Students
![Saige Girouard](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2021-05/Saige%20Girouard%20LGA%20medal.jpg?h=e9a72f5c&itok=8mR00lgC)
OC grad honoured for contributions to inclusion, democracy and reconciliation
May 20, 2021
When Saige Girouard arrived at ʪƵ 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 Lieuten...
Read more...![Animation student Isabelle Stuetz](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2021-05/Isabelle%20Stuetz%203.jpg?h=252f27fa&itok=Qo1hMLSN)
Animation Industry Night paints picture of OC student success
May 14, 2021
Local animation studios had the opportunity to canvas the next generation of talent from ʪƵ’s Animation Diploma program at the third-annual Industry Night, which showcased students’ artwork, demo reels and professional portfolios. On May 13, ʪƵ opened its doors – albeit virtually – for the popular art-and-network event which brought together industry partners, community, students, faculty, mentors and supporters in celebration of the program’s 2021 graduating class and first-year students who have now crossed th...
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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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Students invest in Health Sciences Centre
April 7, 2021
It’s an investment in future students and community health, and one the ʪƵ Students’ Union (OCSU) says is even more important in light of the ongoing pandemic. OCSU is donating $15,000 to the ʪƵ Foundation’s Our Students, Your Health campaign to complete construction of a new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. “It’s always good to invest in education, but the pandemic has really brought to the forefront how important nurses and other health care providers are," says Joseph Welton, OCSU board member. ...
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Long Night long on benefits for ʪƵ students
April 1, 2021
If there is power in numbers when fighting procrastination, then ʪƵ was fully plugged in last week. Long Night Against Procrastination, held Thursday March 25th, was organized by Penticton Librarian Eva Gavaris, in concert with several ʪƵ instructors and staff members who volunteered their time to slay the beast of procrastination. More than 230 students registered for access, and at the peak, Gavaris said there were approximately 100 students in a variety of break-out rooms. “Over the past year, Okanaga...
Read more...College Pastry Arts students craft creative Easter confections
April 1, 2021
While no official sightings of the Easter Bunny have been reported on campus, ʪƵ’s Pastry Arts students hopped into action this week, serving up smiles ahead of the holiday. Students pulled out all the stops to prepare an eggs-travaganza of chocolate eggs, bunnies, bon bons, sponge candy and other confections for the OC community. “The students outdid themselves once again,” notes Culinary and Pastry Arts Manager Cari Jahns. “When everyone saw the tables of treats assembled, the array of different items they...
Read more...![ACSW certificate graduate Shannon Peltier](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2021-03/Shannon%20Peltier%20high%20res.jpg?h=548e4f51&itok=fBgo3izx)
OC Indigenous Community Support Worker grad reflects on making a difference
March 31, 2021
Upcoming info sessions spotlight learning and career opportunities for studentsShannon Peltier was inspired to train to provide support to Indigenous youth and families by her Nohkom (grandmother). She found that opportunity through the Indigenous Community Support Worker Certificate program at ʪƵ.The Indigenous Community Support Worker (ACSW) program is just one of the College's Continuing Studies certificate programs on display during info sessions this spring. The virtual sessions are designed to provide students with the o...
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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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OC business students take trio of first-place finishes at Enactus Western Canada Regionals
March 30, 2021
ʪƵ business students enjoyed a fruitful victory at the Enactus Western Canada Regionals, earning three first-place finishes and ensuring their ticket to the National Competition in May. The Regional competition took place last week in a virtual format with teams from a multitude of post-secondary institutions submitting their student-created and student-run initiatives that seek to positively impact communities in a social, economic or environmental way. The award-winning OC Enactus initiative FruitSnaps was entered – and w...
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Going back to school in COVID-times: How OC supports mature students in our communities
March 29, 2021
In my years as a post-secondary administrator, I’ve had a front row seat to innumerable examples of how education truly does transforms lives, which in turn benefits and transforms our communities. As ʪƵ’s Regional Dean for the Shuswap-Revelstoke, by far some of the most inspiring and remarkable stories I’ve been fortunate to witness over the years have been those of our mature students. Working parents, who have summoned the courage and the will to go back into the classroom, level up their skills, maybe make a 180-degree c...
Read more...![Vanessa Marshall (right) practicing her skills on fellow Therapist Assistant student Hannah Koch](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2021-03/Vanessa%20Marshall%20web.jpeg?h=7d66a0c3&itok=fUOwtdmO)
Long connection inspires major gift by Friesen family
March 22, 2021
A decades-long connection to ʪƵ and a desire to give back to community is inspiring a $150,000 donation by the Friesen family to the ʪƵ Foundation. The family gift will support the Our Students, Your Health campaign to complete and equip the College’s new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. The gift reflects a strong connection to the College. Dianne Friesen worked at ʪƵ in the mid-1970s. In 1984, her husband Rod started Voyager RV and their son Jason who is running the business is grate...
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Meet Ayden Clark, Business Administration student
March 19, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Salmon Arm, I’ve lived here for most of my life. Q: How did you end up at ʪƵ? A: Honestly it was a number of different things that had me deciding on ʪƵ. The biggest contributor was the location, the Shuswap is a beautiful area and I have family here in Salmon Arm. Q: How did you choose your program? A: Nearing the completion of high school, I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do afterwards. In the end I decided on...
Read more...Nighttime noshing and homework help: OC students gear up for Long Night Against Procrastination
March 18, 2021
The power of pizza among peers is greater than procrastination. With end-of-term deadlines in sight, organizers of the popular ʪƵ Long Night Against Procrastination are ready to offer up snacks, prizes and solidarity to students facing winter term finals. Long Night Against Procrastination started at the Penticton campus in 2015, with students converging on campus for late-night cram sessions with help from faculty, librarians and Success Centre coordinators. The annual event helped students meet end-of-term deadlines with...
Read more...![Criminal Social Justice Diploma student Janet McLeish](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2021-03/McLeish-Janet.jpg?h=4642a61e&itok=XL0Gf2Cw)
Meet Janet McLeish, Criminal and Social Justice student
March 15, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Portmore, Jamaica W.I. Q: How did you end up at ʪƵ? A: I wanted to explore the possibility for a career change or merging of my previous career experiences with a new career path. I went to an OC recruitment activity in Kingston, Jamaica, then applied for the program and was successful. Q: How did you choose the Criminal and Social Justice program? A: I worked in the human services prior to coming to Canada and believe this...
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College culinary program supports students facing food insecurity
March 15, 2021
When Mariko Nagata picks up a free lunch at ʪƵ she likens it to a warm hug. The mother of two was laid off during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic giving her a chance to return to school and enrol in the Culinary and Pastry Arts program. Now, she's helping cook healthy meals that not only support her during her studies but a range of fellow students who are facing food insecurity. “It's nice to be able to access this help and the food is always so beautifully presented,” says Nagata. “I think it makes a difference in a l...
Read more...![First-year nursing student, Katelyn McGillivray](/sites/default/files/styles/story_landscape/public/2021-03/Katelyn%20McGillivray%202WEB.jpg?h=252f27fa&itok=PzmIh6CC)
Retired nurse donates $50k to Health Sciences Centre
March 11, 2021
Many things have changed since Delphine Stone went to nursing school more than 60 years ago, but she’s sure one element still holds true: the positive role education plays in one’s life. In honour of the value of education, Stone is donating $50,000 to the Our Students, Your Health campaign for a new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. “Education really changed my life,” recalls Stone, who was the youngest of 11 children and grew up on a farm near Battleford, Saskatchewan. Stone remembers receiving a $100 award from the Hosp...
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