Okanagan College enrolment up

September enrolment numbers for students at Okanagan College tell a very positive story about the work the College is doing to attract students and serve community needs. Enrolment numbers for this fall are up 9.8 per cent over last year resulting in a total of 5,229 students attending Okanagan College this fall. Campus breakdowns are as follows (last year's numbers in brackets):

Salmon Arm - 2007: 335  (277)
Kalamalka - 2007: 754  (567)
Penticton -  2007: 480  (448)
Kelowna -  2007: 3552  (3359)

(Another 108 students are enroled in Distance Education). Read the Public Affairs press release or visit the media section to read newspaper coverage of this story.

Study finds Okanagan College to be major economic contributor

A study released last week by the British Columbia College Presidents (BCCP) found that Okanagan College's impact on the region goes far beyond training and educating students. Results show the regional economy receives approximately $542.6 million annually from the activities of Okanagan College and the cumulative effects of its past students, accounting for an impact of about 4.4 per cent of the regional economy.  Read the executive summary conducted by CCbenefits Inc. or check out the Public Affairs press release.

Jamaican students receive warm welcome from College and Jamaican High Commissioner

On Thursday, Sept. 20, Okanagan College's Jamaican students and their host families got a chance to mix and mingle with members of their new community while sharing a bit of their culture at a curry goat dinner. The traditional Jamaican food was prepared by Bertram Barrington Bailey, Deputy Chief Jamaican Liaison Officer, and his wife. Also in attendance at the dinner was Her Excellency Evadne Coye, Jamaica's High Commissioner to Canada, who was also honoured at a luncheon earlier in the week. A group of Jamaican workers who were recruited to work on Kelowna's new bridge were also at the reception.

Vernon campus recognized as one of Canada's most beautiful

Okanagan College's Vernon campus recently earned four blooms and national finalist status in the Parks and Grounds category of the Communities in Bloom national competition.
The campus received a special mention from Communities in Bloom due to the stunning location of the campus, the architecture, as well as the conscious effort by the College to preserve the history of the site. Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program. To find out more visit Communities in Bloom.

Call for Honorary Fellow nominations

The Okanagan College Tributes Committee invites nominations for the 2008 Honorary Fellow Awards. The criteria for the award are mentorship, excellence, eminence and accomplishment. The College welcomes nominations that reflect the values of the College and the diversity of Canadian society. Nominees will be persons who have made significant contributions to the College, the Okanagan Valley, the Province, the Nation or on an international level. The award will not normally be given to a serving politician or current employee of the College. All nominations should be sent to Joanna Campbell prior to Oct. 5, 2007.

Nomination’s can be made in confidence by e-mail or mail, and should contain as much information as possible including:
-    the nominee's name, title, position (or former position), mailing address and phone number
-    a personal profile of the nominee
-    comments on the nominee’s connections with Okanagan College, or with the region if applicable
-    a statement supporting the nomination (supporting documents may be included)
-    the name, mailing address or campus address of the nominator, along with your Okanagan College phone number and department or portfolio name.

Revelstoke announces new adult literacy grant

A $29,618 grant from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) will be used to promote adult literacy, learning and skill development at Okanagan College's Revelstoke centre. The Adult Literacy Outreach Project will involve a variety of local community organizations to help individuals increase reading, writing, math, computer and communications skills. The funding comes as a result of the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, which found that 42 per cent of Canadian adults do not have the minimum literacy skills for coping with everyday life. For more information about this project, contact Simone Palmer.

Bowling For Culture

Students Greg Hawkins and Kendall Benbow

Last Friday a group of faculty from Communications, English and Sociology/Women's Studies welcomed students registered in the Media and Cultural Studies diploma program by hosting a bowling night in Kelowna. Organized by professor Marlo Edwards, the event proved to be a great opportunity for students to meet more faculty as well as each other in an informal setting.

How do you want to celebrate the holiday season?

The Kelowna campus is asking staff for input and ideas regarding ways to celebrate the holiday season. Angie March is accepting all ideas - seasonal party? Cocktail party? Something new? On or off campus? A few dates have been set aside for a staff function and they include: Saturday Dec. 8, 15 and 22. How much are folks willing to pay to attend a party? Please email or call Angie with any and all ideas and suggestions. 



The story that garnered the most media attention this week was Okanagan College's enrolment numbers. Watch president Jim Hamilton discuss the numbers on CHBC TV or read more in: Enrolment up again at Okanagan College, Kelowna Daily Courier; College enrolment up 9.8% over last year, Penticton Herald.

A number of articles appeared in newspapers throughout the region after Public Affairs announced the findings of a province-wide economic impact study. Read more in: Report suggests college key economic contributor, Penticton Herald; Study finds Okanagan College to be a major economic contributor, Kelowna Capital News; College helps boost economy, Vernon Morning Star.

The arrival of Jamaican students and workers to the Okanagan generated significant interest from local newspapers. Watch a news clip from CHBC TV or read more in: Jamaican, Okanagan relationship shaping up, Kelowna Capital News; Jamaicans will add colour to Kelowna, Kelowna Capital News; Hiring foreign workers may be answer to labour shortage, Kelowna Capital News, Don't judge Jamaicans before you've met them, Kelowna Daily Courier; Crime stereotype raises some concern, Kelowna Capital News.

Michael Sierhuis, a second-year student in Okanagan College's electronic engineering technology program was awarded a $1,000 legacy scholarship from the Council of Forest Industries. Read more in: Forestry invests in electronics student, Kelowna Daily Courier.

A weekend wine auction benefiting Okanagan College's viticulture program scholarship fund will be held on Saturday in Penticton. Read more about the Going Once, Going Twice wine auction and find out about Okanagan College viticulture grad Jonas Greig, assistant winemaker at Laughing Stock Vineyards in Naramata. Going, going, grant!, Penticton Herald.

A new initiative by School District 23 and Okanagan College will result in more access to the Home Support Resident Care Attendant program for local students. Read more in: School district, college team up for home support career program, Kelowna Daily Courier.

English professor Jake Kennedy had two poems published in Okanagan Arts Magazine. The Light Is Real was written this summer for CBC listener Joanne Gailius when Jake and many of his colleagues participated in a CBC Radio summer poetry program. The second poem is entitled, Boredom Is Counter-Revoluntionary: An Itemization. 

Okanagan College colmumnists Jane Muskens and Stan Chung published pieces in the Kelowna Capital News and Kelowna Daily Courier. Read Jane's School's In column, Health Care professionals astound and Stan's Global Citizen piece (which appeared on the Courier's front page), Are laptops really the answer?

The Sept. 13 anniversary of the shooting at Dawson College resulted in an article by the Kelowna Daily Courier about campus emergency response plans. Read more in: Text message will warn students of campus trouble.

Artist and former Okanagan University College professor, the late Doug Biden, was honoured at a special exhibition at UBC Okanagan's FINA Gallery. Read more in: Artist remembered in exhibition at FINA, Vernon Morning Star; Colleagues honor artist friend,
Kelowna Capital News.

Ancillary and Business Services welcome new staff

Ancillary and Business Services recently filled two key positions within the division and would like to welcome Doris Janson and Carla Macfarlane to the department. Doris will take on the role of procurement officer for Supply Management Services and Carla will work with Campus Stores as general merchandise buyer. 

New recruiter joins Public Affairs

Public Affairs and the Penticton campus would like to welcome Julie Thode to the position of recruiting and events coordinator for the South Okanagan Similkameen. Julie is a 2006 graduate of Okanagan College's BBA degree program. She is currently transitioning into the new position and will begin full-time recruiting on Oct. 9.

CS instructors train to benefit students

A group of Continuing Studies instructors in the Medical Office Assistant certificate program attended training for the OSLER software that is currently being used in doctor's offices. The instructors were thoroughly trained on how to teach the program to students to ensure graduates have the up-to-date skills required for their profession. Seen in the photo left to right are: Maria Varga (Vernon), Cathy Girard (OSLER Trainer), Verna Simpson (Program Administrator, Kelowna), Wendy McIntyre (Kelowna), and Leanna Meszaros (Penticton).

Xiaoping Li celebrates book launch

Congratulations to professor Xiaoping Li on yesterday's book launch at UBC Vancouver. Xiaoping's book, Voices Rising: Asian Canadian Cultural Activism (UBC Press, 2007), will be used by universities across Canada as curriculum for Canadian Studies, Asian/North American Literary and Cultural Studies programs as well as Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. The book can be purchased at any Okanagan College Bookstore.

Members of School of Business run for Ethiopian women

Two Okanagan School of Business members, Lynn Sparling and Susie Duval, are participating in a relay run from Westbank to Enderby, a total of 100 kms. The run is to raise awareness and funds for a local charitable organization Partners in the Horn of Africa. One hundred per cent of the monies raised will fund micro-financing projects for women in Ethiopia. Over 600 women participate in Partners' micro-financing projects. Just $70 can help one Ethiopian women start a business to support her family. For more information or to make a donation contact Lynn.

September 28, 2007, Vol. 1 Issue 13

Acclaimed author offers workshop

Celebrated author and memoirist, Ryan Knighton will hold two events at Okanagan College - Oct. 4 in Penticton at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 5 in Kelowna from 12 - 1:30 p.m. Knighton will discuss the writing process and will be available to answer questions from students and staff. Everyone is welcome - see the events section for location details. For more information contact Frances Greenslade or Alix Hawley.

Lend a hand at Career Fair

The College's 26th annual Career Fair is around the corner - Sunday, Nov 4, from 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. This year's event will combine all of the traditional components of Career Fair with an information session for prospective students and parents. Volunteers are needed to help out from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Invitations are in the mail to all programs and departments. Please ensure program representatives send the reply card to Michelle Lowry. For more information or to volunteer, contact Michelle.

East meets West

Trades is offering a culinary course that may be of interest to College staff. Under the direction of Chef Jonathan Bull, experience the art of creating various ethnic foods from around the world including: Greece, Italy, Thailand, Japan, France and India.  This course takes place on Monday evenings from 6 - 9 p.m. and costs $255 plus GST.  (This includes the cost of supplies.)  Scheduled to begin October 28 - December 10 - No class on November 12. Contact Nancy Ankerstein for information.

Home furniture

This creative course offered by Trades will provide participants with the necessary skills to enhance your wood home furniture hobby. The beginner course runs from Nov. 6 - Dec. 6 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 - 9 p.m. An advanced woodworking class will be offered to program graduates or for persons with advanced skills from Feb. 19 - March 20. The cost of the beginner course is $225 plus GST.  Project materials are approximately $75 - $125. For more information about this course, contact Nancy Ankerstein.

Coordinating a cookout?

Now that the new school year is upon us, Facilities Management would like to ask that any departments wishing to host a Kelowna campus barbecue make their request through Susan Kane. Susan will work with Facilities Management on the logistics of the delivery and return of the barbecues. For more information about this matter, contact Graham Kershaw.

Flu shots

Okanagan College will offer free flu shots to all staff in the coming weeks. Watch Inside Okanagan College for a complete list of dates and locations for flu clinics. For information about the flu shot, contact Catherine Williams.

Retirement seminar for College pension members

The College Pension Plan will host a retirement seminar for Okanagan College (Administrators, Faculty, Vocational) on Nov. 30, 2007. A meeting room has been booked at the Coast Capri Hotel at 1171 Harvey Avenue. The presentation will run from 4 – 6:30 p.m. For more information, view the CPP Fall 2007/Spring 2008 schedule and download an application from the pension website. You can also register by telephone, call 1-877-558-5571.

College night at The Classic

Okanagan College's Salmon Arm campus is hosting a film event every Monday evening from September to December and then from January to March. Students and staff will receive a discount rate of $4 per film or 10 films for  $30. Tickets can be purchased from Becky in Salmon Arm's main office or at The Classic door. This initiative is part of Tim Walter's course, ENGL  215, Studies in Reading Film. Members of the public are invited to attend a follow-up class on Thursday evenings as an audit student.

50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to Jennifer Sigalet from Library Services at the Kalamalka campus 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.

Alumni Award banquet tickets now on sale

The 2007 Okanagan College Alumni Association awards dinner is getting nearer and seating is limited.  This year’s award recipients include: Nick Arkle, Chief Forester at Gorman Bros; Penticton Entrepreneur, Corrine Inman, owner of Morpheus Graphics and Design; World Women's Curling Champions, Team Scott; and for the first time ever, the Alumni Association will honour a team of business students - Inukshuk Sound. Space is limited for this event so reserve your seats now.  For more information or to purchase tickets contact Katerina Hay (local 4771).




Sept. 29 - The Going Once, Going Twice wine auction will take place on Saturday from 6 - 10 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Penticton. A portion of money raised by the event will benefit students in the College's Viticulture  program.

Oct. 1 - A new lunch and learn presentation, Who is killing the family farm? will take place in the lecture theatre of the Kalamalka campus on Monday. Hear from Andrea Gunner P.Ag( professional agrologist), agricultural economist and free-range chicken farmer about local and provincial farming issues. Contact the Library at (250) 545-7291 ext. 2247 for more info.

Oct. 3 - Join Wilma van der Veen's class of Race & Ethnic Relations I (SOCI 212) for a curator's tour of the We are the Metis exhibition at the Kelowna Museum on Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The cost is $3 and everyone is welcome -- students, staff and faculty.  RSVP to Wilma by Monday Oct. 1. 

Oct. 4 - An evening with author Ryan Knighton will take place on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Penticton lecture theatre. This event is presented by Okanagan College's Penticton campus and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Oct. 5 - The Kelowna campus will also host Ryan Knighton from 12 - 1:30 p.m. in room C368 (the lab building). Find out more about Ryan's writing process as he leads a workshop, discussion and answers questions from the audience.
 
Oct. 5 -  Salmon Arm professor Mitch Krupp is extending a warm invitation to attend the book launch of Turtle Valley: Memory and Magic, the most recent novel written by his wife, Gail Anderson-Dargatz, a noted author.  The launch is being held on Friday, Oct. 5 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Salmon Arm Art Gallery. The art show will also feature many of Mitch’s superlative photos, which are reflective of the locations mentioned in Gail’s novel.

Oct. 13 - The Municipal Pension Plan is holding its Annual General Meeting in Victoria on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Visit www.pensionsbc.ca for more information. Contact the MPP toll free at 1-800-668-6335 with any related questions.

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 lecture hall, S104. For more information contact Jamie Basran.

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. Ten dollars covers the cost of three games, shoe rentals and prizes. Contact Ruth Chambers for more info (sign-up deadline is Oct. 18).

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.



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 12, 2007.

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