Okanagan School of Business Top Team at elite competition

A team of four seasoned scholars from the Okanagan School of Business won top honours at the 43rd annual International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition held in San Diego April 12-14, 2007. Arluene King, Janta Quigley, Arend Hoekstra and Jane Long together with coach Norm Letnick, blew the competition out of the water coming from behind to win five trophies and finish with a stock price more than four times higher than the next best competitor -- the MBA team from Regents Business School in London, England. The team received the following awards:

Overall Team Performance - 1st Place
Written Reports - 1st Place
Top Stock Portfolio Performance Coach
Top Stock Portfolio Performance Students-1st Place
Top Stock Portfolio Performance Students-2nd Place

The team's performance garnered significant media attention in the Vernon Morning Star and the
Okanagan Saturday. A detailed account of the team's accomplishments is available in the Public Affairs Media Release .

Trades students fill the podium at BC Skills competition

Four Okanagan College trades students posted medal-winning results at the 13th Annual Provincial BC Skills Competition, which was held at the Tradex in Abbotsford, B.C. on April 18, 2007.

The College's Jace Albrecht received a gold medal in the carpentry competition while Automotive Service Technician students Chris Aitken and Michael Russell won silver and bronze respectively. In the Automotive Collision Repair category Tyler Seltzer finished third edging out classmates Brandon Bernstein and John Kroeger who both competed but did not place in the top three.

Jace Albrecht's first place finish qualifies him to attend the national competition in Saskatoon June 6-9, 2007. Winners of that competition will be eligible for the International competition held later this year in Japan. Find out more about the students' experiences in the Public Affairs Media Release.

Provincial recommendation for 2020 announced

A report commissioned by the provincial government on the state of post-secondary education heading toward 2020 released recommendations from its findings on Monday, April 23.

The report, Campus 2020: Thinking Ahead, will generate further dialogue around the 52 recommendations made by author and special advisor, Geoff Plant. Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton released a Global Communique encouraging all staff and faculty to thoroughly read the document and offered his own initial response, including some comments on the context for the process that will lead from report recommendations to government policy and legislation. College employees can look forward to further information and discussion opportunities in the coming weeks.

Rotary Kelowna and Gorman Brothers step up to support College and Health Care

The Rotary Club of Kelowna partnered with Gorman Brothers Lumber to offer scholarships at Okanagan College. Two five-thousand dollar scholarships were announced at a luncheon at The Grand hotel on April 17. The scholarships will be offered to students enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nursing program at the College. Rotary president Gary Bennett says this is the inaugural year of the scholarships, but the plan is to continue them in the future. Find out more about Rotary and Gorman Brothers' commitment to supporting health care by reading Rotary's Press Release.

College signs on to partner with Lanzhou University

Okanagan College and Lanzhou University, one of China's most prominent universities, signed a letter of intent to develop academic and educational co-operation between the two institutions on April 16, 2007. Read an article about the new partnership published on April 18 in The Vernon Morning Star or find out more in the Public Affairs Media Release.

BC Hydro supports Trades training at Okanagan College

BC Hydro has given the Okanagan College Foundation $2,500 to support students attending Trades and Apprenticeship programs at the Penno Road facility in Kelowna. The donation was a result of an application to BC Hydro's donation and sponsorship program, which aims to help fulfill Hydro's corporate mandate of supporting educational initiatives throughout the province. The donation will be used to purchase equipment and tools for the Penno Road location. Find out more in the Public Affairs Media Release.

Approval by EDCO results in two new programs at Okanagan College

A new diploma in Writing and Publishing will be offered this fall in the North Okanagan. This two-year diploma is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in four areas: creative and literary writing, publishing, communications and business. Students will receive applied training in print and web based publishing, accounting, marketing, and management, as well as creative, cultural and professional communications. For more information contact Regional Dean John Lent.

Human Kinetics will be added as a new discipline in the University Transfer program in the South Okanagan-Similkameen when two new courses get underway this fall. The courses were approved by EDCO and will be transferable into degree programs throughout BC. For more information contact Regional Dean Donna Lomas.


 

During the past two weeks Okanagan College received kudos from two different levels of government. Senator Tom Christensen wrote an opinion piece on April 13 in the Vernon Morning Star in which he credited Okanagan College for its role in expanding training and educational opportunities for students in the region.

MLA Sindi Hawkins delivered a compelling speech in the Legislative Assembly in which she applauded Okanagan College for innovative programs such as Residential Construction. A full written account of Hawkins' speech is available in this report (her statement begins on page seven). Listen and watch what Hawkins had to say about the College and Associate Dean Randy Werger's commitment to Trades training. Follow this link and click on House Video for Monday, April 16 Morning (Vol. 17, No. 8). Hawkins' speech begins four minutes into the clip.

The tragedy at Virginia Technical College on April 12 generated a tremendous amount of media attention at the local level and led the Daily Courier to ask "Could it happen here?" Listen to Allan Coyle, Director of Public Affairs, talking about options for communicating with students during emergencies in an interview with CBC Daybreak on April 19.

Biology Professor Howie Richardson was recently cited in the news discussing how the Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) donation is helping to ensure access remains open to Skaha Bluffs for climbing enthusiasts. Read more about this story.

A letter to the editor in Kelowna's Daily Courier on April 4 questioning Okanagan College's hiring practices engendered a follow up response from Randy Maradyn, Director of Human Resources.

Coverage of the Okanagan School of Business Team's success at the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition in San Diego was generated by The Daily Courier and Vernon Morning Star.

The Vernon Chapter of the Oddfellows donated $2,000 to trades students in the North Okanagan. Read the Vernon Morning Star's article about the donation.

A feature about the growing presence of women in trades ran in The Daily Courier. The story features four Okanagan College Apprenticeship students: Alison Vrabel, Karen Anderson, Dale Breen and Ann Marie Scott.

North Okanagan Regional Dean John Lent was interviewed by CBC Radio's Almanac about the development of a new songwriting program at Okanagan College and his involvement in the Chilliwack, Henderson and Forbes concert.

Visit the Public Affairs website to view all current and archived Media Releases

 

New Director of Campus Development and Facilities Management

Steve Robinson has been chosen as Director of Campus Development and Facilities Management for Okanagan College. Steve replaces Colin Lacey who retired in mid-January, 2007. Steve brings a strong portfolio of experience to the job, having acted as Director during the time between Colin's retirement and his own selection. He is very familiar with our organization having worked on transition projects and having been the Manager of Facility Operations for the past couple of years.

Chung to act as Dean of Arts & Foundational Programs

Stan Chung, Associate Dean of Arts & Foundational Programs has been appointed Acting Dean of Arts & Foundational Programs effective April 24th to June 29th, 2007. Stan will be filling Dean Rob Huxtable's position while Rob is on extended leave.

Rose Marie Jupp retires

Rose Marie Jupp, a long time employee of the SA Campus retired April 26. She started as a student more than 18 years ago and worked part-time in the Bookstore. While completing her degree through distance education and a semester at SFU, she worked in Student Services and Continuing Studies and for the last two years has worked in Student Services, as our receptionist and admissions/registration clerk. She looks forward to spending more time with her granddaughter and retired husband.

Winners of LibQual Survey announced

Library Services would like to thank everyone who participated in the LibQual Survey. The survey is now complete and the final results will be announced in June. Congratulations to the first-place winner, Kelowna's Megan Harris (Water Quality and Environmental Technology Engineering) who received an iPod. Three other winners were announced: Kelowna's Jie Song (Business Administration), Paige Greenhough (Business Administration) and Salmon Arm's Robert Trenholm (Science). Each of these winners received a $50 gift certificate to the Okanagan College Bookstore. To find out more about the survey and to see photos of the winners visit the Library website.

Dawn Douglas takes on new role

Congratulations to Dawn Douglas, Administrative Assistant for Advancement and Alumni Affairs, on the arrival of her son, on April 13, 2007. Joshua Kyle Douglas was born at 7:31 p.m., weighed in at 7lbs 7oz and was 50cm long.

April 27, 2007 Vol. 1, Issue 2

Call for volunteers for 2007 Next Steps

In response to the very positive feedback received about the Next Steps events held last August, plans are being developed for another all-staff event, tentatively entitled Next Steps 2007. The event is proposed for late August and will provide us with an opportunity to reflect on this year's progress on our Key Directions and to look ahead and discuss issues of consequence for our future.

If you would be interested in joining this group to assist in the planning of this very important institutional project, please contact Marian Gruber by e-mail. The group will be meeting in early May, so please contact Marian by May 4.

Evan Wilkes Memorial Bursary Fund established

A scholarship has been set up in memory of Evan Blake Wilkes, the Grade 12 KSS student who died on April 12 due to a gun-shot wound to the head. The Evan Wilkes Memorial Bursary Fund has been established by the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society.

Donations in Evan's memory payable to:
Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society
1079 Raymer Avenue Kelowna, BC
V1Y 4Z7

We invite your input!

As a Learning Organization, we are committed to regular review and adaptation. We have grown significantly in many areas over the past two years and we need to review the performance of the Program Portfolios. There are three key aspects that will be investigated:

(a) are the programs grouped together in the right portfolios?
(b) are the portfolios relatively balanced?
(c) is the administrative support for each portfolio sufficient and appropriate?

A team of the VP Education, Program Deans, Director of Continuing Studies and Extension Services and Director of International Programs will undertake the review. Input will be sought from each portfolio, Education Council, the Dean's Forum and Leadership Team at various points of the review process, and final recommendations will be reviewed for implementation by the end of June 2007. The consultation schedule is as follows:

Portfolio Specific Session Dates - Kelowna Campus
Mon, May 7 - 1-2:30 p.m. - Business, C234
Tue, May 8 - 11:30-12:30 p.m. - Trades, Trades Board Room
Wed, May 9 - 2:-3:30 p.m. - Science/Tech & Health, C368
Thu, May 10 - 10:30-12 p.m. - Arts & Foundational Programs, C234

Campus Wide Session Dates
Kelowna - Fri, May 11, 1-2:30 p.m. - College Board Room, S103B
Penticton - Mon, May 14, 2-3 p.m. - Board Room, PL 132
Vernon - Wed, May 16, 9:30-10:30 am - A204
Salmon Arm - Wed, May 16, 12-1 p.m. - Room 153

For more information please contact Jennifer Gorman at 470-1232 or Andrew Hay at extension 4739.

Reward yourself for service

A number of items recognizing service to Okanagan University College and The New Okanagan College are in storage in the Executive Offices at the KLO Campus. With our new corporate identity, we cannot distribute these to employees at any upcoming Employee Recognition events.

Items available include men's and women's golf shirts, OUC mugs celebrating 20 and 30 years of service and OUC pins celebrating 10 and 15 years of service. If you have met any of these milestones, or if you are simply interested in a memento of your service to the College, we invite you to come to the Executive Offices Reception Area (S103A) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to pick up a gift. Quantities are limited and items will be distributed to employees on a first come, first serve basis.

Hungry for change?

Okanagan College's Food Services in Kelowna is interested in hearing from staff and faculty with comments, feedback and suggestions about how Food Services can serve you better. If you would like to share your ideas please contact Heather Schneider via email or through interoffice mail.

Toonie Friday continues in Kelowna

Join Okanagan College staff and faculty in Kelowna on alternating Fridays to catch up with colleagues while enjoying delectable creations from the Culinary Arts program. The next Toonie Friday takes place on May 4 at Infusions in Kelowna. See you there!

For a complete list of College events visit the calendar

April 29 - Bike to Work Week begins Sunday, April 29 and carries through Saturday, May 5. Anyone interested in signing up can visit the Bike to Work Week website. The great thing about Bike to Work Week, besides the exercise, free cost of transportation to work and saving the planet, is all the free events and prizes. To be eligible for the prizes, you just have to bike once, and only one way if you like!

May 1 - The Okanagan School of Business' Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) team will be delivering their national presentation (23 minutes long) to get feedback from faculty, staff and students in preparation for their trip to Toronto to compete in the national competition on May 7-9, 2007. The presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. in room C234 at the Kelowna campus.

May 7 - The Start Your University Education With Us Information Night in Vernon is an open house style event which features the College programs that ladder into university degrees. Visitors to the info night will be provided with information about Okanagan College's Associate Degrees in Arts and Sciences, the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree, Commercial Aviation, Engineering Technologies, and Health and Social Development programs. Pre-registration is not required and the event runs from 6-8 p.m. in the cafeteria.

May 1-11 - Join Mike Minions for the Ed Tech Exploration Days
The following sessions are available. For more information or to register follow this link.
May 1 Kelowna: Second Life, Clickers, Web Conferencing, Online Interaction
May 7 Kelowna: WebCT Refresher, Tablet PC, Digital Video
May 8 Vernon: WebCT Refresher, Ed Tech open forum
May 10 Salmon Arm: WebCT Refresher, Ed Tech open forum
May 11 Penticton: WebCT Refresher, Ed Tech open forum


May 7 - The Kelowna campus of Okanagan College is buzzing with excitement as the semi-finals of the campus-wide Bocce tournament draw near. Teams will compete throughout the week of May 7 - 11 in games that begin at noon on the grass between the lab and student services buildings. Contact Angie March at local 4501 for more information.

May 8 - College Prep 101 takes place in Kelowna at 6:30 p.m. in room H115. Join this session to learn about the differences between universities, community colleges and technical institutions. Explore when and how students apply and general admission processes. Government loans will be explained as well as financial aid options. Please call 762-5445 ext. 4469 and leave a message to register.

May 9 - An Information Night will be held in Penticton in the Ashnola Building Lecture Theatre (PL107) at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. On the same evening an Open House will be held in the Sunoka Building Cafeteria from 6-8 p.m. Space is limited, so please call 492-4305 ext.3273 and leave a message to register.

May 9 - Okanagan College's Executive offices in Kelowna will be open for staff and faculty to tour from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Take a closer look at the new offices and help welcome Bob Eby, Vice President of Finance and Administration to Okanagan College. The tour will also give staff an opportunity to wish Yvonne Pinder good luck as she retires from the College and join everyone in wishing Deb Brinkman well as she moves on from Okanagan College to a permanent position at Interior Health.

May 10 - Walk for your health on May 10 as part of the International Move for Health Day. Campus Recreation has registered an event which consists of a fun 3 km walk on Thursday May 10 at 12 p.m. Participants will meet on the grassy area by residence at 11:45 a.m. The event is open to all staff and students. Join Campus Recreation for a toonie BBQ lunch after the walk. Please register by e-mailing Jenn Naiman or Mike Craig in Campus Recreation. You must register by Tuesday May 9 at 3 p.m.

May 11 - The next Culinary Arts Buffet Night is scheduled for May 11, 2007 from 5-9 p.m. Dine on cuisine prepared by Culinary Arts students at Infusions. Advanced tickets are required and can be purchased at a cost of $14.95 plus tax. Call 862-5455 for tickets or 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 May 11, 2007.

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