Niagara College Class of 2019 to make history at Spring Convocation

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Canada’s first-ever Cannabis and Distilling graduates to cross the stage

Niagara College is preparing to celebrate its largest spring convocation ever – and make history in the process.

More than 5,100 students will graduate from the College this spring, making NC’s Class of 2019 its largest to date, as the College marks its Spring Convocation ceremonies. To be held from June 17-21 at the Welland Campus, the ceremonies will also mark a special milestone for the College with Canada’s first graduates to earn a postsecondary credential in Commercial Cannabis Production (June 20, 10 a.m.) and Artisan Distilling (June 21, 10 a.m.) Both postgraduate certificate programs launched at the College in fall 2018 as the first of their kind in the country.

Convocation is the highlight of the academic year and a celebration of student success at NC.

“All of the students who cross the stage at Convocation are part of Niagara College’s legacy of student success,” said College president Dan Patterson. “Our graduates have the skills to take on industry challenges and become tomorrow’s leaders. Our faculty and staff take great pride in their accomplishments.”

Spring Convocation will include eight ceremonies over five days, all held at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. Graduates and their guests will hear from a variety of distinguished business and community leaders who will deliver convocation addresses and receive special honours from the College.

Keith Segal

Ceremonies will begin on Monday, June 17 at 3 p.m. with the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies. The convocation speaker for the afternoon will be Keith Segal, owner, president, and CEO of guard.me International Insurance. Segal is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist serving the education industry and supporting international students. He will receive an Honorary Diploma in International Studies.

Kim Plewes

Tuesday, June 18 will begin at 10 a.m. with a ceremony celebrating graduates in the School of Community Services. Kim Plewes, principal development director of WE, a movement and organization to help communities around the world create positive social change, will deliver the convocation address and will receive an Honorary Diploma in Community Studies. Tuesday morning’s ceremony will also see Child and Youth Care graduate Emily Stewardson Gregory receive the 2019 Governor General’s Academic Medal, which is presented to the graduate with the highest overall grade-point average. Stewardson Gregory will graduate from the Child and Youth Care program with a 98.43% grade-point average.

Richard Taylor

The 3 p.m. ceremony will see students in the School of Business and Management hear a convocation address from Richard Taylor, president of Niagara Casinos, a recognized gaming industry leader who heads one of the largest business operations in Niagara. .. Taylor will receive an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies.

Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji

Ceremonies will continue the morning of Wednesday, June 19 with the School of Justice and Fitness Studies. Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, acting medical officer of health for the Niagara Region, will address convocation. Hirji’s career focus is on the public health and emergency services that protect Niagara’s 450,000 residents and 15 million annual visitors. Hirji will be granted an Honorary Diploma in Health Studies.

Betty-Lou Souter

On Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m., the ceremony for the School of Academic and Liberal Studies, the School of English Language Studies, and the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies will open with an address from Betty-Lou Souter, CEO of Community Care, St. Catharines and Thorold. Souter is known as the voice of poverty in Niagara, advocating for a healthy and vibrant community. Souter will receive an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies.

Carolyne Watts

On Thursday morning, the ceremony for the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies and the School of Technology Studies will take place. Guest speaker Carolyne Watts, plant manager for General Motors, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, and a former chair of the Niagara College Board of Governors will address graduating students. Watts has spent nearly four decades with General Motors and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to environmental preservation, safety awareness and community outreach. Watts will receive an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies.

Mike Crawley

At the Thursday morning ceremony, School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies will see the first cohort of Commercial Cannabis Production graduates cross the stage. The first of its kind in Canada, the program launched in 2018 to meet the industry’s demand for highly skilled cannabis growers.

On, June 20 at 3 p.m., graduates in the School of Media Studies and the School of Trades will hear from CBC News reporter, Mike Crawley. Crawley is the Ontario provincial affairs reporter and has also reported on important global issues in Africa, Europe and the US. He will receive an Honorary Diploma in Journalism.

Kelly L. Brown

Spring Convocation Ceremonies conclude on Friday morning where graduates in the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport, and School of Food and Wine Sciences, will hear from Kelly L. Brown, senior vice president, Legal and Corporate Affairs for Arterra Wines Canada Inc. Brown is considered one of Canada’s top lawyers and sits on the leadership team for Arterra, the leading wine producer in Canada. Brown will receive an Honorary Graduate Certificate in Wine Business Management.

Inaugural graduates from the Artisan Distilling program, from NC’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute, will cross the convocation stage at the final ceremony on Friday morning. Launched in 2018 as the first of its kind in Canada, the program rounded out NC’s program offerings as the only college in Canada with full-time wine, beer and distilling programs.

Niagara College’s Spring Convocation Ceremonies are streamed live, and may be viewed at livestream.com/accounts/15502389/NCSpringConvocation2019

Niagara College Class of 2019 to make history at Spring Convocation

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Canada’s first-ever Cannabis and Distilling graduates to cross the stage

Niagara College is preparing to celebrate its largest spring convocation ever – and make history in the process.

More than 5,100 students will graduate from the College this spring, making NC’s Class of 2019 its largest to date, as the College marks its Spring Convocation ceremonies. To be held from June 17-21 at the Welland Campus, the ceremonies will also mark a special milestone for the College with Canada’s first graduates to earn a postsecondary credential in Commercial Cannabis Production (June 20, 10 a.m.) and Artisan Distilling (June 21, 10 a.m.) Both postgraduate certificate programs launched at the College in fall 2018 as the first of their kind in the country.

Convocation is the highlight of the academic year and a celebration of student success at NC.

“All of the students who cross the stage at Convocation are part of Niagara College’s legacy of student success,” said College president Dan Patterson. “Our graduates have the skills to take on industry challenges and become tomorrow’s leaders. Our faculty and staff take great pride in their accomplishments.”

Spring Convocation will include eight ceremonies over five days, all held at the Welland Campus Athletic Centre. Graduates and their guests will hear from a variety of distinguished business and community leaders who will deliver convocation addresses and receive special honours from the College.

Keith Segal

Ceremonies will begin on Monday, June 17 at 3 p.m. with the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies. The convocation speaker for the afternoon will be Keith Segal, owner, president, and CEO of guard.me International Insurance. Segal is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist serving the education industry and supporting international students. He will receive an Honorary Diploma in International Studies.

Kim Plewes

Tuesday, June 18 will begin at 10 a.m. with a ceremony celebrating graduates in the School of Community Services. Kim Plewes, principal development director of WE, a movement and organization to help communities around the world create positive social change, will deliver the convocation address and will receive an Honorary Diploma in Community Studies. Tuesday morning’s ceremony will also see Child and Youth Care graduate Emily Stewardson Gregory receive the 2019 Governor General’s Academic Medal, which is presented to the graduate with the highest overall grade-point average. Stewardson Gregory will graduate from the Child and Youth Care program with a 98.43% grade-point average.

Richard Taylor

The 3 p.m. ceremony will see students in the School of Business and Management hear a convocation address from Richard Taylor, president of Niagara Casinos, a recognized gaming industry leader who heads one of the largest business operations in Niagara. .. Taylor will receive an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies.

Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji

Ceremonies will continue the morning of Wednesday, June 19 with the School of Justice and Fitness Studies. Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, acting medical officer of health for the Niagara Region, will address convocation. Hirji’s career focus is on the public health and emergency services that protect Niagara’s 450,000 residents and 15 million annual visitors. Hirji will be granted an Honorary Diploma in Health Studies.

Betty-Lou Souter

On Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m., the ceremony for the School of Academic and Liberal Studies, the School of English Language Studies, and the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies will open with an address from Betty-Lou Souter, CEO of Community Care, St. Catharines and Thorold. Souter is known as the voice of poverty in Niagara, advocating for a healthy and vibrant community. Souter will receive an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies.

Carolyne Watts

On Thursday morning, the ceremony for the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies and the School of Technology Studies will take place. Guest speaker Carolyne Watts, plant manager for General Motors, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, and a former chair of the Niagara College Board of Governors will address graduating students. Watts has spent nearly four decades with General Motors and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to environmental preservation, safety awareness and community outreach. Watts will receive an Honorary Bachelor Degree in Applied Studies.

Mike Crawley

At the Thursday morning ceremony, School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies will see the first cohort of Commercial Cannabis Production graduates cross the stage. The first of its kind in Canada, the program launched in 2018 to meet the industry’s demand for highly skilled cannabis growers.

On, June 20 at 3 p.m., graduates in the School of Media Studies and the School of Trades will hear from CBC News reporter, Mike Crawley. Crawley is the Ontario provincial affairs reporter and has also reported on important global issues in Africa, Europe and the US. He will receive an Honorary Diploma in Journalism.

Kelly L. Brown

Spring Convocation Ceremonies conclude on Friday morning where graduates in the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport, and School of Food and Wine Sciences, will hear from Kelly L. Brown, senior vice president, Legal and Corporate Affairs for Arterra Wines Canada Inc. Brown is considered one of Canada’s top lawyers and sits on the leadership team for Arterra, the leading wine producer in Canada. Brown will receive an Honorary Graduate Certificate in Wine Business Management.

Inaugural graduates from the Artisan Distilling program, from NC’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute, will cross the convocation stage at the final ceremony on Friday morning. Launched in 2018 as the first of its kind in Canada, the program rounded out NC’s program offerings as the only college in Canada with full-time wine, beer and distilling programs.

Niagara College’s Spring Convocation Ceremonies are streamed live, and may be viewed at livestream.com/accounts/15502389/NCSpringConvocation2019

NC grad Ryan Grande named new resort manager for Hotels Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica

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Luxury Travel Advisor featured an article about NC grad Ryan Grande, who has been appointed as resort manager of  Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica. In his new role, Grande will lead the resort’s guest experience and oversee day-to-day operations.

Grande graduated in Hospitality Management from Niagara College in 2005.

View the article, posted September 7, here.

General Motors Canada donations enhance experiential learning at Niagara College

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Three new General Motors vehicles rolled into Niagara College’s Motive Power Lab on June 25, destined for many years as key learning tools in Niagara College’s Motive Power programs.

The vehicles, a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, a 2018 Chevrolet Suburban and a 2018 Cadillac XTS, were generously donated to Niagara College by General Motors Canada to increase the hands-on learning opportunities offered to students. The three vehicles contain some of the most current automotive technologies employed in modern consumer cars, and will allow students to gain real-world experience diagnosing, fixing, and replacing these technologies.

In addition, General Motors donated $50,000 to support the purchase of instructional equipment in the College’s recently opened Green Automotive Technology Lab. The 3,600-square-foot lab boasts electric vehicle charging stations, hybrid and electric motor diagnostic and simulation tools, alternative fuels technology, and vehicles that allow students unfettered access to the technology that will dominate the roads of the future. The Green Automotive Technology Lab will also be a hub for research activities into the future of automotive technology, working in concert with the College’s Research and Innovation division.

(L-R): Technologist Kevin Hachkowski, NC Board Chair John Scott, Carolyne Watts, plant manager at General Motors Canada’s St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, NC president Dan Patterson, Wayne Toth, Program Coordinator for NC’s Motive Power programs, Associate Dean of Trades Jeff Murrell, Gary Athoe, assistant plant manager at General Motors Canada’s St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, Motive Power Technician student Deepak Gupda, NC professor Pete D’Elia, interim dean of Media, Technology and Trades Marc Nantel and Gemma Copeland, personnel director at General Motors Canada’s St. Catharines Propulsion Plant,

Carolyne Watts, plant manager at General Motors Canada’s St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, presented the donation to Niagara College president Dan Patterson at the College’s Rankin Technology Centre this morning.

“General Motors Canada is proud to support Niagara College with this gift,” said Watts. “The new Green Automotive Technology Lab and its innovative curriculum will no doubt further Niagara College’s leadership in automotive education and training, and help support the changing needs of an evolving auto industry.”

General Motors Canada has long been a strong supporter of Niagara College’s Motive Power programs. The company works closely with NC’s school of trades to provide guidance and input on program and curriculum development, and many NC grads go on to become service technicians or service managers in GM dealerships across the country. On Aug. 27, 2015 GM Canada also donated a salvaged 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS, which students rebuilt over a period of two years, giving them the opportunity to practice hands-on body repair techniques.

GM’s St. Catharines Propulsion Plant also partners with the College on several environmental initiatives, including collaborating for World Environment and Earth Day events, and hosting student field projects from the Ecosystem Restoration post-graduate program since 2011, and student interns from the Environmental Management and Assessment post-graduate program since 2013.

“Niagara College is incredibly thankful to GM Canada for this generous gift, and for their ongoing support of our School of Trades,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. “We pride ourselves on offering students a unique formula of hands-on, experiential training with the tools and technologies being used in industry, both now and in the future. This donation will allow our Motive Power students to train on the latest and greatest technologies in the automotive industry. As graduates, they’ll be well-prepared to enter this constantly evolving market.”

NC president Dan Patterson and Carolyne Watts, plant manager at General Motors Canada’s St. Catharines Propulsion Plan, stand with a donated 2018 Chevrolet Silverado

 

Today’s grads, tomorrow’s leaders: NC to celebrate Spring Convocation June 19-22

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More than 3,700 students will cross the platform and enter the next phase of their life at Niagara College’s Spring Convocation Ceremonies, to be held at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus June 19-22.

Graduates and their guests will hear from a variety of distinguished business and community leaders who will deliver convocation addresses and receive special honours from the College.

Vicki Heyman

Ceremonies will begin on Tuesday, June 19 at 10 am with the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport as well as the School of Food and Wine Sciences. The convocation speaker for the morning will be Vicki Heyman,

Daljit Singh Gujral

founder of Uncharted, values-driven family office that convenes and connects a diverse group of Americans and Canadians. Heyman will receive an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Studies.

The 1 pm ceremony will see students in the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies hear a convocation address from Daljit Singh Gujral, a first-generation entrepreneur from India and president of INSCOL, which operates a nursing institute in Toronto that trains internationally educated nurses who move to Canada. Gujral will receive an Honorary Diploma in Health Studies.

Coletta McGrath

Wednesday, June 20 will begin with a ceremony celebrating graduates in the School of Community Services. Coletta McGrath, executive director of Quest Community Health Centre and a founding board member of the St. Catharines Life Lease Corporation, an organization that built two of the first not-for-profit life lease buildings for older adults in Niagara, will bring the convocation address and will receive an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Studies.

Chief Bryan MacCulloch

In the afternoon, Bryan MacCulloch, chief of the Niagara Regional Police Service, will address graduates in the School of Justice and Fitness Studies, the School of Allied Health Studies, and the School of Nursing and Support Worker Studies. Chief MacCulloch will receive an Honorary Diploma in Police Foundations.

Anthony Spiteri

Ceremonies will continue the morning of Thursday, June 21 with the School of Business and Management Studies hearing from Anthony J. Spiteri, who graduated from Niagara College’s Business Administration program in 1989 with honours. Spiteri, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, grew up in Niagara, and is now a leader in the consumer packaged goods industry. He has held executive level positions with Maple Leaf Foods, Thrifty Foods, Lilydale Inc., New Food Classics and is currently vice president of marketing, research and development with Pinty’s Delicious Foods Inc.

Thursday morning’s ceremonies will also honour the recipient of the 2018 Governor General’s Academic Medal, presented to Business Administration – Accounting graduate Jesse Reynders, who graduates with a grade average of 98.23 per cent.

Tim Denis

Thursday ceremonies will conclude in the afternoon with Niagara radio host Tim Denis addressing graduates in the School of Academic and Liberal Studies, the School of English Language Studies and the School of Media Studies. Denis, who recently celebrated 40 years in radio, has been CKTB Talk Radio’s morning host for more than 23 years, and has made waves in Niagara and beyond with his work as a singer, actor, director and songwriter. He will receive an Honorary Diploma in Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film.

Sarah Watts-Rynard

Spring Convocation Ceremonies conclude on  the morning of Friday, June 21.  Graduates in the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies, the School of Technological Studies and the School of Trades will hear from executive director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Sarah Watts-Rynard. An advocate of the skilled trades, Watts-Rynard works to encourage a better understanding of the high-level of competency and skill required by these careers. Watts-Rynard will receive an Honorary Diploma in Skilled Trades.

Friday will also be a milestone for the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies, as it will see the first cohort of graduates from the college’s Commercial Beekeeping program. The Graduate Certificate program is the first of its kind in Eastern Canada, and was launched in 2017 to meet a significant demand for qualified, professional beekeepers across the country.

 

Schedule of Proceedings

Tuesday, June 19 – 10 a.m.
Hospitality, Tourism and Sport; Food and Wine Sciences
Speaker: Vicki Heyman

3 p.m.
Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies
Speaker: Daljit Singh Gujral

Wednesday, June 20 – 10 a.m.
Community Studies
Speaker: Coletta McGrath

3 p.m.
Justice and Fitness Studies; Allied Health; Nursing and Support Worker Studies
Speaker: Bryan MacCulloch

Thursday, June 21 – 10 a.m.
Business and Management Studies
Speaker: Anthony J. Spiteri

3 p.m.
Academic and Liberal Studies; English Language Studies; Media Studies
Speaker: Tim Denis

Friday, June 22 – 10 a.m.
Environmental and Horticultural Studies; Technology Studies; Trades
Speaker: Sarah Watts-Rynard

 

 

Development and Alumni Relations welcomes Jana Boniferro as alumni engagement officer

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A message from Wendy Dueck, director of Development and Alumni Relations:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jana Boniferro as alumni engagement officer in the Development and Alumni Relations department. Jana joined the NC family on May 23.

Jana has a Business Communications degree from Brock University and over 10 years of experience in both the not-for-profit and corporate community. For the past five years she worked in the Advancement department at Brock University, most recently as senior major gifts officer focusing on the Goodman School of Business expansion; prior to that she worked on the fundraising efforts for the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. Both roles required her to create meaningful engagement and trusting relationships with key alumni – experience which will be instrumental in helping build a robust alumni community for Niagara College.

The primary focus of Jana’s role is fostering relationships and strengthening alumni affiliation that results in alumni having a lifelong relationship with the College. This includes presenting opportunities for meaningful continual engagement, such as sharing their talents and experience with students, and the ability to continue to learn from and with exceptional faculty members and talented peers.

Recognizing the existing effort and attention given within each College department to enrich the experience of students, both prior and beyond graduation, in the coming months Jana will be reaching out to the NC community to identify opportunities to engage, and strengthen the College’s relationships, with alumni.

In the interim, if you would like to reach out to Jana to discuss alumni engagement opportunities, she can be reached at extension 7427 or jboniferro@niagaracollege.ca.

Please join me in giving Jana a warm NC welcome!

CFUW House Tour May 6 supports student scholarships

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Spend a memorable afternoon celebrating local architecture in the historic Port Dalhousie area and help support students along the way.

The Canadian Federation of University Women is hosting its 44th Annual House Tour on Sunday, May 6, from noon until 5 p.m. Tour five homes of character and enjoy a refreshment stop at St. John’s Anglican Church, one of the oldest parishes in Ontario with roots dating back to the 1830s.

Tickets are $25 and are available online at www.cfuwstcatharines.org, at 16 ticket outlets in Niagara (click here to see all ticket outlet locations) or at the houses on tour day.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to CFUW St Catharines’ Registered Charity for Scholarships, some of which support Niagara College students, and to local charities that help women and children in need.

For more information about CFUW St Catharines 44th Annual House Tour visit www.cfuwstcatharines.org ; call 289-696-1400 or email cfuwstcatharines@gmail.com

Niagara College Seafood Gala raises over $200,000 to support student success

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A message from Development and Alumni Relations:

The Niagara College 29th annual Seafood Gala was held at the Fallsview Casino Resort on Friday, April 6, with 645 guests in attendance. The evening began with a thrilling performance by Greg Frewin who ‘magically’ made NC president Dan Patterson appear in a box for a grand entrance.

Thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters, the event raised more than $200,000 to support learning resources, equipment, scholarships and bursaries. This greatly enhances the College’s ability to offer financial aid to students and to provide a high quality, technology-rich learning environment to ensure they graduate work ready.

A highlight of the evening was an announcement by Patterson of a $1-million gift from the Marotta Family. This generous donation is supporting the development of a new innovation complex at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, which the College is proud to name: the Marotta Family Innovation Complex. This new facility will enhance the College’s ability to support innovation in Niagara’s agricultural business sector.

President Patterson also announced an additional $20,000 gift from Two Sisters Vineyards, owned by the Marotta family, to establish a Bursary Fund for students in the College’s Culinary Innovation snf Food Technology, Culinary Management, and Winery and Viticulture Technician programs.

We are very grateful to our presenting sponsor Fallsview Casino Resort, our Admiral sponsors Rankin Construction Inc. and TD Insurance Moloche Monnex, as well as our many College and Niagara community supporters who contribute to our students’ success by participating in this major fundraising event. Over its 29 year history, the gala has raised more than $2.8 million.

Please mark your calendar for the 30th Annual Seafood Gala on Friday, April 5, 2019. We hope to see you there!

For event details and photos visit ncseafoodgala.wordpress.com/

Marotta family donates to Niagara College’s new agri-food innovation complex

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Benny and Louise Marotta, are accompanied by daughters Angela and Melissa, son-in-law Giuseppe Paolicelli, and grandchildren.

Niagara College announced on April 6 that the family of Benny and Louise Marotta are donating $1 million to support the College’s Achieving Dreams Campaign.

The donation of $1 million – which will support the development of, and equipment and furnishings for, Niagara College’s new innovation complex located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus – was announced to an audience of more than 600 business, education and community leaders at Niagara College’s Seafood Gala.

The Gala also celebrated the successful completion of the College’s Achieving Dreams campaign. The campaign, which began in April 2015, far surpassed its original goal of $7 million. Including the Marotta family gift, a total of $11,450,791 has been raised to support three areas of student success:

  • $6,319,028 for campus redevelopment
  • $3,472,692 to support scholarships, bursaries, study-work abroad and student leadership development opportunities
  • $1,659,071 million to fund instructional equipment and learning resources

In recognition of the Marotta family’s generous gift, Niagara College will name the new complex the Marotta Family Innovation Complex. The new 49,000 square foot four-storey complex is scheduled for completion in Fall 2018 and will significantly enhance the College’s ability to support the growing competitiveness of Niagara’s agri-business sector. The complex will include agri-food research and innovation laboratories, incubation space for business, specialized training facilities for student engagement and entrepreneurship, and will house a student fitness centre and gymnasium on the lower level.

“As a family we have always looked ahead towards progress, keeping traditions alive and making communities stronger.  We are proud to be supporting Niagara College.  Our goal is to help ensure this vibrant student community is always looking forward and that they will achieve successes in all aspects of their life,” said the Marotta family.  “These students represent the future of our local agri-business industry and the wine and culinary community of Niagara on the Lake and will continue to bring it recognition on the national and world-wide stage.”

The Marotta family has been active in land and community development within southern Ontario.  They have a history of supporting various charitable organizations close to their hearts such as Mackenzie Health, Humber River Hospital, Sick Children’s Hospital, Vaughan Hospice, Art Gallery of Ontario, Caledon Food Bank and others.

Louise and Benny’s daughters, Angela and Melissa, are the proprietors of award winning winery Two Sisters Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Two Sisters Vineyards has also committed $20,000 to Niagara College to establish the Two Sisters Vineyard Bursary Fund. Two awards of $2,000 each will be awarded annually to students in Niagara College’s Culinary Innovation and Food Technology, Culinary Management, and Winery and Viticulture Technician programs.

“All of us at Niagara College are extremely grateful to the Marotta family for their generosity,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “This gift, supporting the Marotta Family Innovation Complex, will provide our students with innovative learning spaces, and facilitate cutting-edge research projects that will move Niagara’s growing agri-food industry forward.  It is an important investment in innovation and economic development in the Niagara region. The additional support through the Two Sisters Vineyards Bursary will help many capable and aspiring

Achieving Dreams campaign raises over $11 million to support student success

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Niagara College has 11 million reasons to thank those who have generously supported students through the recently completed Achieving Dreams fundraising campaign.

At a special event on March 26 thanking those who have made significant contributions to the campaign, it was announced that Achieving Dreams far surpassed its goal of $7 million, raising a total of $11,450,791.

The Achieving Dreams campaign was launched in April 2015, with a goal of supporting student success through campus redevelopment projects; equipment and learning resources; and scholarships, bursaries, study-work abroad and student leadership development opportunities.

Thanks to donors’ generous support, 788 new student scholarships and bursaries were created, and $1.6 million of new instructional equipment was purchased to help provide students with the up-to-date equipment and support they need to excel in their studies.

Donations have also helped fund 203,000 square feet of new and renovated learning spaces, providing new and expanded facilities to enhance the student experience and expand the College’s research and innovation capabilities, such as a 49,000 square foot Innovation Complex to support Niagara’s agricultural-business sector, and the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, where teams of students and faculty work with local manufacturing companies on applied research projects to help these companies enhance and grow their businesses.

“Niagara College is extremely grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have so generously supported our students through the Achieving Dreams campaign,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “Whether it’s learning equipment, innovative learning environments or financial aid that helps students pursue their dreams, your contributions have made, and will continue to make, a lasting impact on the life and success of our students.”

At the celebration on March 26, donors to the campaign saw the effect their contributions have had first-hand, as three Niagara College alumni shared their own personal stories of success.

Daniela Cortes Aristizabal graduated in 2015 from the College’s Business–Sales & Marketing program, and will graduate for a second time in 2019 from NC’s Mechanical Engineering program, joining her father and her sister, who are both graduates of the same program. Aristizabal benefitted from the state-of-the-art equipment and innovative learning opportunities provided through the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. The Centre was funded in part by a generous gift from Walker Industries and the Walker Family.

“Thanks to this on-campus, state-of-the-art facility, students like me have a place to apply the skills we learn in the classroom at a real job, with a variety of industry clients,” said Aristizabal. “It’s rewarding to know that I’m helping contribute to Niagara’s economy by helping businesses innovate.”

Gurjeet Dhaliwal grew up in India and immigrated to Canada at the age of 20 in search of a better life. Arriving in Canada without any support or income, Dhaliwal had a master’s degree in Math and Economics but could only make a living by working a series of odd jobs. She entered Niagara College’s Dental Hygienist program and is now a proud graduate. Thanks to donors, she was able to learn on the latest high-tech equipment that allowed her to seamlessly transition into the workplace.

“At Niagara College’s dental clinic I trained on leading-edge equipment.  From computer software programs, to digital x-rays, to instruments like the ultrasonic cleaner – the equipment we learned to use as students prepared us well for the realities of working in clinical environments,” said Dhaliwal. “Now that I am in the workforce, the skills I acquired at Niagara College are ones I use every day.”

Connor McCulloch is also a proud Niagara College graduate and is living his dream as an advanced care paramedic. Receiving a scholarship helped to alleviate some of the financial pressures that came with being a student, and allowed him to focus on his studies.

“All the time I spent focusing on my studies paid off. I graduated with a professionalism award from my program, which reassured me that I was on the right track with my career choice,” said McCulloch. “Perhaps most importantly, being able to fully immerse myself in the program changed the way I thought about being paramedic. By the time I graduated, it was a true passion for me.”