Hats off to Okanagan College graduates

The first graduating classes of Early Childhood Education (ECE), Trades Technology Teacher Education (TTTE) and Advanced Culinary Arts joined more than 400 Okanagan College graduates as they celebrated their achievements during the past weekend's two Convocation ceremonies held on Saturday, June 2. A Commencement ceremony was also held on Friday, June 1 for Trades students who will finish their programs in the coming weeks. Saturday's Convocations also recognized Honorary Fellows Ken Smedley and Lorraine McGrath. To view photos of the three ceremonies, visit the Photo Gallery.

College announces Jamaican initiative

An initiative to bring skilled workers and students from Jamaica to Okanagan College was announced at a press conference on June 1, 2007. The partnership between Okanagan College, the Economic Development Commission, local employers and the Jamaican government will see dozens of Jamaican students come to the College to receive training, earn degrees, diplomas and trades certification. Spearheaded by Okanagan College business professor, Michael Patterson (right), the initiative has progressed extremely quickly. This week a delegation of Okanagan College employees went to Jamaica to meet with Jamaican officials, including the Prime Minister. Watch the entire press conference or CHBC's coverage of the event. Visit the Media section below to read more about the initiative.

Student provides feedback, wins $500

Bettina Muller, a first-year business student attending the Vernon campus, is the winner of the online Student Satisfaction Survey. Bettina filled out the survey to help give Okanagan College feedback. In doing so, she was randomly selected as the contest winner and received a certificate from Steve Koehle, Vice President Integrated Planning and Operations, and a cheque for $500. Bettina plans to save the money for books - she will enter the second year of her diploma program in the fall.

Chutskoff and Hall take Bocce title

The Okanagan College bocce tournament came to a close on May 30 when the championship game was played between the Dynamic Duo, Lulu Hall (left) and Gloria Chutskoff (right) and the Beeotccees, Christy Cave and Jamie Basran. While the matches were close, the Dynamic Duo came out on top. Third place was won by the Bocce Bros. (Kevin Trotzuk and Xavier Mendoza).

Local students, Robert Bateman on campus to champion wildlife and the environment

On Friday, June 1 the FortisBC Wild Festival for Youth came to Okanagan College's Kelowna campus. More than 275 students were on campus engaging in a variety of activities to promote environmental and wildlife awareness through art and essays. Also on campus was legendary painter Robert Bateman. Bateman joined students in the lecture theatre where he handed out the day's awards. The Wild Festival is currently the largest environmental children's event in Canada.




Convocation and Commencement ceremonies had reporters buzzing about Okanagan College graduates, Honorary Fellows and award winners.

College to award degrees, diplomas this morning, Okanagan Saturday
Sunny day, bright futures, Okanagan Sunday
Smedley shares honour, Kelowna Capital News
Smedley honoured, Vernon Morning Star
Local graduates make up half this year's honour list, Kelowna Capital News

A press conference announcing the College's plan to partner with Jamaica to bring skilled workers and students to the Okanagan resulted in an article written by the Okanagan Saturday on June 2, Caribbean connection could ease labour crunch and an article in the Kelowna Capital News on June 3, Okanagan Employers turning their attention to Jamaica. Listen to CKOV's coverage of the press conference, read the Public Affairs Press Release or watch Okanagan College's video of the press conference. For more on the Jamaican initiative, read an article by the Canadian Press or an article published by the Jamaica Gleaner News, Canada recruits more Jamaicans.

Honorary Fellow Ken Smedley wrote a letter to the editor that appeared in the Summerland Review on May 31, 2007 - Many contributed to Ryga Centre.

Kelowna's Daily Courier and Capital News both ran articles following the announcement of Okanagan College's involvement in a new partnership on small business training in the province: Province puts up cash, gets out of the way and Okanagan College to lead the way in small biz training.

The Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program produced a new tv commercial that is now airing on CHBC. If you haven't seen it yet, follow this link.

The success of Okanagan College's ACE team and the Alumnus of the Year award won by Cliff Anderson resulted in an article in the Kelowna Capital News  on June 6, 2007.

The Vernon Morning Star featured an article about Travis Gerlling, the Heavy Duty and Commercial Transport Mechanic student who recently won the Cummins Outstanding Diesel Student Award - Local student honoured, June 3, 2007.

The Revelstoke Home for Learning project was recognized in an article in the Revelstoke Times Review on May 30, 2007, Students learning on the job.

The Kelowna Capital News ran a feature on the Young Entrepreneur Awards - Apprentice Edition on May 30, 2007, Young Entrepreneur Awards.

Writer in residence

In early May, Okanagan College's North Okanagan Regional Dean, John Lent, was welcomed to Red Deer College as a writer-in-residence. As a well-established senior writer in Canada, Lent shared his experience and teaching ability with dozens of student-writers and the general public through private consultations, public readings and lectures. An in-depth profile of Lent was written by the Red Deer Advocate and will be available in the next edition of INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE. 

Kennedy recognized for contribution as a poet

Okanagan College English professor, Jake Kennedy was the recipient of the bpNichol Chapbook Award for poetry. Kennedy was honoured on Tuesday, May 29 at a ceremony held in Toronto.  Kennedy received the award based on his chapbook, Hazard. Read more about Kennedy and his award in an online article published by the CBC.

A horticulturalist in our midst

A veteran of the Electronic Engineering Techology department, instructor Gary Schwartz is also an active member of the Okanagan Orchid Society. Gary was recently interviewed by CBC Radio in his home talking about his hobby as he showcased his collection of more than 100 orchids. To find out more about orchids, visit the Okanagan Orchid Society's website.




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 June 22, 2007.

June 8, 2007, Vol. 1 Issue 5

Volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed for Orientation Week in Kelowna - September 4 - 5 from 7:30 - 11 a.m. (hour-long shifts would be great) -- please contact Angie March in the Regional Dean's office for more information.

Power walk your way into summer

Eager exercisers at the Kelowna campus have formed a noon-hour walking club. The group leaves from the Student Services building every day at 12 p.m. and makes its way to Gyro beach and back to the campus. The power walk takes approximately 35 minutes and everyone is welcome to join. Anyone interested can contact Angie March for more information.

Partners for Life

Thanks to all Okanagan College staff and students who participated in the March Blood Drive. Now that summer is upon us, the demand for blood products increases. You are now eligible to donate again. All you need to do is call 1-888-2-DONATE to book an appointment.

50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to John Caspers from Parking Services who won today's payday draw for $427.50. 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) or Human Resources (Landmark V, Kelowna) or online.

Adopt a Stream

Okanagan College's Kelowna campus is Adopting a Stream and has scheduled an orientation and clean up on Friday, June 29 at 3 p.m.  We are looking for volunteers (bring your children) and students to help out.  Garbage bags will be supplied but please bring gloves and rubber boots if you have some.  Pizza will be delivered at 5:30 p.m.  Please meet behind the Student residences/Water treatment plant by the footbridge at 3 p.m. on June 29.

Next Steps

Mark your calendar for the second annual Next Steps workshops coming to Okanagan College on August 23 & 24, 2007. Registration information will be available soon.

Summer schedule for Vernon delivery

The regular Friday truck run from Kelowna to Vernon will be discontinued for the summer. It will resume on Friday, August 10, 2007. Contact Doris Janson for more information.

The Cafeteria, Infusions and O'Tools new summer hours

Cafeteria
Wed June 13 - Last day of full service
Thur June 14 - September 3 - Closed
Tue Sept. 4 - Re-open at 8 a.m.
 
Infusions
Wednesday, June 13 - Last day of full service
Friday, June 14 - Sept. 4 - Closed
Wednesday, September 5 - Open for Lunch 11:30 - 1 p.m.
Thursday, September 6 - Re-opens for Dinner
 
O'Tools
June 14 - 29
Monday - Friday 7:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
July & August
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

That’s a Lot of Mail

Okanagan College receives 190,000 email messages per day. The sad thing is that about 183,000 of those, or 96 per cent, are spam. The good news is that our spam filters catch a very high percentage of them from reaching your inbox. If you have questions about spam at Okanagan College please contact Dave Goodall, Manager, Networks and Telecommunications.

INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE subscribers

INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE is now on its fifth publication. The internal e-newsletter is automatically emailed to all staff, faculty and employees of the College every two weeks. If you do not want to receive INSIDE OKANAGAN COLLEGE on a bi-weekly basis, please email Michelle Lowry to be taken off the mailing list.

Have you missed an issue of Inside Okanagan College? Visit the Public Affairs homepage to view the first five editions.

For a complete list of events please visit the Public Affairs calendar

June 13 - The Vernon campus of Okanagan College is hosting a Basic Accounting and Simply Accounting Certificate Information Night on Wednesday, June 13 from 6 - 7 p.m.  You can register for this free info session by calling the Kalamalka campus at 545-7291. 

June 13 - The Kelowna Home for Learning project is hosting a breakfast on Wednesday morning for students of the program and sponsors of the project. The breakfast will take place at Infusions at 8 a.m.

June 13 - An evening information session for the Salmon Arm Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship program will be held at the College's Salmon Arm campus, Wednesday, June 13, at 6 p.m. The Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship program will be offered at the new Salmon Arm Trades and Apprenticeship Training centre beginning August 7, 2007. 

June 13 - Esthetician students from the Okanagan College Esthetic Certification program will be competing in the first-ever Esthetician Excellence Competition. The winning student will secure a three-month paid position with a Spa in the Salmon Arm or Sicamous area upon graduation. The competition gets underway at 10 a.m. Contact Linda Villeneuve at (250) 804-8856 for more information.

June 13 - An information session for the Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program will be offered on Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. in room H115 at the Kelowna campus. The next intake for HSRCA begins in Kelowna on September 4, 2007. Intakes in Vernon and Penticton will begin in November.

June 18 – Vernon Continuing Studies students who completed certificate programs in 2006/07 will be honoured at a graduation ceremony at the Kalamalka campus starting at 6:30 p.m. Contact Val Banks for more information.

June 19 - Kelowna's Home for Learning project will host members of the media as well as partners and sponsors at a reception to showcase the work already completed on the house. The event starts at 10 a.m. at 5476 South Perimeter Way in the Village of Kettle Valley. Contact Nancy Ankerstein for more information.

June 21 - Join Okanagan College staff and faculty for a fun game of slo-pitch at the ball diamond on the Kelowna campus on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Contact Nathan Bartlett for more information.

June 27 - A presentation of "Lives of Tribals - From Darkness to Light" will take place in the Okanagan College Lecture Theatre at 7:30 p.m. This presentation will highight the work of Dr. Pradash Amte, Mohini Singh, Murli Pendharkar and the Kelowna Rotary Club in India.

June 28 - A Convocation ceremony for all Okanagan College Vocational and Foundation students will be held at the Kelowna campus at 7 p.m. Honorary Fellow Ross Gorman will be recognized at the evening ceremony. Volunteers are still needed - anyone interested in helping can contact Stephanie Paul.

June 29 - The 11th Annual Okanagan College Foundation Links to Learning Golf Tournament will take place at the Salmon Arm Golf Club.  Once again there will be a HOUSEBOAT VACATION raffle!  To secure tickets to the event or for more information please contact Patty Bruce. 

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