Nothing could stop Jessica Garrett’s invincible will to succeed

When she was a college student, Jessica Garrett suffered the kind of vicious trauma that would crush the spirit of most people: domestic abuse that left her in a wheelchair.

Jessica isn’t most people. She refused to let anything keep her from her goal of having a career in the construction industry, and today when she’s not at work, she’s helping other young women overcome their challenges.

As a youth, Jessica was always fascinated by construction. Despite a high school guidance counsellor trying to advise her against it as a career, in Grade 12 she helped a team that was building a home for Habitat for Humanity. After that there was no doubt about what she wanted to do.

Jessica enrolled in Niagara College’s one-year Construction Trades Program to explore possibilities in the field, then took NC’s three-year Construction Engineering Technology studies, where she flourished.

Jessica’s strengths were noticed by many. She not only won the College’s first-ever Women in Construction Award, she also won the Niagara Scholar Award, StuCor Construction Ltd. Technical Report Award, the Hans Miethig Founder Award and the Niagara Construction Association Award.

For all of the successes, life has been anything but easy. On job sites during high school work terms she’d get sexist teasing from male classmates (“Hey, go get us a sandwich”) until teachers began to notice that the precision of her work was better than any of the boys’.

During college, having lived on her own since age 18, she was under such financial pressures that she had to work two jobs to pay her tuition.

Jessica’s most harrowing challenge was in first year, when an abusive relationship left her battered and distressed. For months she needed a wheelchair, then a cane and knee braces. She underwent therapy but kept up her studies, kept working part-time to survive. She never gave up.

Before she even graduated in 2019, an engineering company offered Jessica a full-time position as a technologist, helping generate drawings for highways, bridges and other major infrastructure.

Then she was hired by the City of Niagara Falls, where today she is a development technologist. Her role is to review engineering submissions and planning proposals for multi-million-dollar subdivisions and condominium projects.

Jessica says Niagara College helped her understand the strengths of her own critical thinking and how to make the most of it, by learning skills as diverse as computer-assisted drawing, architectural principles or how to calculate cost estimates for projects.

“The teachers inspired me,” says the soft-spoken Niagara alumna. “I know they had been successful in their careers before they came to teach, and I could tell how much they cared about their work.”

Jessica felt accepted and supported at the College. That encouragement and her own unbreakable determination kept her focused on succeeding.

“The guidance of college faculty and my passion for the field has helped me immensely. With the skills and opportunities that college provided, I was so thrilled to be able to go out there and get a career.”

After graduating from Niagara, she continued to serve as a tutor for three terms. Jessica still makes it a priority to support and encourage girls and young women across the community. She is a youth group leader at her church, and a motivational speaker the Niagara District School Board and other organizations. She enjoys working with youth in Grades 6 through 12, offering encouragement and strength as they deal with their own challenges.

Jessica is also chair of the local chapter of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), with a personal focus on providing student outreach.

“Everyone has their own struggles. I was excited to be able to tutor, try and make a difference in students’ lives. I remember how nervous you are, regardless of age or experience, with getting that first job.

“I overcame a lot during my time at college, recovering from physical limitations and going through therapy. Part of the challenge was keeping up the course work and getting the best grades I could. I’m proud of that.

“The key to personal success is believing you can do whatever you put your mind to.”

This story is part of a series featuring seven distinguished members of Niagara College’s alumni community, who have been nominated for Colleges Ontario’s prestigious 2023 Premier’s Awards.

This NC alumna is the driving force behind Chrysler’s auto training

For more than 15 years, Christine White has not only exceled as a leader in the automotive sector, she’s revolutionized how Chrysler technicians across the United States stay on top of the cutting-edge knowledge that’s vital in one of the world’s most competitive markets.

White, who’s been nominated for a 2023 Premier’s Award in the Apprenticeship category, graduated from Niagara College in 2006 with her Automotive Qualifications Certificate, and has gone on to become the lead technical training instructor for Stellantis, the Dutch-based parent company of Chrysler.

It was a career path that fit perfectly with White’s fascination with cars. While in high school, she attended a Niagara College open house and was drawn to the automotive apprenticeship program. Three years and 9,000 hours of apprenticeship work later, she achieved her certificate and also passed her Red Seal certification–an internationally recognized credential that set her apart from others when she moved to the U.S. several years later.

White left NC and began a career that grew steadily as she applied her knowledge at ever-larger Canadian and U.S. car dealerships.

In 2019, she was recruited by Stellantis to oversee operations at its New York City-area training centre and coordinate training seminars for 1,200 technicians across the New York City area and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.

Then COVID-19 brought in-person teaching at the training center to a halt, despite dealerships still urgently needing training support for servicing new models.
“It’s amazing how much the technology and makeup of cars has changed in 20 years,” White said. “There are more electrical modules in today’s vehicles than in the average house, but we couldn’t teach basic classes in person, and we needed to make training available.”

To offer basic support during lockdown, White recorded a couple of training videos that were accessible online. She had excellent public speaking and photography skills–all self-taught years earlier–and she put them to work to learn how to shoot her own videos.

“I had a leg up because I’d already adapted to videos,” she said. “I knew how to light a camera, ask questions effectively, explain things verbally and visually.”

That training format was supposed to be a temporary solution, but it ultimately transformed how Chrysler keeps its army of staff up with ever-evolving technology.

Today, a library of more than 150 short instructional videos written, illustrated, produced and narrated by White are accessible to 22,000 Chrysler technicians across the U.S.

White says her Niagara College instructors instilled not just knowledge but a passion for excellence. She implores her technicians or students to constantly demand high standards with their skills, too.

“I’m a huge proponent of Colleges Ontario holding people to a national standard,” she says. “I try to share my passion and encourage technicians to take pride in their work. If they take pride in their work, it shows they care, the work gets done right the first time. It makes them feel good, makes the dealership look good, everyone is happy.”

This story is part of a series featuring seven distinguished members of Niagara College’s alumni community, who have been nominated for Colleges Ontario’s prestigious 2023 Premier’s Awards.

‘Queen of the North’ Mark Suknanan sits on a throne of firsts for the drag community

Mark “Suki” Suknanan has never forgotten his time at Niagara College. In fact, the Broadcasting — Radio, Television, and Film alum, who graduated in 2012, said it’s the time he spent at NC that set him up for success.

“The thing I loved about Niagara College that I’ll say until the day I die is, I love how hands-on the experience was,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I was getting up for school. I felt like I was going to work.”

Suknanan, whose first foray into television led to becoming a host and writer for the YTV series The Zone Weekend, was also the first-ever winner of the reality competition series Canada’s Drag Race, competing under his drag name Priyanka.

It was something he wouldn’t even have imagined just six years earlier when he came out as gay to his mother at the age of 23. On his 26th birthday, after hiring a drag queen to help him and his friends celebrate, Suknanan decided he didn’t just want to enjoy such performances. He wanted to do them.

Soon after, Priyanka was born.

“I was already going out and watching drag queens and seeing how free and confident they were,” Suknanan said. “It was being in the audience and feeling like all your problems went away and I wanted to be that person for someone else.”

In the years that followed, Suknanan worked hard to get his alter ego known and it paid off when she was voted Toronto’s best queen in Now’s 2019 reader poll.

Then came the chance to participate in Canada’s Drag Race.

“I knew in my heart my life was going to change,” Suknanan said of the audition.

In addition to the $100,000 prize that came with the crown, the win provided opportunities that would have taken much longer without the exposure provided by performing on national TV.

In 2021, Priyanka was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Web Program or Series for her appearance in Pride Toronto’s online Drag Ball in June 2020, where she performed to Marina and the Diamonds’ single “Power and Control.” Later that year she co-hosted the 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards, where she performed her recently released country music single “Country Queen” during the opening number of the award ceremony.

She was the first drag queen performer to host and perform at a major televised music award show.

That same year, Priyanka was the first drag queen to grace the cover of Elle Magazine–which was the highest selling issue ever.

Of his success over the years, both in and out of drag, Suknanan credits his instructors at Niagara College for their unwavering support and encouragement to chase his dreams. And his advice to others is to put in the work to get to where they want to be.

“You have to work so hard that you give your dreams no chance but to come true,” he said. “You have to work hard. It’s not just going to land in your lap. You have to fight for it.”

This story is part of a series featuring seven distinguished members of Niagara College’s alumni community, who have been nominated for Colleges Ontario’s prestigious 2023 Premier’s Awards.

Home of the Knights renamed to celebrate Simplii Financial’s investment in students

A significant commitment to student success at Niagara College was celebrated on November 24 when students, employees and special guests gathered for an event at the Welland Campus to officially mark the renaming of the College’s Athletic Centre.

The new name – the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre – recognizes a generous $1 million sponsorship from Simplii Financial, previously announced in October, to expand recreation and engagement opportunities for students, across sports, extra-curricular programming, and college events.

a group of four people and a mascot stand with a large cheque for one million dollars

A $1 million commitment from Simplii Financial was officially celebrated on Nov. 24 in front of the entrance of the newly named Simplii Financial Athletic Centre at the Welland Campus.
From left: Kam Dhadwar, Managing Director, Simplii Financial; Christian Exshaw, Managing Director and Head, Global Markets & Direct Financial Services, CIBC; NC President Sean Kennedy; NCSAC President Dipal Patel.

Gord Arbeau, NC’s Vice President, Advancement who emceed the event, set the stage for the celebration.

“Over the last decade demand for a Niagara College education has grown not only here in Canada, but around the world,” said Arbeau. “Students from more than 80 countries are now drawn to Niagara each year for their studies, and for many of these students, Simplii Financial has eased their transition into Canada through the financial services that they provide.”

“We’re very pleased that Simplii’s connection to our students has now extended beyond banking and into direct support for activities and events that significantly enhance our students’ experience and their overall success,” he added.

NC President Sean Kennedy applauded Simplii’s partnership, noting how CIBC and Simplii exemplify the College’s commitments to being student-focused, innovative, and trailblazing.

“We are grateful for Simplii’s support that will elevate what we can do for students and look forward to working together to round out the student experience to make it the best that it can be,” said Kennedy.

Christian Exshaw, Managing Director and Head, Global Markets & Direct Financial Services, CIBC and Simplii Financial, spoke about the evolution of the Simplii Financial brand and its strong customer focus, highlighting synergies between Simplii and the College’s commitment to students.

“Thank you for the kindness and partnership,” Exshaw said, addressing members of the NC community. “It’s just the beginning,” he added, referring to a continued partnership with the College in support of the student experience.

“When an investment is made in the betterment of students, it leads to them accomplishing their dreams, achieving their biggest goals, and further growing their pride in their education, and the institution where they studied,” said NC Student Administrative Council President Dipal Patel who also spoke at the event.

NC’s Director, Athletics and Student Engagement Michele O’Keefe sparked applause from the crowd when she shared the excitement around having a new name for the Athletic Centre. “Our team is excited to refer to the gym as the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre, especially when calling Knights games,” she said.

Knights student-athletes Noah Vogel and Jamira Rousseau

Knights student-athletes Jamira Rousseau and Noah Vogel were also welcome guests who spoke about their college experiences.

“Being a varsity athlete can be difficult but with this support from Simplii Financial, it will improve the student athlete experience for our Niagara College varsity athletes to further their skills and become better athletes on the court or field,” said Rousseau, a fourth year student-athlete from the Social Service Worker program who plays on the women’s basketball team.

Vogel, a second-year Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film student who plays on the men’s soccer team, shared how his love for sport and his program intersect as a varsity athlete and student who has called Knights games and hosted a radio show.

“Simplii’s support will makes these real-life learning experiences even better by funding the latest technology that my fellow students and I will use in the industry after we graduate. It will also enhance our broadcasts of varsity sports and community events,” said Vogel. “On behalf of student athletes at Niagara College, thank you to Simplii Financial for this commitment to help enhance the future of these programs.”

City of Welland Mayor Frank Campion commended Simplii and the College on their partnership, which not only benefits the College, but strengthens the broader community. “The College has great people and great partners who have made the College what it is today,” he said.

Following remarks, guests were treated to an on-campus reception in The Core, featuring a selection of light fare, including a charcuterie display from Chz Plz, owned and operated by NC alumna Marissa Hartley (Culinary Skills, 2015). A custom cake and cookies featuring a banking theme and made by NC bakery and pastry students under the guidance of Professor Catherine O’Donnell, provided a sweet ending to the celebratory event.

“Simplii” supporting students

Simplii Financial’s generous sponsorship will bring NC’s strategic commitment to a wholistic student experience to life by funding exciting new initiatives and activities that significantly enhance the recreational, academic and cultural experiences for students, including:

  • Growing in-demand cricket and flag football offerings;
  • Supporting varsity athletics, and allowing for important equipment investments in NC’s Broadcasting program, supporting its ability to continue and enhance varsity sports broadcasts that are among the best in Canada;
  • And supporting the orientation events that are essential to our students’ success, and celebrations and events that celebrate our college’s rich cultural diversity.

Seven NC Alumni of Excellence honourees earn prestigious Premier’s Award nominations

Collage of 7 headhots.

The CEO of a major retail chain has joined a hospital president, a high-tech veteran, a community non-profit leader, a popular drag queen/pop star, a development technologist, and an automotive technical trainer as part of a select group of distinguished NC alumni to be nominated for prestigious Premier’s Awards.

The group represents the first cohort of Niagara College’s annual Alumni of Excellence honourees. Introduced this year, the annual program recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of a distinct group of NC alumni through a series of on-campus programs and events and is the most significant recognition of NC graduates.

The Alumni of Excellence honourees have also been put forward for provincial recognition, as nominees for Colleges Ontario’s 2023 Premier’s Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions that college alumni make to Ontario and the world.

Nominations are submitted from each of Ontario’s 24 colleges in seven categories: Apprenticeship, Business, Creative Arts and Design, Community Services, Health Sciences, Technology and Recent Graduate (within five years). NC’s 2023 nominees include:

  • Christine White (Apprenticeship) Lead Technical Trainer, Stellantis N.V. (NC Auto Service Technician grad, 2006);
  • Jason Ofield (Business), President and Chief Executive Officer, Bulk Barn Foods Limited (NC Business, Sales and Marketing grad, 2006);
  • Mark Carl (Community Services) CEO, Habitat for Humanity Niagara (Business Administration – Marketing grad 1997, and International Trade grad, 1997);
  • Mark Suknanan/Priyanka (Creative Arts and Design), Drag Queen, pop star and television personality (NC Broadcasting – Radio Television and Film grad, 2012);
  • Dorothy Urschel (Health Sciences) President and CEO, Columbia Memorial Hospital and Clinical Professor, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo (Nursing grad, 1991);
  • Jessica Garrett (Recent Graduate) Development Technologist, City of Niagara Falls (NC Carpentry and Renovation Techniques grad, 2015, and Construction Engineering Technology grad, 2019);
  • John Zambakkides (Technology) President and CEO, Z3 Controls Inc. (Power Engineering diploma, 1972).

“From leading health care institutions and building cross-country retail chains, to working tirelessly to solve housing inequities and diversify the skilled trades, NC grads are at the vanguard of making change and leading our communities,” said Gord Arbeau, Niagara College’s Vice President, Advancement. “This cohort of distinguished Alumni of Excellence reflects NC students and graduates who are making the world and our region better places to work and live. They join past generations of alumni impacting our lives today and in the future.”

Colleges Ontario’s 2023 Premier’s Awards will be presented on November 27 at the Sheraton in Toronto. Nominees will be honoured and winners will be announced at an annual gala event, which is part of the Colleges Ontario Higher Education Summit.

NC alumni who have won previously include:

  • 2022: Journalist Murray Brewster (Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film grad, 1985), and Founder of Erica’s Embrace, Erica Williams (Social Service Worker grad, 2018);
  • 2014: Royal Canadian Navy Capt. Rebecca Patterson (Nursing grad, 1987);
  • 2012: David Pratt (Greenhouse Technician grad, 2007);
  • 2011: Jerry Howell (Computer Engineering Technology grad, 1988);
  • 2008: Jordan Harris (Winery and Viticulture Technician grad, 2004);
  • 2003: Heather Kilty (Social Welfare Worker grad, 1969);
  • 1995: Carol Alaimo (Journalism-Print grad, 1984).

Support Nourishing Minds on Giving Tuesday

Double the impact on Nov. 28

The NC community will have a chance to open their hearts and wallets in support of students this Giving Tuesday.

To be held November 28, Giving Tuesday is the world’s largest generosity movement that encourages people to do good and celebrate giving. At Niagara College, Giving Tuesday focuses on supporting students. Over the past three years, the NC community has collectively contributed over $30,000 on Giving Tuesday to the Nourishing Minds fund. New this year, the first $10,000 donated to the Nourishing Minds fund will be matched by a community partner.

“Every student deserves to have a warm meal and basic essentials at the end of the day, and with support from our generous NC community, we can address food insecurity across our Niagara College campuses with confidence and resilience,” said Emily O’Connor, Development Officer.

On November 28, NC aims to raise more than $12,000 which will purchase 240 gift cards and help 240 students through Nourishing Minds. Since its inception, Nourishing Minds has issued over 8,200 grocery gift cards allowing students to purchase food, toiletries and other life essentials. In addition to gift cards NCSAC hosts the Rise & Shine program at both campuses (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) to provide breakfast items like yogurt, granola bars and juice to students on their way to class.

For info or to donate, visit donate.niagaracollege.ca/givingtuesday/.

ReuKnighted draws alumni to Welland Campus

Alumni connections were in the spotlight as more than 100 gathered at the Welland Campus for ReuKnighted 2023.

NC’s biggest on-campus alumni reunion of the year, ReuKnighted, kicked off with a tailgate party on November 3 at The Core. The excitement continued on November 4 with campus tours and volleyball games versus Conestoga College.

The College community was encouraged to attend this year’s event, organized by Alumni Relations in collaboration with Athletics and Student Engagement.

“It is absolutely true that one cannot turn around in Niagara and not run into a proud Niagara College graduate,” said President Sean Kennedy to a cheering crowd at The Core during the tailgate party.

“In every sector, in every business, in healthcare, you name it, you’ll find a Niagara College graduate making a difference in the lives of our communities, operating our businesses, helping to support our communities in different ways  … Niagara College grads and our alumni are out there making a difference across Niagara, across Ontario, across Canada and – more than ever before  – across  the world.”

For the first time, this year’s tailgate also involved a team from the School of Culinary Arts who prepared and were on site to present a selection of fare for guests to enjoy. NC beer and wine were also available. In addition, Community Relations and Events collected donations for the Welland Food Drive.

A team from the School of Culinary Arts are ready to serve guests a taste of NC at the tailgate party.

“ReuKnighted 2023 was an outstanding success,” said Director, Alumni Relations, Jana Boniferro. “The pride in the room was palpable which underscores the incredible and special Niagara College alumni family we are fortunate to have.”

The event was a hit among attendees.

Mark Carl, Chief Executive Officer for Habitat for Humanity Niagara, attended the tailgate and noted he enjoyed the event.

“It was an honour to be back on campus at Niagara College. It was a delightful experience, to witness the students’ passion and energy to showcase their acquired skills and trades,” said Carl, who is one of NC’s 2023 Premier’s Award nominees. “It was truly inspiring to see how the campus has evolved, embracing new technologies and creating a better learning and over all student environment for all.”

Former NCSAC President Tom Price, who graduated from Business Administration – Human Resources (Co-op) in 2019, and currently works at the College in Enrolment Services said that, as an alumnus, it was great to ‘reuKnight’ with classmates, staff, and faculty that he connected with during his time studying, as well as to meet alumni who graduated during the eighties, nineties, and 2000s.

“It was impressive to hear their stories of what they have been up to and their personal and professional successes post-graduation,” said Price. “The event itself was fantastic. From the culinary students on site preparing a delicious menu, to the student beer and wine offerings, to the basketball games and volleyball games, to the campus tours, it was truly an all-encompassing event that highlighted what makes Niagara College so special.”

NC has surpassed 120,000 NC alumni.

 

A team from Community Relations and Events collect non-perishable food items and cash donations for the Welland Food Drive.

 

‘Thank you for your kindness’

Students thank donors on Student Appreciation Day

Thank you for your kindness towards the college and us,” wrote international Business student Pranab Chapagai.

“Generous donors like you have a positive impact on students like me,” wrote Horticulture Technician student Sameet Patel.

“Thank you for putting a smile on our faces each morning,’ wrote Hospitality student Sabina Djotka.

There was an outpouring of gratitude at NC’s Development team table on Student Appreciation Day. What began as an initiative to thank students transformed into an opportunity for students to thank College supporters.

The team set up a table at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (outside of E102) on November 2 as part of a college-wide event, which offered students an assortment of treat giveaways and a chance for them to ‘pay it forward.’

Students had an opportunity to write thank-you cards to NC donors – specifically those who support NC’s Nourishing Minds Fund (through the Giving Tuesday initiative in November). Seventy-five students wrote cards to thank NC donors in just two hours.

A student takes time to write a thank-you card to donors to the Nourishing Minds Fund.

“I was blown away by the positive energy and enthusiasm during Student Appreciation Day,” said Emily O’Connor,  Development Officer who organized the initiative. “As a newer employee, it was great to interact with students and learn more about the programs they are taking or why they’ve chosen to attend NC. Many of them commented that they’ve participated in the Rise and Shine breakfasts that NCSAC puts on through the Nourishing Minds fund and when they found out they could thank donors and supporters of the program with a handwritten card, they were eager to give back.

“We underestimated how popular this activity would be and quickly ran out of cards and snacks within the first hour of being set-up.  Can’t wait to do it again!”

Students who wrote thank-you cards were entered into a draw for a chance to win a $50 gift card to the campus store. The winner was Stella Ng.

The notes will be given to supporters who donated to NC’s Giving Tuesday initiative last year, which raised  $9,250 for the Nourishing Minds Fund. Established by NC Student Administrative Council, the Nourishing Minds Fund addresses food insecurity by supplying electronic grocery cards to help students in need, to buy food, toiletries, and other life necessities.

NC plans to raise additional funds for Nourishing Minds Fund on Giving Tuesday 2023, which will take place on November 28.

Don’t miss ReuKnighted Nov. 3-4

A limited number of tickets are still available for ReuKnighted 2023!

To be held November 3-4 at the Welland Campus (The Core), ReuKnighted is not only NC’s biggest on-campus alumni reunion of the year, it’s the perfect time for staff and faculty to connect with NC’s alumni community.

The entire College community is encouraged to attend this year’s event, organized by Alumni Relations, in collaboration with Athletics and Student Engagement.

The event will kick off with a tailgate party on Friday, November 3 at The Core (Welland Campus) beginning at 4 p.m. Guests can savour the tastes of NC  with a selection of fare prepared from the School of Culinary Arts including Crispy Mushroom Arancini (Smoked Tomato Sauce, Shaved Pecorino), Grilled Miami Cut Short Ribs (Ginger Emulsion, Candied Tai Chili, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Scallion), Pulled Pork Slider (Dill Slaw, Roasted Garlic Aioli, Cobb’s Brioche Bun), and Signature Alumni Pastry presented by Baking and Pastry Arts students. NC wines and beer will also be available.

At 6 p.m., the action will move to the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre (gym) for two basketball games versus Lambton College (women’s at 6 p.m., men’s at 8 p.m.). Post-game festivities will be held at The Core (9:30 p.m.).

The event will continue Saturday, November 4 – the same day as Fall Open House – at the Welland Campus with campus tours at 11 a.m., followed by women’s (1 p.m.) and men’s (3 p.m.) volleyball games versus Conestoga College.

Tickets

ReuKnighted tickets are $10 each, including access to the VIP tailgate party, one food token, one dessert token, and one drink token for the tailgate party (additional tokens will be available for purchase), as well as admission to games on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4.

Children under 12 will be admitted free and the event will feature plus special activities for ‘mini Knights.’

The first 100 alumni to register for ReuKnighted 2023 will receive a gift from Alumni Relations.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite here while supplies last.

Welland Food Drive  

Donations of non-perishable food items or cash will be collected at this year’s tailgate party for the Welland Food Drive. Items may be dropped off at The Core during the tailgate party or at the gym entrance during the games.

Don’t miss ReuKnighted Nov. 3-4

A limited number of tickets are still available for ReuKnighted 2023!

To be held November 3-4 at the Welland Campus (The Core), ReuKnighted is not only NC’s biggest on-campus alumni reunion of the year, it’s the perfect time for staff and faculty to connect with NC’s alumni community.

The entire College community is encouraged to attend this year’s event, organized by Alumni Relations, in collaboration with Athletics and Student Engagement.

The event will kick off with a tailgate party on Friday, November 3 at The Core (Welland Campus) beginning at 4 p.m. Guests can savour the tastes of NC  with a selection of fare prepared from the School of Culinary Arts including Crispy Mushroom Arancini (Smoked Tomato Sauce, Shaved Pecorino), Grilled Miami Cut Short Ribs (Ginger Emulsion, Candied Tai Chili, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Scallion), Pulled Pork Slider (Dill Slaw, Roasted Garlic Aioli, Cobb’s Brioche Bun), and Signature Alumni Pastry presented by Baking and Pastry Arts students. NC wines and beer will also be available.

At 6 p.m., the action will move to the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre (gym) for two basketball games versus Lambton College (women’s at 6 p.m., men’s at 8 p.m.). Post-game festivities will be held at The Core (9:30 p.m.).

The event will continue Saturday, November 4 – the same day as Fall Open House – at the Welland Campus with campus tours at 11 a.m., followed by women’s (1 p.m.) and men’s (3 p.m.) volleyball games versus Conestoga College.

Tickets

ReuKnighted tickets are $10 each, including access to the VIP tailgate party, one food token, one dessert token, and one drink token for the tailgate party (additional tokens will be available for purchase), as well as admission to games on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4.

Children under 12 will be admitted free and the event will feature plus special activities for ‘mini Knights.’

The first 100 alumni to register for ReuKnighted 2023 will receive a gift from Alumni Relations.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite here while supplies last.

Welland Food Drive  

Donations of non-perishable food items or cash will be collected at this year’s tailgate party for the Welland Food Drive. Items may be dropped off at The Core during the tailgate party or at the gym entrance during the games.