OCNews

Articles tagged "OC Alumni Association"

Harrison Coe
Silver screen smitten with OC alumni making Hallmark movie debuts

December 16, 2021

‘Tis the season for warming up by the fire, sipping hot chocolate and spotting an Okanagan College alumnus starring in your favourite, cheesy Christmas movie. A literal Jack of all trades, Harrison Coe doubles as a journeyman electrician at Capra Electric in Vernon and also as a professional actor. Coe has appeared in television shows such as The X-Files, Millennium, Stargate, the Outer Limits and also starred in a film with Sylvester Stallone called Eye See You. He made his Hallmark movie debut this year, starring in Fixing Up Christmas. S...

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Sean McFetridge
Meet Sean McFetridge, OC alumnus

November 1, 2021

After an intense wildfire season, heatwaves and droughts, the need for Canadians to conserve water is more crucial than ever. That’s where OC alumnus Sean McFetridge comes in. He and his wife, Alisha McFetridge, co-founded RainStick Shower, a WiFi-enabled smart shower system that aims to solve water and energy waste by up to 80%. We caught up with Sean to hear more about what he’s been up to since graduating from OC in 2011. Where is your hometown and where are you located now?Kelo...

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OC alumna Cassidy McEown
OC alumna masters her trade on TV; panelist in upcoming webinar

June 9, 2021

While most college graduates can relate to the at times hectic challenge of balancing life, school and work during their student days, few know what it feels like to meet that challenge while followed around by a camera crew. OC alumna Cassidy McEown is one who does. She has been learning her trade, Collision Repair and Refinishing, while on HISTORY’s Rust Valley Restorers (RVR) for the last three years. “I generally work better under pressure, but having a camera over your shoulder while working on metal work is something you definitely h...

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Saige Girouard
OC grad honoured for contributions to inclusion, democracy and reconciliation

May 20, 2021

When Saige Girouard arrived at Okanagan College to have her photo taken during a grad experience event this week, she took home much more than a snapshot. She left with provincial recognition of her outstanding efforts to bring people together. Girouard, a Bachelor of Business Administration student, became the first OC student to ever receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal has been a symbol of academic excellence since 1979. In 2019, eligibility for the Lieutenan...

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Mark Hopley
Meet Mark Hopley

May 13, 2021

Where is your hometown and where are you located now? Penticton What did you take at OC/OUC and when did you graduate?I took the Winery Assistant Program in 1997. It was one of the first years that the course was available.  I attended the Penticton campus. Our instructors at the time where Holly Birtwistle in the lab and Gary Strachan on the winemaking end. They really laid the groundwork for a great program which I enjoyed immensely. It is such a small industry, I actually ended ...

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Jacqueline Barnett, OC Alumna
Starting in science at OC propel alumni to success

April 30, 2021

As the world continues to navigate life in a pandemic, it has become increasingly clear that science matters. High school students approaching graduation and pondering their future, may be considering a career in this field, but knowing what area to specialize in can be a challenging decision with so many options. Okanagan College alumna Jacqueline Barnett started her journey in sciences through the College’s Associate of Science degree program. She’s now chasing her dreams, following not just her head and her heart, but also her gut, as s...

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Allan Coyle and Nick Melemenis OCAA
Alumni Association honours essential workers; provides support to next generation

April 12, 2021

For 18 years, the Okanagan College Alumni Association (OCAA) has honoured OC graduates whose extraordinary contributions have positively impacted those close to home and around the world. In a year like no other and for the first time in the awards’ history, the OCAA is celebrating multiple recipients of this prestigious award: essential workers. “This year we decided to do things a little differently and honour all alumni who have been working hard in our community to keep us all safe,” says OCAA Vice President Nick Melemenis. “This pandem...

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Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown
Meet Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown

March 15, 2021

Okanagan College Bachelor of Business Administration alumna Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown had to completely pivot her event management business when the pandemic hit. Through navigating the new norm, she has remained optimistic about the future of her company, RedScope Media.   Where are you from and where are you now? I grew up in Edmonton and now live in West Kelowna.   Looking back at your time at OC, what is your best memory? It was great to learn and grow with so many likeminded peop...

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Lucas Griffin
Meet Lucas Griffin

February 2, 2021

What did you take at OC/OUC? When did you graduate? I took my Bachelor of Business Administration degree and graduated with distinction in 2000 from OUC.   Where are you from and where are you now? I was born and raised in West Kelowna and still live there! My wife, family and I have travelled all over the world, and the more we travel, the more we realize that the Okanagan is an amazing place to live!   Who was your biggest influence during your time at OC? The professors and fac...

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OC alumna Danielle Walker
Meet Danielle Walker

September 29, 2020

Danielle Walker graduated with distinction from Okanagan College with a Business Administration Diploma in Accounting. She is currently working toward her Business Administration Degree and adjusting to life as a student during a pandemic. Walker was recently announced as an honouree on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s BDO Top 40 Under 40 list. We caught up with her to see what she’s been up to.   Q: What was your best memory during your time at OC? A: I am the project manager fo...

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Alumnus Nick Pelletier, Okanagan Lake swim
OC alumnus attempts World Record, doubles fundraising goal

September 15, 2020

While debilitating chafing sunk OC alumnus Nick Pelletier’s hopes of breaking the Guinness World Record for fastest swim of Lake Okanagan from Vernon to Penticton, it didn’t stop him from more than doubling his fundraising goal. In addition to the swim being a personal challenge, Pelletier was also raising funds to help support BrainTrust Canada’s Youth Concussion Clinic which provides youth aged five to 25 years old who struggle with concussions and cannot afford any services or resources to support their recovery. “This cause is close to ...

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Health Care Assistants thankful for bursary support

September 14, 2020

Twenty-three-year-old Shoshanna Fremont works the night shift as a Care Aide at a local long-term care home, a shift she loves as it gives her an opportunity to provide precious one-on-one time with residents who are up during the night. “When you get them a glass of water and take the time to hold their hand, especially when they can’t have many visitors, their entire mood changes,” says Fremont. “When I go home I take comfort that I took care of people today, I made them smile, or helped in whatever way I could.” Fremont is one of eight...

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Nick Pelletier swimming in the lake
OC alumnus takes on Guinness World Record

September 3, 2020

On Sept. 4, 2020, OC alumnus, Nick Pelletier will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fastest swim of Lake Okanagan, 106 km, from Vernon, B.C. to Penticton, B.C. In addition to the swim being a personal challenge, Pelletier is also raising funds to help support BrainTrust Canada, a non-profit dedicated to meeting the unique needs of people affected by acquired brain injury by providing evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation and recovery. We caught up with Pelletier ...

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Alumna Justina LeeStolz
Meet Justina LeeStolz

May 15, 2020

Justina LeeStolz is a real estate professional in the Okanagan and also runs several passion projects. One of those projects is the 100AwesomePeople project that LeeStolz launched to celebrate the many awesome people in the community. The project, podcast and YouTube channel highlight the businesses and side hustles that have gone to great lengths to make a social impact in the Okanagan. Many of the awesome people that LeeStolz has highlighted are fellow OC alums, and staff from th...

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Kara Kazimer honouring 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Bree Cawley
New Alumni Association board members, President reelected for 12th consecutive year

May 5, 2020

The Okanagan College Alumni Association has elected two new board members and reelected Kara Kazimer as the Board President for the 12th consecutive year. Kazimer, a Bachelor of Business Administration graduate, has served on the Alumni Association board since 2001 and has been the President since 2008. “I am proud to be a part of the Alumni Association and help find ways to support and celebrate the graduates of Okanagan College,” says Kazimer. “Our alumni are doing so many great things and I love being a part of sharing my fellow alumni’...

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Alumnus Evan Noble
Meet Evan Noble

April 30, 2020

Evan Noble was diagnosed with autism at five years old. Now after earning a diploma in Computer Information Systems from Okanagan College, Noble is working with the BC Ministry of Agriculture as an intern. Here’s what he shared with AutismBC recently: “It has been an excellent opportunity for me, and I have learned a lot. I am developing stronger skills related to working with others and have had the chance to use my education and computer skills in a variety of ways. I work within...

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