Today's press conference puts College in key role in provincial small business partnership

Okanagan College is at the heart of a new $1 million provincial initiative to help meet the skills, training and education needs of small business. The partnership was announced today in Kelowna. Find out how Okanagan College will contribute to this partnership by reading a press release issued by the provincial government.

Home for Learning celebrates progress in Salmon Arm and Revelstoke

Students, partners and sponsors of the Home for Learning project in Salmon Arm hosted a wall-raising event on Wednesday, May 23 to showcase the progress made by the residential construction students.

A similar event was held in Revelstoke on the same day. The Revelstoke Home for Learning project began a few weeks after the Salmon Arm home and is currently installing the foundation using a system of styrofoam blocks.

Visit the photo gallery to view pictures of the Home for Learning events.

College and community drive, pitch and putt to raise funds for students

The 16th annual Okanagan College Foundation/Whillis Harding Agencies Charity Golf Tournament was held on May 24 at the Okanagan Golf Club. The annual community event raises funds for scholarships and bursaries and brings together a wide variety of golfers, community partners and Okanagan College supporters from throughout the Valley such as Clive McKenzie of HMA Architects who is seen in the photo signing in for the event. 

ACE students compete at Nationals

In only its second year, the ACE Okanagan team successfully competed on a national scale and beat out many institutions, such as Laurier University, UBC, University of Alberta, and UVic for the Alumni of the Year, and achieved a top 20 ranking in the country at a national competition held this month in Toronto. ACE (Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship) is a national, not-for-profit organization that is igniting young Canadians to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. For more information about ACE or this year’s team, contact Kyleen Myrah.

President submits annual report to the board

Earlier this month Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton submitted First in Class; President's Report to the Board of Governors. The report chronicles the success experienced by the College in what Hamilton refers to as another Banner Year.



The announcement of President Jim Hamilton's extension garnered significant attention from media throughout the Valley. Read articles published by:
The Kelowna Daily Courier - Hamilton back for three more years, May 15
The Kelowna Capital News - Okanagan College  president has term extended by board, May 16
The Vernon Morning Star - Hamilton continues as OC president, May 10

Listen to a CKOV radio interview with President Jim Hamilton, May 17, 2007.

The announcement of Okanagan College's Honorary Fellows, Ross Gorman, Lorraine McGrath and Ken Smedley, also earned some media attention.

The Vernon Morning Star - College honours valley residents, May 16
The Penticton Herald - Smedley to be honoured by OC, May 16
The Summerland Review - Smedley receives honour, May 17
The Kelowna Capital News - Maxine Dehart on Honorary Fellows and President Hamilton's extension, May 16
Westside Weekly - Business pioneer recognized by College, May 23

A series of articles appearing in the Kelowna Capital News and Kelowna Daily Courier on May 23 chronicled Okanagan College's growth over the past year. Read Ron Seymour's article, Okanagan College exceeding goals, expections.

Alyson Marshall, one of our part-time business students, was featured in two Okanagan newspapers after she earned a spot on Canada's National Junior Cross Country Ski team. Read about her achievements in the Salmon Arm Observer and Vernon Morning Star.

Travis Gerlling, a Pre-Apprenticeship student in Okanagan College's Heavy Duty and Commercial Transport Mechanic program, was honoured by Cummins Inc. on Friday, May 18 when he received the Outstanding Diesel Student award from the company. Watch SHAW TV's coverage of the award presentation and find out more about what may be next for Travis. Visit the photo gallery to see a picture of Travis receiving his award.

Okanagan College board member Brian Hughes published an opinion piece about the Campus 2020 report on post-secondary education in the Penticton Herald on May 14.

Five Kelowna accounting students earned their Chartered Accountant (CA) designation this month. Four of the graduates attended Okanagan College: Jennifer Hemingway, Chris Morcom, Clark Traverse and Tammy Vicars. An article featuring their accomplishments was published in the Kelowna Capital News on May 25.

The Young Entrepreneur Awards wrapped up on Wednesday, May 16 with winners being announced in the Junior and Senior categories. The top spot in the Senior competition was taken by the Socca Playas, a team from KSS who came up with a business plan for a roller rink designed to increase exercise in youth. Winning the Junior category was team AJLIK who developed a healthy juice drink for teens. Find out more about this year's competition by watching coverage by OKBC.TV.

Political Science Professor publishes book

Ayla Kilic, Professor and Chair of Political Science at Okanagan College has published a book entitled: Maple Sands: Canada-Middle East Relations during the Chrétien Era. Maple Sands explores Canada-Middle East relations during the Chrétien era, with particular focus on Canadian foreign policy vis-à-vis the Arab-Israeli Conflict and the War on Iraq. The book is a product of collaboration among contributors from different political backgrounds using a variety of interdisciplinary lenses to generate debate about Canadian priorities in the Middle East.

Lent profiled

John Lent, Regional Dean of the North Okanagan, was profiled in the Vernon Morning Star today. Read about Lent's perspective on his new role with the College.

College employees take the stage at convocation

Okanagan College staff Brenda Ridgeley, instructor Michele McCready and former OUC employee Arluene King will receive their Business Administration diplomas at the Spring Convocation on June 2 at 2 p.m. Okanagan College Professor Shelley Johnson will receive her Bachelor of Business Administration at the same ceremony. 

In the coming month Okanagan College will say goodbye to three valued members of the College community as they retire.

Allan Hill
After more than two decades of nurturing many students on to great careers, Al is stepping out of the classroom and moving on to new adventures. There will be an open house on June 2 from 2-5 p.m. at Al’s home, 896 Rowcliffe Avenue, Kelowna. Please drop by if you can and share some laughs and wish Allan well in his retirement. RSVP to Norm Coe if you plan to attend.

Sherry Price
Sherry has been a professor in the Okanagan School of Business since 1990 and is retiring effective June 30, 2007.  A farewell for Sherry is being held today at Infusions from 2 – 4 p.m.  Refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available.  Please take the opportunity to wish Sherry well in her retirement, as she will be greatly missed. 


Milvi Berg
Join the Applied Business Technology program in wishing Milvi Berg well in her retirement. A luncheon for Milvi will be held on Wednesday, June 13 at noon at Infusions. Anyone interested in attending is asked to confirm with Brenda Ridgeley.

May 25, 2007 Vol. 1 Issue 4

 

A picture is worth 1000 words

Inside Okanagan College has added a new feature to the publication. Check out the photo gallery to get a glimpse into some of the past week's events. Have a photo you would like to see in Inside Okanagan College? Email Christine Ulmer with your submission.

Mark your calendar for Next Steps

The second annual Next Steps workshop will take place on August 23 and 24 at the Kelowna campus of Okanagan College. All staff and faculty will be invited to attend. Watch for more information and a chance to register in coming editions of Inside Okanagan College.

50/50 winner announced

Congratulations to Verna Simpson from Continuing Studies 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.

Volunteers needed for convocation

Okanagan College is extending a call for volunteers to assist as ushers at two convocation ceremonies (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) on June 2 at the Kelowna campus. Volunteers will help graduands' guests to their seats and distribute programs. Lunch will be provided at 12 p.m. for all volunteers. For more information or to volunteer, contact Stephanie Paul.

Batter up! - Okanagan College softball resumes

Play Ball! Okanagan College staff are invited to participate in a fun slo-pitch game every third Thursday of the month at the baseball diamond at the Kelowna campus. The drop-in games get underway at 4:30. The next game will be held on June 21. Contact Nathan Bartlett for more information.

Take the Commuter Challenge

Join Okanagan College by participating in the Commuter Challenge. For the past five years the Central Okanagan has achieved first place in Canada and this year we need your help to be number one again. To participate, all you have to do is take the bus, cycle, walk, run, carpool, or in-line skate on one or more days between June 3 - 9. By participating you will be helping the environment and our community, getting in shape, and having fun. All participants are eligible to win great prizes. For more information or to register please contact Mike Craig  or register online.  More information can also be found on the City of Kelowna website.

Calendar now online

The 2007/08 Calendar is now available online. If you notice there are any broken links in the online version please email Xavier Mendoza.

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

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

June 1 - A Commencement ceremony for Trades program graduates will be held at the Kelowna campus at 6:30 p.m.

June 2 - Two spring Convocations will be held at the Kelowna campus for Okanagan College graduates. The first ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Honorary Fellow Ken Smedley will be recognized at the morning event. An afternoon ceremony will also take place at 2 p.m. Lorraine McGrath will receive her Honorary Fellow distinction at this ceremony.

June 14 - The Vernon campus of Okanagan College is hosting an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Information Night. There will be two sessions, 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the Vernon Aerospace Campus located at 6225 Okanagan Landing Road in Vernon.  Anyone interested in learning more about the program, the facility and job opportunities in the industry is welcome to attend.

June 14 - Suds ‘n Slides will take place in Kelowna at the Pheasant and Quail Pub on Lakeshore Drive.  This fun event will feature College Registrar Robert Ruf who has a secret talent as a stand up comedian.  Sit back and relax with your colleagues and co-workers at this end of season event. The next Suds ‘n Slides event will be in the Fall 2007.

June 19 - An information session featuring the new diploma program in Human Service Work at Okanagan College will be held at the Vernon campus at 6:30 p.m. in room D314.

June 23, 24, 25 - Okanagan College is hosting the 10th annual RV Owners seminar.  This year should prove to be a success with the largest enrollment ever. Anyone interested in attending can contact Al Cohoe. To find out more about this event visit the RV Life website. 

July 3 - Aug 17 - Register now for CAMP OC at Okanagan College.  CAMP OC has grown and is now offering over 30 fun based learning camps for kids entering grades 3-9.  CAMP OC offers children the opportunity to join an experienced team of teachers in the creative and exciting atmosphere of a college campus. Weeklong camps are offered through Continuing Studies, Monday through Friday, from July 3 to August 17. A complete list of Camp OC programs is available on the website. For more information contact Lorrie Bauer.





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 8, 2007.

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