Community Support
![Alanah Coss FortisBC Award Recipient](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2021-09/Alanah%20Coss%20FortisBC%20Award%20Recipient%20Web.jpg?h=c725a2e6&itok=uaqki8DW)
FortisBC powers up support for women and Indigenous students
September 24, 2021
New awards and opportunities for mentorship with FortisBC are making it easier for female and female Indigenous students to be successful with their trades education. FortisBC recently set up three scholarships for women in trades with a focus on supporting female students who are at the mid-point in their education. The scholarship comes with the potential for the student to meet with FortisBC representatives and connect with someone working in a role they may be interested in pursuing in the future. "We wanted to support students in pay...
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On-campus vaccination clinics on Sept. 7
August 26, 2021
Interior Health (IH) will be offering drop-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics for OC students and employees on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at the times and locations below: Kelowna 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. L100, Centre for Learning (E building) Penticton 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. PC113 Vernon 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. E103 Salmon Arm 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. SA - 133 See the IH booth at Orientation for more details IH is strongly encouraging everyone to be vaccinated as soon as possible, so please see their COVID-19 Immunization Clinics page for more information and dates, t...
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Jillian Harris sets up award fund to support underrepresented students
August 20, 2021
A much-coveted subscription box from Canadian influencer and Kelowna local Jillian Harris will open up more than just surprises for recipients, but opportunities to support a generation of historically excluded students at ʪƵ with every subscription sold. Jillian Harris, through her fall Jilly Box, is raising $50,000 to create awards for Indigenous students, Black students and students of Colour at ʪƵ. The Jilly Box is seeding the fund with $15,000 and subsequently, will match donations up to $10,00...
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A perfect pairing: Sandhill invites OC Culinary Arts students into the kitchen
August 6, 2021
As a student, you never know when opportunities will pop up – and ʪƵ Culinary Arts students are bubbling over with new experiences thanks to Sandhill Wines. As a result of a unique collaboration with the Kelowna-based winery, Culinary Arts students will cook a three-course plated dinner as part of a pop-up dinner series Aug. 10 to 13. “We are thrilled to welcome the students of ʪƵ into our kitchen. They have concepted a mouth-watering menu which truly represents their creativity and skill. We are very excited f...
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Skogie’s 50th anniversary adds shine to student experience
July 28, 2021
Skogie’s car washes are celebrating 50 years of business by making the ride for ʪƵ students a little easier. For every year the family-run business has been in operation, Skogie’s is donating $1,000 to ʪƵ — for a total of $50,000 in honour of their half-century anniversary. “We've hired a lot of ʪƵ students over the years,” says David Skoglund, who founded the company in 1971. “We want to support young people and help them get ahead and we also wanted to give back to our community.” The gift wil...
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Alumnus gives dose of support to Pharmacy Technician students
July 16, 2021
The CEO of Catalyst Healthcare is giving Pharmacy Technician students a dose of support with a gift to the Our Students, Your Health campaign. Shane Bishop, founder and CEO of Catalyst Healthcare, is donating $30,000 in support of ʪƵ’s Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. Bishop spent his first two years of post-secondary at the College, and the gift is his way of paying it forward to the organization and its students. “ʪƵ provides access to future careers and I wanted to be part of supporting studen...
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Statement on missing children and all those impacted by residential schools
July 8, 2021
This statement contains content about residential schools that we recognize may be triggering. If you need immediate emotional assistance or crisis support, please see the supports (bolded) below. ʪƵ respectfully acknowledges that our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people and our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc. On behalf of ʪƵ and the Board of Governors, we offer our ...
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Oral surgeons give to thank Certified Dental Assistants
July 6, 2021
A local oral surgery group with offices in Kelowna and Vernon is investing in the education of Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) with a gift to ʪƵ’s Our Students, Your Health campaign. Dr. Richard Bell, Dr. Russell Naito and Dr. Tom White of Okanagan Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates are donating $30,000 to support a state-of-the-art dental clinic in the College’s new Health Sciences Centre. The surgeons say the gift is a way to recognize and celebrate the work of their current staff and past employees. “We want to...
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Edible garden project at OC’s Penticton campus to feed students, community members
June 29, 2021
A partnership between ʪƵ's Penticton campus and the Medical Arts Research Group is helping to root out food insecurity amongst students and local families. An edible garden program is being established on the north end of the Penticton campus, with the aim to provide fresh vegetables to OC students and food bank patrons in the community. Medical Arts Research Group donated the wood and fence material for the project. Raised garden beds were built in May by students in the Women in Trades Training program, and installed outsi...
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College's modern dental clinic gets a boost from 123Dentist
June 28, 2021
123Dentist, Canada’s largest majority dentist-owned network of dental practices, is giving $30,000 to support ʪƵ’s state-of-the-art dental space located in the new $18.9-million Health Sciences Centre. The new clinic is a major upgrade for Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) students, who can now learn in private operatories comparable to today’s dental practices along with smart cameras and monitors for teaching and instruction. Ali Bozorgzad, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of 123Dentist, says his organization was in...
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OC offers condolences to the Cowessess First Nation and all those impacted and in mourning
June 25, 2021
This statement contains content about residential schools that we recognize may be triggering. If you need immediate emotional assistance or crisis support, please see the supports (bolded) below. ʪƵ respectfully acknowledges that our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people and our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc. On Thursday, June 24, the Cowessess First Nation confirmed the discover...
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Partnership dishes up meal ideas by OC Culinary Students and local food products
June 24, 2021
A new partnership between ʪƵ and produce supplier company Farm Bound is bringing locally sourced organic foods to your doorstep with delicious summer-ready recipes crafted by OC Culinary Arts students. Food-lovers can now order the OC Inspiration Box from the Farm Bound website. The box has fully portioned ingredients for recipes to make Middle Eastern Chicken Za’atar, Carrot and Radish Salad, Pea Risotto with Asparagus and a spice blend to make your own Za’atar Spice Mix. Not only will you learn new recipes but also a few c...
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Our deepest sympathies go out to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
May 31, 2021
ʪƵ respectfully acknowledges that our Salmon Arm campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc and our Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. On Thursday, May 27, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried in unmarked graves on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. On behalf of Okana...
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Stewart family invests in health at ʪƵ
April 16, 2021
The Stewart family is donating $50,000 to support the education of health care professionals at ʪƵ. The gift will recognize Rosemary and Richard “Dick” Stewart. Dick, a founder of Quails’ Gate Estate Winery and Kelowna City Councillor, passed away nearly one year ago at the age of 94. According to his son Ben Stewart, MLA for Kelowna West, the gift reflects his father’s passion for education. “My dad believed education creates opportunities for people to lead independent and fulfilling lives,” says Ben. “He saw education as ...
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RIPE with opportunity: Join OC for a conference showcasing applied research in the region
April 9, 2021
From proposal writing to hydroponics, chemotherapy to climate change, and early childhood education to engaging with marginalized populations, the region is RIPE with applied research projects and ʪƵ is inviting you to attend its free showcase event to hear about the innovative research projects happening in your own backyard. RIPE (Research, Innovation and Partnerships Expo) is happening on May 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. as a virtual event, allowing people from across the region to attend. The event is an opportunity for com...
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Knuever Legacy Fund makes major investment in Vernon students
March 30, 2021
A new awards fund at ʪƵ will more than double the value of annual support available for students attending the Vernon campus. Kurt and Jutta Knuever have donated $210,000 to create the K&J Knuever Legacy Awards, which will provide up to $70,000 annually in tuition and living support to students entering trades programs or the Health Care Assistant program over the next three years. The awards reflect the value the Knuever family place on education, especially hands-on skills training that can add value to an individual’s...
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