Niagara College 2020 Labour Day hours

On-campus activity and access is limited at this time due to measures related to COVID-19. However, Niagara College is offering many services virtually, or via alternative delivery, and NC’s learning enterprises are either open or offering curbside pickup.

Below is a list of what is open or closed for Labour Day on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020.

Wine Visitor + Education Centre: Retail store and patio will be open Sept. 7. Tasting, shopping, patio drinks and snack service is available daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Products include NC wine, beer, cider and spirits. For curbside pickup, local delivery and shipping across Ontario, please call 905-641-2252 ext. 4070 or visit niagaracollegewine.ca.

NC Teaching Greenhouse: Closed Sept. 7. Open for curbside pickup resuming Tuesday, Sept. 8. Also open for a limited time for on-site sales during the Fall Garden Mum Sale, Thursdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the Teaching Greenhouse’s online store to place an order and learn more.

Community Employment Services: (43 Church St. in St. Catharines): Closed Sept. 7. Virtual services resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and are available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the CES office is now open for in-person visits Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment. Visit the CES website for more information.

Residence: All residences are open on Sept. 7.

Enrolment Services: Closed Tuesday, Sept. 7. Students may continue to submit requests online via email and student portal, which will be reviewed in priority sequence when Enrolment Services reopens on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

ncLibraries and Learning Commons: Student support, academic drop-ins and peer tutoring services will be closed on Sept. 7. Virtual services will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and online resources are available 24-7 at niagaracollege.ca/library.

NCSAC Student Centres and Offices: Virtual offices are closed Sept. 7. Virtual services resume on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

For a comprehensive list of services and resources available to assist students, visit:

Virtual Campus: Remote Services
Resources for Students

Transit

Please check with individual transit providers for the most up-to-date information and schedules.

Niagara Region Transit
St. Catharines Transit Commission
Welland Transit (including Port Colborne)
Niagara Falls Transit

Important note: The student U-Pass has been suspended for the Spring and Fall term during COVID-19. All student riders are required to pay the adult fare as of July 1, 2020. Monthly passes are available for purchase at the Welland, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls terminals and some transit providers offer a mobile Transit App.

For fare information and the latest updates, visit the transit websites listed above.

Visit yourncsac.ca/yourtransit for more information and Frequently Asked Questions related to student transit.

Health and safety in the spotlight as NC kicks off Fall 2020 term

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From health screenings and facemasks, to online learning and virtual events – it’s all part of the ‘new normal’ at Niagara College as it embarks on an academic year unlike any other.

Classes for Fall 2020 term will begin on September 9, with a new hybrid academic model in place along with extensive safety measures to help protect the College community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the hybrid academic model, about half of all students will be studying 100 percent remotely, while half will be studying online with limited on-campus classes or labs – where it is a required component of the program, and it can be delivered safely. This is expected to bring more than 4,500 students to NC’s Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses throughout the term, with staggered schedules to limit numbers at any given time and location.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our students and employees to a new academic year, whether they will be joining us remotely or on campus for a portion of their studies,” said NC president Sean Kennedy. “While we’ve adapted our college operations to the new realities of COVID-19, with health and safety as our highest priority, what hasn’t changed is the welcoming spirit of our College community, and our steadfast commitment to academic quality, and student success.”

Campus access and safety measures

For students and employees who will be on campus, the College has rolled out new campus access procedures and extensive on-campus safety measures – created in consultation with public health officials – to help provide a safe and healthy learning environment and workplace.

Only students with scheduled in-person classes or labs, or employees with pre-approval, will be permitted on campus. In addition to a mandatory one-time safety orientation, students and employees must complete and pass daily health screenings prior to arriving on campus, which will enable them to tap in for approved entry at designated campus access points.

Once on campus, non-medical facemasks are required in hallways and other common spaces, or whenever physical distancing of two meters isn’t possible. The College will distribute two facemasks to students and employees who will be on campus, and is providing training on how to safely wear and care for the masks.

Classrooms and labs have been reconfigured where needed, and signs and floor markers have been installed across NC campuses to promote physical distancing. Campuses are well-equipped with hand sanitizing stations, and disinfectant in labs for regular cleaning, while enhanced cleaning measures have been put in place.

Common areas where students would typically congregate remain closed, while most services, events and activities have shifted to a virtual format.

The latest information for students, employees and visitors is available on the College’s recently redesigned COVID-19 website.

Virtual Orientation

Whether their studies will be online or on-campus, a warm virtual welcome has been planned for new and returning students.

NC’s Student Administration Council, and Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership have unveiled a completely virtual Fall Orientation, which began in early August and will continue into October. The events and activities aim to help prepare students for college life, connect with one another and the College community, learn about their programs and student services, explore hybrid or online learning strategies, and gain essential info about COVID-19 safety protocols.

On Orientation Day September 8, students will receive a welcome from the College president; and have an opportunity to participate in program and co-op information sessions. Activities during the first week of Fall term continue with a virtual scavenger hunt (September 9 and 10), an e-sports tournament (September 8-11), live karaoke (September 9), Q&As with The Library (Sept. 9, 10) and more.

NC Student Administrative Council president Tom Price noted that NCSAC has been working closely with the College to provide the best possible student experience for students this fall.

“Student success is the result of the uniquely special partnership between NCSAC and Niagara College as we adjust to a very different start of the school year,” said Price. “Whether it is from student venues on campus, or their couch at home, we have adapted. NCSAC has been working in constant tandem with the College in these endeavors, from Instagram Live engagement, Orientation Week participation, to funding reallocation in support of our Nourishing Minds grocery gift card program for students.”

For details about Fall Orientation visit orientation.niagaracollege.ca and yourncsac.ca/yourevents.

 

Pictured above: Niagara College president Sean Kennedy prepares to welcome students and employees for Fall 2020 term. Standing in front of the Welland Campus main entrance, he holds up facemask kits that will be distributed to those returning to NC campuses in September.

 

Niagara College offers more than 150 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, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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 Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant, Niagara College
Cell: 905-328-2532
[email protected]

 

Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

 

Wine industry, construction sector leaders elected chair and vice chair of Niagara College Board of Governors

Niagara College is pleased to announce the election of Del Rollo, vice president of industry and government relations for Arterra Wines Canada, as the new chair of NC’s Board of Governors and Wendy Wing, senior vice-president of finance and administration for Rankin Construction Inc. and Port Colborne Quarries Inc., and president of Rankin Renewable Power Inc., as the new vice-chair. The pair will lead the College’s committed group of volunteer Governors through the 2020-2021 academic year effective September 1.

Rollo has served on NC’s Board of Governors since 2015 and was vice-chair from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2020. He is a leader in Canada’s wine industry who discovered his passion for food and wine while attending Ryerson University’s Hospitality and Tourism program, and has held several service and management positions at dining establishments throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including the Four Seasons Hotel.

In 2001, Rollo played a pivotal role in seeing the doors to Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate open with enormous success after receiving a personal invitation from the founders to help launch the estate winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In 2013, he was the recipient of an honorary degree in Hospitality Operations Management from Niagara College, acknowledging his vast experience and expertise in the hospitality industry. Today, Rollo and his wife, Lisa, enjoy a busy family life with their three sons Connor, Walker and Sean, who is currently studying at Niagara College.

“As I enter my sixth and final year on the Board of Governors, I am excited to take on the role of Chair and continue working with the exceptional leaders, faculty, staff and students of Niagara College, alongside our governors who commit their time and expertise to help guide the strategic directions of NC,” said Rollo. “We are excited to leverage the incredible work that has occurred to adapt to the pandemic this year to take Niagara College into the future, as a leader in the recovery efforts of the Niagara region. We’ll also look to extend our work and support globally in the communities where we operate around the world.”

Wing, who joined NC’s Board of Governors in 2016, is a graduate of the Ivey School of Business at Western University. She has more than 25 years of experience and leadership in construction finance and administration and has been involved in the development and financing of renewable energy projects including wind and hydro. Wing is also a proud supporter of the Rankin Cancer Run, an annual fundraising event for local cancer care in Niagara, and has two children with her husband, Chris.

“I am delighted to take on this leadership opportunity with the Board of Governors and to continue working with the welcoming, passionate, and trailblazing faculty, staff and students of Niagara College,” said Wing. “I am proud of the great work the board has undertaken in the past few years and I’m eager to see where the Board and the College will go as we look ahead to the post-pandemic recovery and revitalization of our economy.”

Rollo succeeds John F. T. Scott, who served as chair of NC’s Board of Governors from September 2017 to August 2020. During Scott’s tenure, the College completed several campus redevelopment projects, opened Canada’s first teaching distillery, introduced Canada’s first post-secondary Commercial Cannabis Production program, and recruited the college’s first new president in almost 25 years.

“It is my pleasure to thank our outgoing chair, John Scott, for his service to the College, and to welcome our new chair, Del Rollo, and vice-chair, Wendy Wing, to their leadership roles with the Board of Governors,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “Our Governors all commit an extraordinary amount of time, energy, and expert advice to Niagara College and are dedicated to our mission, vision, and values. We are grateful to have an exceptional group of community leaders around our governance table and we look forward to the year ahead.”

Niagara College offers more than 150 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, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

Important parking update: Changes improve convenience, flexibility

With the introduction of HonkMobile to support cashless parking at both Niagara College campuses, students, employees and visitors will have improved convenience and flexibility for on-campus parking this fall.

Permits and passes are available for purchase for Fall term and beyond through HonkMobile, with a variety of options to choose from. The array of options are designed to suit the diverse parking needs of the College community as students, staff and visitors plan for varying degrees of on-campus activity starting in September, while others will study or work remotely.

Long-term permits may be purchased monthly (for one month or up to 12 months, ending August 31, 2021). Shorter-term options are also available for hourly, daily or weekly passes. Those who intend to purchase parking more than two days a week will find it more cost effective to purchase a permit.

On-campus parking enforcement will resume on the first day of classes for Fall term (September 9).

View 2020-2021 parking rates here to select the option that’s right for you.

Cashless, paperless parking

No matter which option you choose, HonkMobile is now the only way to pay for all on-campus parking for permits/passes beginning September 1 at Niagara College.

Convenient, cashless, and paperless, purchasing parking through HonkMobile will replace physical hanging parking permits or paper receipts that were previously required to be displayed in vehicles. No need to worry about lost or stolen permits or transferring permits from one vehicle to another.

Purchase parking through HonkMobile

For detailed instructions and information about purchasing parking through HonkMobile:

To purchase parking through HonkMobile visit the website at honkmobile.com, download the HonkMobile app for iOS or Android devices, or tap your mobile device at one of the HonkMobile tap meter locations located in the parking lots and designated entrances and throughout the campus.

Select a zone for either campus:

    • Welland Campus: The app will display two Zone IDs for the Welland Campus.

Select Zone 2600 for Lot A (daily paid parking only), or 2601 for Lots B, C, D, E, F and G, (permit and daily paid parking).

    • Niagara-on-the-Lake campus: The app will display one Zone ID for the NOTL campus. Select Zone 2607 (permit and daily paid parking).

For those who travel between campuses, parking purchased for one Niagara College campus will be valid at the other campus (excluding Welland Lot A).

Honk will require vehicle information and payment. It is vital to ensure the licence plate information provided to Honk is correct (an incorrect licence plate will result in a parking ticket). Up to three licence plates may be registered for each parking permit/pass. Only one vehicle registered to the pass will be allowed on campus at any given time.

Students, staff and visitors without a mobile device can also pay for hourly, daily, and weekly parking at a HonkMobile tablet kiosk. Locations at the Welland Campus include the Applied Health Main Entrance and the Rankin Technology Centre – West Entrance (near Lot D).  At the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, a tablet kiosk will be available near the main entrance (front).

Unsure about how much time you need to purchase? No problem! Those who pay for parking will receive a notification 15 minutes before their parking is scheduled to expire, allowing users to add extra time, if needed.

Parking FAQs

Which parking option is right for you?

Those who intend to purchase parking more than two days a week will find it more cost effective to purchase a permit.

Can I register more than one vehicle for my parking permit?

Up to three licence plates may be registered for each parking permit. Only one registered vehicle will be permitted to park at one of the campuses at any given time.

What if I travel between campuses?

Purchasing a parking permit for the Welland Campus (Zone 2601) will also allow you to park at the NOTL Campus (Zone 2607) – and vice versa (excluding Lot A at the Welland Campus, Zone 2600). Only one licence plate registered to the parking pass is permitted on campus any given time.

Do I need a physical parking permit or a receipt to display on my dashboard?

No physical pay-and-display ticket or permit will be issued. Digital parking permits are now issued through the HonkMobile app and at HonkMobile pay kiosks on campus.

Is visitor parking available on campus?

There are a limited number of 30-minute courtesy visitor parking spaces available at each campus. Parking spaces are clearly marked with signs and are patrolled.

Courtesy parking is available to visitors to Welland Campus Dental Clinic, as well as Niagara-on-the-Lake Teaching Brewery Retail Store, Wine Visitor + Education Centre, Teaching Greenhouse, and Teaching Spa.

Ticketing/Towing

Vehicles may be ticketed and/or towed if they are parked illegally, blocking laneways, or improperly parked. Tickets are issued by the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (Niagara-on-the-lake Campus) and the City of Welland (Welland Campus). Vehicle owners are responsible for their own vehicles and payments towards parking tickets and/or towing.

What if I wish to dispute a ticket?

Questions regarding ticketing should be directed to HonkMobile and/or the municipality that issued the ticket (Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake or City of Welland).

Honk Mobile: email [email protected]

Town of NOTL Paying-Disputing Penalty Notices

City of Welland – Parking Tickets

For more info

Visit NC’s Parking Services website, call 905-735-2211 ext. 7407, or email [email protected].

Artisan Distilling program’s first rum wins bronze at U.S. competition

Spirits are high at the Niagara College Teaching Distillery after a student-produced rum won bronze at the U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championships.

The accolades for School Spirits Small Batch Rum, produced by the first students to graduate from the Artisan Distilling program, came in the Dark/Barrel Aged Rum category of the competition, which included entries from throughout Canada and the U.S. Niagara College was the only teaching distillery to be among the winners in any category.

“It feels good to win an award like this,” said David Dickson, College distiller. “It instills a sense of pride that, in such a short time, our students have been able to develop to such a level to create a high quality spirit. To be able to achieve this in such a short time feels like a real feather in our cap.”

The award-winning rum was a year in the making by students, who saw their handiwork compete against rums aged longer or blended with spirits from elsewhere. Production of the School Spirits Small Batch Rum started six months into the year-long program when students began fermenting dark brown sugar. All signs pointed to something special in the works after their first distillation using small copper pot stills to capture only the best fraction of the spirit. 

The rum was fermented in a two-week process, which is slower than typical production, and led to a more complete attenuation of sugar by the yeast. Students took charge of the entire process, Dickson noted, signing their name to the 57-litre bourbon cask in which the spirit was left to age for 12 months, the minimum a Canadian rum must mature in a barrel.

“Then they went off in their careers. It was sort of like a time capsule,” Dickson said. “Their finesse was what caused the spirit to age like it did.”

The result was a rum with a surprising golden colour, and a clean and balanced aromatic profile with notes of vanilla and candied fruit. It’s dry and light in body compared to rums with added sweeteners. The finish has a pleasing texture with vanilla, caramel and a touch of bourbon spice.

“Our first student-crafted rum clearly demonstrates our students’ talents and skills when it comes to distillation and fermentation,” said Steve Gill, general manager of Niagara College’s Learning Enterprises. “The fact that they so confidently took on the production of rum and then earned such honours alongside spirits produced by more established distilleries elsewhere in North America also speaks to the quality of teaching happening in our Artisan Distilling program. It shows that the future of craft distilling in Canada is in capable hands.”

Two hundred 375-millilitre bottles of School Spirits Small Batch Rum were released for sale earlier this summer at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre (Niagara College Daniel J. Patterson Campus, 135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake). The rum sells for $26 with proceeds from sales supporting student learning.

Visit usopenwhiskey.com to learn more about the awards. 

Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility equipped with five 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 150 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.

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Julie Greco
Communications Consultant, Niagara College
Cell: 905 328 2532
[email protected]

Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

Teaching Winery whites strike gold in national competition

Excitement is bubbling up at the Niagara College Teaching Winery after two wins at a national competition – including a trophy for Best Sparkling Wine of the Year.

The All Canadian Wine Championships (ACWC) awarded the NC Teaching Winery’s 2014 Balance Blanc de Blanc Brut the coveted title of Best Sparkling Wine of the Year, along with a Double Gold trophy in the Sparkling Wine (Traditional Method category), while its 2017 Les Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay won Gold in the Chardonnay Under $20 category.

ACWC director Bev Carnahan noted that this year marked the 40th running of the wine competition – one of the oldest in the world. The 2020 competition drew 805 wine entries from 130 participating wineries across Canada. Judging was held in Prince Edward County beginning July 20 and results were posted on July 25.

Carnahan applauded the NC Teaching Winery for being among three first-time trophy winners this year.

“This is a testament to the calibre of program being headed by Gavin Robertson,” said Carnahan. “It bodes well for the future of Canada’s wine industry.”

News about the wins was well received at the NC Teaching Winery.

“These latest award-winning wines truly celebrate the knowledge, skills and creativity of our winemakers, faculty and students at the Niagara College Teaching Winery,” said Steve Gill, general manager of NCs Learning Enterprises. “This outstanding national achievement continues to raise the bar for high-quality wine education across Canada.”

Two wines which won awards at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships are pictured on the patio of the Wine Visitor + Education Centre, overlooking the College’s Teaching Vineyards: Balance Blanc de Blanc Brut 2014 and Les Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay 2017.

First released in early 2019, 2014 Balance Blanc de Blanc Brut was the Teaching Winery’s first venture into the style of Sparkling made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. The traditional method, bottle-fermented Sparkling was made from high quality, handpicked, bunch sorted Chardonnay grapes fermented in steel tanks and neutral oak barrels, and aged for 36 months on yeast lees before disgorging.

2017 Les Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay is an estate-grown, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, which spent 11 months ‘sur lie’ in French barriques and underwent malolactic fermentation with monthly lees stirring. The wine appears as a bright straw colour in the glass and the nose offers ripe pear, apple, Meyer lemon, vanilla and oak flavours. The palate is rich and creamy with more stone fruit flavours, and undertones of caramelized brown sugar, nutmeg, and a lively acid backbone that structures the wine.

The awards add to previous hardware won by both wines, including a gold for the 2014 Balance Blanc de Blanc and a silver for the 2017 Les Marmitons Gastronomy Chardonnay from the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.

College Winemaker Gavin Robertson noted that College Chardonnays tend to do well in competition.

“The campus vineyard Chard block produces really beautiful fruit that we’re able to spend a lot of time working on in the growing season: pruning, shoot thinning, tucking, cluster thinning, and handpicking,” he said. “Students are involved in all of these activities because we use the vineyard as a living classroom for labs that support the viticultural sciences that they are exposed to in lecture.”

The College has won numerous awards from the ACWC over the past few years for many different wines – from Icewine, Brut, and Semi-Dry Riesling, to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Noir.

“It’s important that we win in diverse categories. We endeavor to produce wines in as many styles that are available in the Ontario industry as possible, to showcase as many production techniques to students as we can,” said Robertson, who is a graduate of the College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician (2011) and a Nuffield Canada scholar.

The wines are available for purchase at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre (Niagara College Daniel J. Patterson Campus, 135 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake), or online at NiagaraCollegewine.ca  Proceeds from sales support student learning.

For info about the ACWC visit allcanadianwinechampionships.com.

Niagara College’s Teaching Winery is the first and only commercial teaching winery in Canada. It is located at the College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, along with the NC Teaching Brewery and the NC Teaching Distillery, which were also the first of their kind in Canada.

Niagara College offers more than 150 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, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

Pictured top of page:  College winemaker Gavin Robertson stands in the NC Teaching Vineyards with a bottle of Balance Blanc de Blanc Brut 2014 that won a Double Gold trophy and was named Best Sparkling Wine of the Year at the 2020 All Canadian Wine Championships.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant, Niagara College

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

Niagara College 2020 Civic Holiday hours

While there is limited activity and restricted access to campuses at this time, due to measures related to COVID-19, Niagara College is offering many services virtually, or via alternative delivery, and NC’s learning enterprises are either open or offering curbside pickup.

Below is a list of what will be open or closed for the Civic holiday on Monday, August 3.

Wine Visitor + Education Centre: Retail store and patio will be open August 3. Tasting, shopping, patio drinks and snack service is available daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Products include NC wine, beer, cider and spirits. For curbside pickup, local delivery and shipping across Ontario, please call 905-641-2252 ext. 4070 or visit niagaracollegewine.ca.

Community Employment Services: (43 Church St. in St. Catharines): Closed August 3. Virtual services resume on Tuesday, August 4 and are available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the CES office is now open for in-person visits Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment. Visit the CES website for more information.

Enrolment Services:
Closed August 3. Students may continue to submit requests online via email and student portal, which will be reviewed in priority sequence when Enrolment Services reopens on Tuesday, August 4.

NC Teaching Greenhouse:
Closed August 3. Open for curbside pickup only resuming Tuesday, August 4. Visit the Teaching Greenhouse’s online store to place an order and learn more.

ncLibraries and Learning Commons:
Student support, academic drop-ins and peer tutoring services will be closed on August 3. Virtual services will resume on Tuesday, August 4 and online resources are available 24-7 at niagaracollege.ca/library.

Student centres and NCSAC offices:
Closed August 3. Virtual services resume on Tuesday, August 4.

For a comprehensive list of services and resources available to assist students, visit:
Virtual Campus: Remote Services, Resources for Students

Transit

Please check with individual transit providers for the most up-to-date information and schedules.

Niagara Region Transit
St. Catharines Transit Commission
Welland Transit (including Port Colborne)
Niagara Falls Transit

Important note: The student U-Pass has been suspended for the Spring and Fall term during COVID-19. All student riders are required to pay the adult fare as of July 1, 2020. Monthly passes are available for purchase at the Welland, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls terminals and some transit providers offer a mobile Transit App.

For fare information and the latest updates, visit the transit websites listed above.

Visit yourncsac.ca/yourtransit for more information and Frequently Asked Questions related to student transit.

Niagara College to advance healthcare education with NSERC grant

Niagara College has been awarded federal government funding to help improve healthcare access for homeless and vulnerable individuals struggling with diabetic foot problems.

Called ‘An Interprofessional Train-the-Trainer Solution to the Diabetic Foot-Care Crisis Within Community Shelters,’ the grant of $209,576 (over two years) is from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). It will allow NC and its academic and community partners to address and improve healthcare access for individuals needing essential diabetic foot care, as well as improve implementation by healthcare professionals at homeless shelters.

The CCSIF program, in collaboration with Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), is designed to support college research projects in partnership with local community organizations to foster social innovation in areas such as education, integration of vulnerable populations, and community development.

Diabetes can cause serious changes to the body that often affect the feet and toes, and when left untreated, can result in a limb-threatening condition. According to Diabetes Action Canada, a lower-limb amputation occurs every four hours in Ontario. A significant number of these can be prevented with proper, daily foot care.

Niagara College, in collaboration with the Michener Institute of Education at the University Health Network and local community facilities and shelters, will use the Train-the-Trainer model to educate and provide awareness of diabetes and foot-care needs for at-risk individuals. The project will also enable capacity building among other health professions typically not responsible for foot care, yet essential for triaging and providing treatment.

The first grant of its kind for NC under this program, the funding will be administered by the College’s Research & Innovation division, while the project will be managed by the Centre for Health Wellness and Aging within NC’s Community and Health Studies division.

“While healthcare research is not new for the College’s Community and Health Studies division, this is an exciting and innovative collaboration between the Centre for Health Wellness and Aging, and our Research & Innovation division, which has been mainly focused in the areas of advanced manufacturing, agriculture and environmental technologies, and food and beverage,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, vice-president, Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives. “It’s a natural fit given the College’s integral role placed on offering applied research services to all industry and community partners, while involving students in these projects.”

Carolyn Triemstra, dean, Community and Health Studies, said the project is a tremendous opportunity for health students to engage in experiential learning while serving the community.

“The partners involved already support Niagara College health students in various capacities and this is an extension of the great partnerships we are fortunate to have,” said Triemstra. “Our students will gain tremendous knowledge and skills while working with clients in the community – skills that they will take with them into their careers.”

The vision for this project focuses on an enhanced awareness of diabetes and diabetic foot care. Specifically, this project will target pre-licensure interprofessional health students learning about diabetes and diabetic foot care, followed by piloting a new pre-screening model of care in community shelters.

Students from NC’s Personal Support Worker (PSW); Primary Care Paramedic (PCP); Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP); Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA & PTA); and Practical Nursing (PN)  programs will be hired for the initial phase of the project this September. In the following phases of the project, students will have the opportunity to dedicate their placement hours to providing screening and addressing foot-care needs for those who are vulnerable and affiliated with community partner shelters.

The Michener Institute offers a three-year postgraduate chiropody program focused on the assessment and management of foot and lower-limb conditions. The Michener Institute will collaborate to co-develop the educational model and resources required to educate and train NC students.

“The timing couldn’t be better to pave the way for a preventative model of healthcare,” said Catharine Gray, academic chair and discipline head, the Michener Institute. “Collectively, the students can make a difference across the health disciplines. Sharing expertise and building capacity will change the outcomes for the better to those who need it most.”

Other local community facilities and shelters involved with the design and delivery of the project include those affiliated with REACH (Niagara), not limited to The Hope Centre, Southridge Shelter, Booth Street Salvation Army Shelter, and the YWCA Niagara Region. Learning outcomes will be shared through these community partners and their vast network of shelters and health practitioners, as well as to all 24 community college health programs in the province.

This is a unique project that will be beneficial to all involved partners, noted Alexandra Jackson, project manager for NC’s Train-the-Trainer program. “The outcomes of this project could change how we seek to improve healthcare education while keeping our vulnerable population’s best interests at heart,” Jackson said. “I am excited to see where this goes, and I hope we can provide both a positive healthcare and educational model that thrives for years to come.”

The Michener Institute is a leading academic partner for the healthcare system in Ontario and the only institution in Canada devoted exclusively to applied health sciences education. Their growing community of clinical and academic partners is a strength that continues to support student learning, and this project will not only benefit Michener students, but NC students alike.

NC’s award-winning Research & Innovation division 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 and community partners. With funding support from various regional, provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry and community partners leap forward in the marketplace.

Niagara College offers more than 150 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.

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Photo above: Supplied by Michener Institute.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant, Niagara College

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905-328-4101

[email protected]

 

Former NC president Dan Patterson named President Emeritus; contributions to post-secondary sector recognized with national award

Niagara College’s fifth president, Dan Patterson, PhD, has been honoured with two special accolades in recognition of his remarkable contributions to Niagara College and Canada’s post-secondary landscape during his distinguished career.

Patterson, who concluded his 25-year tenure as NC president this past February, has been named President Emeritus of Niagara College, a designation bestowed on him by the College’s Board of Governors effective July 1, 2020. The honorary title recognizes Patterson’s outstanding service to the College and local communities.

“I, along with the entire Board of Governors, am thrilled to acknowledge Dan’s remarkable contributions to Niagara College, and our local communities, through the President Emeritus designation,” said John Scott, Chair of Niagara College’s Board of Governors. “Dan’s leadership and vision were vital to the dynamic evolution of the College over the past 25 years, and I am proud to confer his Emeritus status as part of his legacy in Niagara.”

Earlier this week, Patterson was also recognized by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) as the 2020 recipient of its Distinguished Service Award, an honour given to him by his peers on CICan’s Presidents’ Leadership Network.

“As one of our longest sitting presidents, Dan Patterson has left an indelible mark on Niagara College, but also on the entire network of Canadian colleges and institutes,” said CICan President and CEO, Denise Amyot. “Under his leadership, Niagara College has grown into a vibrant institution that has both strong local and national impacts. He has had an extraordinary career, but he stood out for his contagious enthusiasm and his generosity when it came to supporting his peers and sharing his knowledge and expertise with others.”

Sean Kennedy, who succeeded Patterson as president of Niagara College this year, said the CICan Distinguished Service Award shows that Patterson also left a mark on postsecondary education in Canada.

“While we at Niagara College appreciate Dan’s remarkable legacy, this national honour really demonstrates that Dan’s lasting contributions to the college sector reach far beyond the borders of Niagara and Ontario,” said Kennedy. “I was fortunate to have Dan as a colleague and mentor for many years, and it gives me great pleasure to see him receive such well-deserved recognition.”

CICan is the voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics, and an international leader in education for employment with ongoing programs in over 25 countries. Learn more at www.collegesinstitutes.ca.

Niagara College offers more than 150 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, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Photo caption: Former Niagara College president Dan Patterson is pictured at one of the many convocation ceremonies he celebrated over his 25-year career with the College.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

 

Raising the bar for quality craft spirits: NC Teaching Distillery unveils its first rum

After more than a year in the making, Niagara College Teaching Distillery is rolling out its first rum – just in time for summer cocktail season.

School Spirits Small Batch Rum was created by the College’s inaugural Artisan Distilling Class of 2019, comprised of the first students to graduate from the program launched by the College in September 2018 as the first of its kind in Canada.

The rum follows the Teaching Distillery’s previous School Spirits releases including Eau-de-vie de Fruits (January 2019), Vodka (March 2019) and Small Batch Gin (May 1019).

“Our first rum has been highly anticipated following the release of three inaugural School Spirits products which sold out quickly upon release last year,” said Steve Gill, general manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises. “Our first student-crafted rum showcases the distillation and fermentation talents and skills of our students, and offers a taste of what our country’s future craft distilling leaders are producing.”

College distiller David Dickson noted that the release of School Spirits Rum is an achievement for the students that were responsible for its creation, as well as the College as its first rum spirit to be released.

“The rum production came at a time when the students had already honed their distilling and fermentation skills, and they were able to execute the production with a higher degree of independence,” said Dickson. “They have set the bar high for the quality of the aged spirits being produced by the Teaching Distillery.”

Golden in colour, School Spirits Small Batch Rum is described as having a clean and balanced aromatic profile with notes of vanilla, candied fruit. Compared to rums with added sweeteners, it comes across as dry and light in body. The fruity esters give notes of cherries, blackberries and some citrus fruit. The finish offers a texture of vanilla, caramel and a touch of bourbon spice.

The rum was made from a base material of dark brown sugar – a combination of refined sugar with molasses blended back in. It was fermented in a two-week process, which is slower than typical rum production, resulting in a more complete attenuation of sugar by the yeast. Using small copper pot stills, the rum was double distilled by students who focused on capturing only the best fraction of the spirit.

“One of the most important set of flavour components that are captured during rum distillation are the esters which give rum some of its distinctive aromas and flavours,” said Dickson.

The rum was aged for a full year in a 57L Bourbon cask before its recent release. Dickson noted that smaller barrels have a larger surface area proportionally, which leads to more rapid extraction and aging.

“Another interesting feature was that the cask had only been used for two years, whereas most bourbon casks have been used for at least four years,” he said. “This may have led to both the increase in colour and barrel character present in the spirit.”

School Spirits Small Batch Rum does not contain additives or added colours.

The 40 percent alcohol School Spirits Small Batch Rum is available in 375 mL bottles ($26) in limited quantities at the College’s Wine, Visitor + Education Centre, where proceeds from sales support student learning. The WVEC retail store is open at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus (135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake) and offers curbside pickup. Call 905-641-2252 ext. 4070.

Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility equipped with five 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.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant, Niagara College

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905-328-4101

[email protected]