. With 14 Men’s teams in the mix again this season, the Niagara Knights will look to dethrone the Humber Hawks, who are looking to extend their streak of winning gold with their potential fourth consecutive title.

The Knights have fared well this pre-season. Chris Hargest (Owen Sound, ON) will be at the forefront for the hosts, as the smooth swinging lefty comes into the championship having already shot the low round of 73 at the Durham College Open. Not to be outdone, teammate Adam Briggs (Fenwick, ON) has already claimed a title of his own, shooting an impressive 72 to earn top honours at the Fanshawe Invitational to kick-start the season. Scott Fricker (Burlington, ON) shot an impressive 71 at the Niagara College Invitational held at LochNess Links back in late September.

The Hawks will rely on their veteran poise as they return 2008-09 champion Mike Zizek and 2006-07 Co-Champions James Castle and Ryan Willoughby.

While the Fleming Knights do not usually find themselves in the hunt for OCAA golf championships, having not claimed an individual title since 1994-95 when Tim Caine accomplished the feat, this season may be one where that changes. Brennan Smith was impressive at the Durham College Open, shooting a round of 74 to finish runner-up to Hargest and should be in the mix when the final rounds are complete.

The Durham Lords should also be in contention for the men’s overall title as Robbie Untinen has played some solid rounds of golf this fall, including a round of 73 at the Elmira College Invitation in Rochester New York. Most notably, that round came under rain soaked conditions. The forecast for the tournament is calling for isolated rain showers in the Welland area.

On the women’s side of the tournament, the Knights will be without representation this season – both individually and as a team.

Daniele Dunlop (Forest, ON), who won Gold in the Individual Category and helped win Silver in the Team Category, has gone from an Amateur to Professional golfer thanks in part to her performances this past summer. She is now on the Canadian Professional Tour. Dunlop was also the Niagara Knights Female Tournament Player of the Year Award winner last year.

Kayleigh Kraemer of the Durham Lords has made her mark on the OCAA women’s golf tour so far, winning both the Fanshawe Invitational and the Durham College Invitational. She was also enroute to a dominant round at the Niagara Invitational before having to withdraw for a “lower body injury.” The native of Germany will have her hands full though as she will have to contend with the dominance of the Humber Hawks program. Eight of the past 12 women’s championship titles have been won by a Hawk athlete, but that streak was broken last year when Daniele Dunlop of Niagara bested a very classy field.

Bev Peel, last year’s fourth place finisher will have her sights set on her first OCAA individual title as she leads a talented Humber squad into the tournament. The Hawks will look to continue their winning march as team champions, having won the past three titles and six of the past 10.

The Georgian Grizzlies will hang their women’s team hopes on a pair of women Leanne Stoppa and Alyssa Defoe who have had solid fall seasons in their own rights, finishing second and third respectively at the Fanshawe Invitation and claiming the overall women’s team title.

The final women’s team in the hunt for a title will be the Fanshawe falcons duo of Nicole Osbourne and Sarah Pickersgill. Although neither of them have a title earned this season, the pair did finish fourth and sixth at the Fanshaw Invitational. Osbourne also finished third at the Niagara Invitational, which was hosted on the LochNess Links golf course held recently.

LochNess Links golf course was built in 2000 and is a rolling landscape of testy mounds, 110 bunkers, water, fescue and bentgrass with the occasional tree. Besides the pot bunkers, there are seven ponds to contend with and strong par-3s, including the 245-yard 8th hole. Accuracy is vital in playing LochNess Links and players will need to keep their ball in the fairway to stay clear of the rough, the bunkers and the mounding.

Championship Format:

The Men’s team championship will consist of five player teams competing in 36 holes of stroke play with the top four individual scores counting toward the team total. Team play after the first round will be divided to Division I and Division II. The top half of the teams (including ties) will move to Division I and the remaining teams will be in Division II.

The Women’s team championship will consist of three player teams competing in 36 holes of stroke play with a minimum of two individual scores counting towards the team total.

The following teams will be competing at the 2009 OCAA Golf Championship:

Men’s Division

Collége Boréal (Sudbury)

Cambrian College (Sudbury)

Confederation College (Thunder Bay)

Durham College (Oshawa)

Fanshawe College (London)

George Brown College (Toronto)

Georgian College (Barrie)

Humber College (Etobicoke)

Mohawk College (Hamilton)

Niagara College (Welland)

St. Clair College (Windsor)

St. Lawrence College (Cornwall)

St. Lawrence College (Kingston)

Fleming (Peterborough)

Women’s Division

Fanshawe College (London)

Georgian College (Barrie)

Humber College (Etobicoke)

For daily results please visit the host website: www.niagaraknights.ca/golfchampionship/

Following the OCAA Championships, golfers will head to Windsor, Ontario to take part in the 2009 Ping Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) Golf Open Championship hosted by St. Clair College from October 13-16. The Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ontario is where the event will be held.

The wines of the Niagara College Teaching Winery continue to match up with the best of the best in the Canadian wine industry.

The NCT Winery recently won three medals at the Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards, including silver for its 2008 Dean’s List Cabernet Franc Icewine, and bronze for both the 2007 Dean’s List Chardonnay and 2007 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay.

The Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards competition is open to all wines that are 100 percent Canadian grown, and this year drew more than 980 entries. The competition was held Aug. 30-Sept. 4 in Toronto, ON.

The Niagara College Teaching (NCT) Winery serves as a practical learning enterprise for students in Niagara College’s award-winning Winery and Viticulture Technician and post-graduate Wine Business Management programs. Since opening in 2002, the wines of the NCT Winery have captured more than 65 national and international awards, including top Pinot Noir at Cuvée (2007 Dean’s List Pinot Noir).

The NCT Winery will soon have a new home at Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. Niagara College’s Wine Visitor and Education Centre, scheduled to open later this Fall, will house the NCT Winery, classrooms and labs, and serve as an educational facility for students, industry and visitors.

NCT Winery wines are sold at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus Wine Store. 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. For more information, visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca.

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For more information, contact:

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