Advanced Gerontological Education (AGE) Inc. announced that Niagara College Canada has added GPA dementia care education to its curriculum for students in the both the Practical Nursing and Community Mental Health programs. GPA was already part of the curriculum for the Personal Support Worker program and the Gerontology grad certification program at the College. Niagara College has been offering GPA to students since 2012.
Angela Butt (MN, RN), Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies, who is a GPA- certified coach, has long been a supporter of dementia education for healthcare students.
“Because dementia-related behaviours and other diseases that manifest in responsive behaviours are so prevalent in healthcare — regardless of the sector — we feel it is critical that as many people learn GPA as possible,” said Butt. “Not only do we want our graduates to be skilled in assisting clients with their physical needs, but we also want them to be skilled in fulfilling clients’ mental, psychosocial and emotional health needs as well.
“The person-centered approach of providing care with dignity and compassion is intrinsic to GPA and is one way we facilitate students in developing these skills.”
She noted that the GPA in-person classroom format — GPA Basics — was already part of the curriculum in NC’s PSW and Gerontology grad-certification programs and it has always been well-received by the students.
Butt said that the advent of COVID-19 and not being able to have students on-campus was the impetus for moving to GPA eLearning (online learning).
“Although I miss the in-person interaction with the students, the online version has allowed us to include GPA in the curriculum for our Practical Nursing and Community Mental Health programs too,” she said. “This means that about 250 students are learning about GPA every term, i.e., 750 students per year at Niagara College. When we were only able to offer it to our PSW and Gerontology students, we were only reaching 240 students per year.
“We are so grateful to the team at AGE Inc. for their constant work on maintaining a robust, up-to-date certification.”
Advanced Gerontological Education (AGE) Inc. is a national not-for-profit social enterprise that develops and delivers dementia care education. Its practical, evidence-informed Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) curriculum has given more than 500,000 Canadian care providers the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for working with older Canadians living with dementia. Visit www.ageinc.ca.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor-degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.
If Marye Anne Chisholm ever wondered whether she could bottle the bean-to-bar chocolate she makes in her spare time, she got her answer during her final term in Niagara College’s Artisan Distilling program.
Chisholm, with class partner Sujith Naveen, produced a Chocolate Porter Liqueur for their capstone project during the Spring term. The spirit is one of four student-distilled creations recently released for sale under the College’s Spirits 101 label.
“To see it, finally, and have it in my hands was exciting,” Chisholm said. “I ran down to the store and bought it right away. The girl who helped me said, ‘Do you want to taste it first?’ No, I just wanted to buy it.”
Getting something into bottles that was inspired by her chocolate-making hobby required some serious planning and experimentation. Chisholm was encouraged by Head Distiller David Dickson to channel her love of chocolate into a capstone project that was a grain-to-glass production similar to bourbon or whisky.
The process started with macerating ethically- and sustainably-sourced cacao nibs, which Chisholm uses in her own edible creations, with the College’s corn, malted barley and rye-based spirit, Southern Hospitality. This gave Chisholm and Naveen a baseline for their recipe, which they tweaked further by adding chocolate malt and a Crystal 60 malt, typically used in porter-style beer, to bring out caramel flavours in the spirit. The results were aged in a barrel and on oak chips before being finished with more cacao nibs and vanilla beans.
“There was a lot of experimentation so we got to see what worked,” Chisholm said. “For me, it was exciting when we actually did the distilling and seeing the flavours come together because they didn’t compete with each other.”
Using grains usually reserved for brewing beer to produce a liqueur was a first for Dickson.
“The grains together give some really cool chocolate flavour,” Dickson said. “I’ve never distilled with chocolate malt before.”
The three other spirits joining Chocolate Porter Liqueur for sale on the shelves at the College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre are:
Apple Brandy: This is the first College-produced brandy. It features locally pressed apple juice that was double-distilled and barrel-aged for six months, and boasts fruit-forward flavours ideal for the fall season. Dickson recommends drinking it over ice or using it in a seasonal spin on the classic Old Fashioned.
Rabarbaro Amaro: This Italian-style aperitivo is another program first. It combines 12 botanicals and spring rhubarb for light, fruity characteristics in a traditionally bitter spirit. At 30% ABV, the Rabarbaro Amaro is ideal for sipping straight or in place of other aperitivos in classic cocktails, Dickson noted.
Twisted Berry Gin: The student creators produced their own base gin recipe for a citrus-forward spirit that stars strawberry, raspberry and blueberry “for a really nice flavour profile and colour, especially in a cocktail,” Dickson said. “Once you have it in your glass, it looks amazing.”
Each spirit was made in small batches that produced about 200 bottles. Together, they demonstrate the talents of the students enrolled in the program and their willingness to push themselves to create something unique, said Steve Gill, General Manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises.
“It’s always exciting to see the creativity of our students come to life and result in something tangible like these latest releases,” Gill said. “These spirits, like others before them, are a showcase of the vision and skills of Canada’s future distillers, honed by our Head Distiller David Dickson. They’re proof of incredible things to come for the industry.”
The new spirits, along with staples from the School Spirits line, are for sale in-store at the College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre (135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake). They’re also available online at ncteachingwinery.ca for curbside pickup or shipping. Sales of the spirits support student education.
Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility equipped with six stills, four mash tuns and 10 fermenters. Home to the College’s Artisan Distilling program, students produce a variety of distilled products including vodka, gin, brandy, rum, whisky and other spirits. It opened in September 2018, completing the trifecta of beverage fermentation sciences at NC’s learning enterprises, following the footsteps of its Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery, which were also the first of their kind in Canada.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00tmayerhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngtmayer2021-10-01 09:06:202021-10-01 09:06:20New student-made spirits include a few firsts for Niagara College Teaching Distillery
It was a day to mourn losses, honour survivors and learn about the truth of residential schools.
On September 30, students, faculty and staff at Niagara College joined residents across Canada in commemorating the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“Our priority at Niagara College is to commemorate the day in a meaningful way,” said College President Sean Kennedy. “Our goal is to amplify Indigenous voices, and encourage our College community to learn the truth of residential schools, and to engage with truth and reconciliation initiatives at our College and in the community.”
Indigenous Education at NC hosted two events for the College community on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – one in-person and one virtual. The day kicked off with a morning Honouring the Children event held in the Indigenous Garden at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The College community was invited to drop in, pay their respects and reflect on the children who were forced from their communities to attend residential schools.
Elder Dave Labbe, who is an alumnus of NC (Electronic Engineering Technology, 1971) lit a fire, offered medicines, and guided the College community through the time of reflection.
“Be the vanguard. The world is watching what Canada does right now,” he said.
A Virtual Circle Discussion: Truth Before Reconciliation event drew participants from the College community via Zoom during the afternoon to listen to stories told from survivors and those impacted by residential schools. Attendees heard from guest speaker Sharon Slippery, who is a third-generation residential school attendee, as well as Elder Gary Parker of the Seneca Nation.
The event focused on the importance of understanding the truth of the profound effects that residential schools had and continue to have on Indigenous communities. It addressed the forced assimilation of Indigenous children, the effects of intergenerational trauma, and it honoured the strength of survivors.
“Niagara College’s September 30 events are intended to be a starting point for an ongoing discussion around Truth and Reconciliation and as initial steps in the important work that our College will be undertaking related to Truth and Reconciliation,” said Rick Anderson, Vice President, Student Success, who became NC’s first Indigenous vice president when he was appointed to the role in January 2021.
Lianne Gagnon, Director of Student Services, which includes Indigenous Education at NC, noted that while this was the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the College, it follows in the footsteps of its annual Orange Shirt Day initiatives. Hosted by Indigenous Education, Orange Shirt Day events have served as a reminder of the devastating history of Indigenous residential schools; their impacts on Indigenous children, families, and communities; and to reinforce that every child matters.
“Now that it is officially known as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we are focusing on the truth first. Before non-Indigenous people can do reconciliation work, it is important to first learn about Indigenous culture and the effects colonization had on them,” said Gagnon.
“We can’t start rectifying the wrongs if we don’t know what they are. We felt that the Virtual Circle would be a valuable way to share information with our staff and students, and to give them a better understanding of why reconciliation is important, while we remember and honour residential school survivors.”
In addition to the events on September 30, some areas of the College also hosted initiatives leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 27, NC’s Centre for Academic Excellence hosted a session for faculty and staff members grounded in the book Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit by Marie Battiste. NC’s schools of Business and Management; Hospitality, Tourism and Sport; and Environment and Horticulture held a virtual session on Sept. 27 to help its faculty and staff learn about the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and about how to support Indigenous students.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Julie Grecohttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJulie Greco2021-09-30 14:28:002021-09-30 14:28:00Niagara College marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
It was a day to mourn losses, honour survivors and learn about the truth of residential schools.
On September 30, students, faculty and staff at Niagara College joined residents across Canada in commemorating the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“Our priority at Niagara College is to commemorate the day in a meaningful way,” said College President Sean Kennedy. “Our goal is to amplify Indigenous voices, and encourage our College community to learn the truth of residential schools, and to engage with truth and reconciliation initiatives at our College and in the community.”
Indigenous Education at NC hosted two events for the College community on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – one in-person and one virtual. The day kicked off with a morning Honouring the Children event held in the Indigenous Garden at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The College community was invited to drop in, pay their respects and reflect on the children who were forced from their communities to attend residential schools.
Elder Dave Labbe, who is an alumnus of NC (Electronic Engineering Technology, 1971) lit a fire, offered medicines, and guided the College community through the time of reflection.
“Be the vanguard. The world is watching what Canada does right now,” he said.
A Virtual Circle Discussion: Truth Before Reconciliation event drew participants from the College community via Zoom during the afternoon to listen to stories told from survivors and those impacted by residential schools. Attendees heard from guest speaker Sharon Slippery, who is a third-generation residential school attendee, as well as Elder Gary Parker of the Seneca Nation.
The event focused on the importance of understanding the truth of the profound effects that residential schools had and continue to have on Indigenous communities. It addressed the forced assimilation of Indigenous children, the effects of intergenerational trauma, and it honoured the strength of survivors.
“Niagara College’s September 30 events are intended to be a starting point for an ongoing discussion around Truth and Reconciliation and as initial steps in the important work that our College will be undertaking related to Truth and Reconciliation,” said Rick Anderson, Vice President, Student Success, who became NC’s first Indigenous vice president when he was appointed to the role in January 2021.
Lianne Gagnon, Director of Student Services, which includes Indigenous Education at NC, noted that while this was the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the College, it follows in the footsteps of its annual Orange Shirt Day initiatives. Hosted by Indigenous Education, Orange Shirt Day events have served as a reminder of the devastating history of Indigenous residential schools; their impacts on Indigenous children, families, and communities; and to reinforce that every child matters.
“Now that it is officially known as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we are focusing on the truth first. Before non-Indigenous people can do reconciliation work, it is important to first learn about Indigenous culture and the effects colonization had on them,” said Gagnon.
“We can’t start rectifying the wrongs if we don’t know what they are. We felt that the Virtual Circle would be a valuable way to share information with our staff and students, and to give them a better understanding of why reconciliation is important, while we remember and honour residential school survivors.”
In addition to the events on September 30, some areas of the College also hosted initiatives leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On September 27, NC’s Centre for Academic Excellence hosted a session for faculty and staff members grounded in the book Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit by Marie Battiste. NC’s schools of Business and Management; Hospitality, Tourism and Sport; and Environment and Horticulture held a virtual session on Sept. 27 to help its faculty and staff learn about the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and about how to support Indigenous students.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Julie Grecohttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJulie Greco2021-09-30 14:28:002021-09-30 14:28:00Niagara College marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinic is coming back to Niagara College on Monday, October 4.
Niagara College students, staff, and members of the public born in 2009 or earlier will be able to receive a first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine – no appointment required.
The converted Metrolinx bus will roll into place at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake in the morning, and the Welland Campus in the mid-afternoon.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake in parking lot A (south side)
3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.at the Welland Campus in parking lot in parking lot A (east side).
The GO-VAXX bus operates as a fully functioning vaccine clinic with the necessary supplies and trained staff to provide assistance to people and ensure vaccines are administered safely. All COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed on board, including the required pre-vaccination screening and post-vaccination monitoring.
Maps of campus lots can be found on the NC website. Parking is free for those visiting the GO-VAXX bus.
Bring your health card. If you do not have a health card or if it’s expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, status card, or birth certificate. Please do not visit the GO-VAXX bus if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visitniagaracollege.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Jessica Torokhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJessica Torok2021-09-30 08:17:292021-09-30 08:17:29GO-VAXX mobile vaccination clinic at Niagara College campuses on October 4
Niagara College alumna Amy Audibert has been known to shoot a few hoops in her days as a competitive basketball player. Nowadays, she shoots for the stars in her career as a sports broadcaster and she just scored a professional slam dunk.
Audibert has joined the broadcast team for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as announced by Sportsnet on September 23. As Courtside Analyst and Reporter, she will deliver the latest insights, news and interviews for a team she has been rooting for since she was a young girl.
“I always wanted to work in the NBA, that’s always been a huge goal for me, and to be able to do this at home [in Canada] it cuts you a little deeper,” said Audibert.
The Niagara Falls native, who graduated from NC’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program in 2012, is excited to draw on her dynamic skillset and her love of the game in her latest assignment, which she explains as a hybrid position.
“I get to do all of the things that I love to do,” said Audibert. “I get to jump in with game analysis from the court and share player stories, something I’ve grown a passion for,” said Audibert.
Audibert’s success story is a point of pride for the Niagara College community, particularly for BRTF Program Co-ordinator Peter “Dutch” VandenBerg, who is one of Audibert’s earliest mentors.
“For the better part of ten years since we first had Amy in our program, we’ve proudly watched her chase her dreams, work incredibly hard, make huge sacrifices but NEVER give up,” said VandenBerg. “She is incredibly deserving of this opportunity.”
Audibert returned home to study at NC after nearly a decade as a student and basketball player at the University of Miami. During her time in the BRTF program, she recalls participating in every opportunity she could to develop her skills with dreams of a future in the broadcasting industry.
“I picked up every single mobile that I could, presented in front of the camera, got out there and just did it,” said Audibert, who was accepted into the second year of the BRTF program as an advanced learner. “NC was a crash course and I used the opportunity to learn and apply.”
Since graduating from the College, she has graced multiple sports networks with her vibrant on-air persona and made history in March 2021, when she was part of an all-female broadcast crew for a televised Toronto Raptors game against the Denver Nuggets. College alumnae Kianna Klauck and Kristyn Taras, who graduated from NC’s BRTF program in 2017, were also involved in the historic broadcast on the production side.
While she has worked hard to get to where she is today, with her latest gigs as Television Colour Analyst with Raptors 905 in the NBA’s G-league and Courtside Reporter with the Canadian Elite Basketball League this past summer, Audibert credits her support system for guiding her along her path to success.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’ve also been fortunate to have amazing mentors who keep pushing me along, including Peter VandenBerg who has been one of the many people in my corner,” said Audibert.
“When we spoke about her news, Amy said, ‘It was a win for all of us,’” said VandenBerg. “That is a true reflection of her character – it’s never about her, it’s always about the team of supporters and those who helped her along the way. We can’t teach that. She’s proud, we’re proud, so yes, it’s a win for us all.”
Now, nearly 10 years working in an industry that is unpredictable at the best of times, Audibert tries to keep a positive outlook.
“Even on days that you don’t get the job you have to remind yourself to hold the vision, but trust the process,” she said. “For me, this has unfolded in the last few days getting the biggest job of my career.”
The Toronto Raptors begin their 2021-2022 season on October 22. Viewers can watch the games on Sportsnet, Sportsnet ONE and via live stream SN NOW to follow Audibert in her latest broadcasting role.
Niagara College’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film is a three-year, advanced diploma program within the College’s School of Media based at the Welland Campus. Students select a program concentration during the first year of the program in Radio and TV Presentation, Television Production, or Film Production.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.
Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Elyse Howarthhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngElyse Howarth2021-09-27 14:56:182021-09-27 14:56:18Niagara College Broadcasting alumna Amy Audibert lands gig with Toronto Raptors broadcast team
Just months after graduating from Niagara College’s Public Relations program, Nicolas Mertens has catapulted from head of the class, to the top in Canada.
Mertens, who is a resident of Hamilton, Ontario, is the 2021 winner of the prestigious Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) / Cision Student Award of Excellence. The award celebrates promising future practitioners who have demonstrated an ability and desire to contribute to the status and acceptance of the profession.
Mertens would never have imagined himself to be a national award winner a year ago, when he began NC’s Public Relations graduate certificate program – which was virtual during the 2020-2021 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since graduating from the program in spring 2021, he has been thriving as a social media account manager for Zak Communications – a modern lifestyle communications agency with offices in Toronto and Montreal.
“I’ve never been the ‘top student’ in anything, anywhere before. Being recognized with such an honour is reassuring that I am on the right path,” said Mertens. “I am so proud to represent both Niagara College Public Relations and Zak Communications in the national spotlight. I think it shows the College and agency are modern, quick to adapt and hubs for innovative, creative ideas. And that’s what PR is all about.”
The CPRS / Cision Student Award of Excellence was presented on September 20 as the CPRS kicked of its four-day virtual conference. Mertens will receive a $1,000 prize, courtesy of Cision, and a one-year Emerging Professional membership to the CPRS.
“The winner of this award is well respected by their peers and industry instructors. The winner has already demonstrated strong leadership skills and PR business acumen,” said Ashalee Mohamed (vice president Sales, Account Management Canada) on behalf of Cision Canada. “Beyond achieving an impressive 90+ percent average, this individual demonstrated an innate understanding of public relations principles.”
“We’re all very proud of Nicolas. What a wonderful honour it must be for him to be acknowledged and celebrated for his hard work and talent, especially on a national stage,” said Charles Kopun, associate dean, School of Media Studies. “And for us here at Niagara College, it’s always so gratifying to see our students succeed and shine.”
Mertens was nominated for the national student award by PR program coordinator Emily McInerney who noted his high marks, level of professionalism and keen desire to learn, along with the positive impression he left on his instructors, peers and industry guests during his time in the program. In addition to his studies as a full-time student, he also worked freelance communications to support small business owners and non-profit organizations.
“He fully immersed himself in the Niagara College Public Relations Graduate Certificate program and took advantage of every single networking opportunity offered to the class, asked thoughtful questions when we had industry guest speakers, and became an active member of the CPRS Hamilton mentorship program,” said McInerney. “Academically, he delivered polished and strategic work consistently across both terms and, most importantly, showed steady improvement and growth.”
Mertens attributes much of his early success to the experience he gained from NC.
“I had high expectations for the program at Niagara College and every instructor, every class continually exceeded my expectations,” he said. “Over the past year, I’ve had experience working with non-profit social impact organizations lobbying for human rights, worked with an array of small business owners, launched events for tourism organizations, and now I’m working with some of the top beauty and fashion brands in the world – all from my 100% virtual education at Niagara College.”
This isn’t the first award win for Mertens. In May, he received the CPRS Hamilton’s Student Award of Excellence. In March, he was also recognized with the PR program’s coveted Senator Keith Davey Award, which is granted to the top student for dedicated leadership to his peers, and cultivating the mentorship of faculty and industry partners.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.
Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Elyse Howarthhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngElyse Howarth2021-09-23 14:34:382021-09-23 14:34:38Niagara College PR graduate steals industry spotlight with national award
Niagara College will host a virtual send-off to remember for almost 1,000 new graduates this fall.
Preparations are well underway for the College’s Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies. To be held on October 29, two unique convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed from the Welland Campus – a 10 a.m. morning ceremony and a 2 p.m. afternoon ceremony – each tailored to groups of graduating students from different program areas.
With safety as a top priority and a continued adherence to restrictions on public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virtual Convocation enables graduating students to celebrate their special academic milestone in a safe and meaningful way before moving on to the next chapter of their lives.
No one hosts Virtual Convocation like NC! Since they debuted in June 2020, the College’s standout Virtual Convocation ceremonies – powered by staff and students from the College’s renowned Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program – have been applauded by graduates and families alike. The upcoming ceremonies follow the resounding successes of Spring and Fall 2020, and Spring 2021, which not only proved to be memorable for graduates, but drew tens of thousands of visitors from Niagara, Canada and around the world.
What happens at Virtual Convocation
NC’s Virtual Convocation ceremonies feature the same treasured traditions of the College’s on-campus ceremonies, while leveraging modern technology and NC broadcasting expertise to create a live, interactive experience for graduates.
College President Sean Kennedy and Vice President Academic Fiona Allan will conduct each formal ceremony from the Welland Campus, while a team of faculty and students from NC’s Broadcasting program work behind the scenes to bring the livestream to a virtual audience.
Graduates and their families may visit the convocation website to view their ceremony as it happens, live in real time, from anywhere in the world. They will hear inspiring speeches from College officials and a special guest speaker (to be announced). Graduates will hear their names called out during their ceremony, one by one, and see them appear on screen.
Interactive, digital elements are also infused into the ceremonies to bring grads and viewers #NCTogether. Videos will be incorporated into the live broadcasts, featuring well-wishes from the College community and beyond. Graduates will be invited to connect with their classmates and faculty through program Zoom parties held during their convocation ceremony. Select clips from the Zoom parties will be incorporated into the convocation livestream, enabling graduates to make an on-screen appearance during their ceremony.
Virtual convocation will also feature an immersive social media experience. Photos, videos and text messages shared with the NC convocation hashtag #NCGrad2021 will be incorporated into ceremonies. Graduates and guests can participate by using the hashtag during the ceremonies, which will make their likes, comments and reactions visible during the livestream.
A suite of digital NC Grad swag and printables, customized for the Class of 2021, is available to help graduates celebrate their special day – including animated gifs, phone and desktop wallpapers, Zoom backgrounds, social media photo frames, Instagram AR filters, and printable signs. Visit the ‘Downloadables and Printables’ section of the Convocation website.
Those unable to attend their ceremony livestream won’t miss out on the celebration. For the convenience of those unavailable to watch in real time, ceremony broadcasts are archived online and available for later viewing via the Convocation website.
Important info for graduating students: October 1 deadline
Please note that October 1 is the deadline to meet graduation requirements for NC’s Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies. Students who are expecting to graduate this fall must review their Graduation Requirements by this date, ensure that all of their expected final grades are submitted, and review the grade report listed on their MyNC account.
Students who have concerns about their final grade report results may contact [email protected] with their name, student ID number and program before October 1.
Important info for College employees
The planning team will reach out to staff and faculty with information on how to submit well wishes to graduates for Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation. Videos will be aired during the live ceremonies.
While virtual convocation ceremonies are being held during the COVID-19 pandemic, NC plans to invite those who have graduated virtually to an in-person gathering on-campus in the future, after it has become safe to do so.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Julie Grecohttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJulie Greco2021-09-22 15:28:402021-09-22 15:28:40Virtual Convocation ceremonies to celebrate fall graduates on Oct. 29
Thanks to continued investment from the federal government, Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre will further advance its state-of-the-art services to food and beverage companies wishing to innovate, grow and compete in the global marketplace.
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded a $1.75 million renewal of Technology Access Centre (TAC) funding for the NC Research & Innovation division’s CFWI Innovation Centre for another five years, at $350,000 per year. The renewal grant is through NSERC’s College and Community Innovation (CCI) program.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, this summer announced funding of more than $38 million to colleges, CEGEPs and polytechnics across the country. The investment will allow these academic institutions to partner with local companies to provide them with unique technological or process solutions, laboratories and equipment, and highly trained students who are career ready.
“We proudly support our outstanding research talent as well as our small- and medium-sized businesses, which are the engines of our economy. This will help Canada’s colleges to work collaboratively with local companies by bringing researchers, students and industry partners together to address local challenges and create jobs and growth here in Canada,” said Champagne.
Housed at colleges or cégeps across Canada, and supported by the Tech-Access Canada network, Canada’s 60 TACs provide access to specialized technology, equipment, and expertise to local industry – particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – with the goal of enhancing their productivity and innovation.
The CFWI Innovation Centre TAC, located at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, has positioned itself as a leading-edge food and beverage accelerator able to solve complex industry challenges. The team of experts in food and beverage science and safety work alongside students to offer SMEs innovative solutions from concept to shelf.
“This is exciting news, as it allows us to further our delivery of high-quality services to local and domestic food and beverage SMEs, in order to enhance their global competitiveness,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice-President, Research & External Relations at NC. “We are able to better serve the innovation needs of these food and beverage companies who may have had difficulty developing new products and services for lack of affordable research expertise, equipment and facilities.”
“This renewal also means our student research assistants, who work alongside our experts and industry partners, will continue to access and participate in trailblazing research and development at Niagara College – an opportunity that provides unparalleled career-ready advantages,” said NC President Sean Kennedy.
Thanks to the opportunities for such research project collaborations, Miski Organics, a dry goods superfoods company, partnered with the CFWI Innovation Centre research team to help formulate and release two natural peanut-free butters into the market last year, with great acceptance.
“There are many challenges that prohibit small food and beverage businesses like ours from conducting research and launching innovative products, mainly due to lack of food safety and food science expertise, analytical testing, and the difficulty we face finding co-packers who are willing to work with small-test product runs,” said Ricardo Irivarren, President, Miski Organics.
For industry partner DistillX Beverages Inc., the TAC at the CFWI Innovation Centre provided needed product development assistance to create Canada’s first distilled non-alcoholic gin, under the brand label SobriiØ-Gin(zero gin), which has been receiving national media attention since it was released in 2019.
“Their expertise was instrumental in terms of me being able to sell a product that was not only superior tasting but something I can commercially scale and replicate safely,” said DistillX Founder and President Bob Huitema.
Kyler Schwind, a Culinary Innovation and Food Technology graduate (2020), helped create Canada’s first distilled non-alcoholic gin under the brand label Sobrii Ø-Gin (zero gin) while he was a research assistant with the CFWI Innovation Centre at NC’s Research & Innovation division.
The CFWI Innovation Centre team offers a full suite of services to support industry innovation and commercialization of new products and processes. From new recipe development to shelf-life testing and nutritional labelling, the CFWI Innovation Centre pairs industry partners with faculty, recent graduates and students with the right expertise and equipment to meet industry needs. In all cases, the intellectual property developed during the project belongs to the industry partner.
NC’s award-winning Research & Innovationdivision provides real-world solutions for business, key industry sectors, and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. Researchers conduct projects that provide innovative solutions, such as producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products or processes for small- and medium-sized businesses.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca
Quotes:
“There is no doubt that COVID-19 has affected us all, and this award has afforded us the security needed to pivot our services in the directions needed most by the companies we serve. Now, more than ever, innovation in product development and packaging, along with a heightened focus on health and wellness and food safety, are key areas of support we can continue to provide to further strengthen the food and beverage sector in Niagara, Ontario, and Canada.” ~ Lyndon Ashton, Centre Manager, CFWI Innovation Centre
“The Technology Access Centre at Niagara College’s CFWI Innovation Centre is a vital part of the innovation ecosystem in the Niagara region and beyond, delivering unparalleled research and commercialization services. By having access to state-of-the-market expertise and equipment, food and beverage SMEs are further empowered to enhance their global competitiveness.” ~ Brock Dickinson, Chair, Industry Advisory Committee, CFWI Innovation Centre
Quick Facts
NC is home to two Technology Access Centres (TACS). The TAC at the CFWI Innovation Centre at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake was established in 2016 thanks to a grant from In 2019, NSERC renewed for another five-year term the TAC at the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at the Welland Campus to help de-risk new advanced manufacturing technologies for industry in the Niagara region.
NC recently opened the 49,500-square-foot Marotta Family Innovation Complex, at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with an entire floor dedicated space for the CFWI Innovation Centre. The NSERC-funded Beverage Centre of Excellence is housed here, and includes a beverage analytical cluster, product development labs, and a beverage and liquids R&D pilot processing facility.
There is an additional 1,300 square feet of existing food science labs (microbiology, chemistry, food quality, and shelf-life labs) that have been retrofitted for a dedicated, licensed cannabis food and beverage edibles research unit.
The research team at the CFWI Innovation Centre TAC works with faculty experts and students from several NC programs – including Culinary Innovation and Food Technology (Co-op), Culinary Management (Co-op), Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management, Winery and Viticulture Technician and Commercial Beekeeping programs.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Julie Grecohttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJulie Greco2021-09-17 08:45:512021-09-17 08:45:51NSERC announces $1.75 million renewal for Niagara College Technology Access Centre
Niagara College’s Commercial Cannabis Production program is growing its comprehensive curriculum after acquiring a licence from Health Canada to cultivate industrial hemp.
A virtual jack of all trades among field and greenhouse crops, industrial hemp is a specific type of Cannabis sativa L. plant grown for a variety of uses, including home insulation, textiles, paper, biofuel, cannabidiol (CBD) for medical uses, and even food. Industrial hemp differs from cannabis produced for recreational purposes because it’s non-intoxicating, containing 0.3 per cent or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Getting the green light for hemp cultivation within the program is significant because it provides hands-on learning and academic research opportunities that will enable students to advance Canada’s burgeoning hemp and cannabis industries when they graduate. Students will study plant genetics, seeding and germination, flower identification, harvesting and drying hemp.
With industrial hemp part of the program’s portfolio, students will also learn how to grow cannabis in the industry’s three sectors: in a controlled agriculture environment, which the program’s CannaBunker is, in a greenhouse setting, and outdoors.
“This is a natural progression for us. The crops we’re hoping to grow in the future will provide opportunities for students to participate in all growing sectors,” said Alan Unwin, Niagara College’s Dean of Business, Tourism and Environment. “The uses and the industries for the hemp plant and the cannabis plant are quite different so this will help them when they graduate. It’s staying on top of things that we’re seeing in the industry. Our responsibility as a college is to meet that demand for the labour market.”
Production of industrial hemp is already under way at the college. This summer, students grew a small field crop in the college’s hop yard. The experience exposed them to growing hemp transplants from seed, germination rates, plant maintenance and hemp flower identification. The latter, in particular, will help those students who go on to work for companies cultivating plants for CBD, which is derived from female plants.
“It provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge of outdoor hemp production,” said Laurie Zuber, horticulture technologist with the College’s Commercial Cannabis Production program. “This is a good introduction crop.”
In addition, students’ academic research related to industrial hemp will enable them to see first-hand results that are similar to what industry is determining from its own research, Zuber said.
Niagara College’s Commercial Cannabis Production program is a competitive, one-year, post-graduate program providing training in the biological and cultural practices of cannabis production including plant nutrition, environment, lighting, climate control, pest control and cultivar selection.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visitniagaracollege.ca.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00tmayerhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngtmayer2021-09-16 09:31:212021-09-16 09:31:21Commercial Cannabis Production program secures licence to grow industrial hemp
