Employee survey: Positive signs but lower participation

A greater percentage of staff who participated in Okanagan College’s 2009 Employee Survey say they’re satisfied with their employment (81.5 vs. 78.6 in 2007), more say they strongly agree with the statement that they are proud to work at Okanagan College (55 per cent vs. 46.5 in 2007) and more people see Okanagan College making good progress toward achieving its goals (55.9 per cent vs. 49.2 per cent in 2007).

While the 2009 Employee Satisfaction Survey showed positive trends in all areas where change was statistically significant, it also drew fewer responses from employees than did the first survey in 2007. The participation rate dropped to 35.5 per cent from 50.7 per cent in 2007.

“That’s a concern,” said President Jim Hamilton. “There is no clear answer to why that’s the case, but it’s not a trend I welcome. I would rather see participation grow, so we can be confident the picture being drawn is an increasingly accurate snapshot of what our staff feel.”

A report on the 2009 survey can be found online, within the employee tab in myOkanagan, under the OC Express Reports Surveys.

The preliminary analysis of the 2009 survey suggests that attention needs to be paid to some areas, including employee orientation and training for new employees, communication and constructive feedback from supervisors, maintenance of work-life balance, employee retention strategies, and opportunities for promotion and advancement.

“As an organization, we’ve committed to deriving two of our College Wide Goals for 2010-2011 from the results of the Employee Survey,” said Hamilton. “To that end, we have established a working committee that will use the review of the survey as the beginning of a wider discussion on how the College can better support employees. The Task Group will then make recommendations on prospective College Wide Goals. The committee includes representation from each of our bargaining groups and draws on experience from within our Business Administration department.”

The Task Group will be co-chaired by Business Professor Laura Thurnheer and Vice-President Steve Koehle. The other members include Dianne Crommer, Cam McRobb, Jo-Anne Yacheson, Tim Walters, John Lent, and Charlotte Kushner. HR Director Randy Maradyn and Institutional Research Manager Jan O’Brien will serve as resources to the committee.

“I’m expecting the committee will report by early March and the results will be communicated as we finalize our College Wide Goals and the action plans associated with them,” said Hamilton.

Penticton hosts College Night with the Vees

Okanagan College hosted its first College Night with the Vees in Penticton on Saturday, Jan. 16. The South Okanagan Events Centre was filled with 1,897 fans, College staff, displays and information about Okanagan College and Penticton’s Centre of Excellence. The event, which raised money and awareness about the Centre of Excellence, saw fans participate in the College Dash during intermission and receive great prize giveaways.

As part of the College Night with the Vees the College hosted 28 donors, volunteers, and prospective donors at a suite generously donated by the South Okanagan Event Centre. President Jim Hamilton and Regional Dean Donna Lomas are seen in the photo with Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton.   

Alumni Association raises $1,000 for students

The Okanagan College Alumni Association raised $1,000 through a 50/50 raffle at the Vernon Viper’s Hockey Game on Saturday January 9. The OCAA and OBSA provided a number of volunteers who helped sell tickets and make this event a complete success. The proceeds will be awarded as two $500 bursaries at the 31st Annual OBSA Business Banquet.



The Okanagan College Alumni Association would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out to make the raffle a huge success as well as those who attended the game and purchased tickets in the raffle.

New Kelowna Trades site opens



In response to the growing need for trades training in the Central Okanagan, the College has leased a new facility in Kelowna at #100 - 2350 Acland Road. The site, which is located one block from the Penno Road Centre, underwent two months of renovations to prepare the space for plumbing students. 

The new space includes two classrooms, a large multi-use shop and faculty offices. The facility will support plumbing training in coordination with the existing Penno Road location. The regional dean’s office hosted a barbeque lunch for students and staff to welcome them to their new training space. For more information about the space or programs, contact Jim Gamble.

Provincial student survey launches

Every year, BC Stats surveys recent graduates from all public post-secondary institutions in BC to determine student outcomes. These survey are grouped as the student outcomes reports and the information is available to the public on its website. 

Some of the information that BC Stats collects is used for institutional accountability to the provincial government. Institutional accountability reports can be viewed online. 
This year, the student outcomes surveys are being conducted on behalf of the institutions and BC Stats by R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd.

Malatest have begun the pre-test for DACSO; pre-testing for APPSO and DEVSO is scheduled for next week. These three surveys will be in the field by the end of January. If you receive any complaints from your former students regarding the outcomes surveys or the interview staff at Malatest, please let Jan O'Brien from Institutional Research know the substance of the complaint, any action taken, and anything we should do.  

College celebrates first Convocation of 2010

At its first Convocation of the new year, Okanagan College conferred 208 credentials to students in January at Winter Convocation.

A variety of students from business, engineering technologies, computer science, adult education and health and social development programs made the transition to alumni at the Saturday morning event. Follow this link to watch a video from the day.

Olympic torch relay comes to the Okanagan College

Students and staff at the Kelowna campus will have the opportunity to watch as the Olympic Torch passes in front of Kelowna campus along KLO Road sometime between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Anyone interested in finding out more about the torch route can visit the web.



Though the torch route map does not show the torch passing campuses in Vernon, Penticton or Salmon Arm, there are other Olympic events going on in those communities.

In Vernon, John Lent’s band, Lent Fraser Wall, will be playing at the Olympic Torch celebration in Polson Park at approximately 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Anyone interested in checking out the performance can contact John for confirmation of the time.

Community celebrations in Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon and Salmon Arm will take place at the following times:
Penticton – Monday, Jan. 25 1:30 p.m. South Okanagan Event Centre
Kelowna – Monday, Jan. 25 5 p.m. City Park
Vernon – Tuesday, Jan. 26 11 a.m. Polson Park
Salmon Arm – Wednesday, Jan. 27 10 a.m. City Hall Spirit Square

College joins Project Hero

Okanagan College is joining a host of Canadian colleges and universities participating in a scholarship program created to help the dependents of Canadian Forces personnel killed in action since 2002. The College has announced that it will join Project Hero, which was started a year ago by Kevin Reed and Retired General Rick Hillier.  

Okanagan College will join 38 other institutions in the country offering to help the eligible dependents by helping cover the cost of tuition. Beginning September 2010, the College will provide a tuition waiver – to a maximum of $3,000 per semester – for eligible students for up to four academic terms toward the completion of two-year post-secondary program, with potential renewal for an additional four academic terms for students who pursue a degree at the College. For more information about this new initiative, read a public affairs press release.

Registration for Campus-to-Campus goes live

Registration for the eighth annual Campus-to-Campus half marathon, relay and 10 km race is now live. Runners are encouraged to register online at: www.okanagan.bc.ca/halfmarathon.

Race information is also available at the website. Runners who sign up early are eligible for the early bird rate so sign up soon! The race committee is encouraging staff to be a part of the race as a runner or as a volunteer. Wrangle up staff in your department for a relay team or email Karma Lacoff to find out how you can become a volunteer. For more information about the Campus-to-Campus, read a public affairs press release.

Kelowna campus luncheon supports Food Bank

At its annual holiday luncheon in Kelowna, Trades and Apprenticeship collected cash and non-perishable food donations for the local Food Bank. In addition to offering up a great meal to staff, the department collected $310 and a large quantity of food items for the Food Bank.

Mechanic’s legacy lives on at Okanagan College

The legacy of Hermann Koessler’s passion for trades will carry on through students at Okanagan College thanks to a generous donation made in his memory.

Three years after her husband’s death, Ute Koessler made the difficult but emotionally rewarding decision to donate his tools to students at Okanagan College, despite being offered thousands of dollars for the valuable collection.

“The last thing Hermann said to me was ‘I have so much knowledge to give, I wish young people would want to be tradespeople,’” she said. “My husband was so skilled and willing to teach people, he was so proud to be a tradesperson. I know he would be honored to have his tools used by so many learning the trades.”

Koessler’s lifetime worth of tools, valued at more than $87,000, were hand delivered by his friend Mike Goodmurphy and his wife Ute, who took the time to speak to a group of entry-level Automotive Service Technician students at Okanagan College; telling them about Hermann’s life, his work and his passion for their chosen field.

Follow this link to read the full public affairs press release. 


Fezziwig’s up and running at Kelowna Campus

Fezziwig’s Artisan Bakery is now operating out of the food services outlet in the Centre for Learning in Kelowna.

The bakery offers sandwiches, soups, salads, home made squares and cookies as well as an assortment of coffee and beverages. Hungry students and staff have been lining up to taste test the new food outlet.

W. Tom Styffe joins Board of Governors

The Okanagan College Board of Governors welcomed a new member in January with the inclusion of W. Tom Styffe, an Okanagan Falls resident.

An experienced construction project management professional, Styffe has been appointed by the Provincial Government to a one-year term on the College Board, ending Dec. 31, 2010.

Styffe is semi-retired after a career in construction project management that spanned more than three decades. His work included projects ranging from the $25-million New Westminster campus of Douglas College to schools, hospitals, commercial projects and more than 1,000 units of residential construction.

He’s serving his second term as an Alternate Director for the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and has been active in municipal and provincial politics, including serving as a councillor for Logan Lake. For more information, read the full public affairs press release.

College contributes to Word Ruckus

On Saturday, Jan. 16 Okanagan College co-sponsored Word Ruckus, A Festival of Words & Community in Kelowna. The evening event drew more than 300 people and was held at Black Box Theatre.

Word Ruckus featured a number of performances and contributions from College staff including Chris Hutchinson, Kevin McPherson, Jake Kennedy, John Lent and photography by Mike Minions. English Professor Chris Hutchinson is seen performing in the photo.

Introducing the ILLT

In a new and unique partnership, students in Victoria Loy’s English 235 – professional writing and communications - class in Vernon are helping to share information about the Institute for Leadership in Learning and Teaching by profiling its members. Working with support from Public Affairs, students in the class selected a member of the ILLT, conducted preliminary research and interviews and then each wrote profiles of the members. The project was developed as a part of the students’ class work and the profiles helped determine their overall grade. Over the course of the semester students learned valuable information about writing, interviewing and the editing process. In some cases the students also photographed their subjects.

In its next few editions, Inside Okanagan College will publish the complete set of profiles. Find out more about the ILLT members through the eyes of our students.

Dini Steyn – by Bethany Head

If someone were to pass Dini Steyn on the sidewalk, they might just see her as an everyday businesswoman, but they would only be seeing a part of her. When she saw the goals for the ILLT she thought “Wow, this is me to a T.”

Follow this link to read the full profile of Dini Steyn.

Carl Doige – by Darbi Fawcett

Carl Doige is excited to be involved with the Institute for Leadership in Learning and Teaching (ILLT), though at first he wasn’t sure about the program. When he heard that the ILLT was looking for fellows he had his concerns: doubts of the program’s success and the possibility of good intentions going to waste. He was sharing an office with Rob Kjarsgaard at the time and because of his doubts he hadn’t considered becoming a fellow. Rob reminded Carl of the passion he has for teaching, making Carl reconsider, thinking to himself, “if it’s important, you’d better do it.”

Follow this link to read the full profile of Carl Doige.

The IT Services family grows

IT Services’ Dan Larsen and his wife welcomed their daughter Kendra Alexis Larsen on the evening of Dec. 24, 2009. Kendra was 18 inches long and 6 lbs 14 oz. A proud mom and dad paid a visit to colleagues in IT Services to show off their new addition.

Associate Dean to present at Innovation Vineyard: Challenges and Opportunities

Okanagan College’s Associate Dean of Science, Technology and Health, Douglas MacLeod, will present a lecture for the Okanagan Institute on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. at the Bohemian Café in Kelowna (524 Bernard Avenue).

The former head of the Okanagan Science & Technology Council will demonstrate how, through high quality design, cloud computing, resource positive development, social networking and helping small businesses commercialize their ideas, we can become one of the most innovative regions in the country.

Penticton Campus 15th Annual Holiday Hamper Project 



Staff, faculty and students at the Penticton campus donated over 560 non-perishable foods, gifts, toys, and treats as well as $505 in cash during the month of December. Included in these donations were items collected by Business Administration students’ SIFE project, which was organized by Penticton student, Brea Ratzlaff. These donations were used to create hampers for 11 students in need. This year marks the 15th annual hamper drive undertaken by the Penticton campus and is a remarkable demonstration of generosity.

Stan Chung to host - How to Engage a Diversity of Learners

Okanagan College’s Interim Dean of Arts and Foundational Programs will host an evening learning session on Friday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. in room A125 in Kelowna. The classroom has changed a great deal. Not only are there new learning strategies, but the profile of the learner has changed.


Learners come with different backgrounds, ages, abilities, and learning styles. What do you do? What works best? The two-hour session will aim to share information about how to engage a diversity of learners, with a focus on the Millennial Generation. To find out more about the session, contact Stan.   





Jan. 18 – Kalamalka Speaker Series - Family Farms: Update on the meat inspection regulation and its impact in this area with Andrea Gunner, P Ag. Gunner is an Armstrong based professional agrologist and food systems activist. Andrea will give an update on the impacts of the Meat Inspection regulation on livestock farms in B.C. and an exploration of possible initiatives to ensure local food production in the future. This event takes place at 12:30 p.m. in the Kalamalka Campus Lecture Theatre.

Jan. 20 - ILLT Lunch and Learn Series - Tips and Techniques for Classroom Instruction (film) with Rob Kjarsgaard ILLT Coordinator Okanagan College. Salmon Arm Campus 12 – 1 p.m.   Room 134 Free PIZZA!



Jan. 25  - Kalamalka Speaker Series - The Ghosts Around Us: Military Training in the Vernon Area with Howard Hisdal, History, Okanagan College. Hisdal’s talk will look at the military training that was conducted all around the present Kalamalka Campus site both before and during the great World Wars of the 20th century.  You will see the landscape in a different way after the presentation. This event takes place at 12:30 p.m. in the Kalamalka Campus Lecture Theatre. 



Feb. 1 - Kalamalka Speaker Series - Where there was not a creature to be found…now there are many: cleaning Fascieux Creek with Angelika March, KLO Campus Creek Clean-up Crew Leader, Okanagan College. This event takes place at 12:30 p.m. in the Kalamalka Campus Lecture Theatre.  



Feb. 8 – Kalamalka Speaker Series - Talking the Walk!  Pilgrimage along the El Camino with Wayne Emde and Jack Greenhalgh, Pilgrims at Large. This event takes place at 12:30 p.m. in the Kalamalka Campus Lecture Theatre.



Feb 8  -  ILLT Lunch and Learn Series - "Social Media in Teaching and Learning" with Glen Coulthard, Business Okanagan College, in the Kelowna Theater 12 -12:50 p.m. 

Mar. 5 - 27th annual Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition, Kelowna. Contact Michelle Lowry for more information.

Mar. 19 - ILLT Lunch and Learn Series - “Happiness through Character Building” with Ben Coleman, Psychology Okanagan College, in the Kelowna Theater 12 -12:50 p.m.



Mar. 28 - Okanagan College Campus-to-Campus half marathon, relay and 10 km race. Contact Karma Lacoff to volunteer or register at www.okanagan.bc.ca/halfmarathon.

April 7 - ILLT Lunch and Learn Series - “Diversity” with James Coble, Aboriginal Access and Services Coordinator Okanagan College, in the Kelowna Theater 12 - 12:50 p.m.

January 19, 2010 Vol. 3 Issue 19

Haiti relief support

Okanagan College has found a way to help accommodate staff and students who may want to contribute to international aid efforts through the Canadian Red Cross.
 
Staff who want to donate to the Canadian Red Cross Relief Fund for Haiti and have it deducted from their next pay cheque can make a request to Finance to have a payroll deduction. Requests and amounts should be forwarded to Cathy Schwarz. E-mails should be sent before Jan. 21 and should clearly say “Please deduct $__ from my pay for the Canadian Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.”  

Those who would like to make a donation by cash or cheque can do so through the Advancement office before February 5 - these donations will be forwarded to the Red Cross, who will provide a receipt.

Crusaders to take on SFU

The Okanagan College Crusaders hockey team will battle it out on home ice (Memorial Arena, Kelowna) against Simon Fraser University on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 9:15 p.m. Tickets to the game are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Drop by the Kelowna campus recreation office for tickets or contact Kolby.  Follow your team online at: www.okanagancrusaders.ca.

College to host 20th annual math contest

The Okanagan Region Mathematics Contest has been providing Grade 8-12 students an opportunity to show off their mathematics skills for two decades. Since 2005 the Okanagan Region contest has been co-sponsored by Okanagan College and UBCO.

Each year approximately 1,000 Okanagan students participate in the contest by completing the preliminary round, and approximately 100 come to the College or UBCO for the final round.  Participants can win a scholarship, cash, t-shirts, and book prizes. Currently the Okanagan College Foundation funds most of the contest prizes and activities, and a Math Contest fund is being established within the Foundation. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Math Contest can contact the Okanagan College Foundation. Visit the contest website for more details.

Applications being accepted for Multiculturalism Award


Last year, the Government of Canada established the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism to honour those dedicated to promoting multiculturalism in Canada. Senator Yuzyk’s efforts helped lead to the recognition of multiculturalism as one of the fundamental characteristics of Canadian heritage and identity.

The award acknowledges and honours individuals in communities across Canada who have made exceptional contributions to multiculturalism and diversity, and is open to all citizens and permanent residents. The award includes a $20,000 grant to be given to an eligible, registered not-for-profit Canadian organization or association of the recipient’s choice. For full award criteria, go online.

College offers Great Canadian SmokeOut Contest

Wednesday Jan. 20 is Weedless Wednesday, the highlight of National Non-Smoking Week. The idea behind this day is to promote a “one day at a time”
approach to quitting smoking. This day also kicks off the start of the Great Canadian SmokeOut Contest, which is taking place on the campuses of Okanagan College as a service of Health and Wellness.

This project is funded by Health Canada. The contest exists to support people who wish to quit smoking and to help people who don’t smoke remain smoke free! Everyone on campus can enter (students, staff and faculty). Enter one of three contests and win CASH PRIZES!

- Don’t Start and Win (For those who are already smoke free)
- Party Without the Pack (For those who smoke occasionally)
- Quit for Good (For those who are ready to quit!)


The contest starts Jan. 20 and runs until March 24.
Watch for opportunities around campus to enter, visit Campus Health, or check out this blog for more information.

Print Services vs. Convenience Copiers



Just a reminder that Print Services is available to staff and faculty for any printing they may need. The College's printing department offers many advantages over the convenience copiers, including full service, lower costs, and more finishing options. Send in your request by email (copyshop@okanagan.bc.ca), online print request (at myOkanagan) or drop off a hard copy, and Print Services will get the job done for you.

Print Services and Convenience Copier Price Comparison
50 B/W copies of 6 pages – printed double sided                  
Convenience Copiers - $27                                                            
Print Services - $15.30                                                                        

15 B/W copies of 29 pages printed single side
convenience copiers $39.15
Print Services $26.54

Canadian Colonel from Afghanistan talks to history students

On Thursday, Jan. 28, Professor Howard Hisdal will host guest speaker Colonel Gregory Burt in his History 120-001 class from 2:30 to 3:50 p.m. in the main lecture theatre (S104) on the Kelowna Campus. Students from other history courses and non-history students are also invited as well as faculty and staff of Okanagan College. This presentation is not open to the general public.

In 2009, Colonel Gregory Burt served in Afghanistan as the Commander of Canada’s Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT). Comprised of about 200 Canadian soldiers, the OMLT works to mentor 1 Brigade (Kandak), 205 Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA), in southern Kandahar Province. Mentoring includes the delivery of advanced military skills training to ANA units, and advising and sometimes jointly supervising ANA soldiers and their commanders during operations in the field. The aim of the OMLT is to help ANA soldiers develop the skills and experience needed to function as a professional, credible and accountable military force. For more information, contact Howard Hisdal.

Attention: Municipal Pension Plan Members



The Pension Corporation will be offering its two pension seminars in several locations across the province, from January through March. Your Pension, Your Future is aimed at new and mid-career plan members, while Thinking about Retiring provides information for members within five years of retirement. Follow these links to the spring 2010 pension seminar schedules and registration forms.

Because the seminar schedules are constantly being updated, the easy-to-use online registration system is the best, most convenient way for members to register. This tool provides the most current schedule information available, and allows members to register quickly and efficiently. Members will receive an instant e-mail confirmation that will include the date, time and location of the seminar. 
Members can access the online registration system through the website at mpp.pensionsbc.ca.

Reclaiming Activism in Academia

Okanagan College and New University Cooperative invite staff to participate in the Reclaiming Activism in Academia symposium in Kelowna and Naramata on May 5-9, 2010. 


The symposium will explore activism as it pertains to higher education. The symposium will begin with presentations and discussions addressing issues pertaining to the theme, and subsequently workshops will be held where concrete proposals will be developed to incorporate activism into all areas of institutions of higher education. Presentation proposals are currently being accepted until Jan 31, 2010. 



Topics for discussion would include but are not limited to: 

- Freedom of speech and intellectual freedom 

- Activism in the classroom and on campus, and in employee organizations

- Transformative pedagogy as a foundation in course content and delivery

- Inclusion of ethics into all content of curricula

- Incorporation of ecological sustainability and social justice into curricula

- Support for social change agents within existing post-secondary educational institutions

Proposals must include:
(1) A 250-word (maximum) abstract in English or French:  Abstracts should include the author’s name and email address, a short descriptive title, a concise statement of the thesis, a brief discussion of the sources, and a summary of the major conclusions.
(2) A description of how you will present your work: The symposium is seeking dynamic, engaging, interactive presentations of no more than fifteen minutes and you must highlight in your proposal how you will achieve this.
(3) A one-page CV.

Please submit proposals for papers and sessions to:
Wilma van der Veen by Jan. 31, 2010

New Course Offered by Distance Education  

Okanagan College is offering a new distance education course, TR 050 – How to Teach Online. The course is taught using web conferencing and discussion forum technology over a period of four weeks. The content includes introduction to distance education, learning theories, online teaching models and emerging education technology. Requirements: PC or Mac, fast internet connection and a computer headset with microphone.

Web Conference Dates (students will need to be available at these times): 
Saturday, March 13, 2010 – 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3 p.m. 
Saturday, April 10, 2010 – 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3 p.m.

Visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/distance for more information.

Who’s hungry?


With growth and changes at the Kelowna campus, a review of campus food services is being undertaken by the Central Okanagan Regional Dean’s office. Over the next two months feedback through open houses and consultation with key stakeholders will be conducted with students, staff and the community to find out about current food services needs. This feedback will help the College plan for the future. If you would like to be involved, contact Angie March, assistant to the Central Okanagan Regional Dean at local 4501.

Salmon Arm campus to host: Because I am a Girl conference

On Feb. 18 the Salmon Arm campus will host Salmon Arm Secondary’s Because I am a Girl conference. This multi-purpose event encourages girls to join in a day promoting self-awareness, self-esteem and wellness.  Students will sign up for workshops that cover three categories important to developing healthy individuals: mind, body, and spirit. Girls will participate in workshops from each of the three wellness ideas, including Skin Care, Belly Dancing, Self-Defence, Expressive Art, Financial Planning, and Dealing with Change/Grief, along with other topics. The event will also raise funds for the Because I Am A Girl campaign.

This organization gives funding to areas of the world that need help promoting and supporting their girls. So, while our girls are promoting their own wellbeing, they are helping to promote and enhance the lives of girls around the world.

50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to Sandi Gould and Jennifer Sigalet who each won payday draws in January. Sandi is last week’s winner with a $532.50 prize and Jennifer won $522.50 on the first draw of the new year - Jan. 1. 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 or online.




Okanagan College's own Mike Craig from Campus Recreation is helping out the Olympics in a significant way by lending his expertise in ice making to the hockey competition. Read more in the Experts seize golden chance.  


Walter Herbert took some time to reflect on Penticton’s changes over the years in his recent column. He highlighted the building of the Centre of Excellence. 

The third top rated story by the Penticton Herald for 2009 was the College expansions in Penticton. Read more in College made news with $28-M expansion. 


Three College students headed to Kingston to compete in the Business Policy category of Queen's University's Inter-Collegiate Business Competition. Read more in the Courier story Final round.

Institutional Research’s Jan O’Brien had her article Old dogs can learn new tricks published by HR Voice, the online newsletter published by the BC Human Resources Management Association.

John Lent and the honour bestowed upon him by the Okanagan Institute was featured in eVent in Portia Preigert’s story Poet, novelist, teacher and songwriter thrilled with honour.

The Okanagan Saturday's Uber Employee for Jan. 2, 2010 is business professor and now MLA Norm Letnick. Norm discusses items such as why he became and MLA, his bosses, and co-workers.

In his Global Citizen column, Practice makes perfect, Stan Chung ponders compassion, his ability to forgive himself and how this effects reaching his goals. The following week Stan contributed, Soul searching in the winter rain. Read more as Stan shares his thoughts on what he learned watching those at the end of their lives and how to relate idea’s of love, desire and honesty back into our lives.

The Vernon Morning Star (as well as Kelowna.com, Capital News, Castanet and the Daily Courier) picked up an Okanagan College press release sharing the story of the donation of tools by Ute Koessler in memory of her late husband. Read more in: Passion for trades lives on.

This edition of Inside Okanagan College includes three of Jane Muskens' School’s In columns including: This year resolve to learn more, Unemployment turns your life upside down in a bad way and Past decade has seen growth of positive trends in post secondary education.

With a new cook book published recently (with the help of the prize money from his Florida Tomato competition win), David Colombe is helping to inspire us in our own kitchens. Also of note, David is now working at RauDZ Regional Table in Kelowna. Read more of the Courier article, Get Cooking.

It was a chilly Polar Bear Dip in Woods Lake on New Years Day but Graham Kershaw was up for the icy waters. Graham is one of the founders of the Jan. 1 swim, which raises money for the BC Children's Hospital. See pictures of Graham braving the water in the Lake Country Calendar.

The Downtown Improvement Association in Salmon Arm is continuing its discussions of pursuing a college town identity. Jim Barmby (Dean) and Patty Munro (DIA) both express their views on the process in the Observer article: Creating college industry.

Kelly Scott’s curling team won the Penticton Tournament of Hearts and are headed to the Scotties in Sault Ste. Marie in a few weeks. This win, after the loss at the Olympic trials, confirms the strength of this team. Read about it in Warren Henderson’s Capital News article Scott back on national stage and Penticton Herald article, Great Scott!

Scott’s Penticton match was previewed by the Courier. Read more in Scott beats Mallett, earns Law rematch.

 

The Penticton Curling Club has just put the Women’s provincial curling championship behind them but they are already thinking of the possibility to bid on the national women’s tournament. The provincial event was a resounding success and the community was very supportive. Read more in the Penticton Herald article, Time to host a national?



Dance challenge winners from Okanagan College’s most recent RoboCup Championship are planning to attend the International competition in June in Singapore. Read more in the Vernon Morning Star article, Vernon brothers go global with robots.

The province appointed a new member to the Okanagan College Board of Governors, W. Tom Styffe,  for a one year term. Read more in the Penticton Herald brief, OK Falls man joins college board.

The Campus to Campus course changes, addition of a 10K run, and opening of registration were included in the Capital News recently. Read the contributions, More for runners in Campus-to-Campus Half Marathon and Race lengths for all in Campus-to-Campus run.




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, Feb. 2, 2010.

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