Okanagan College students receive Thorpe scholarship

On Friday, Oct. 5 two first-year Okanagan College students received $2,500 each from the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship fund.

Kimberley Turner and Jesse Emmond, both graduates of Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary, demonstrated the right combination of leadership, community involvement and academic achievement and received scholarships from Minister Thorpe (MLA for Okanagan-Westside) and his wife Yasmin at a ceremony held at Mount Boucherie. Kimberley is enroled in the BBA program while Jesse is pursuing an Associate Degree of Arts. To find out more about the recipients and the awards read the Public Affairs press release.

Employee survey

Okanagan College is conducting its first annual employee survey. It's not too late if you haven't filled it out already - you have until Oct. 25 to provide feedback and help guide the institution's development. Click here to go to the survey. 

College presents to Standing Committee on Finance

On Oct. 9 President Jim Hamilton and Board member Lance Kayfish presented to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services in Summerland. Hamilton and Kayfish highlighted the College's successes, outlined some of the cogent points from the recent economic impact study and made the call for more investment in post-secondary in general and the college sector specifically. Also presenting at the session were the Okanagan College Student Union, Royal Roads University and the University Presidents' Council. To read the transcript of this session follow this link (Okanagan College's presentation begins at about 9:45 a.m.)

Okanagan College athletes begin new season

The Lakers men's and women's basketball, volleyball and soccer teams have begun the 2007/08 competitive season with a significant number of Okanagan College students on the rosters. Twenty-two athletes, 10 of whom are women, make up 23 per cent of all athletes on the Lakers teams. Okanagan College athletes are as follows:

Men's Basketball: Marco Dolcetti, Kealey MacDonald, James Moodie, Wendall Thomas and Reece Torode-McDonald
Women's Basketball: Taryn Lazarus, Bailey Radley and Kim Whelpton
Men's Soccer: Tyler Ferreira, Matt Gabelhei, Talor Matejka, Nathan Samaddar, Thomas Simkins and Josh Timmermans
Women's Soccer: Elizabeth Bowbell, Natasha Korva, Chantal Pelltier, Maria Renouf and Natasha Whitty
Men's Volleyball: Kyle Westgate
Women's Volleyball: Rebecca Warnes and Brenna White

For more information about the teams or to check the schedule of upcoming games visit: okanagan.students.ubc.ca/athletics/   

College honours Penno Road donors at reception

Tom Lang of Gescan

A donor reception was held this week at Okanagan College's Penno Road facility to recognize the 10 industry donors who have contributed $68,500 toward the facility. Those donors are: Krueger Electric, Andrew Sheret, Geotility Corp., Keldon Electric, Gescan, Kimco Controls, Horizon Electric, BC Hydro, Siemens Canada and Acklands Grainger. Each donor in attendance was presented with a plaque.

2008/09 Viewbook

In the wouldn’t-you-know-it department, the gremlins that we work so
diligently to keep at bay managed to infiltrate our processes and Okanagan
College’s latest edition of the viewbook ended up with two small photos
turned sideways. The victims of this dastardly digital hiccup? None other
than President Jim Hamilton and Public Affairs’ own Leslie Bogula. The
decision (made in consultation with the oh-so-gracious President) was to not
reprint the offending pages: the resources can be better utilized elsewhere
and the impact on the overall message of the publication is minimal. So
please, no jokes about Jim taking the mistake lying down – it’s our mistake
and we apologize. Darned gremlins!

Office Space

A task force is being created to develop guidelines and principles regarding the assignment of office space. The task force will consist of representatives from faculty, support staff and administration and will have regional representation. If you would like to provide feedback or participate in the development of the guidelines please contact Regional Dean Heather Schneider.

Central Okanagan construction update

Phase one of the courtyard renovation project is nearing completion with the trees, plants, and concrete work now finished. Phase two, which includes the patio, outdoor stage in the breezeway area, benches and water features, is expected next year. Work on two other large renovation projects in the trades areas are schedule to begin soon. These are the addition of an outdoor structure in the carpentry yard area and major renovations to the Welding B Building. Work to repair the roof of the C building continued this month to address areas that were leaking.

Patience shown by staff and students on campus is appreciated - the work is being completed as quickly as possible. Work is continuing behind the scenes on the largest project for the Kelowna Campus, the Centre for Learning. The College is in the working drawings phase of that $28 million project. And last but not least, an expansion to the washrooms at the Penno Road centre is planned for this month.

The Quiet Zone

A classroom has been established as a quiet zone for students to study on the Kelowna campus. Students responded in our recent survey that they really needed a place to study that was quiet. To address that need portable number two will be a designated quiet study area from Monday - Thursday 5 – 9:30 p.m.  A quiet zone monitor will be in the classroom at all times to ensure that students can study in peace and quiet. With midterms and assignments due, please let your students know there is a quiet zone that is open now and ready for them to study in.

Canadian Banner Users Conference

Five College employees from Human Resources and IT Services recently attended the fifth annual Canadian Banner Users Conference, which was hosted by UNBC in Prince George. The conference provides the opportunity to discuss Canadian Banner issues and share success stories.  Two keynote speakers and over 75 workshops were presented by everyday Banner users describing enhancements, improvements and upgrading experiences in Banner.  Dave Harris led a presentation on the Banner Continuing Studies Course Registration system, which was launched this September. For more information contact Deb Matheson.

Distance Education enrolment number correction

In the last edition of Inside Okanagan College we reported the increases in enrolment at all campuses including Distance Education. The total number of students enroled in Distance Education was listed as 108, however, as Charlotte Kushner, Director of Continuing Studies pointed out, that only includes students who are solely enroled in Distance Education. When you consider students who attend classes and take some Distance Education courses the number jumps to roughly 580 registrations.

Wine auction a success for students

Close to $57,000 was raised at the Going Once, Going Twice wine auction held at the Ramada Inn in Penticton on Sept. 29. A portion of those proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund, the Ramada Inn and Suites Viticulture Studies award at Okanagan College. The award is given annually to three Okanagan College students who are enroled in Viticulture or Wine Studies certificate program.




The Oliver Chronicle covered a $100,000 commitment by the Ministry of Advanced Education to provide programs and opportunities for Okanagan College Aboriginal students. Read more in Aboriginal education projects help Okanagan College students.

An article in the Penticton Western News announced $32,500 to be committed by the province to Okanagan College and the Okanagan Regional Library for a community adult literacy program. Read the full story in Oliver lands literacy funding.

The South Okanagan Home for Learning project received extensive coverage in the Business Thompson Okanagan this month. Find out about the R2000 green build and hear from general contractors, Vicki and Eric Gerits in Homescape a Home For Learning booster.

The success of Raise a Reader Day was covered extensively in the Kelowna Daily Courier. The event saw volunteers and local celebrities selling newspapers with proceeds going to combat illiteracy. Okanagan College's Stan Chung volunteered for the cause. Read more in, You can help Raise a Reader, Raise a Reader Day spreads the word and Raise a Reader, help fund literacy projects.

The Vernon Morning Star ran a feature article on Okanagan College counsellor Derrick Doige as he explained the many career choices for students and why he loves his job. Check out Finding the right path.

Public Affairs director Allan Coyle was quoted in the Okanagan Saturday discussing the College's plans for a capital campaign to raise funds for institutional growth that includes the new Centre for Learning and trades facilities region-wide. Read more in University, college both have ambitious fundraising goals.

An article in the Kelowna Capital News covered the 2010 Legacies Now Connecting Communities tour and featured Meredith Reynolds, a member of the Canadian national double mini trampoline team and Okanagan College student. Okanagan College Alumna Kelly Scott was also featured as were comments from Okanagan School of Business professor and Kelowna City Councilor Norm Letnick. Read more in 2010 Legacies tour looks to promote community spirit.

A photo and brief article about Okanagan College Home Support Resident Care Attendant program appeared in the Kelowna Daily Courier. Check it out in Home care program.

The Kelowna Capital News ran a story about a new program offered in Kelowna by School District 23, Okanagan College, Automotive Industry Training Association and the Justice Institute. Find out more about the new Automotive Service Technical (AST) program in, Students achieve high school diploma in tandem with a trade. A second article appeared in the Kelowna Daily Courier, New programs give students a head start.

An article in the Penticton Western News profiled Jamaican worker Richard Ramsay, who is working on the William R. Bennett Bridge after coming to Kelowna as part of the Okanagan-Jamaica initiative. Find out about Ramsay's experience in Kelowna in Jamaican workers arrive in Okanagan.

A feature article about Okanagan College's Student Connections free computer and technology workshops ran in the Kelowna Daily Courier. The article includes comments from Student Connections' Sarah Duthie and Ron Light, chair of the College's Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology program. Check it out in Learn to love your computer again.

Stan Chung's Daily Courier column, Global Citizen, took on a heavier tone on Sept. 30 when Stan wrote about his relationship with his mother, her life, death, and his grief in River of love.

Read Jane Muskens weekly Capital News column School's In as she gives career planning advice to anyone with plans to have a family: Career plans tailored to parenthood.

The Vernon Morning Star covered a new provincial grant to help local seniors in the North Okanagan improve their literacy skills. The government will provide $40,000 to the Literacy and Youth Initiatives Society of the North Okanagan and Okanagan College. Hear from Vernon MLA Tom Christensen in Literacy grant aids seniors.

October 12, 2007, Vol. 1 Issue 14

Don't let flu get you down

Okanagan College is offering flu vaccinations for all staff during the month of October. The vaccination is offered as a service to employees only and participation is voluntary. Employee cost is $9 and cheques and exact cash will be accepted. Any questions regarding the type of vaccine or effects should be discussed with your family physician. More information about vaccinations is available from the Government of Canada at Health Canada's website. For more information contact Catherine Williams.

Clinics will be held as follows:
Salmon Arm - Wed. Oct. 17, 10 - 11:30 a.m. Room 121
Vernon - Thu. Oct. 18, 9 - 10:30 a.m. Room C334
Penticton - Mon. Oct. 22, 9 - 10:30 a.m. Room TBA
Kelowna - Tue. Oct. 23, 9 - 11 a.m. & 12 - 4 p.m. Room T113
Landmark - Wed. Oct. 24, 9 - 10 a.m. Room 341

Commemorative wine available

The Okanagan College Alumni Association is happy to announce that the 2007/2008 commemorative wine is available for ordering. Choose from four selections:
       
White:
        Semillion  - $19/bottle
        Chardonnay - $19/bottle
Red:
       Rapture – $19/bottle
       Osoyoos Lake Merlot - $22/bottle
            
The Okanagan College commemorative wine makes an excellent gift for guest speakers and visitors to the College. Proceeds from the wine sales are directed towards the Okanagan College Alumni Association Bursary and other alumni and student programs. To place an order please contact Kat Hay.

Volunteer for Career Fair

Three volunteers are still needed on Sunday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for Okanagan College's 26th annual Career Fair. If you are interested in helping, contact Career Fair organizer Michelle Lowry.

50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to Janet Berg from the Registration department who won today's payday draw for $462.50. The Okanagan College Foundation 50/50 Staff Lottery is open to all employees of Okanagan College. If you wish to sign up for the lottery, registration forms are available from: Advancement & Alumni/Okanagan College Foundation office (P103, KLO Campus), Human Resources (Landmark V, Kelowna) or online.

Winter book order deadline

Campus Stores would like to remind all faculty that winter book orders are due Oct. 15 and course pack orders are due Nov. 15. Please forward these orders to Gord Steffanson by email or inter-office mail with information including the text, the course and the campus.




Oct. 15 - On Monday at 7 p.m. in the lecture theatre of Kalamalka campus John Lent's new book Abundance, co-authored with Robert Kroetsch, will be launched by Okanagan College's Kalamalka Press. Both authors will be in attendance at this free event. Find out more about John's new book in the People section of Inside Okanagan College or read the Public Affairs press release.

Oct. 15 - South Okanagan Similkameen Speaker Series - It's not easy being green. Join biologist Sara Ashpole and Lindsay Coulter from the David Suzuki Foundation as they discuss the plight of frogs and amphibians in the South Okanagan and worldwide. Local populations face many threats including increasing urban and agricultural development. This free event takes place at 7 p.m. in the Penticton campus lecture theatre, donations are appreciated. For more information contact Kaya Forest.

Oct. 16 -  The Okanagan School of Business is presenting a series of lectures by Dr. Farid Novin, Senior representative from the Bank of Canada. Dr. Novin will address the short-term interest rate outlook and its implications on the Canadian equity and debt markets from 8:30 - 9:50. Later that afternoon (4 - 5:20 p.m.), Dr. Novin will discuss how the bank's short term interest policy affects foreign direct investment and inflation in Canada. Both presentations will be held in the student services building room S104. For more information read the Public Affairs press release or contact Jamie Basran.

Oct. 17 - Food Flight, traveling the world one bite at a time. Discover and enjoy food and entertainment from around the globe at this complimentary multicultural culinary event. Listen to guest speaker Shonu Ghosh on the topic of communicating culturally. This event takes place on Wednesday in the Pit and Lecture Theatre at the Kelowna campus.

Oct. 20 - Okanagan College's Aerospace facility in Vernon is presenting an Aviation Career Day for anyone interested in exploring careers in this field. The event takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 6225 Okanagan Landing Road in Vernon.  Prizes include a free flight over the Okanagan from Okanagan College's commercial aviation program and a $500 tuition credit for the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer program. Contact Rob Kjasgaard for more information.

Oct. 24 - The Okanagan College Social Club is planning a fun bowling night for employees and their families. Come and join your fellow employees for a fun evening of bowling and camaraderie. Enter as a single or as a team. You can come dressed up (since Halloween is the following week), or come in regular clothes. The event will take place at the Capri Centre Lanes beginning at 6:30 p.m. Three games, shoe rentals and prizes cost $10 per person. Contact Ruth Chambers for more info (sign-up deadline is Oct. 18).

Oct. 25 - Celebrate the achievements of our most distinguished alumni at the 2007 Alumni Awards. Nick Arkle is the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus and Corinne Inman is the 2007 Young Alumna. World curling champions Team Scott will receive recognition for Outstanding Achievement and the Okanagan School of Business team Inukshuk Sound will be presented with Outstanding Achievement for a student team. The awards will be presented at a dinner banquet. Contact Kat Hay to reserve your tickets.

Oct. 26 - Okanagan College's third Home for Learning residential construction project will host an open house/reception at the home built by students in the Village of Kettle Valley. The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. at 5476 South Perimeter Way. For more information contact Nancy Ankerstein.

Oct. 26 - Celebrate Alida Boyd's 27 years of service at Okanagan College with friends and colleagues at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery on Friday, Oct. 26 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.  The cost of the event is $28 and includes hors d'oeurves, canapes, GST, gratuity and contribution to a gift for Alida. Please rsvp to Shelley Parker before Oct. 23.

Oct. 29 - South Okanagan Similkameen Speaker Series -  Ron Spence, Tourism and Hospitality Instructor in the Okanagan School of Business, rode over 500 kms this past summer on former CPR trails including the Trans Canada Trail and Spirit of 2010 Rails to Trails in southeast B.C. He experienced wildlife encounters, historical moments of revelation and a sense of wonder at the achievements of the people who have gone before us in this part of B.C. This event takes place at 7 p.m. in the Penticton lecture theatre.

Oct. 31 - Join Okanagan College staff at the United Way Halloween BBQ on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 11:30 - 1:30 outside the cafeteria.  Contact Renee Huska for more information.

Howard, Kyle William Edward 1985-2007 

It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of Okanagan College alumnus Kyle William Howard. Kyle attended high school in Salmon Arm and went on to complete Carpentry level IV at Okanagan College in the fall of 2006 at the age of 21.

Robert Kroetsch and John Lent

John Lent to release new book

On Monday, Oct. 15, Okanagan College’s Kalamalka Press will release Abundance, a book of conversations about writing and the writing life by internationally acclaimed writer Robert Kroetsch and local writer and North Okanagan Regional Dean John Lent. 

Abundance is the fourth book in the Mackie Lake House Writer-In-Residence Project, a collaboration between the Mackie Lake House and Okanagan College’s English Department. Kroetsch is a Governor General’s Award-winning writer of fiction, poetry and literary theory. Kroetsch has over 20 books in print and has received critical acclaim in this country, in the United States and in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. John Lent has published seven books of poetry and fiction and considers Kroetsch to be a mentor for a new generation of Canadian poets and novelists. Read more in the Public Affairs press release.

Jan O'Brien to lead Institutional Research

Jan O'Brien has been appointed Manager of Institutional Research after spending more than two years in the role on a temporary assignment. Jan's staff, Nathan Bartlett and Kevin Trotzuk, both research analysts, also became permanent in July. Jan reports to Bob Eby, Vice President Finance and Administration. Bob is delighted to have Jan permanently settled into the position as they look ahead to long-term planning for the institution. Jan and her team have recently worked on the student survey and tier one program review dashboard for Andrew Hay, Vice President of Education. IR will also be analyzing the results of the employee survey. Jan welcomes any questions about the surveys and can be contacted via email.

Norm Embree to lead Interior Health Authority

Salmon Arm businessman and former chair of Okanagan College's Board of Governors, Norm Embree, will take over as chairman of the board for Interior Health Authority in January. Norm was appointed to the IHA board in March.






Do you have comments, questions or a submission for INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE? Please email Public Affairs c/o Christine Ulmer.

The next edition of INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE will be issued on October 26, 2007.

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