Okanagan College Foundation

Centre of Excellence   CLICK HERE for the most up-to-date developments and news stories about the centre! Centre of Excellence Penticton, BC   Change is on the horizon at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus, which will become home to one of the region’s most environmentally responsible and sustainable facilities, the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation. An investment of $23 million from the Federal and Provincial governments and $5 million from Okanagan College will fund the construction of the College’s new Centre of Excellence, which will begin in May, 2009. The Centre of Excellence is scheduled to be complete in March, 2011. Do you want to support the Centre of Excellence? Need more information?

Updates Real Estate Foundation of BC Supports College's Centre of Excellence FortisBC Contribution Energizes Centre of Excellence Prominent Duo Add Their Support to Okanagan College Fundraising Campaign TELUS to Support Okanagan College's Centre of Excellence

View the latest ads about the Campaign here!

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REAL ESTATE FOUNDATION OF BC SUPPORTS COLLEGE'S CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Students who attend Okanagan College in Penticton will benefit from new classroom space dedicated to studies in sustainable building practices thanks, in part, to a generous donation of $100,000 from the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia.

The grant was announced this afternoon at the Penticton campus by Karin Kirkpatrick, CEO of the Real Estate Foundation of BC.

“Our Board has been impressed by the vision of Okanagan College and its leadership team in their pursuit of innovation and in their commitment to creating learning resources for living building technology in the Centre of Excellence,” said Kirkpatrick.

“Supporting this building and the programming that will develop as a result of the new space was a natural fit for our organization. Land use knowledge, sustainability and conservation are the driving forces behind everything we do as we seek to provide leadership in land use and work to align resources in this province.”

The six-figure donation was received by Rick and Yasmin Thorpe, Honorary Co-Chairs of the Centre of Excellence Fundraising Campaign and Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton.

“This donation pushes the campaign total over the $1.78 million mark,” said Thorpe. “With support from community-minded organizations like the Real Estate Foundation of BC we are making steady progress in reaching the campaign’s $5-million goal.”

“It is extremely satisfying to watch as two organizations working in quite different sectors come together to pursue common goals and values such as sustainable development, conservation and education,” said Hamilton. “The key factor in this partnership is the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s strong leadership, generosity and their commitment to land use knowledge and responsible practices.”

The Real Estate Foundation of BC is a non-profit corporation that was established in 1985. Throughout the past two decades it has distributed more than $55.8 million in communities throughout BC. In the year 2009 alone, 57 grants totalling $1.48 million were approved by the Board of Governors.

The Centre of Excellence is on budget and scheduled for completion in 2011 at a cost of $28-million. It is aiming to meet the standards of the Living Building Challenge – the highest designation for sustainable building in North America, and one that has not yet been achieved.

The Federal and Provincial governments supported the Centre of Excellence initiative with $23-million in funding, $13-million and $9.1-million respectively, through their Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

For more information: www.okanagan.bc.ca/centreofexcellence.

FortisBC is supporting the establishment of Penticton’s new Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation with a $50,000 donation to create dedicated classroom space for students entering the technologically challenging electrical apprenticeship program.

FortisBC Inc., a Canadian-owned electric utility with 14 field offices throughout the Southern Interior, has a longstanding relationship with Okanagan College since 1992.

John Walker, President and CEO of FortisBC and Terasen Gas Inc., made the announcement in Kelowna this morning in front of dozens of electrical apprentice students.

Over the years, the company has helped the Kelowna campus save more than 1.3 megawatts, or 5,808,839 kwh of energy — enough to power nearly 450 homes for a year. They’ve also provided more than $600,000 in energy efficiency rebates.

“We are proud to support Okanagan College in creating a sustainable building technologies and renewable energy conservation campus,” said Walker. “Our community investment strategy supports projects that promote electrical trades, literacy, leadership and safety.”

The company’s pledge of $50,000 establishes the FortisBC Electrical Apprenticeship Classroom.

“FortisBC is the latest of a host of organizations that have recognized the value in supporting the Centre of Excellence,” said Steve Tuck, president of the Okanagan College Foundation. “We have bee fortunate to partner with FortisBC in the past and this new development is a very real indication of their commitment to this region and its future.”

FortisBC’s contribution has helped push the Okanagan College Foundation’s fundraising campaign for the Centre of Excellence over the $1.52 million mark.

The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation is playing a pivotal role in shifting the perspective of Canada’s construction community, demonstrating that going “deep green” on an institutional project doesn’t mean having to pay a premium.

The Centre is being built with the investment of $22.5-million from both federal and provincial governments, along with a further $5-million from the Okanagan College Foundation and donors such as FortisBC.

West Kelowna resident Danielle Hofer will have help pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Okanagan College this fall, thanks to the generosity of former MLA Rick Thorpe and his wife Yasmin John-Thorpe.

Hofer is the 2010 recipient of the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship. The Mount Boucherie graduate was selected for the scholarship based on her academic standing, educational pursuits and outstanding community contributions.

The $2,500 scholarship was established to support students from the west side of Okanagan Lake, from Penticton to Killiney Beach, who enrol at Okanagan College in a range of studies including: business, viticulture, agriculture, engineering, tourism, trades, technologies, English or creative writing.

Hofer will attend Okanagan College this fall to study business. The Okanagan School of Business was especially appealing to Hofer because of the opportunities for students to work closely with community and in student organizations such as Students in Free Enterprise.

“I am very interested in social entrepreneurship and I know there are great opportunities to specialize in this field at Okanagan College,” said Hofer. “My ultimate goal would be to one day work for the Canadian Red Cross and use my business training to implement programs, systems and support for health care and education around the world.”

Hofer has already gained experience working abroad. She, along with classmates from Mount Boucherie, worked on a campaign to raise funds for a village in Kenya to provide better access to potable water, medical services and education. The 18-year-old traveled to Kenya this year to provide feet on the ground for the project.

“I am really very grateful to be receiving this scholarship,” said Hofer. “I plan on doing great things with my education and am thankful that Rick and Yasmin Thorpe see the potential in me.”

The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the South Okanagan understands the importance of investing in the future.

That’s why the group recently announced a $10,000 donation to Okanagan College’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation along with an annual $3,000 contribution to fund awards for students enrolled in Residential Construction programs at the Penticton campus.

“Our board and members view this contribution to Okanagan College and its Centre of Excellence as an important investment in the future of our youth and of this region,” said Doug Carnegie, Treasurer of the CHBA South Okanagan and Commercial Account Manager for Valley First. “Investing in students and in the construction of the Centre of Excellence will deliver a large payback to our local economy.

“We will all benefit from this large expansion of Okanagan College. The Penticton campus will be able to offer a wide range of courses in Arts & Sciences, Health, Business and specialized trades. In addition to making education more affordable there will be more employment opportunities.”

With a strong focus on environmental sustainability and innovation in construction, the Centre of Excellence project aligns well with the value and goals of the CHBA South Okanagan, said Carnegie. The CHBA’s Built Green program is also aimed at reducing the building trades’ environmental impact. Carnegie points to new innovative trades training programs, such as the College’s new geothermal technician, as another way the College is addressing industry change and progress.

“We recognize the value of the support and strong partnership we have built with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the South Okanagan,” explained Kathy Butler, Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation. “Their recent contributions will have an impact on the success of the Centre of Excellence and will be felt on a very personal level by the students who will receive the new CHBA South Okanagan Bursary.”

Students who are residents of the South Okanagan and Similkameen and are enrolled on a full-time basis at the Penticton campus in either the Residential Construction or Carpentry Level One apprenticeship programs will be eligible to apply for the bursary. The recipient will be determined based on a combination of academic achievement and financial need and the bursary may be split to assist more than one student per year.

“Our members are always looking for well-trained employees and we are aware that not every student is able to meet the financial challenges that come along with post-secondary training,” explained Carnegie. “It is our hope that the CHBA South Okanagan Bursary will assist students in achieving their goals and will further develop the strength of our work force and skilled tradespeople.”

The Centre of Excellence is being built with the investment of $22.5-million from both federal and provincial governments, along with a further $5-million from the Okanagan College Foundation and donors such as CHBA South Okanagan. 

Two prominent citizens of the South Okanagan are adding their support to the fundraising campaign for Okanagan College’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation in Penticton.

Yasmin and Rick Thorpe have a long association with Okanagan College and will serve as Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs of the $5-million fundraising campaign for the Centre of Excellence.

“I’m thrilled,” says Okanagan College Foundation President Steve Tuck. “Yasmin and Rick are tremendous supporters of the College and post-secondary education in the Okanagan. They’ve helped make higher learning a reality for many students in our region through their scholarship program.”

“I know the respect they have earned from the residents of the South Okanagan and British Columbians,” says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “Their presence will significantly benefit our fund-raising and help make the Centre of Excellence a reality in Penticton.”

“Rick and I are strong advocates of Okanagan College and we are committed to working with the citizens, businesses and the communities of the South Okanagan to make the new Centre of Excellence a reality,” says Yasmin.

Yasmin is very active in several programs focused on writing and literacy in the South Okanagan. As a co-founder of the volunteer organization, the Penticton Writers and Publishers, she was instrumental in organizing an annual week-long BC Youth Write Camp and is also very involved in the South Okanagan’s Raise-a-Reader program.

Rick served for 13 years as an MLA and Cabinet Minister in the South Okanagan, retiring in the spring of 2009.

In 2005, Rick and Yasmin, in partnership with Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan, established a $250,000 scholarship fund. To date, 28 students from the Okanagan have received $2,500 first-year scholarships (for a total of $70,000).

“Yasmin and Rick have been sincere and valuable friends to the College as it has developed,” says Jim Henderson, who is spearheading the volunteer fundraising committee in the South Okanagan. “Their decision to help with our fundraising efforts is a welcomed boost.”

2010 OKANAGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION / WESTERN FINANCIAL GROUP ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

The 2010 Okanagan College Foundation/ Western Financial Group Annual Charity Golf Tournament was another success!  With your support, we raised over $19,000 for scholarships and bursaries at Okanagan College.

THANK YOU to all of our golfers, sponsors and volunteers!

2010 Winners List
2010 Golf Sponsors
2010 Volunteers

Winners List

TEAMS:

1st Place: Team # 10B - Sarah Edwards, Brad Colvey, Jim Kentel, Hilary Hettinga
2nd Place: Team # 11A - Glen Lohnes, Richard Cooper, Peter Csandl, Douglas Bryan
3rd Place: Team # 1B - Greg McGill, Robyn McGill, Daryl Kochan, Gary Horga
4th Place: Team # 13B - Wayne Hank, Greg Thierman, Tim Deming, Shane Petit
5th Place:  Team # 14C - Garon Sicotte, Hans Newmann, Steve Butler, Chris Pullen
6th Place:  Team # 1A - Bob Willox, Rick Sentes, Chuck Day, Alex Recsky
7th Place:  Team # 14B - Evan Lamb, Dale Safinuk, Ed Michielsen, Joe Delicatto
8th Place:  Team # 3B - Lorraine McGrath, Jeremy Etherington, Robert Halpenny, Kathy Butler
9th Place:  Team # 17A - Al Dalsvaag, James Dalsvaag, Steve Robinson, Jr., John-Erik Grain
10th Place:  Team # 16B - Dace Simpson, Rob St. Onge, Ron Young

SKILLS:

Longest Drive – Men: Brad Colvey
Longest Drive – Women: Kirby Harsch
KP – Men: Richard Cooper
KP – Women: Anne Kirkpatrick and Judi Hoyle
Longest Putt – Men: Allan Coyle
Longest Putt – Women: Connie Clough

Stutters Construction Restorations Putting Contest Winner: Glenn Lohnes
Okanagan Golf Club Chipping Contest Winner: Kim Dorcas
Okanagan College School of Business Straightest Drive Contest Winner:  Anne Kirkpatick

2010 Tournament Volunteers:

• Nancy Ankerstein
• Matt Arruda (Scotiabank)
• Suann Brown
• Brenda Byer
• John Caspers
• Leanne Clare
• Rita Clark
• Jean Dally
• Jackie Edwards
• Marni Esson
• Gladys Fraser (Scotiabank)
• Katelyn Hartman
• Lauren Hunt
• Michelle Lowry
• Rick McColman (Scotiabank)
• Angie March
• Marcy Nelson
• Wade Preston (Scotiabank)
• Chrissy Rhein
• Marie Scarborough
• Catherine Williams

2010 Tournament Planning Committee:

• Kathy Butler
• Dawn Douglas
• Erin Kavanagh
• Greg McGill
• Chris Currie

DONATION PUSHES CENTRE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN OVER 
$1.45 MILLION

A $150,000 donation from the BC Wine Information Society has pushed the $5M Centre of Excellence fundraising campaign over the $1.4 million mark. The Society announced its gift at a special celebration today.

“This is an extraordinary gift from an extraordinary group of people,” according to Okanagan College president, Jim Hamilton. “The Society has proven once again that they are committed to doing what is best for the community. Their donation will go a long way in supporting our students by creating study spaces, recreational facilities and providing the latest in equipment and technology.”

BC Wine Information Society Board President, Keith Bevington, says the Society’s donation reflects the importance it places on the College and in particular, what the Centre of Excellence will bring to the area.

"The Centre of Excellence will increase the opportunities for more people to study and stay in the area. The College’s viticulture program has already proven to be an enormous asset and the new programs offered through the Centre will benefit even more businesses.”

Established in 1996, the Society operates the VQA Wine Shop, the first VQA store in BC, located in the Penticton & Wine Country Visitors Information Centre and returns the profits to the community for wine education and awareness. It also promotes BC wines and wine tourism in the Okanagan. In 2006, the Society established two College awards and today it presented its Bursary Award, given to a full time student entering the Viticulture Certificate Program at the Penticton campus, to Nick Thompson of Penticton. Its Scholarship Fund is awarded to a student who has completed their studies in the Winery Assistant Certificate Program at the Penticton campus.

The Society’s donation to the Centre of Excellence fundraising campaign will help create more opportunities for more students through expanded and new programs. The additional space provided through the Centre opens the door for more than 500 new students to study and train in the South Okanagan while surrounded by the encouragement and support of family and friends. It is anticipated that when they graduate, most will continue living in the area, boosting the economy and increasing business opportunities.

Centre of Excellence fundraising campaign chair, Jim Henderson, calls the Centre a showcase and says it already has boosted the area’s profile.

"Our fundraising campaign is aimed at the latest technology that will take the Centre to the next level in green construction, energy conservation and sustainability,” said Henderson. “Our graduates will be job ready for the marketplace and will use their education to build and create new business opportunities in fields that are becoming increasingly important in our world.”

The Centre of Excellence is on budget and scheduled for completion in 2011 at a cost of $28 million. The Federal and Provincial governments supported the initiative with $23 million in funding, $13 million and $9.1 million respectively, through their Knowledge Infrastructure Program. The College has committed to raising the remaining $5 million through its fundraising campaign.

With one year left in the fundraising campaign, the eleven-member Centre of Excellence campaign executive committee is aggressively seeking donations to hit the $5M total. For more information and to donate visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/centreofexcellence or call 1-888-650-6968.

TELUS TO SUPPORT OKANAGAN COLLEGE'S CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

In support of TELUS' philosophy to “give where we live,” TELUS will give $100 to the Okanagan College's Centre of Excellence for every new TELUS TV customer in Penticton, Summerland, Naramata and Okanagan Falls. 



“TELUS believes in the importance of community. I, along with all of our team members in the Penticton and South Okanagan area, am so pleased to support the Okanagan College Foundation with a gift of $100 in the name of every new TELUS TV customer in the area,” said Steve Jenkins, TELUS General Manager. “TELUS team members are proud to enable important community infrastructure projects that benefit the communities where they live, work and serve.” 



"We're excited that TELUS has chosen to support the Centre of Excellence through its campaign in the South Okanagan," says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. "The commitment of TELUS and its employees to the communities they serve is well-known. They have been recognized internationally by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for their philanthropic leadership, with the 2010 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award. Their choice of this project as a beneficiary shows how committed they are to education and sustainability."



The Okanagan College's new Centre of Excellence, a LEED certified building, will increase the college's capacity and will teach sustainable construction and energy conservation.



This new $100 gift in the name of every new TELUS TV customer in support of Okanagan College's new Centre of Excellence begins today and will run for one full year.



TELUS TV offers over 400 channels, including 40 in High Definition (HD); an HD Personal Video Recorder (PVR) allowing you to record, pause and replay live TV and Pay Per View, so you can order live events from the comfort of your couch. TELUS TV also offers onscreen Call Display right on your TV and time shifting so that there are more chances to catch your favourite programs outside your local time zone.



TELUS began offering TELUS Satellite TV in June 2009. TELUS Satellite TV service complements TELUS' IP-based TV service by expanding the availability of TELUS home bundles including TELUS TV, Home Phone and High Speed Internet to more than 90 per cent of households across British Columbia and Alberta.



To order TELUS TV or for more information, go to telus.com/tv or call 310-MYTV (6988).


Losing a Long Time Friend - Ron Russell

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Ron Russell on January 27th. He was a long-time friend of Okanagan College and Okanagan College Foundation.

His was a prominent and friendly face each year at the College’s Kelowna Golf Tournament. He was the Honorary Chair of that tournament in 2007, just one of the 18 years he played or supported the fundraiser. Ron also sat on the Foundation’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee, willingly sharing his 38 years of experience as a Certified Financial Planner, a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).

A consummate professional in his field, he received the Canadian Medal of Achievement for the top marks in Canada upon graduation from the ChFC. program. In the past 38 years, Ron was actively involved in a number of organizations including the Estate Planning Council of Kelowna as past President, the Gyro Club of Kelowna, and the Central Okanagan Foundation.

We were very fortunate to have benefited from the caring counsel and friendship provided over the years. While we have lost a dear friend, we will cherish his many gifts in many ways.

Our condolences to his wife Priscilla, their children and extended family and friends.

Link to Mr. Russell's Obituary

 

The Okanagan College Foundation has been receiving inquiries from friends and colleagues of Mr. Jeffels regarding the Maebritte and Ron Jeffels Scholarship. 

Should you wish to donate to the Maebritte and Ron Jeffels Scholarship in memory of Mr. Jeffels, you may do so in one of the following ways:

In Person/By Mail
Online

The Maebritte and Ron Jeffels Scholarship is an endowment that was established in recognition of Ron and Maebritte’s contribution to the College and the Okanagan during the period Ron Jeffels was Principal of Okanagan College (1975-1980). The recipient will have completed the first year of full-time study in a university transfer program at any Campus of Okanagan College and will be returning the following September for a subsequent year of full-time study in that program. Selection of the award recipient will be based on academic achievement. Should two or more students have similar academic standing, other factors such as financial need, contribution to and/or involvement in college/community activities will be considered. Successful candidates must be residents of the Okanagan College region.  
  

Okanagan College Foundation Launches Campaign in Salmon Arm

Salmon Arm Campaign Brochure

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