Real Estate Foundation of BC supports College’s Centre of Excellence



The Centre of Excellence fundraising campaign received a large boost last week when Karin Kirkpatrick, CEO of the Real Estate Foundation of BC, visited the Penticton campus to announce a $100,000 donation.

“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 President Jim Hamilton and Rick and Yasmin Thorpe, Honorary Co-Chairs of the Centre of Excellence Fundraising Campaign.

Follow this link to read the complete Public Affairs press release. 


Orientation events a success across the region

Every campus hosted successful and welcoming orientation day events for students on Tuesday, Sept. 7 when the College opened its doors for the fall semester.

In Penticton more than 200 students attended Day One events that included a welcome from Regional Dean Donna Lomas and Associate Dean of Business, Barry McGillivray. Organizers then sent students off on a treasure hunt, which familiarized them with the campus layout, bookstore and many other services. The afternoon included a lunchtime BBQ, games, prizes and the opportunity to take on President Hamilton and Joanna Campbell in a game of Wii (we won’t report the outcome of those matches).  

Up the lake in Kelowna Day One took on a new format. For the first time programs joined forces to provide a campus-wide celebration of the first day of school. Students were welcomed by third-year Business student, Josh Fleming, Regional Dean Ed Benoit and President Jim Hamilton (who started his day welcoming students in Kelowna and ended it in Penticton). Events included fun games and activities to win prizes donated from the College and community. The award winning student-built Trebuchet was dusted off and put to use as Civil instructors and students flung T-shirts into a crowd of eagerly awaiting students.

Orientation events also took place in Salmon Arm and Vernon, where students were welcomed to campus and given lots of information to help them succeed at Okanagan College.

Lent and Dewinetz wrap up A Verse to Summer

In the final installment of CBC Daybreak's A Verse to Summer, four Okanagan College staff put the finishing touches on a memorable eighth season of poetry.

As always, poetry tzar Jake Kennedy was in studio with Marion Barschel to provide the poets with a summertime question from a listener. A Verse to Summer saved two of its finest poets for the last inning - Regional Dean and Poet Laureate John Lent and English instructor Jason Dewinetz. In an unusual twist, the listener who suggested their topic was also an Okanagan College employee - the Vernon Library's very own Karen Friesen.

Karen's question for John and Jason was a simple but evocative inquiry - where do all the students go?

If you though John and Jason might have an easy time answering that question, think again. Jake Kennedy imposed his most elaborate set of constraints yet. Follow this link to listen to Jake dole out constraints as if they were candy.

Wondering if John and Jason were able to rise to the challenge? Listen to their tandum answer to the question - where do all the students go?

Coyotes athletics to raise funds for student athletes and teams

The Okanagan College Coyotes Baseball and Hockey teams are holding the inaugural Coyotes Athletics Fundraising Breakfast on Thursday, October 28 from 7-9 a.m. at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna. The event will give members of the College community, fans of the team and community members the opportunity to meet some of the players, find out more about Coyotes Athletics and support the teams’ fundraising goals.

The keynote speaker at the event will be NHL hall of famer Glen Anderson. Anderson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008, represented Team Canada at the 1980 Olympics and is best known for his years with the Edmonton Oilers – where he won five Stanley Cups. He also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.

Tickets to the Coyotes Fundraising Breakfast are available at a cost of $100 per person or $750 for a table of eight. Contact Mike Craig to reserve your tickets.

Connections 2010

With another event wrapped up, the Connections 2010 organizing team would like to extend a thank you to everyone who contributed to and participated in this year's employee learning conference. The two days saw nearly half of Okanagan College’s staff enjoy a great event; from the OC video to Chris Schneider's energetic and entertaining guest lecture, learning sessions, and the afternoon's terrific entertainment (thank you Tom and Sergei).

Whether you were able to attend or not, please take a few minutes to complete this survey to help make next year’s event even better. The survey closes on Friday, Sept. 17 at 4:30 p.m.

NTEn students recognized by TELUS

For the fourth year in a row TELUS has awarded $5,000 to three of Okanagan College’s top performing Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology (NTEn) students through the Jordy Koenig TELUS Scholarship, bringing TELUS’ total contribution to Okanagan College students to $20,000.

Scholarships were presented on Wednesday in front of the largest classes of first and second year NTEn programs Okanagan College has ever seen. Troy Berg was awarded $2,500, Jeffrey Nishi earned $1,500 and Colin MacDonald accepted the award for $1,000.

The scholarship was developed in 2007 to support students who successfully complete the first year of the program on a full-time basis and enter the second and final year of NTEn. Named after one of TELUS’ own employees, 30-year TELUS veteran Jordy Koenig, the scholarship is aimed at supporting students and more closely connecting students to employers, while helping to bridge the gap between education and industry.

Taking an interest in students enrolled in NTEn has been a valuable investment for TELUS. Since they began offering the scholarship in 2007, they have hired 5 out of the 12 scholarship winners. In total, TELUS currently employs 22 graduates of Okanagan College’s NTEn program.

Follow this link to read the complete Public Affairs press release.

Summer months see IT Services hard at work

With the majority of students and faculty off campus for the summer, IT Services had the opportunity to complete a number of projects. Ever wondered what the IT team was up to over the past months?

•    Moved 1,700 machines to the new network
•    Migrated over 20,000 student accounts
•    Upgraded 322 computers and monitors in labs
•    Replaced 279 laptops as part of the cyclical replacement program
•    Returned over 1,000 pieces of computer equipment to our leasing company
•    Installed 802.11n high speed wireless in Vernon and the Centre for Learning
•    Oversaw the destruction process of 465 boxes of records that had reached their retention period
•    Conducted eight sessions at Connections on Data Security, the new Network and Active Content Management (website)
•    Provided 22 Educational Technology workshops
•    Assisted 1,103 students and staff at the Help Desk
•    Set up two new labs – one in the Kelowna Library and one at the Vernon Campus
•    Rolled out a new image deployment system
•    Research underway to meet PCI (credit card) compliance
•    New Password Recovery feature for myOkanagan logins
•    On-line booking system now available for students to book study rooms in CFL and Kelowna Library
•    On-line calendar developed, enhanced Classfinders for Academic and CS, Program Search now available
•    New look and log in page for myOkanagan
•    Classifieds Channel ready to roll out
•    Began hiring IT Monitors to work in computer labs and the Information Commons
•    Testing schedule rolled out for Thanksgiving upgrade of Banner
•    Improved Lab Monitor system for tracking and managing applications
•    Electronic document imaging capture in the Executive Office

To find out more about any of these projects, contact Deborah Matheson. 

Claudette Kendel retires, receives literacy award

September is shaping up to be a busy month for Revelstoke’s Claudette Kendel. Claudette will be retiring from Okanagan College this month after 20 years of service in education. She was honoured by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (Revelstoke) on International Literacy Day as the first recipient of the Community Literacy Award, which recognizes commitment to literacy, innovation and creativity that inspires or motivates others to learn.

A large group of Claudette’s colleagues were on hand to surprise and support her as she received the award, as well as special visitors Regional Dean Jim Barmby, President Jim Hamilton and Vice President Andrew Hay.

In the nomination letter she wrote for Claudette, Community Literacy Coordinator Tracy Spannier had this to say about Claudette.

“She has inspired so many students in her time teaching at Okanagan College – including many adults who would have otherwise never completed their high school education. Rarely have I met an individual as influential as Claudette, and I have met few people in the literacy world more dedicated to guiding adults to overcome barriers to reach their potential. She sets the benchmark for what all good literacy advocates should be.”

Claudette’s last day at Okanagan College will be Sept. 15.

Douglas brothers come to town

Aaron Douglas, star of CTV’s The Bridge and Battlestar Galactica (also son of Michael Douglas, Human Service Work instructor) will join facilitator Chris Douglas, author of Human An Operator’s Manual (and also Michael’s son) for an evening event at the Mary Irwin Theatre in the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna on October 1.

Aaron, a graduate of KLO high school, acted in Kelowna’s Shakespeare in the Park before he moved to Vancouver to attend acting school. Since graduating from William Davis Centre for Actors, he has been in numerous TV shows and movies.

On Friday, October 1, Aaron will tell stories from Hollywood about his experiences on set, and some from his personal life as an actor. He will also talk about how he overcame challenges and obstacles to find success in a difficult industry.

Chris, who will facilitate the evening, will talk about the psychology behind overcoming adversity and will explain the principles of Aaron’s success. Chris holds a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology and is launching his first book Human An Operator’s Manual that evening.


To find out more about Aaron and his career visit: www.aarondouglasfans.com. 
To reserve your tickets, go online.

Sept. 14, 2010 Vol. 4 Issue 12

Coyotes hockey schedule now available

The Okanagan College Coyotes Hockey team has solidified its fall and winter schedule for regular season game play. Follow this link to a pdf of the schedule.

Fans of the team will be pleased to know the Coyotes will play home games at Kelowna’s Memorial Arena. For more information about the team, visit: www.ochockey.ca or become a fan on Facebook.

Fit for fall team challenge
Oct. 4 – Nov. 26
 


The Team Challenge is back in Kelowna. The Team Challenge is an opportunity for you and your co-workers and/or students to participate in an 8-week physical activity challenge, which will help integrate physical activity into your daily living. Gather four co-workers or students, elect a team captain and sign up today.

The fee for the Challenge is: $10 for staff, $5 for students and includes a pedometer, prizes and access to a cool software for tracking your activity. The first five teams to sign up earn bonus prizes. Find someone who is new to this challenge and earn extra points for your team. Register at the Campus Recreation Office or E-mail  Lynn. Registration takes place from Sept. 15 – Oct. 1.

Showcasing Touch Rugby 7’s
Staff vs Students

Campus Recreation staff are hosting a staff vs students Rugby 7’s Touch Tournament on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in Kelowna to showcase this exciting sport. Organizers are looking to recruit as many staff and faculty as possible to come out and challenge a group of students to a new and exciting, fast pace, non contact sport.

There are 7 people on a team with a minimum of 3 women. Sign up as an individual or as a team. The game will take place across the road from the Kelowna campus at the KLO Middle School fields. For more info or to sign up contact Lynn or Mike at the Campus Recreation office.

IT to upgrade Banner over Thanksgiving

IT Services will be upgrading Banner on the Thanksgiving weekend. From 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 8 until 8 a.m. Tuesday, October 12 the only systems that will be available are:


myOkanagan email

Library 

Okanagan College website 

Blackboard

For more information, contact Deborah Matheson.

Register now for Fall Classic

The fourth annual Fall Classic putting contest will be held on Sept. 28 in Kelowna. This year’s theme will celebrate Okanagan College programs. Anyone wishing to enter needs a partner and a putter and can contact Angie March. Tee times start at 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  Winners will have their names engraved on the trophy and other prizes will be given out.  

Acrylic Painting for Beginners 
 


Continuing Studies (Kelowna) has opened up another section of Acrylic Painting for Beginners. Back by popular demand (the first section filled up very quickly) this course will begin in November and will be taught by Karen Tessier.  

To register, visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/csreg

TERM: Fall 2010; CRN: 71127

Or call Continuing Studies at 250-862-5480

Finance Update

Oct. 4 marks the start of the 2010 Canada Savings Bond Campaign. Please stay tuned to Inside Okanagan College for additional information on how you can purchase your bonds. Bonds are only on sale during the month of October so don’t delay in making a decision.

If you have existing bonds, this will be your opportunity to increase your purchase amount or make other changes. Decreases can be made any time throughout the year either online or via payroll.

Registrar's Office issues second e-newsletter

The Registrar’s Office (Kelowna) has just published the second edition of its monthly e-newsletter. Reach Out provides readers with reminders of important dates, notification of Education Council approvals and general information about what’s new in the Registrar’s Office. Please visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/reachout to view the newsletter or email Inga to be added to the email distribution list.


50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to Michael Conlin from Business Administration in Kelowna who has won the September 10 payday draw for $547.50 (the largest amount won to date).

All Okanagan College employees are eligible to participate in the Okanagan College Foundation 50/50 Staff Lottery. If you wish to sign up, registration forms are available from Dawn Douglas (Local 4774) in the Advancement & Alumni/Okanagan College Foundation office (located in P103, KLO Campus), from Human Resources, or online.




Sept. 14 - Alumni of Okanagan College and Okanagan University College are invited to attend the Okanagan College Alumni Association’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. in Infusions Restaurant at Okanagan College’s KLO Campus. Light appetizers will be served. Please rsvp to Erin Kavanagh. 


Sept. 16 - It’s a free party for students in the Kelowna courtyard…this year’s fall fling will take place on Thursday, Sept. 16 from 12 – 5 p.m. and will feature live music, BBQ and a beverage garden.

Sept. 16 – The official launch and kick off breakfast for the United Way Campaign will be Sept 16. Okanagan College will be announcing its fundraising goal for this year. Get involved through the Payroll deduction, Fun Night (Wine & Cheese event for staff – coming in October), Halloween BBQ  or volunteering to be on UW Team for OC. For information please contact the Kelowna Regional Dean’s office.

Sept. 19 – Join Okanagan College staff in the 2010 AIDS Walk on Sunday, Sept. 19 in Kelowna’s Kerry Park. Anyone interested in participating should contact Claudia Cable at extension 4304.

Registration and a delicious, inexpensive pancake breakfast will start at 9 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10:30 a.m. Awards and prizes will be given out at 11:30 a.m. The walk begins at Kerry Park and goes along the waterfront, through City Park and back.

Sept. 22 - Let your students know about the Community Services Expo - happening in the Pit on Sept. 22 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Services and businesses in the community that have discounts to offer students will be on site. Free haircut makeovers will be offered by Evelyn Charles Salon. Free food and refreshments will be provided all day.

Sept. 21 – Join guest speaker Richard Jackson of the KiLowNa Friendship Society for a presentation in Adeja Chrisara’s Anthropology 230 class in the lecture theater in Kelowna from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Richard will discuss the significance of Pow Wows, as well as the different types of dances and Aboriginal regalia.

Sept. 23 – Okanagan College's Kelowna campus will again play host to the annual Youth Exhibition Pow Wow. The Pow Wow will take place all day at the Kelowna campus and will feature Aboriginal dance, food, singing and drumming. This free event will be held outdoors and is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Sept. 27- Kalamalka Speakers Series – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. A204

Southwest Studies: The Grand Canyon, Ethics of Biodiversity & Literature with OC instructors Stephen Doyle (Geography), Tim Walters (English), Rod Watkins (Philosophy).

Hear stories and view slides of last year’s adventures as they explored extraordinary locations in Arizona including the Sonoran Desert, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Anasazi ruins, and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. Southwest Studies integrates the disciplines of American Literature, Physical Geography of the US Southwest, and Environmental Ethics into this field-based program. 



Oct. 4 - Kalamalka Speakers Series - Classroom A204 12:30 -1:30 p.m.

Media wars in the Middle East with Johann Funk (retired College Sociology professor) Rajai Ghattas and Steven Heeren. Israel has a distinct advantage in conventional military and diplomatic terms given financial and political support from the US and Canada but is less effective in managing its media image.  

The panel will explore media as a weapon in the struggle for the legitimacy of the Israeli State and Palestinian nationhood. Rajai Ghattas, a Palestinian who left after the Six Day War, follows developments in the Middle East in the English and Arabic press. Steven Heeren, a retired Psychology professor with a special interest in the media, is the convener of the biweekly Vernon Palestine Study Group. Johann Funk, a retired Okanagan College sociology professor, has spent the last four winters in Palestine as a human rights observer.

Oct. 14 - Tickets are now available for the 2010 Okanagan College Alumni Association Award celebration, which will take place on Oct. 14 and honour two deserving recipients - Distinguished Alumni Award winner Lee Claremont and Young Alumni Award winner Ryan Donn.

This year’s award celebration will take on a new format as a cocktail reception in the Atrium of the Centre for Learning. Tickets are $55 per person - contact Erin Kavanagh to purchase yours.




Claudette Kendel, Adult Academic and Career Preparation Coordinator at the Revelstoke Centre, was awarded the first Revelstoke Community Literacy Award last Thursday. Claudette retires this week after working for more than 20 years at the College. Read more in: Claudette Kendel wins literacy award.


Mary Kiviste and Nancy Noble-Hearle work with Adult Literacy students in Penticton. Their experiences were featured in an article in Okanagan Life magazine to acknowledge International Literacy Day, Sept. 8.

John Lent, Regional Dean of the Vernon campus, helped announce the three authors shortlisted for the Ryga Award for Social Awareness. To find out who made the cut and more about the upcoming events, read the article Ryga award short-listed to three books.

The Okanagan College Alumni Association will be celebrating Distinguished Alumni Award winner Lee Claremont and Young Alumni Award winner Ryan Donn at a cocktail party on Oct. 14. For information about tickets and more read: OC sends out invites to laud local alumni.

The third season of the Coyotes baseball team starts this fall. With a strong contingent of players returning the team is looking to add about 20 new members. Read more in Rookies on Coyotes’ roster and OC Coyotes take to field for 3rd-season tryouts.

Ryan J. Plouffe, a former Okanagan College student, responded to a letter from the Mayor of Coldstream regarding the Okanagan 90 bus from Coldstream to the UBC Okanagan campus and the community’s willingness to fund such an expense. Read the letter: Student responds to mayor, from the Vernon Morning Star.

Sharen Marteny is teaching a new Continuing Studies course about transitions of the elderly as they age. The course will be offered Saturday, Oct. 30. Learn more about the course and how to register in: New Course helps connect seniors to health care needs.

Climbing enrolment numbers at Okanagan College was a big story in the first few weeks of September. Two articles focused on the Kelowna campus: Schools pleased with upswing in student registration and College, university grow up. Two focused on Penticton’s campus: Okanagan College student numbers keep growing and Penticton campus also registering an enrolment boost. And one story on the Vernon campus: College ready for a new year.

Orientation Day in Penticton received coverage in the Penticton Herald in Books and burgers on first day of classes.

In her School’s In column, Jane Muskens, Registrar, looked at the increase in enrolments including the trend of adults returning to school to upgrade and switch careers due to the economic situation. Read the column: Unemployed workers flooding back to upgrade education.

Christine Ulmer filed this week's School’s In column looking at the rate of teenagers not pursuing formal education in comparison to the increasing number of students attending Okanagan College. Read the column Teenagers in Canada choosing to drop out continues to be concern.

In Stan Chung’s column Global Citizen he discussed the passing of the season, the cycle of life and reflected on the energy of his daughter and her ability to ask questions. Read the column: Life’s mysteries go on.




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 Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010.

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