Okanagan College Media Release

Okanagan College continues to experience growing enrolments at each of its campuses and in many of its program areas.

January enrolment statistics show approximately 5.7 per cent more students – 5,504 – attending the College’s campuses than in January 2009. That represents an increase of 298 more students than the 5,206 registered in 2009.

The students are also taking more courses this semester than they did last year; course registrations are up 10.8 per cent overall from the previous year.

“The reasons are many for these increases, and the numbers suggest we are offering the education and training opportunities that citizens of this region need,” said Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “Over the past five years, we have seen a growing number of students who start at the College in January.”

The largest headcount growth in absolute terms occurred at the Kelowna campus – 140 more students than last January, while the largest percentage growth occurred at the Vernon campus: 15.6 per cent more students (717 compared to 620 last year).
In terms of course registrations, though, Penticton and Salmon Arm recorded the largest growth: 19.1 per cent and 17.4 per cent respectively.

“Okanagan College has experienced remarkable growth in the last four years – we have grown by 48 per cent overall,” noted Hamilton. “We’re on track to exceed our own and the government’s enrolment targets for a fifth year in a row.

“But the numbers themselves aren’t the important piece of news here,” he said. “What’s important is that we’re able to provide a growing number of individuals with the training and education they want and need.”

Hamilton cautions that the enrolment reports produced in September and January present just a snapshot of the College’s activity. They don’t capture enrolments for programs that may start later in the semester, for instance, and don’t capture all the enrolments in Continuing Studies programs.

“A complete look at our data last year, for example, showed that more than 19,000 people took courses from the College. That is almost one out of every 20 people in the region the College serves.

Okanagan College Media Release
 
Job seekers and those looking for career development opportunities in the area of business will gather at Okanagan College on Wednesday to find out about employment and career options in the South, Central and North Okanagan.
 
Hosted by Okanagan College and the Okanagan School of Business, the Business Expo & Employment Fair will bring together business professionals and local industry sponsors for students and community members interested in all things business within the Okanagan.
 
The expo and fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the KLO campus of the College on Wednesday, Feb. 3. This free event will give participants the opportunity to speak with employers such as: The City of Kelowna, Kal Tire, TD Canada Trust and the RCMP about current and future career development.
 
“This student and community focused event provides an excellent opportunity for anyone considering a new career or employment in the Okanagan,” said Jamie Morrow, Okanagan School of Business Program and Event Coordinator. “By bringing industry experts together with those seeking careers we are able to offer a direct line of communication and networking for job seekers. The fair is focused on providing people with career options and valuable information to help them find the job they want.”
 
Visit the Okanagan School of Business website, www.okanagan.bc.ca/business, and click on events to view the full list of participating employers.

Okanagan College Media Release - Jan. 25, 2010

RBC contributes $135,000 to College’s Centre of Excellence

The campaign to establish Okanagan College’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation received its largest donation to date with the announcement of a $135,000 commitment from RBC.
 
RBC’s contribution will help realize the Okanagan College Foundation’s $5 million capital fundraising campaign to finance the development of the $28 million Centre of Excellence in Penticton, which is being designed and built to meet one of the most demanding set of environmental standards, the Living Building Challenge.  
 
“It is exciting to be a part of such a unique and inspiring project,” said Karen Borring-Olsen, Regional Vice President RBC Royal Bank. “RBC is pleased to join the growing network of community-minded donors, both citizens and corporations, who share a vision for education, innovation and sustainable growth in the Okanagan.”
 
The announcement of RBC’s donation was made this evening during the Olympic Torch Relay community event held in Kelowna. RBC is the presenting partner of the 2010 Torch Relay, which invited thousands of Canadians to participate in the relay through its carrythetorch.com campaign.
 
“We have been extremely fortunate to partner with a number of organizations that have taken the time to grasp just how important and groundbreaking this building will be for the Okanagan,” said John Walker, President & CEO, FortisBC and Chair of the Okanagan College Foundation’s capital campaign. “The addition of RBC as our largest corporate donor is tremendous news for the campaign and for Okanagan College.”
 
For Okanagan College Board of Governors member Brian Hughes, news of the donation hit home – he is also a Vice President for RBC Dominion Securities in Penticton.
 
“I have the privilege of working with Okanagan College through the Board of Governors and know first-hand how much great work is being done by the College in the South Okanagan,” explained Hughes. “I take a great deal of pride in the fact that RBC is stepping up to support such an important project for the people and future of this region.”
 
The Centre of Excellence is funded by the Federal and Provincial governments, who provided $22.6 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, and the Okanagan College Foundation and its donors. The 6,622 square-metre facility is being heralded as one of the most innovative and environmentally sustainable buildings in the nation. It will more than double the size of the existing campus and will expand program and research opportunities for learners across the region.
 
To find out more about the Centre of Excellence, visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/centreofexcellence.

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For more information:
 

Jennifer Cabeldu
Manager, Donations
Public Affairs, BC Region
RBC
604-665-6938
 
Allan Coyle, Director
Public Affairs
Okanagan College
250-862-5413
acoyle@okanagan.bc.ca

Okanagan College Media Release

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.

A German immigrant, Hermann arrived in Montreal in 1969 with one heavy suitcase containing a few articles of clothing and his most prized possessions, his tools. A trained and experienced mechanic, possessing a meister brief from Germany, Hermann’s lack of English made his early years in Canada challenging. While others were paid $5 per hour, Herman earned just $2 for the same work.

Supervisors quickly took note of his mechanical aptitude and ability to fix nearly anything and Hermann was able to overcome his language barrier, rising through the ranks.

Hermann’s skills took him around the world; he and his wife eventually moved to the Okanagan and settled in Oyama. In 2001 a fire swept through the Koessler farm burning down Hermann’s workshop and collection of tools.

Insurance replaced Hermann’s tool set, which included grinders, drill presses, table saws, and hand tools – those new tools all now live at Okanagan College.  

In one of his last conversations with his wife, Hermann told Ute “Every day I have left is a gift, and I have only one regret, people don’t want to learn from my vast knowledge they just want me to do it for them.”

“If Hermann were here today,” said Ute, “he would give you apprentices this advice: take it easy, make it nice. There is no such thing as good enough - it either works or it doesn’t, tools don’t fix things, you do. Don’t be ashamed to be a tradesperson, it is a noble profession, tradespeople are extremely valuable, little to nothing runs without a tradesperson, and you will help so many people with your skills and knowledge.”

As per his wife’s wishes, Hermann’s tools have been distributed throughout the trades shops at Okanagan College. Some went to the RV Service Technician shop, others to Automotive Service Technician and some to Carpentry. Ute believes Hermann would have been most happy working in the RV department, where students learn a little bit of everything.

“We are honoured to accept Hermann Koessler’s tools,” said John Haller, Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship. “Okanagan College is a place of learning and a place where we promote the same passion and appreciation for the trades. We know the importance of providing skills and training to the next generation and are humbled to carry on his legacy.”

In addition to her generous donation of tools, Ute plans on establishing legacy scholarships at Okanagan College in her husband’s name to support students in the Women in Trades program and individuals coming through the Gateway to the Trades program.

Okanagan College Media Release

While rooting their team on against the Salmon Arm SilverBacks, Penticton Vees hockey fans will also have the opportunity to find out more about the region’s most exciting and innovative building, Okanagan College’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation.
 
College night with the Vees will take place on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Discounted tickets to the game are currently being sold at the College’s Penticton campus with $2 from every ticket going to support the fundraising campaign for the new $28 million Centre of Excellence.
 
Hockey fans who enter their name in a draw will have the chance to participate in on-ice activities sponsored by the College. If testing on-ice skills in front of a full arena isn’t appealing to would-be prize winners, the College will also draw names for great prizes including: a one night stay with breakfast at the Penticton Ramada Inn and Suites, a gift certificate to Canadian Tire and a voucher for Okanagan College’s Continuing Studies. There will also be giveaways for Okanagan College alumni who reconnect with the College at the alumni booth at the game.
 
Amid the prize giveaways and intermission activities, Okanagan College staff will have information available about its new Centre of Excellence – a building that is already shaping up to be one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible and sustainable facilities. 
 
With construction underway on the new building, the College is reaching out to the community for support in its $5 million fundraising campaign.
 
“College night is shaping up to be a great partnership with the Vees and the South Okanagan Events Centre, both of whom have been very supportive of our new building and campus in general,” said Donna Lomas, Regional Dean South Okanagan Similkameen. “Our college has strong ties to the community and having a presence at the Vees game will give us a great opportunity to share news of our developments as well as connect with community members and alumni.”
 
To purchase a discounted ticket for Saturday’s game, drop by the Duncan Avenue campus administration office until 4 p.m. on Friday or call Jake Mason at 250-492-4305 ext. 3205. To find out more about the Centre of Excellence, visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/centreofexcellence.

Okanagan College Media Release
 

W. Tom Styffe

An experienced construction project management professional is the latest addition to the Okanagan College Board of Governors.

Okanagan Falls resident W. Tom 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.

“I’m very excited by this opportunity,” says Styffe. “I’m looking forward to contributing to the development and growth of Okanagan College.”

Styffe knows well the impact a College can have – he’s a graduate of the Construction Management program at Douglas College and has taken courses at Vancouver Community College and BCIT. He’s an active member in the Southern Interior Local Government Association, the Union of BC Municipalities, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

“Tom’s experience and insights will be valuable at the Board table,” says Lance Kayfish, the interim chair of the Board of Governors. (An election will be held at the Board’s Jan. 26 meeting. Janet Shaw, the previous chair of the Board, concluded her term on Dec. 31, 2009.)

Styffe joins Kayfish, Phillipe Bourbeau, Michael Conlin, Bill Cooke, Brian Hughes, Paul Johnson, Jane Lister, Andrew Nelson, Yvonne Pinder, Lianne Rozniak, and Loretta Swite, as members of the Board. Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton and Okanagan College’s Education Council chair, Rick Gee, are ex officio members of the Board.