Mohawk College Alumni In touch Magazine - Spring 2017 by Mohawk College

Section

SPRING 2017

MOHAWK LOVE CONNECTIONS MEET 5 COUPLES WHO GOT MORE THAN AN EDUCATION

alumni.mohawkcollege.ca

“The littlest thing tripped me up in more ways than one.”

Whatever life brings your way, small or big, take advantage of a range of insurance options at preferential group rates. Getting coverage for life-changing events may seem like a given to some of us. But small things can mean big changes too. Like an unexpected interruption to your income. Alumni insurance plans can have you covered at every stage of life, every step of the way. You’ll enjoy affordable rates on Term Life Insurance, Major Accident Protection, Income Protection Disability, Health & Dental Insurance and others. The protection you need. The competitive rates you want.

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The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company. Manulife and the Block Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under licence. © 2017 The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife). All rights reserved. Manulife, PO Box 4213, Stn A, Toronto, ON M5W 5M3.

INTOUCH Hamilton | Stoney Creek Publisher Mohawk College Alumni Association Editor Wendy Makey Content Coordinator Meaghan Drury Design and Production Maggie Makar, Mohawk College Photography Meredith MacLeod, Sean Coffey, Jacob Morris

CONTENTS

Contributors Sean Coffey, Jay Rob, Meaghan Drury, Ron McKerlie, Marcine Blake, Wendy Makey, Emily Baynes, Meredith MacLeod, Audie McCarthy

IN EVERY ISSUE

Editorial Advisory Board Wendy Makey – Director, Alumni Relations; Meaghan Drury – Alumni Communications Coordinator; Lori Morgan – Chief Marketing Officer; Katherine McCurdy – Director, Marketing and Creative Services; Samara Young – Manager, Student Life-Cycle Communications; Hillary Dawson – Special Advisor to the President, Head of Public Affairs; Dr. Wayne Poirier – Vice-President Student & Alumni Services InTouch is published semi-annually by the Office of Alumni Relations at Mohawk College. This magazine is circulated to alumni and friends of Mohawk College. Ideas and opinions published or expressed in InTouch do not necessarily reflect those of Mohawk College, The Alumni Association, or the Editor. Publications Mail Agreement Number 400065780 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Office of Alumni Relations - Mohawk College 135 Fennell Ave W Hamilton, ON L9C 0E5 To update your Alumni Record, please contact: Phone: 905.575.2258 alumni@mohawkcollege.ca, the address above or visit mohawkcollege.ca/stayconnected Prefer to receive the InTouch magazine to your inbox instead of your mailbox? Visit mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

SPRING 2017

2-4 35 36 38 41

Welcoming Words

Awards & Honours

Alumni Reunions

Keeping in Touch Calendar of Events

FEATURES & SPOTLIGHTS

6 8 10 14

Gerald Marshall Continues to Make a Difference Rachel Devine, ‘02/’03: Continuing Education Leads to Award-Winning Career Amos Key, ‘76: The Key to Revival Mountaineer Hall of Fame Inductees and Awards

AROUND CAMPUS

Paul Armstrong, ‘88: Mohawk Grad Appointed New Vice President Academic

18 19 20 21

Mo’love at Mohawk: Couples Who Met on Campus

Celebrating 50 Years: Mohawk’s Golden Anniversary Timeline

33 34

ArcelorMittal Dofasco Donates Second $1 Million Dollar Gift

College in Motion Builds Bridges to Education IAHS Gets a Makeover The Evolution of College Food Services Something is Buzzing at Mohawk: PollinatorFriendly Rooftop Garden

Mohawk College Foundation Highlights

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Welcoming Words

Ron J. McKerlie, President – Mohawk College

It’s all about relationships There are two events I look forward to every year at Mohawk. The first is getting to welcome new students on their first day at college. The second is shaking their hands as they walk across the stage at convocation.

“As we celebrate Mohawk’s golden anniversary in 2017, it’s important to recognize the people and partners who helped get us here. It’s important to acknowledge the successes and contributions of graduates like you and the faculty and staff, both past and present, who helped get you there.”

At both of these events I talk about the great things that come with getting a Mohawk education. I thank them for choosing Mohawk and I remind them to thank the people who helped get them there. I also tell them that coming to college isn’t just about learning. It’s about lasting memories and lifelong friendships, and how for some those friendships will become something more. In this issue, we’re going to introduce you to five couples who came to Mohawk to find success and came away with that and much more. For these couples, Mohawk was the start of something amazing in more ways than one. It was the place they met and began their lives together. Mohawk has been the start of something amazing for more than 110,000 graduates since the college first opened its doors in 1967. A lot has changed over the past 50 years but at its core Mohawk is still the same college it was then – a college that puts the success of its students first. Helping us along the way have been some outstanding individuals and community partners who recognize the value a Mohawk education brings to the community and to their organizations. The relationship between Mohawk and the Marshall family and Marshall Truck and Trailer Repair is a great example. The Gerald Marshall Centre for Transportation at our Stoney Creek

campus provides hands-on training in a lab that is as close as it gets to the real world. The Marshalls have also donated thousands of dollars to scholarships and bursaries at Mohawk and continue to support the renewal of our skilled trades campus. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is another partner we are proud to be associated with. Time and again, this company has stepped up for our students. They’ve donated millions to the renewal of our campuses. They support our students by offering co-ops and placements. They employ hundreds of our graduates, and together, we operate Ontario’s largest Apprenticeship training program. These are just two examples. We work with more than a thousand partners from both the public and private sectors. Chances are you know of or work for one of these organizations yourself. If you do, you understand how important they are to Mohawk. As we celebrate Mohawk’s golden anniversary in 2017, it’s important to recognize the people and partners who helped get us here. It’s important to acknowledge the successes and contributions of graduates like you and the faculty and staff, both past and present, who helped get you there. There are many events planned at Mohawk to celebrate our 50th anniversary. You can find out all about them at www.mohawkcollege. ca/50th. We hope you will join us in celebrating this important milestone as we would love to welcome you back to one of our campuses.

SHARE YOUR

MOHAWK MEMORIES Mohawk has an amazing story to tell for our 50th anniversary. Share your memories at

mohawkcollege.ca/50th

2 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Welcoming Words

Marcine Blake, ‘88 – Recreation Leadership

50 years... 50 years... 50 years... It’s 2017 and we’re celebrating Mohawk’s 50 year history of serving and educating the community. We’re also looking forward to what our future generations of grads will achieve. When is the last time you connected with your Mohawk friends, classmates and teammates? What do you remember about your experience at Mohawk College? Are there old friends or teachers you wish to reconnect with to see where life has taken them since your Mohawk days? Come join us as we celebrate the great history of Mohawk College and the wonderful future that is ahead. We hope to see you back for Alumni Weekend, May 27th at the Fennell Campus. The day will include reunions, campus tours, bbq lunch, Pop Up dinner, travelling across campus, and ending the night with a Party in The Arnie. It’s sure to be a day and night to remember. I look forward to seeing you.

plan your next trip with us

2017-2018 Mohawk College Alumni Association Advisory Council Marcine Blake, Chair Recreation Leadership, 1988 Linda Rourke, Vice-Chair Broadcasting – Television and Communications Media, 1990 Gary Nelson, Past Chair Business Administration, 1985 Lisa DiCesare, Director Law and Security Administration, 1981 Kerry Langford, Director Business Administration, 1982 Joseph Futino, Director Computer Systems Technology, 1994 Jay Hayward, Director Business Administration, 1999 Sera Nicosia, Director Nursing, 1981 Lorenzo Somma, Director Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 2013 Mo Mauri, Director Business, 1977

The Alumni Association thanks these individuals for their valued contributions to Alumni activities, committees and meetings on behalf of the Alumni of Mohawk College.

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Welcoming Words

Wendy Makey, ‘93 – Director, Alumni Relations

50 Amazing Years of Memories

“Participate in our 50th anniversary celebrations during 2017 and reconnect, reminisce and create new memories for the future!”

InTouch Magazine – Advertising Rate Card InTouch Alumni magazine is distributed to over 68,000 Mohawk College Alumni through Canada Post. Ad Production Rates are for camera-ready artwork only. Additional charges will apply for any ad creation, alteration or reformatting. All ads are subject to approval of design and content by InTouch Magazine.

4 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Memories last a lifetime. They enable us to recall feelings, moments and impressions. For Mohawk graduates, memories of college days mean different things for different people. Maybe you recall the significant occasions the most, like seeing a favourite band, passing a difficult test, or finally getting to hold your diploma or certificate in your hand on graduation day. Maybe it was the knowledge and wisdom gained from faculty and staff. Or maybe it was all the moments spent with classmates or the accomplishments achieved with teammates. Experiences with your Mohawk family by your side supported you through your college years and some of these established relationships still carry on with you today. So now’s the time to return to campus to re-live your Mohawk memories and make new ones. Mohawk has transformed since opening its’ doors in 1967 and incredible spaces have been designed for students to learn and grow. Take a trip down memory lane and come take a look at how Mohawk is preparing students to be future ready graduates each and every day.

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Join us in commemorating Mohawk’s 50th and celebrate 50 Amazing Years! An exciting Alumni Weekend is planned for May 26 and May 27. Friday night we will tee off with the Alumni Nine and Dine at Flamborough Golf and Country Club. Gather a foursome of friends, family, colleagues or classmates and enjoy an evening of comradery. Saturday activities will take place at the Fennell campus beginning at noon with tours, reunions, food trucks, decade zones, a travelling dinner stopping at stations across campus, followed by a Party in the Arnie. If you would like to reconnect with your classmates, teammates or special groups at Alumni Weekend reach out to us at alumni@mohawkcollege.ca and we can provide you with the tools to help you coordinate a reunion with a group of your peers. Celebrate Mohawk’s 50th anniversary during 2017 and reconnect, reminisce and create new memories for the future!

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Mohawk College – Office of Alumni Relations 135 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton, Ontario L9C 0E5 T 905-575-2258 | E alumni@mohawkcollege.ca

Alumni of Distinction

THANK YOU! On October 24, 2016 Mohawk College honoured eight Alumni of Distinction for their contribution to their community and for the incredible successes they’ve achieved in their careers. Congratulations to Steve Lennon ’95, Bill Chisholm ’80, Gary Crowell ’70, Justin Fyfe ’07, Bruce Pearson ’71, Sue Vattay ’82, Annette Hamm ’87, and Rachel Devine ‘02/’03. We are very grateful to our sponsors for their support.

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Recipient & Past Recipient Reception Sponsor Signage Sponsor – Media Production Services at McMaster University

Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT

GERALD MARSHALL CONTINUES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Hundreds of students train every year in the Mohawk transportation centre named in his memory Gerald turned a love for automobiles into a thriving Hamiltonbased business in 1970. With one truck, he established G. Marshall Transport Limited. His company would eventually grow to a fleet of 24 trucks and trailers. Gerald was also successful in other business ventures, including investments, real estate and the tire industry. “Our father had a very strong work ethic,” says Wayne Marshall who followed his father into the transportation business. “He never sat idle. He didn’t care where you were from or how much money you had. He had lots of respect for hardworking people. He was that kind of guy.”

Apprentices acquire hands-on training for in-demand careers as auto mechanics, truck and coach technicians and servicers. The Marshall family has also raised nearly $900,000 over the past decade. They organize and host annual special events that bring together Gerald’s many friends and industry colleagues. The money from the Gerald Marshall Centre Benefits has been invested to stock the centre with the latest industry-standard equipment and technology. The Marshall Centre for Transportation was the first facility at Mohawk to be named for a benefactor.

Gerald passed away in May 2006 in his 72nd year. To honour their father, Gerald’s family and Marshall Truck and Trailer Repair made what was then a record $1.2 million donation to Mohawk. Their gift led to a new and expanded home at the Stoney Creek campus for the college’s Truck and Coach Program.

“It’s appropriate that Mr. Marshall made history at Mohawk,” says President Ron McKerlie. “He was everything we hope our apprentices and students become – entrepreneurial and successful in business, respected by colleagues and loved by family.

“With all of the space and natural light, The Gerald Marshall Centre for Transportation is the Taj Mahal of training facilities,” says Program Coordinator Bob Cook. “The Marshall family have built something truly remarkable for apprentices. All of us take real pride in our shop.”

“Those are traits that Mr. Marshall clearly instilled in his own children. The Marshall family have been outstanding champions of our college and advocates for the skilled trades. We are truly honoured to have Gerald’s name associated with our college and to count the Marshall family as friends of Mohawk.”

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Spotlight

ANNA MARSHALL BURSARY RECIPIENTS Among the strongest supporters of Mohawk, the Marshall family and Marshall Truck & Trailer Repair Ltd. donated $1.2 million to the Stoney Creek campus in 2010. In the year’s since they have raised more than $350,000 for the campus and contributed more than $240,000 for student bursaries named in memory of Gerald and Anna Marshall. The Anna Marshall Bursary is available to students in business, skilled trades and apprenticeship programs.

Chawana Champagne, ‘13

Aaron Toles, ‘16

If you enjoy craft beer chances are you’ve seen Chawana Champagne’s work.

Winning the Anna Marshall STARRT Bursary couldn’t have come at a better time for Aaron Toles.

The 36-year-old graphic designer works for Hamilton-based Nickle Brook brewery, designing everything from beer cans and bottles, to the flats they come in. It’s a great job in an industry that is fast-paced and constantly changing.

A second-year student in Mohawk’s Electrical Engineering Technician-Power, Electrical Engineering Technologies/ Technicians program at the time, Aaron had suffered a bad leg injury that left him unable to work.

Chawana credits her early success to the help she received while studying at Mohawk. A graduate of both Mohawk’s two-year Graphic Design and one-year post-graduate Public Relations programs, Chawana received the $1,000 Anna Marshall Bursary in her first semester of the PR program.

The problem, Aaron recalls, was that he was working two jobs at the time to help pay for tuition and other costs associated with his schooling.

“The first semester is crucial to your success as a student and the bursary helped me get off to a great start,” she says. “I was able to focus more on my studies and less about how I was going to fund my education.”

“Having that financial help really helped me get through a tough time in my life,” he says. The $1,000 bursary that was created in memory of the late Anna Marshall helped him pay for books and transportation to and from school, he says.

Grateful for the help and peace of mind the bursary provided, Chawana wrote to Anna’s daughter Linda Marshall to thank her. “I wanted to tell her how much it meant to me,” she says.

“It may not seem like a lot of money but it helped keep me focused on my studies instead of worrying about how I was going to pay for school,” he adds.

The two have stayed in touch through LinkedIn, she says, and she appreciates getting the occasional congratulatory note from Linda when she passes a milestone or celebrates an achievement.

Aaron graduated from Mohawk last April and at the time this article was written was looking to start an apprenticeship as an electrician.

“The Marshall family have been outstanding champions of our college and advocates for the skilled trades. We are truly honoured to have Gerald’s name associated with our college and to count the Marshall family as friends of Mohawk” − Ron McKerlie, Mohawk College President

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Profile

Rachel Devine, ‘02/‘03

CONTINUING EDUCATION LEADS TO AWARD-WINNING CAREER Rachel Devine is an award-winning Aesthetician and Makeup Artist and is the owner of two Hamiltonbased businesses, Aesthetics by Rachel and R Devine Skin Care. A proud Mohawk grad, Rachel was the Entrepreneur recipient of a Mohawk Alumni of Distinction award in 2016. In Touch caught up with Rachel to talk about her experiences as a Continuing Education student at Mohawk.

What programs have you taken through the School of Continuing Education and how have those programs helped you advance your career?

I’ve taken the Aesthetics, Applied Cosmetics and Nail Technician programs.

After I graduated in 2003, I worked at 2 different spas, and then started up my own aesthetics business in 2004. Mohawk College gave me the knowledge to be the best aesthetician that I could be. I worked really hard to gain a solid clientele. My passion was always in Skin Care. In 2013-2014 I started doing a lot of research into holistic skin care ingredients. My research combined with my skin care knowledge helped me create my own holistic skin care line, R Devine Skin Care, which was launched in August 2015. My skin care line is currently sold in 17 spas, including the Marriott Hotel and Spa in Niagara Falls. I have won 18 local Reader’s Choice Awards, a 40 under 40 business achievement award and the 2016 Mohawk Alumni of Distinction.

Q A

Why did you choose to continue your education at Mohawk?

“I was born and raised in Hamilton, so I wanted to stay close to home. At the time, there were quite a few private aesthetics schools around, but I preferred the idea of a well-established, reputable community college.”

Do you think it is important for people to continue their education through formal programs like those offered at Mohawk?

Absolutely! Regardless of what industry you’re in, the world is constantly evolving and changing. If you want continued success, you have to stay on top of learning and evolving with those changes, otherwise you’ll quickly fall behind.

Have all the courses you’ve taken at Mohawk been focused on achieving career/business objectives? Have you taken general interest courses as well?

I have been really focused on just growing my business and raising my two children, so as of now, I’ve only taken courses that helped me in my career. With that being said, as my business becomes easier to manage with help, and my kids become more independent, I’d love to take a few courses in order to find some new hobbies, like photography!

8 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Is there a course or particular teacher that stands out? Someone you’d like to acknowledge or something you think Mohawk does really well? Lisa Kadet, who was my skin care teacher. She had a lot of experience in the industry and was so passionate. She was a strict teacher that kept us on our toes, so we never missed a beat. Her passion and knowledge inspired me and skin care became my true passion, partially because of her. I am so grateful to have had her as an instructor.

Alumni Promise

LEARNING FOR LIFE JUST GOT EASIER. In 2017 all Mohawk College graduates returning to Mohawk for any Continuing Education course are eligible to receive a $50 rebate in each semester. GET STARTED IN 3 EASY STEPS:

50 REBATE

Step 1: Select your course Step 2: Register online at ce.mohawkcollege.ca or in person at The Square, located at all campuses Step 3: Apply online for your $50.00 rebate Find out more by visiting mohawkcollege.ca/gradrebate

LEARN SOMETHING NEW THIS SPRING! There are a variety of courses for all interests available through in-class and online learning, visit ce.mohawkcollege.ca today. These courses are beginning soon: WordPress for Business (INFO10219) Online Course Start date is May 9, Ends August 15 Use WordPress to build and maintain your own fully functional, professional looking website that invites people to buy your products or services. Topics include layout, themes, plugins, and widgets. With an emphasis on the non-coder, we’ll look at free templates and plugins that require little to no coding skills.

Finance for the NonFinancial Manager (FINC10042)

Human Resource Management Studies (MGMTBPC01)

1 day workshop – May 13 or June 17

Course starts every month

This one day workshop will take the mystery out of financial statements and the tools that finance professionals use to measure, analyze, evaluate and base decisions on. The participant’s comfort level with terms and tools will be elevated to allow them to take more control and accountability with their own budget and better understand a profit and loss statement.

Examine management challenges and strategic issues related to orientation and training, job analysis, appraisal and self-assessment, compensation and benefits.

Learn a new language!

French (in-class) La Pratique du Francais 1 LANG FR003 April 24 - July 31st Spanish (in-class) Spanish for Beginners LANG LLE01 April 18 - July 11 April 20 - July 13 Italian (online) Italian for Beginners LANG 10054 May 9 - Aug 15 Mandarin (online) Introduction to Spoken Mandarin Chinese LANG 10089 mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine May 9 - Aug 15

Section

SPOTLIGHT

Amos Key, ‘76 – Television and Communication Arts

THE KEY TO REVIVAL Mohawk alumnus one of the founding members and champion of First Nations/Indigenous language revitalization movements in Canada Amos Key Jr. has waited a generation to see the results of his life’s work. In 1984, Amos was ‘head hunted’ to leave the London Board of Education to join the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford to oversee the launch of Ontario’s first Indigenous immersive language program and eventually establish a board of education. At Woodland, Amos designed a program to educate generations of Six Nations people in their traditional Cayuga and Mohawk languages. The program’s goal was to help them become bilingual while revitalizing and stabilizing their traditional languages to prevent the languages from dying out. All of the program’s graduates received their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Since Amos’ program launched three decades ago similar programs have started up in communities and schools across Canada. Today First Nations language revitalization is a nation-wide movement. “The last few years have been emotional for me,” said Amos, Director of First Nations Languages at the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford. “The students who were in our first cohort and are now in their 30s are fully bilingual. For any teacher and educator that kind of success really touches you.” For his work at The Centre, Amos is now widely regarded as one of the main architects of the language revitalization movement among First Nations people in Ontario and Canada. In a small way,

10 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Mohawk can take some of the credit for his success. When he came to Mohawk to study in the Television and Communication Arts program in 1973, Amos said he never gave much thought to what it meant to be First Nations. “Being a Mohawk from Six Nations I never thought about what it was like to be an ‘Indian’ from Ontario,” said Amos. “I would get those questions from my fellow students but I was so focused in and engrained with getting an education and I never paid much attention to my ancestry and about that side of my life.” It was his classmates’ questions and curiosity about his background that put him on the path to becoming an educator, he says. “I think their questions inspired me to learn more about myself and that was one of the reasons I became interested in community development.”

“The last few years have been emotional for me... The students who were in our first cohort and are now in their 30s are fully bilingual. For any teacher and educator that kind of success really touches you.”

YOUR

Health and Wellness Starts Here!

Amos graduated from Mohawk in 1976. He credits his Mohawk education for helping him understand the power of communication and for instilling in him a desire for more education. He went on to study Photographic Arts at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and Sociology at the University of Western Ontario.

Benefits of a community membership include:

Although he has never worked directly in the media, there have been many times when he put the skills he learned at Mohawk to use. Early in his career, he used what he learned at Mohawk to help establish southern Ontario’s first native ‘community radio station’ on Six Nations that is still in operation today at, CKRZ 103 FM. The station was launched in 1990.

20+ FREE fitness classes each month Access to state-of-the-art fitness centre

As its co-founder, Amos volunteered for the community radio station as its chairman for the first 20 years. During the same time period, he also produced a weekly Blues Radio Show ‘The Real Blues Hours’ with his niece, Diane Keye, who is also an Alumni of Mohawk.

Enjoy outdoor basketball and beach volleyball courts On-site massage therapy appointments

In 2013, Amos launched Ontario’s first award winning and synchronous e-learning secondary school. First named, the Amos Key Jr. E-Learning Institute in honour of his leadership, the initiative is now being rebranded as the Dreamcatchers E-Learning Secondary School.

Complimentary early bird and evening parking

“It’s an online secondary school that operates in real time, with real teachers, with real credits leading to an OSSD,” Amos explains. “You can sit on your couch with your kids crawling and climbing all over you, turn on your computer, put on your mic-headphones and you’re at school.”

Get Started Today! Stop by for a tour, or contact us at dbarc@mohawkcollege.ca

In 2013, the school won an international Outstanding Contribution to Education Award at the World Education Congress, held in Mumbai, India. “I like to think that the foundations, principles and confidences Mohawk College gave me really converged for me, to be able to think about using media and technology in education in that way.” Amos still works part time at the Woodland Centre and last fall he was appointed to the University of Toronto’s Faculties of Arts and Sciences and Linguistics as a tenured track Assistant Professor at the new Centre for Indigenous Studies. In 1994, he received the Premier’s Award for Applied Arts and a Bursary in his name for Mohawk College, was awarded an Alumni of Distinction from Mohawk in 1997 and was named one of Mohawk College’s Incredible 40 at 40, in 2008. Amos’ sister Margaret is also a graduate of several Mohawk programs. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Amos served with both the Mohawk College Alumni Council and on the Board of Governors for the college. While volunteering with both groups, Amos would always suggest that “we should establish our own Mohawk College Credit Union”. Amos would always say, “Can you imagine a Credit Union made up of 80 thousand plus Alumni, as members, for life?” Amos, while looking back over his career, always likes to acknowledge and give thanks to: all his Family, Friends, Elders and Faith Keepers, the Woodland Cultural Centre Board of Directors and his new colleagues at the Centre of Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto, for their trust and encouragement.

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Insurance & Mortgage Services Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got you covered! Group rates available on health, home, auto and travel.

Class Rings & Official Mohawk College Frames Put your Mohawk pride on display.

TAKE ADVANTAGE YOUR As a grad of Mohawk there are a variety of partnerships and perks available to you. We encourage you to take advantage of your benefits.

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With a variety of plans and options, get a card thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suited to you.

Get your Alumni Card to take advantage of on-campus benefits

12 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

David Braley Athletic & Recreation Centre Enjoy a discounted monthly fee for Alumni. Learn more at mohawkcollege.ca/dbarc

Travel, Car Rentals, Accommodations and Entertainment Save with exclusive discounts and offers from a variety of partners.

OF MEMBERSHIP Visit mohawkcollege.ca/alumnibenefits to sign-up and find out more

Car Purchase Preferred pricing for grads.

Mohawk Varsity Games Discounted admittance to Mountaineer home games. See schedules at mohawkcollege.ca/athletics

Student and Graduate Employment Office Graduates can get help with resumes, cover letters, interview preparation and job search skills. On-line job postings and resources, as well as one-to-one support is available. mohawkcollege.ca/employment mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Athletics

MOUNTAINEER HALL OF FAME 2017 COACH CATEGORY James Bradley – Men’s Volleyball 2003 – 2010 (7 seasons) John Gibson – Men’s Soccer 1992 – 2001 (9 seasons)

ATHLETE CATEGORY: George Macut – Men’s Volleyball 2000 - 2004

Aminu Bello – Men’s Basketball 2010 - 2012

Leah Waxman – Women’s Volleyball 2005 - 2010 Margaret Myjak – Badminton & Cross Country 2003 - 2007 Peter Sniuolis – Men’s Volleyball 2003 - 2008

Kelly Dunham (Buchanan) – Women’s Basketball & Fastball 1990 -1993

BUILDER CATEGORY Laurie Cahill 1985 – 2010 (25 years) Laurie Cahill began his career at Mohawk College in 1985 as Manager of Varsity Athletics and Facilities. Under his leadership, Mohawk achieved many successes in Athletics in the OCAA. But none of those victories compared to the success and satisfaction Laurie achieved while mentoring, managing, guiding and empowering young men and women to successful careers. Laurie was one of the most competitive souls on the playing field but there was always perspective and he realized that winning was not always measured by wins and losses. Laurie also dedicated his time and talents by serving three terms on the executive and various OCAA committees. He was inducted to the OCAA Hall of Fame in 2003.

TEAM CATEGORY

Cross Country 1969-1970 Team Team: William (Bill) Urie, Orval Anderson, Bob Sisler, Allan Whitley, Erik Kamermans Coach: The late Mr. Al Arnold Men’s Volleyball 1985-1986 Team: Tom Drynan, Mike Dunn, Wayne Felker, Michel Fortin, Bruce Greenwood, Rudy Jambrosic, Boris Kolunszic, Paul Miller, Rob Szabo, George Radkas, Rennie Wellington and Mark Wu Coach: Darin Gricnik Manager: Dubrauko Krbavac

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Athletics

INDUCTEES

More Medals for Mohawk Mountaineers Congratulations to these hard-working students on their athletic accomplishments!

Men’s Volleyball OCAA Gold Medal

7 1. James Bradley

Men’s Curling OCAA Bronze Medal

2. John Gibson 3. George Macut 4. Men’s Volleyball 1985-1986 5. Aminu Bello 6. Leah Waxman 7. Margaret Myjak 8. Laurie Cahill

Men’s Cross Country OCAA Bronze Medal

9. Men’s Country 1970-1971 10. Kelly Dunham (Buchanan)

10 Men’s Golf Division 2 Bronze Medal

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

The William G. Davis Innovation Fund If you are a graduate or current full-time student of one of Ontario’s 24 colleges with an idea that you feel might transform your community or beyond, we encourage you to apply to the William G. Davis Innovation Fund. Applications can be made in the categories of Entrepreneurialism, Health and Welfare, Arts and Culture or Community Benefit.

Visit amazing50.ca for full rules, regulations and application details.

The Hon. William G. Davis was Ontario’s minister of education from 1962 to 1971 and played a vital role in creating the province’s college system. In honour of his legacy and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ontario’s colleges, the William G. Davis Innovation Fund creates an opportunity for aspiring visionaries, artists, humanitarians or entrepreneurs to start something amazing with their college education. If you have an amazing idea but need financial support to develop it, consider entering it in the innovation fund contest. You will need to be able to clearly describe your idea, its benefits, how you will implement it and how the success of the idea will be measured. You can also include photos, sketches or renderings of your idea. In addition, you will need to describe how the idea was sparked by your college education. Shortlisted applications will be shared online, promoted on social media and voted on by the public. The voting results will be part of the criteria used by a panel of judges selected by Colleges Ontario to determine the final winners.

The first-place winner will receive $15,000 to help fund the initiative. The person who finishes second will receive $5,000.

Section

Paul Armstrong, ‘88 – Radiological Technology

SPOTLIGHT

MOHAWK GRAD APPOINTED NEW VICE PRESIDENT ACADEMIC More than a quarter century after enrolling at Mohawk, Paul Armstrong now serves 30,000 students as the college’s Vice President Academic. Paul’s first day as Vice President was almost exactly 30 years to the day he attended his first day of classes in Mohawk’s Radiological Technology program. After working at McMaster University Medical Centre as a Radiographer and Ultrasonographer, Paul returned to Mohawk as a faculty member in the Department of Medical Imaging. Paul then moved into a variety of leadership roles, serving as Dean of Health Sciences, Community and Urban Studies before his appointment to Vice President. Paul’s career achievements and community contributions were recognized in 2013 with a Mohawk Alumni of Distinction Award. As Vice President, Paul is passionate about the use of new technologies to help students develop the skills and experiences that make Mohawk graduates the employees of choice. “When I was a student, we were trained on outdated, surplus equipment that hospitals and clinics no longer used. Today, our students are using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technologies across all our programs.” Mohawk is committed to being a leader in simulation-based learning. “Simulations preview what our students will experience on the job and give them opportunities to learn through trial and error. Our students will be even better prepared to excel in their co-ops, clinical, field placements and careers.” While much has changed at Mohawk since Paul was a student, he says two constants remain. “We continue to have exceptional faculty and staff who are fully committed to giving every student a quality education and an outstanding college experience. Our faculty and staff are second to none in the country.” Mohawk also has an impressive roster of more than 1,000 college partners, says Paul. “Our partnerships with employers throughout the region give our students invaluable real-world experience. My clinical placements at the Hamilton General Hospital and McMaster University Medical Centre were among the highlights of my Mohawk education. Building and maintaining strong ties with employers is a college and personal priority.” Outside the college, Paul serves his community by serving on local community boards focused on healthcare and sports. Being outdoors, whether running the trails or heading out onto the water, is how Paul relaxes and spends time with his family.

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

AROUND CAMPUS

(Left to Right) College in Motion representatives Jamie Arcelo, Rose Gilles, Terrilynn MacMillan, Emily DiNardo, Tracey Prokipczuk and Cherish Gibson.

COLLEGE IN MOTION It wasn’t enough to open doors. Mohawk also needed to build bridges. That was the message delivered by North Hamilton families and educators seven years ago. The community forum was a watershed moment for Mohawk, says Jim Vanderveken, Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies. “We realized we needed to do far more than open the doors to our college,” says Jim. “We also needed to build bridges into neighbourhoods and take our college into the community like never before. For many families, Mohawk seemed a world away and beyond their reach.” Working with civic leaders and educational partners, Jim led the development of Mohawk’s first access strategy. Mohawk launched College in Motion in 2012 with a focus on connecting with priority neighbourhoods where high school graduation and post-secondary participation rates were below provincial averages. Mohawk’s College in Motion team has since provided free services to more than 3,000 people during the past five years. The team is constantly on the road, talking with students and families from 31 area high schools and at 20 community

18 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

agencies, including St. Charles Adult and Continuing Education School. “Our team answers any and all questions about going to college,” says Rose Gillis, Associate Director of Student Recruitment who supports the College in Motion team. “We’re here to help every step of the way, from choosing programs to registering for college and applying for bursaries and scholarships. If you are the first in your family to go to college, you’ll have lots of questions about how to start the journey and what to expect along the way.” While College in Motion initially served high school students, the team now works with mature students who are looking to return to school. More than half of College in Motion clients are between 21 and 25 years of age. “Many are juggling work and family commitments so they have concerns about adding college to the mix,” says Rose. “Our team reassures everyone that there’s a place for them at Mohawk. Our doors are open and we’ll help you get there.” Jim says the response from students, families, educators and community partners has been overwhelming. “They have welcomed us into their neighbourhoods and made us proud to be part of a college that cares about the community we serve.”

AROUND CAMPUS

IAHS GETS A MAKEOVER Mohawk is transforming the Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster into a simulated hospital and long-term care facility. The $3 million makeover will lead to new ways of learning for more than 1,800 students in the college’s health science programs. “Just like in a hospital, our students will be working together in crossdisciplinary teams and learning in environments that mirror the places where they will be providing care and comfort to patients and their families,” said Paul Armstrong, Vice President Academic. The renovations are part of Mohawk’s commitment to be leaders in simulation-based learning. “These experiences will make Mohawk students even better prepared for both their clinical placements and their careers after graduation.” Along with the renovations at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences, Mohawk is adding a new building at the Stoney Creek campus that will bring together students and apprentices from different programs to work on major college and community projects.

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Section AROUND CAMPUS

Vanessa Yeung (right) from Aphrodite Cooks leads a hands-on local food cooking demonstration at Mohawk College with frontline food services staff from Chartwells and the Mohawk Students’ Association.

THE EVOLUTION OF COLLEGE FOOD SERVICES Mohawk College is working with three partner colleges in Ontario to implement pilot projects aimed at addressing barriers to local food procurement in campus cafeterias. “Increasing the amount of local food served on Ontario college campuses is an important opportunity for colleges to better serve their students and communities,” explains Alan Griffiths, Manager of Sustainability at Mohawk. “By offering more local food options, colleges can improve student satisfaction, support campus sustainability and enhance their regional economic impact.”

phase, and are being completed in partnership with each college’s third-party food services operator. Partner colleges are being selected through an application process and will receive matching funding up to $10,000 to assist with pilot implementation. Mohawk will work with these partners to design, implement and evaluate the pilot programs from April to October 2017.

In partnership with the Greenbelt Fund and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Mohawk College is leading a research project that will create a scalable, transferable framework to increase local food procurement at Ontario’s 24 colleges.

Using models established at Mohawk, two of these pilots will be aimed at replicating and validating programs that have already been trialed at Mohawk College: local food literacy training for frontline food services staff, and conducting a Food Origin Audit to establish a local food procurement baseline. The third pilot will be an opportunity for a partner college to design and implement a new solution that addresses at least one of the barriers identified in the research.

The larger project is comprised of three phases: industry research; pilot projects; and the development of the local food procurement framework. The final report on the research phase, published in March 2017, identifies a set of common challenges to local food procurement in the Ontario college system, and lays out a series of opportunities with recommended actions to support increasing local food at colleges across the province.

“We’ll be making the results of the pilot projects available to all Ontario colleges and broader public sector institutions,” says Griffiths. “The results of these pilot projects will inform the draft local food procurement framework that will be presented at a research summit in the fall, where all the project partners and relevant stakeholders will come together to provide feedback before the final framework is released in early 2018.”

These on-campus pilot projects are designed to directly address challenges to local food procurement identified in the research

20 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

To learn more about the project or to read the final research report, visit bit.ly/ONcampusfood

Around Campus Section AROUND CAMPUS

SOMETHING IS BUZZING AT MOHAWK Mohawk College has created a dedicated pollinator-friendly rooftop garden to encourage a healthy pollinator population. The garden is located on the rooftop patio of the Library and Collaboratory (H-Wing) at the college’s Fennell campus. The new garden is an update to an existing partial green roof and now contains a variety of plants that attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators native to Ontario. The Rooftop Pollinator Garden recreates a natural meadow habitat with a mix of grasses and flowering plants that bloom at different times of the year. The space has been outfitted with a series of signage that highlights key features of the garden to help visitors learn about the role of pollinators in our ecosystem, and the roles that certain plants play in creating a healthy habitat for pollinators, and how they can help pollinators at home. The introduction of a pollinator garden at Mohawk supports local food production and a diverse, healthy plant population while creating teaching and learning opportunities that engage our students and community members.

Top: Saige Patti (left) and Elisha Martin (right) working on the rooftop garden. Bottom: Student volunteers helping to get the garden ready on planting day.

The project was funded in part through a $6,000 grant from the World Wildlife Fund. Mohawk College was one of 21 grants from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada’s ‘Go Wild’ Community Grants, presented by Telus. The balance of the funding was provided by the Sustainability Initiatives Fund – a partnership between Mohawk College and the Mohawk Students’ Association that provides students with opportunities to connect directly with sustainability on campus.

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Cover Story

MO’LOVE AT MOHAWK Plenty of love has bloomed at Mohawk, so in honour of the college’s 50th anniversary, we talked to five couples who found Mr or Miss Right at Mohawk. By Meredith MacLeod

Kelvin Lee and Erin Murphy Erin Murphy spotted Kelvin Lee on her first day at Mohawk in 1988. He was president of the Students’ Athletics Committee and was among the speakers welcoming new students at orientation. “I thought, ‘He’s kind of cute. I’m going to like this school,” Erin says with a laugh. They didn’t know each other’s names and were in different programs, he in Recreation Leadership and she in Architectural Technology. But they kept crossing paths, shyly saying hello in the hallways or at the mall. Erin, a Navy brat who calls Kingston home, was a waitress and bartender at a restaurant where Kelvin and his volleyball teammates would gather after games. “We were both too shy to really talk to each other so it was three years of that,” says Kelvin. But one day Kelvin’s friends told another waitress that Kelvin needed a date to a wedding. She suggested Erin.

works in IT for a Hamilton engineering firm. Their son Harrison, 18, is studying Advertising and Marketing Communications at Mohawk and their daughter Jada, 14, goes to Sherwood High School.

Kelvin, who grew up in Kitchener-Waterloo in a family that owned Chinese restaurants, was so flustered he forgot to ask for Erin’s phone number. When he tracked it down through a friend, it took him 20 minutes to dial the number to ask her out.

This fall will mark 30 years for Kelvin at Mohawk College, first as a student, then working in athletics and now in his role as a recruiter. Kelvin, who won the President’s Award of Excellence in 2015, drives across wide swaths of Ontario to tell high school students about Mohawk.

Kelvin and Erin married in 1997 and they bought the house she rented with roommates while she went to Mohawk. Erin

22 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

“It’s so easy to sell when you believe in the place.”

Cover Story COVER STORY

Shana Davis and Lemrol Jack-Layne

“It feels like you’re at a championship playoff game and all your friends are cheering you on,” says Lemrol.

Lemrol Jack-Layne and Shana Davis met when the two were volunteering at orientation at the beginning of their second year at Mohawk College.

Shana, who grew up in Jamaica, now works in the legal department at insurance firm Travellers Canada in Oakville. She plans to apply to law school.

Shana, who graduated in 2016 from the Paralegal program, says she was sitting on some steps one day and couldn’t figure out why Lemrol was talking to her.

Lemrol, who grew up in both St. Vincent and Toronto before coming to Hamilton, was searching for his career path when he talked to his insurance broker. She told him about the field and Mohawk’s program.

“How do you meet new people? You have to start talking to them,” says Lemrol, graduate of Mohawk’s Insurance program.

He started at Intact Insurance in Mississauga as soon as he finished his diploma and has since been promoted to claims adjuster.

Shana, who graduated from marketing at the University of Windsor, and Lemrol, who studied graphic communication at Ryerson for a year, say they were impressed by the spirit and energy at Mohawk in welcoming newcomers.

While Mohawk helped out with their love life, both say the college prepared them for their careers.

“I was used to university where you show up and go to class and no one cares about your life. Here, it’s a really big show,” adds Shana.

“All my teachers were amazing and it’s a very student-oriented college,” says Shana.

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

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2017

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24 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Cover Story

Dan Clark and Kat Cullen Kat Cullen and Dan Clark don’t remember the moment they met. They both lived in residence and had mutual friends and became friends themselves while working together on the Mohawk Students’ Association. And when they became more than friends, Kat, who was MSA president in 2010-2011, made sure it was OK that she date one of her board members. It was, and they began a relationship that has now led to engagement and buying a house on the central Hamilton Mountain. They will be married in September. Dan, who studied Music at Mohawk, served as MSA president the year after Kat. They believe they are the only past presidents now in a relationship. And their years working side by side on the MSA has served them well. Dan owns Cithara Guitars, building custom acoustic and electric instruments out of a shop on the central Mountain.

Kat, a Freelton native who studied TV Broadcasting at Mohawk, handles the social media and marketing for Cithara and accompanies Dan to festivals and trade shows. They say they work together like a well-oiled machine. After several years of working contract jobs at CH, Cable 14 and for events in Toronto, Kat now works at Hamilton country station KX 94.7 as an on-air personality and promotions coordinator. She’s also part of a team that just completed a nation-wide documentary about post-traumatic stress disorder among Canada’s first responders. Kat and Dan say Mohawk plays a central role in their professional and personal lives. “I wouldn’t know the people I know or have built the career I have without Mohawk. And we would never have met,” says Dan, who hails from Orangeville. Adds Kat: “Our experience in student leadership has helped even more than the education itself.”

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Cover Story COVER STORY

Rosemary and Steve Marsh Steve Marsh caught Rosemary’s eye when he asked for her vote in a student council election in 1981.

Rosemary, who grew up in Woodstock, came to Mohawk for Business Administration. She headed directly into insurance and spent many years making the exhausting and stressful commute into Toronto. “I always thought it would be great for us to work together,” she says. “We always knew one day we’d do it but it was a matter of when.”

They became friends, working together as bartenders for campus events and taking part in school events. But every time he asked her out, she was seeing someone. When she was free, he was dating.

And the time was right in 2007. Their company specializes in group benefits and retirement programs for companies.

Finally, Steve asked Rosemary to his graduation. After two weeks of dating, she wrote in her diary that he was the man she would marry.

Steve has served on Mohawk’s Alumni Council and was named an Alumni of Distinction in 2012. He’s also been asked to sit on the college’s 50th anniversary campaign cabinet.

That happened in 1985 and they raised two children, Jaclyn and Jarred, in Burlington. Steve, a Hamilton native, studied Law and Security at Mohawk, but decided policing wasn’t for him and headed into financial services. He became a partner in 1995 at Business Insurance Services, a small Hamilton firm. He bought the business outright in 1997.

26 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

“It feels so good to be re-engaged at Mohawk. It takes me back to when we first met and fell in love. I have such great memories of being there.” They are especially proud of their company’s commitment to provide $25,000 to Mohawk to help students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to get an education. “It’s very special to be able to help,” says Rosemary.

Cover Story

Lisa DiCesare and Brian Hansell Lisa DiCesare and Brian Hansell were college sweethearts but that’s where it ended. At least for a while. They dated for 18 months but after Brian graduated from Business Administration in 1983, his insurance job took him to Winnipeg and Ottawa. They lost touch. Lisa says he broke her heart. Brian admits he was an “idiot.” Lisa focused on her dream of being a Hamilton police officer, after graduating from what was then called Law and Security. She says a co-op placement was crucial to her acceptance as the first female in the department’s cadet program. She was just the 12th woman to become a constable. Her career included many stops throughout Hamilton Police Services and promotion up to staff sergeant. Along the way, she married and had three children. After 30 years at HPS, she retired in 2011. By then her marriage had ended. Brian had built a successful career in group insurance, winning national sales awards and becoming a partner in a small benefits consulting firm in 1995. He sold his shares in 2012.

That’s when Lisa popped up on LinkedIn. Brian was divorced too but more interested, he says, in just knowing how she’d been. He sent her a message but she didn’t respond. Then Brian bumped into Lisa’s brother and asked him to urge Lisa to call him. She agreed to meet him but was suspicious of his intentions and more than a little angry about how their relationship ended. But that lunch lasted three hours and he won her over during a series of dates. “There was a familiarity and a comfort there. And he’s still really handsome,” Lisa says with a smile. They live together in the Greensville home Lisa bought in 1983. It’s home base for their blended family, which includes Lisa’s daughter, two sons and a granddaughter. Brian has a daughter but lost his son to suicide in 2010. Raising awareness for mental illness has become a passion for Brian, along with a consulting practice focused on corporate wellness he founded in 2014. Lisa adjudicates cases on the province’s Social Benefits Tribunal and serves on Mohawk’s Alumni Council. “I’m very proud to say I’m a grad of Mohawk. I really feel I was empowered by the learning I got there,” says Brian.

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Celebrating 50 Years

MOHAWK’S

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY Taking a look back at some of Mohawk’s milestones through the past 50 years

1960’S 1965

1966

1967

1969

68 acres at Fennell and West 5th is chosen to begin build of new post-secondary institution, what eventually became Mohawk College

Jack W. Hazelton becomes the first president of Mohawk College

Mohawk has first Ontario College’s graduating class

First approved co-op program at an Ontario college begins

TIMES HAVE CHANGED! In1967, tuition for a two year certificate was $135, and tuition for a three year diploma program was $235.

28 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Celebrating 50 Years

1970’S 1970

1973

1976

1977

1978

Stoney Creek campus opens with a focus on retraining due to high unemployment levels at the time

Mohawk College the first college in Ontario to have its own student building, The Arnold Centre

10,000th Continuing Education student registers

Gym facilities include a Finnish sauna, tennis courts, golf range, table tennis and slim and trim machine

Ontario Premier William Davis — father of the College system — visits Mohawk College

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Celebrating 50 Years

MOHAWK’S GOLDEN 1980’S 1981

1981

1984

1985

1986

Roland Brack creates OCAA record by winning cross country gold medal for 3rd year in a row

Longest serving college president, Keith L. McIntyre starts his presidency, ending in 1997

The Mohawk College Association of Continuing Education Students (MCACES) is established

The Mohawk College Alumni Association officially begins

The Tragically Hip perform at the Arnie as part of their Ontario Colleges and University tour

2000’S 2000

2002

2006

Mohawk’s first and only residence building opens

Mohawk College dedicates Peace Park and Peace Pole on campus commemorating September 11th

Fred Eisenberger ‘83 Community Planning and Development Grad begins his first term as Mayor of Hamilton

The Institute of Applied Health Sciences (IAHS) opens as a partnership project between McMaster and Mohawk College

30 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Celebrating 50 Years

ANNIVERSARY

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29)

1990’S 1988

1994

1995

1998

The first Mohawk Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition is held

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) joint program is established between McMaster University and Mohawk College — the program is the first of its kind

Mohawk graduate Amos Key receives the Premier’s award for Applied Arts

Mohawk’s Women’s Soccer Team wins gold in the OCAA Soccer Championship Tournament

2009

2011

2014

2017

$84 million planned upgrade to the Fennell Campus begins, breaking ground on the Harold E. Cummings Library and Collaboratory

Roberta Tremain ‘61, the college’s first female student donates $50,000 in scholarships for young women in technology

Mohawk celebrates 100,000th graduate

Mohawk celebrates 50 years of educating and serving our community and looks forward to many more years of celebrating our future ready graduates!

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

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Spotlight

LONG-STANDING PARTNER ARCELORMITTAL DOFASCO DONATES SECOND $1 MILLION DOLLAR GIFT Technology students have a million reasons to thank ArcelorMittal Dofasco. The company has pledged $1 million to The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation now under construction at the Fennell campus. The 90,000 square foot centre is scheduled to open next September and will be the region’s first net zero energy institutional building. Enrolment in technology programs will increase by as many as 1,000 students while Mohawk will work with industry partners on 50 per cent more applied research projects. ArcelorMittal Dofasco announced the $1 million donation before an audience of college partners and civic leaders at an Art Gallery of Hamilton event hosted by Mohawk. “ArcelorMittal Dofasco and Mohawk College have a long and rich history,” said President and CEO Sean Donnelly. “Together, we operate the province’s largest apprenticeship training program and Dofasco employs hundreds of Mohawk graduates. Mohawk College’s commitment to renewal of technology education makes our partnership even stronger and we know The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation will deliver for students, employers, the City of Hamilton and the Province of Ontario.”

This is the second million dollar donation made to Mohawk by ArcelorMittal Dofasco. In 2004, the steelmaker invested $1 million in the expansion of Mohawk’s Stoney Creek campus. “Time and again, ArcelorMittal Dofasco has consistently stepped up for our students,” said Mohawk President Ron McKerlie. Along with offering co-ops and careers to thousands of our students and graduates, ArcelorMittal Dofasco generously supports giving students new and better places to learn. ArcelorMittal’s latest $1 million donation supports the largest renewal of labs and classrooms in our 50-year history and will help us educate more technology students than ever before and put our students to work on a record number of applied research projects with industry partners.” ArcelorMittal Dofasco is one of Mohawk’s longest-standing industry partners, having trained generations of students and apprentices and hired hundreds of graduates.

Hamilton City Hall February 1, 2017 50th celebrations were in full-swing in the atrium at Hamilton’s City Hall, where grads flipped through old year books, took photos with Mo-the-Hawk and played “guess who” with current Hamilton Mayor and 1983 grad, Fred Eisenberger.

DO YOU WORK WITH MANY MOHAWK GRADS?

Let us host our next Alumni @Work with you. We’ll bring the coffee! Mohawkcollege.ca/alumni-at-work

mohawkcollege.ca/alumnimagazine

Gifts

FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS The Mohawk College Foundation is pleased to help build a better college for our students, alumni, partners and community. We have had a lot to celebrate over the past few months. Mohawk Momentum: Building our College. Building our Community. In November, community members, partners, donors and volunteers joined staff and faculty to learn all about the transformation our College will undergo over the next two years. Combined, $63 million worth of investments are planned to give Mohawk students more spaces and better places to learn at our campuses: • • • •

The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation City School by Mohawk Stoney Creek Connections Mohawk College’s Institute for Applied Health Sciences campus

Mohawk College Alumni Association doubles the power of your generosity!

Mohawk receives single largest donation ever The Joyce Family Foundation donated $5 million towards construction of the Centre for Partnership & Innovation at Mohawk’s Fennell campus. In recognition of the record-setting donation, the newest addition to the college will be named The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation.

President’s Golf Classic On Thursday, September 22 thanks to golfers and sponsors an astounding $45,936 was raised to support the purchase of a High Fidelity Medical Simulator for our Institute for Applied Health Sciences campus. This programmable simulator mimics real life patients, with heart tones and other vital cues. By practicing true clinical skills in a safe and regulated environment, our healthcare students learn with the best hands-on training, preparing them for virtually any obstacle they might face in their career.

Ryder Canada supports Stoney Creek campus Ryder Canada, a leader in commercial fleet management, dedicated transportation, and supply chain solutions, as well as a valued partner to Mohawk College, announced a $50,000 donation to support renovations and improvements to Mohawk’s Stoney Creek Campus.

34 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

In the fall, Mohawk College launched its Start of Something Amazing Campaign in celebration of Mohawk College’s 50th anniversary. The Alumni Association has been a long-time supporter of the Mohawk College Foundation and to honour the 110,000 Mohawk graduates, the Mohawk College Alumni Association has stepped forward with a gift matching challenge of $110,000. Dollar for dollar all individual donations will be matched in celebration of The Start of Something Amazing – now that is truly amazing!

Life-long learner leaves gift to Mohawk students A bequest gift has been left to Mohawk in support of mature students in financial need in the amount of $25,000, to be distributed over 25-years, from a former student who wished to remain anonymous. Previously graduating from university, she continued her education at Mohawk throughout her life through many continuing education courses in the health-care and human resources disciplines. Learn how you can join the Mohawk momentum. Contact the Foundation today. Kim Shippey Director, Major Gifts Kim.shippey@mohawkcollege.ca 905-575-2200 Gena Dureault Senior Development Officer Gena.dureault@mohawcollege.ca 905-575-2208

Awards & Honours

AWARDS & HONOURS YWCA Women of Distinction 2017 Congratulations to the Hamilton YWCA Women of Distinction 2017 nominees, including these Mohawk College grads. • • • • • • • • • • •

Gabriela Covaci ‘10 Ellen Corsini-Chappel ‘85 Erin O’Neil ‘10 Mindy Tweedle ‘02 Laura Tedesco ‘01 Sarah Adjekum ‘10 Erin Buckle ‘97 Kathryn Crooks ‘12 Linda Jackson ‘81 Mary O’Connor ‘84 Laura Laverty ‘01

Congratulations to Halton Newcomer Recognition Nominee in the Community Category, grad Gabriela Covaci ’10.

Premier’s Awards In November, Mohawk College’s six Premier’s Awards Nominees joined more than 100 other distinguished grads from across Ontario at the Premier’s Awards. •

Bill Chisholm, President & CEO of Samuel, Son & Co. Limited | Chemical Engineering Technology, 1980 / 2016 Alumni of Distinction

•

Steve Lennon, Dignitary Protection and Investigations Section, Protection Specialist/Constable, Ontario Provincial Police | Law & Security – Private Security, 1995 / 2016 Alumni of Distinction

•

Richard J. Brennan, Journalist (retired) with the Toronto Star | Journalism, 1972 / 2016 Mohawk College Distinguished Fellow

•

Justin Fyfe, Software Architect at Mohawk College | Computer Science Technology – Software Engineer, 2007 / 2016 Alumni of Distinction

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Emily Baynes, Campus Wellness & Sustainability Outreach Coordinator at Mohawk College | Public Relations, 2011 / 2013 Alumni of Distinction

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Shaun Iles, Professor of Sociology and Sustainability at Mohawk College | General Arts and Science, 2004 / 2013 Mohawk President’s Award of Excellence recipient

Bill Chisholm

Steve Lennon

Richard J. Brennan

Justin Fyfe

Emily Baynes

Shaun Iles

Men’s and Women’s volleyball head coach, Matthew Schnarr ’06 recorded his 100th Mountaineer win this past November.

Mohawk second-year Journalism and Broadcasting Television students won first place in the Best Television Newscast category, while first-year students took second place in the Best TV Special Event Coverage for their coverage of Mohawk’s International Women’s Day celebrations at the 2016 Pinnacle College Media Awards. Matthew Schnarr

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Alumni Reunions

CONNECTING WITH OLD FRIENDS! This past Fall and Winter we welcomed back many grads and their families to reconnect with their alma mater to enjoy some time with past classmates, teammates, and fellow student leadership members.

Past Student Leadership BBQ “Thank you so much for a wonderful Saturday afternoon. It was a pleasure to see so many familiar faces. Lunch was great and a perfect day.” – Sandi Richardson, Early Childhood Education, ‘71 36 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Alumni Reunions / Convocation Speakers

Fall 2016 Convocation Speakers

In their own words… Basketball Alumni Games “Great time!! Thank you for hosting the alumni games and social. Always great returning and seeing everyone.” – Pat Iavarone, Civil Engineering Technology, ‘16

Open House: Alumni and VIP Reception

Ryan Barichello – Enterprise Business, 2004 / Computer Systems Technician – Web Applications, 2006 “You will experience situations where moving forward will seem impossible and it is that moment where you need to remind yourself that you have goals to reach. It’s what keeps us going, what pushes us forward when we hit the wall. And we all do. Successful people are not anomalies they are simply the ones that keep pushing when others do not.” Distinguished Fellow – Adjunct Professor Dr. Ted Scott - Radiological Technology, 1988 “I learned that as much as we don’t like to fail, it’s an inevitable part of life and we need to learn how to support one another… Learning is what allows us to grow. It is what allows us to give back to our society. So may you enjoy many years ahead developing strong workplace relationships founded on trust, expanded by your failures, and enriched through your learning.”

Fastball Alumni Game “Loved playing again… great to see some old friends. Looking forward to this being an annual event – thank you!“ – Marcy Mancini, Recreation Leadership, ‘95

“Nice to see that we can still get around the bases.” – Jenn McNaughton, Law and Security Administration, ‘96

Mohawk’s Distinguished Fellows make invaluable contributions to the college through academic advancement and student engagement, community outreach and strategic advisement to Mohawk’s senior leadership team. Participation in Mohawk College’s Distinguished Fellow program is by invitation only, with the title conferred and service to the college recognized during Convocation ceremonies, by virtue of hooding.

St Joseph’s School of Nursing and St. Joseph’s Campus, Mohawk College, Hamilton (1915-1978) ANNUAL REUNION DAY Thursday, May 25, 2017 Michelangelo Banquet Centre 1555 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton, ON L8W 3E2 Mass at 10 a.m. Celebrant: Father Charlie Galea Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $55 – Deadline for tickets is May 11th, 2017 Visit www.sjsnaa.com or contact Kathy at sjsnaareunion@ gmail.com for more information. Please join us in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Class of 1977!

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Section

J. ROGER DAVIES

Electronics Engineering Technology – Telecommunications, 1968

KEEPING

Semi-retired. Now I am a Continuing Education Instructor for Mohawk College.

MARK A. RENZETTI

Industrial Management Technology, 1969 I relocated to Paris, Ontario in June 2016.

JAMIE (JAMES) TUFFORD Business Administration, 1971

I am now retired. Just playing a little squash, then golfing three times a week. When the fish are running I take the boat out to catch some salmon, prawns, crab or oysters. Dinner is great! (L-R) Matt Dunn, Jean Vanier and Kevin Dunn.

KEVIN DUNN

Television Broadcasting, 1986

MERRILL COLLINS

Child and Youth Worker, 1975

CHERYL BAKER BRIAN A. (NÉE LEVELY) DALTON Nursing, 1975

Business Administration, 1976

JOHN DEREK PUGH

Just completed a broadcast documentary on world-renowned humanitarian, philosopher and founder of L’Arche Homes, Jean Vanier. Our film crew followed 10 students from Jean Vanier CSS in Milton as they travelled to Trosly France – where the movement began. Students lived in the community with ‘core members’ of L’Arche and met their school’s namesake, Jean Vanier. It was a life-changing experience for these students as they learned the true meaning of servant leadership, assisting and creating relationships with people who live with and without intellectual disabilities. My son Matt Dunn, (Mohawk Broadcast Graduate 2015) was on the film crew and is featured in this photo with myself and Jean Vanier.

Data Processing, 1980

MARIAN ADEBOBOYE (NEE TOMLINSON)

Effective September 2016 I retired after 35 years with the Ontario Public Service and moved to Ottawa.

Nursing, 1990

I am married to Tai Adeboboye and we have four children.

BRENDA FEKETE (NÉE PALMERTON) Nursing, 1985

I’ve been married for 20 years to my husband Jim; we had two children, Rachel and Matthew. I have been working as a Registered Nurse since 1985 at Norfolk General Hospital. Currently, working on general surgery, obstetrical floor.

KEEP INTOUCH

Want your update to be included in the next issue? Visit mohawkcollege.ca/stayconnected

38 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

SUZIN ILTON Nursing, 1989

CATHERINE JOHNSTONE Integrated Accounting, 2004

INTOUCH THOMAS J. HIBBARD

Motive Power Technician, 2011 I am retired and am happily pursuing classic car restoring and racing.

APPOORV SIRDESHPANDE Chemical Engineering Technology, 2016

After graduating from the Chemical Engineering Technology Program from Mohawk College, I briefly worked for a company called Phoenix Contact during the summer. My role at the company was Technical

MEINA ISTAFANOUS Biotechnology Technician – Health, 2012

DOUG HARRIS Computer Systems Technician, 2010

Currently finishing off my last year in the Forensics program at Trent University.

JESSE DUPLESSIS Community Integration through Cooperative Education, 2016

Aviation Technician – Maintenance, 2016 I moved to a new city to start a new life and find out how my experiences through Mohawk College have prepared me for the real world. Life is great, with all its ups and downs, and with a new perspective I expect more from it and work towards attaining it. Looking to be an Aviation Technician and go where my passions take me.

From time to time, you may be contacted either by mail, e-mail or phone by one of our services and benefits partners regarding one of our programmes. Mohawk College is proud of its relationship with a number of trusted partners and service providers who have an established record of treating personal information with care and provide valuable services and benefits to our alumni. We appreciate you taking the time to learn about the programmes and the latest offers available. We want to let you know that at no time will your name or contact information be shared with anyone not specifically authorized by Alumni Relations. Mohawk College respects the privacy of its alumni and the sensitivity of personal information. All of our partners sign strict confidentiality agreements with us prior to receiving any contact information.

DOUGLAS SMITH

Electrical Engineering Technology – Control, 2016 Started at PNR Railworks working for the Union Station Corridor project witting signal bungalows. Recently I got offered a job at Bombardier as an engineering tech so I accepted the position.

Should you wish to not be contacted about services and benefit programs, JUST CALL 905-575-2258 or e-mail alumni@mohawkcollege.ca and tell us you wish to OPT OUT of affinity marketing plans. Thank you for your interest and your participation in the services and benefits provided by the Alumni Association and the Alumni Relations Department.

DIANA CASTILLO

Marketing volunteer for Sustainable Hamilton Burlington – non-profit organization.

RANJITH SASI

Protection of Personal Information

I work for community living in North Halton and I volunteer at the RESTORE.

Business Marketing (Co-op), 2016

Section Support Specialist, where I was responsible for troubleshooting PLC and electronic hardware issues by responding to client emails. This fall, I am continuing my education by enrolling in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology Degree Completion Program at McMaster University. Through this program, I hope to gain the knowledge and understanding required to work in a manufacturing environment. My goal is to work for a high-end manufacturing company such as Honeywell, where I can use my technical knowledge and expertise to provide a useful service to the consumer base.

LUIS MIGUEL DORANTES Civil Engineering Technician, 2016

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ALUMNI WEEKEND Section

May 26 & 27, 2017

We’re celebrating 50 Years of Mohawk College and you’re invited to a fun-filled weekend! FRIDAY, MAY 26

SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2017

9 & Dine Golf

Return to Mohawk for a variety of activities across campus.

To kick-off Alumni Weekend grab your clubs and a few friends and join us for a nine-hole round of golf, followed by dinner. Includes: Powered cart, 9 holes, specialty hole contests, putting contest, driving range and dinner Time: 4:30pm Shot Gun Start Location: Flamborough Hills Cost: $60/person Early Bird Special – until May 4th, 2017 $70/person After May 4th, 2017

Fennell Campus Reunions

Party In The Arnie

Includes: Lunch with your group, 50th anniversary gift and a chance to win prizes.

Includes: 1 drink ticket, live music, late night snack, 50th Celebration gift, photo booth

Time: 1:30pm to 3:00pm Cost: $10/person

Time: 9:00pm – 1:00am Cost: $15/person

Pop-Up Travelling Dinner

Class Reunions, Team Reunions, Student Leader Reunions, Recent Graduates Reunions

Travel through the decades and across the campus for a four-course meal. Time: 5:00pm – 8:30pm Cost: $75/person (Spaces Limited)

LEAVE YOUR MARK!

TAKE YOUR PLACE ON MOHAWK’S PATHWAY The Mohawk Alumni Association is doubling the power of your generosity! The Mohawk Alumni Advisory Council has stepped forward with a matching challenge of $110,000, in honour of our 110,000 graduates, matching all individual donations in celebration of The Start of Something Amazing – now that is truly amazing! Visit mohawkcollege.ca/bricks and click “Donate Now” to leave your mark, join our Alumni Advisory Council, and be The Start of Something Amazing.

40 INTOUCH | Spring 2017

Reconnect with alumni, faculty and friends, while dancing the night away to live music.

Calendar of Events

CALENDAR OF EVENTS To find out more and register for alumni events, visit mohawkcollege.ca/alumni

MAY

JUNE

12 to 16

Online Office Hours

Spring 2017 Convocation Ceremonies – McIntyre Performing Arts Centre

Alumni Weekend... pop online and ask your questions

27 MYAC Summer Social at SERVE

MYAC – Brushes for Bursaries

7pm to 9pm | $15

7pm to 9pm | $35

SERVE Ping Pong Bar & Lounge (107 King Street East, 2nd Floor – Hamilton)

Painting supplies provided; a portion of the fee support The Start of Something Amazing – Student Bursaries

26 & 27 ALUMNI WEEKEND (See left page for details)

26 Alumni Golf: 9 & Dine 4:30 pm shot gun start, followed by dinner | Flamborough Hills Golf & Country Club

27 50th Celebration Lunch | Reunions | Dinner through the Decades | Campus Tours | Party in the Arnie Visit mohawkcollege.ca/50th for up-todate information

29 Online Networking Event: Workplace Topics 7pm to 8pm Grads share insights on work environment topics (conflict resolution, managing up within your organization, work/life balance and general career questions) – contact Kelly Dunham if you are interested in volunteering for this event at kelly.dunham@mohawkcollege.ca

JULY

TBD MYAC – Brushes for Bursaries 7pm to 9pm | $35 Painting supplies provided; a portion of the fee support The Start of Something Amazing – Student Bursaries

TBD MYAC - Learn to Golf

AUGUST

31 Online Networking Event: What You Need to Know For Day One 7pm to 8pm Event for recent grads to offer tips and wisdom to incoming students – contact Lindsay Dyment if you are interested at lindsay.dyment@mohawkcollege.ca

SEPTEMBER

Register for all events at alumni.mohawkcollege.ca Please visit alumni.mohawkcollege.ca for up-to-date events and activities If you have any questions, please contact us at 905-575-2258 or alumni@mohawkcollege.ca

8 to 10 Hamilton Supercrawl

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