Niagara College and Brock University co-develop immersive VR tool to help students learn about ableism and accessibility

Educators at Niagara College and Brock University are harnessing the power of virtual reality (VR) to help students tap into the lived experiences of people with disabilities on post-secondary campuses.

The unique collaboration called IT’S AN IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion for Accessibility Through VR Simulations was developed by a team of Niagara-area educators and funded by a $105,000 grant from the Virtual Learning Strategy. The grant is an eCampusOntario-led initiative funded by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

In the fall of 2023, the VR simulations – four in total – will be part of an interdisciplinary NC course on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization taken by students in over 30 programs, as well as in Brock’s Accessibility Consultant Micro-Credential.

The VR simulations were developed and tested by NC professors Theresa Anzovino and Jamie Oresar, Adaptive Technology Specialist Jim McEwen, and Brock University’s Dr. Maureen Connolly, Director of the Brock-Niagara Centre of Excellence in Inclusive and Adaptive Physical Activity (CAPA), to give students a window into the lives of people with disabilities, to raise awareness about ableist interactions, and to learn about appropriate responses and strategies for challenging ableism.

A woman wearing all black stands in front of a classroom. Two long desks are aligned in rows featuring students sitting on either side, each with white and black virtual reality headsets in front of them in gray cases. In the background are two screens.

Niagara College professor Jamie Oresar piloted the VR accessibility simulation (IT’S AN IDEA – inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility) to students in NC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion General Education elective course.

“This project presented a unique opportunity for collaboration between NC’s Academic and Liberal Studies, NC’s Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) and Brock’s CAPA Research Centre,” said Anzovino.

“The project aligns with the vision and guiding principles of NC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Blueprint with a focus on authentic inclusion and accessibility,” said McEwen. “As NC employees with disabilities, it was important to us that the simulations be centered on authentic lived experiences of the disability community. Using the power of immersive VR, for a moment, you are able to get a firsthand glimpse of how ableism, microaggressions, and systemic obstacles can affect people with disabilities.”

“My NC partners and members of the CAPA Community Advisory Council and I were committed to authentic consultation on the scenarios that we developed and to piloting the scenarios with disability community members,” said Dr. Connolly. “This is a wonderful example of what can happen when a project is informed by principles of disability justice.”

Donning Oculus Quest II VR headsets with handheld controls (or accessible via a PC version) students can enter an immersive experience in perspective-taking. The simulations allow learners to engage with characters from different backgrounds and scenarios on post-secondary campuses that focus on a range of barriers including physical, architectural and attitudinal. Learners make choices on how to engage from a series of prompts to learn about ableism.

In the first sim, a student has experienced a concussion, and players advise them as a peer on how to work through recovery and a return-to-learn plan. In the second, players take the role of a professor and meet with a student requesting a letter of accommodation. In the third sim, a student with low vision who uses a mobility aid comes to the parking office to discuss their concerns. The final sim challenges assumptions about wheelchair usage, as players assume the role of a security staff member, engaging with a student who is the subject of a formal complaint.

The simulations were programmed by Niagara Falls e-learning company Xpert VR and tested by Brock University’s CAPA Community Advisory Council and members of different disability communities, as well as Niagara College’s Centre for Academic Excellence, Centre for Organizational Excellence, and HWAS.

“In today’s world, it is essential to work on projects that promote equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility,” said Evan Sitler, CEO and Co-Founder of Xpert VR. “It was a breath of fresh air to collaborate with a team that shares our vision of making education accessible, engaging, and impactful for everyone. We were particularly thrilled to develop virtual reality (VR) accessibility tools for the “It’s An IDEA” simulation, as it gave us a glimpse into the future of accessibility. Our aim is for this project to have a substantial impact on Ontario institutions and eventually extend to other institutions and people worldwide.”

NC’s Oresar and McEwen – with support from part-time Sociology professor Krystine Donato – piloted the simulation to a group of 10 students from the College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion General Education elective.

“As a person with a disability, the simulations are accurate and respectful and what I would want people to see,” said Donato. “You can’t really know how the person feels or what they experience, but you can listen.”

At the pilot, the Dental Hygiene students had many lightbulb moments, tying the experience to their future careers in health care engaging with a diverse public with varying levels of abilities and needs.

An instructor in a classroom assists a student with adjusting their virtual reality headset.

Adaptive Technology Specialist Jim McEwen helps a student with their Oculus Quest II VR headsets during a pilot of the joint Niagara College and Brock University VR accessibility simulation, IT’S AN IDEA.

The project aligns with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) goal for the province to be accessible by the year 2025. As an open source, this digital content project has sector-wide relevance in its ability to help post-secondary institutions build accessibility into programs of study and training. It is housed in eCampus Ontario’s VLS Collection for anyone to use through an Ontario Commons License or a Creative Commons license. The simulation also links users to NC’s Accessibility Hub which launched in spring 2022.

“The next 18 months is really important to bring people up to speed on the AODA requirements,” said Connolly. “Architectural change is expensive but relatively simple. Attitudinal change may be the hardest of all, and it is why we designed the scenarios the way we did.”

The total project cost approximately $150,000 and includes in-kind contributions from all project partners. It benefited from the support and leadership of Catherine Brigantino, Experiential Education Co-ordinator with Brock University’s Co-op, Career, and Experiential Education team; Natasha Patrito Hannon, formerly of Niagara College Centre for Academic Excellence; Qi (Chee) Wan, recent graduate of Brock University’s Master of Applied Disabilities Studies program; David Atherton, Dean of Academic and Liberal Studies; and James Butko, Associate Dean of Liberal Studies.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca

Brock University is a comprehensive institution with rich academic programs and world-class research activity. Located in Ontario’s scenic Niagara region on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, Brock is situated in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With about 600 full-time faculty members and researchers, Brock’s robust academic scope offers more than 90 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate programs in seven dynamic Faculties. The University’s 19,000 students come from across Canada and around the world. Brock’s renowned student experience is enriched by an emphasis on experiential education, as illustrated by community partnerships, volunteerism and one of Ontario’s largest and most successful co-op programs. Learn more at brocku.ca

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

Maryanne St. Denis
Manager, Content and Communications
Brock University
905-246-0256
[email protected]

Evan Sitler
CEO and Co-Founder
Xpert VR
519-741-7778
[email protected]

Niagara College joins MyCreds to offer digital transcript experience

Niagara College is providing students and alumni with an enhanced experience for accessing and sharing academic documents electronically through a partnership with MyCreds™.

MyCreds™ is an innovative digital credential platform from the Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC). Documents issued through the platform are tamper-evident and cryptographically signed, making them authentic and official.

After requesting their transcripts through NC’s MyNC online portal, all students and alumni will now be able to conveniently retrieve their documents through the MyCreds™ virtual credential wallet beginning on August 16. This new process will give users secure and seamless access to share their documents as needed with other colleges and universities, government, employers and third parties.

“Niagara College is pleased to join the MyCreds™ national network, and to partner with ARUCC on this important initiative,” said Adam Dusome, NC Registrar and Senior Director Enrolment Services. “This secure digital solution aligns with Niagara College’s priorities in areas of sustainability, security, and proactive customer service for our students and graduates, who can now access their academic documents at their convenience when pursuing further education or employment.”

“Seeing Niagara College expand their use of the MyCreds™ virtual wallet for their learners is an important next step in creating seamless digital options for learners,” said Don Duclos, ARUCC Board representative for the Ontario College sector through CRALO. “Ontario colleges are embracing MyCreds™ as a way to provide official digital documents, badges, microcredentials and more. As an early participant in the MyCreds™ Ontario Virtual Skills Passport project for microcredentials, Niagara continues to deliver transformative innovations to support their learners and community.”

Read the release on the MyCreds™ website here

Established in 1967, Niagara College has grown to become a leading global college and one of Canada’s most enterprising postsecondary institutions. NC has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. The College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

MyCreds™ is a national, shared service and platform that provides students and graduates access to a secure, online, password protected learner credential wallet. This virtual wallet allows them to view and share their verified and official transcripts, credentials, and academic documents in a digitized format on a 24/7 basis – anytime, anywhere. It also enables sharing between organizations with the learner’s permission. Secure, cryptographically signed documents can be sent conveniently and require no further verification. MyCreds™ is the first and only national bilingual system of its kind in Canada. Visit www.mycreds.ca for more details or contact ARUCC’s Executive Lead, Joanne Duklas at [email protected].

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Elyse Howarth
Communications Consultant, Niagara College
905-329-4910
[email protected]

Joanne Duklas
Executive Lead, ARUCC
[email protected]

Applied learning on tap for Project Brew Augtoberfest

 Brewmaster students to host Bavarian-style summer beer festival August 11

Just weeks after winning a Grand National Champion title and multiple medals for their beers, Niagara College’s final term Brewmaster students will host an on-campus beer festival to cap off their studies.

A class of 10 students from NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program are preparing for Project Brew Augtoberfest – a theme they chose which adds a summer twist to the annual fall beer festival held in Germany.

Hosting Project Brew has become a rite of passage for NC Brewmaster students and an essential component of their applied learning experience. Final term students plan the event for their Beer Sales and Promotions class, which covers everything from marketing and social media, to licensing, layout and design for the event, which are vital skills to those entering the beer industry.

“The students plan everything from ticket sales and marketing promotions to recruiting sponsorship and volunteers for the event,” said Sarah Scott, manager of food-services operations for NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies Division.

It’s also a culmination of their brewing lessons as students create their recipes and brew individual and class beers for Project Brew.

“For their graduation project, it’s a chance for students to apply the technical brewing skills they’ve learned in the program brewing beers to style specifications,” said Brewmaster Professor Jon Downing. “They really get creative with their Project Brew beers.”

The event gives students an opportunity to interact with guests who are sampling their beers, while the public has a chance to get a taste of unique craft beers from the next generation of brewers.

In the case of Project Brew Augtoberfest, the public has an opportunity to sample craft beers created by the same class who recently won the ‘grand national champion’ title and five medals at the U.S. Open College Beer Championship.

Brewmaster student Marye-Anne Chisholm (Stevensville) has taken a lead role as chair for Project Brew Augtoberfest. Chisholm noted that the class came up with the idea for Project Brew’s Bavarian theme before their class even began, inspired by their experience in Germany on a previous College ‘Be World Ready’ trip, which several of them attended. Now, as the graduating class, they have an opportunity to put their own stamp on Project Brew and are excited to make it happen.

“We thought the Bavarian theme would be a lot of fun for Project Brew,” she said.

Student-made brews will be on tap for guests to enjoy in the ‘biergarten’ and guests are encouraged to get into the festive spirit and wear Bavarian attire – such as dirndl or lederhosen – to the event.

Chisholm noted another positive about the event is that it will bring students from different classes together. Various classes of Brewmaster classes will help serve at Project Brew, culinary students will be making food, and hospitality students will assist at the door and with token sales.

Chisholm said the students look forward to having their Project Brews enjoyed but the class will keep their beers a secret until the event.

“There will be 13 unique beers and many of them are experimental,” said Chisholm. “Having the chance to see people enjoy our beers will be very rewarding.”

Kyla Dewey (Toronto), who is responsible for Project Brew social media and is helping with ticket sales, is enjoying the learning experience.

“I love working with people and creating fun content on my personal socials when I have a chance, so this has further solidified my passion for both. Marketing knowledge is a priceless tool and I’m thankful to have the experience of working on the team’s social media this semester,” said Dewey, who noted that if she doesn’t work in a brewhouse after graduation, she may pursue marketing within the beer industry.

While Dewey’s Project Brew remains a secret, she revealed it will be an “easy drinking beer that’s great to enjoy on a hot day in August.”

“I’m happy to be graduating from the program with some good beer recipes and buckets of knowledge that will continue to help me make tasty beer,” said Dewey. “I’m proud of the amazing beers our class has made, five of which recently won medals at the U.S. Open College Beer Championship, and this is a fun festival to showcase our beery talents.”

Thomas Morenzoni (St. Catharines), who was born in Peru and raised in Switzerland, said he is brewing a beer related to his home country. Morenzoni developed the floor plan for the event and is embracing the opportunity to get involved in various ways. A former metal-building designer, he became interested in a career in brewing in recent years, thanks to a friend who owns a brewery.

“I am used in planning, organizing and executing the work if considered in a company. However, I do not have experience in organizing, or promoting events,” he said. “Gaining knowledge in how an event is organized, it is a precious asset to add to my curriculum and personal skills.”

In addition to the experienced he is gaining through Project Brew, Morenzoni considers his biggest achievement to be the bonds he has made at NC.

“I already achieved my biggest achievement during the time spent in Niagara College … meeting my fabulous classmates, who made me feel at home, far away from home.” he said.

Project Brew beers will be judged by a panel from the College, and the winner of a $4,500 scholarship from Lallemand Brewing will be announced at the event.

In addition to supporting student learning through the scholarship, Lallemand Brewing supports the Teaching Brewery with donations of brewing yeast throughout the year, and by hosting guest lectures for the brewing program on a regular basis.

”Lallemand continues to support the Brewing program at Niagara College because we see the positive influence that the program has on our industry,” said Kevin Somerville, Technical Sales Manager at Lallemand Brewing, a family-owned Canadian company. Somerville has been involved with NC’s Brewmaster program since it began in 2010, as its first program coordinator,  as an instructor during the first five years of the program, and he continues to be involved as a member of its Program Advisory Committee.

“We are proud to partner with the College in continuously improving the brewing community,” said Somerville.

Project Brew Augtoberfest will be held on August 11 from 5-9 p.m. at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The event will be held outdoors in the courtyard, weather permitting.

Ticket prices are $20 plus taxes and fees. Guests must be at least 19 years old to participate. The ticket price includes four beer tokens and a beer glass (additional tokens are available for purchase at $2 per token). Food from NC Culinary Arts will be available for purchase.

All proceeds from Project Brew benefit the Matt Soos Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Matt Soos, who graduated from NC’s Brewmaster program in 2015. The scholarship is awarded to a student winner of Project Brew every year. This year’s winner was announced at the last Project Brew ‘Hops the Docks’ at the end of Winter term.

With hundreds of tickets already sold, organizers have currently paused ticket sales for Augtoberfest. Additional tickets may be released prior to the event if weather permits an increased capacity (for the event to be held outdoors).

For the latest Project Brew and ticket information, visit projectbrew.squarespace.com/brewers-1.

NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program was launched in 2010 as the first of its kind in Canada. The award-winning, two-year diploma program offers extensive hands-on training at an on-campus, state-of-the-art Teaching Brewery to prepare students for employment in the brewery, microbrewery and brewpub industries. Visit ncteachingbrewery.ca.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

 

Top photo: Final term Brewmaster students prepare to host Project Brew Augtoberfest.

 

Related:

July 20 2023: Niagara College wins Grand National Champion, multiple medals at U.S beer competition

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
905-328-2532

Teaching Winery wins five wine awards at the Nationals

There are five new reasons to raise a glass to Niagara College – and five new award-winning wines to fill them with.

NC’s Teaching Winery has won several new medals— including two golds, two silvers and a bronze – from the 2023 WineAlign National Wine Awards, known as ‘the Nationals.’

“Winning five medals at one national competition is an outstanding testament to the high quality of applied learning at Niagara College,” said Steve Gill, General Manager of the College’s Learning Enterprises. “Our wine students gain the skills they need to lead and succeed in the industry at our Teaching Winery. Congratulations to the amazing alumni winemakers, staff and students behind our latest award-winning wines!”

“These awards are especially significant as we are going up against the best in the country,” said NC Winemaker Allison Findlay. “I was proud to submit some of my first vintage wines and have them show well too. It is a great example of things we have done great in the past, as well as continuing the reputation of quality in the future.”

The Teaching Winery’s latest winning wines include:

  • 2022 Dean’s List Riesling St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, which won gold in the Riesling category;
  • 2018 Balance Riesling Brut, VQA Niagara Peninsula, which won gold in the Sparkling category;
  • 2022 Dean’s List Cabernet Rosé, VQA Four Mile Creek, which won silver in the Rosé category;
  • 2020 Dean’s List Savant, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula , which won silver in the Icewine category; and
  • 2020 Marmitons Gastronomy Pinot Noir, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Peninsula, which won bronze in the Pinot Noir category.

The Dean’s List Rosé and Dean’s List Riesling are from Findlay’s first vintage with the College since she joined as Winemaker in 2022. A 2014 graduate of NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program, Findlay was previously Head Winemaker at Flat Rock Cellars in Jordan, where she honed her craft producing award-winning wines including a Best in Show at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards.

If she had to choose, Findlay said she is most proud of the 2022 Dean’s List Riesling.

“There were high expectations as I had just received a Decanter Award for a previous Riesling I worked on,” she recalled. “This was our first estate grown Riesling off our newly planted vines in 2019 that I was so excited to vinify in 2022. It’s also the perfect excuse to drink more Riesling!”

Wine faculty member Gavin Robertson, who was Winemaker at NC from 2014 – and a 2011 graduate of NC’sWinery and Viticulture Technician program — noted that this year’s success at the Nationals showcased the diversity of the College’s wine portfolio as well as the diversity and talent of staff and students in NC’s wine program.

“You could pair a five-course tasting menu from front to back with these wines … sparkling Riesling to start, dry Rosé with a salad course; Riesling with seafood; Pinot Noir with meat or mushroom-based main; and finish with the Savant Icewine with dessert,” said Robertson. “It’s important that we make all these styles, and more, because it allows us to deliver top tier experiential learning opportunities in all these wine styles.

“The wine also serves to inspire our students who are intrinsic to helping maintain the high quality of our wines and program,” he said. “Spanning five vintages, these wines also demonstrate the commitment and hard work of over 100 students, teachers and learning enterprise staff operating with a shared goal of producing amazing wines and more amazing graduates who are the future of the Canadian wine industry.”

Various cohorts of students from NC’s two-year Winery and Viticulture Technician diploma program have been involved with the production of the award-winning wines – from picking and processing, to the maturation and bottling of the wines.

“The recognition and awards garnered by our alumni winemaking team is a clear and direct showcase on the educational path set by our amazing viticulture program,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies. “Allison and Gavin are a fantastic example of what can be accomplished in the wine industry through the training and real work experience gained during their time at Niagara College.”

“It’s a good representation of what we do here at Niagara College, everything from Sparkling to Icewine, and plenty of in between, and doing it well,” said Findlay. “Our students deserve to learn and work in a place that is committed to excellence.

“They too can feel proud to have worked and learned here.”

The 2023 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada gathered 1,930 entries from over 255 different wineries from seven different provinces. Judging for the 2023 awards was held in Penticton, British Columbia from June 24-28. Visit winealign.com.

NC’s award-winning wines are available for purchase alongside student-created products from NC’s Teaching Winery, Teaching Brewery and Teaching Distillery (while supplies last) at the College’s Wine + Visitor Education Centre, located at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (135 Taylor Rd.) or online at ncteachingwinery.ca.

The NC Teaching Winery became Canada’s first commercial teaching winery in Canada when it was launched in November 2002 and is the only facility of its kind in the country today. It is located at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

Top photo:NC Winemaker Allison Findlay holds a bottle of Dean’s List Rosé and Dean’s List Riesling. The award-winning wines are from her first vintage as NC Winemaker.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
905-328-2532
[email protected]

Niagara College wins Grand National Champion, multiple medals at U.S beer competition

Final-term students from Niagara College tapped into a Grand National Champion title along with multiple new medals for their student-crafted brews at recent U.S.-based competitions.

U.S. Open College Beer Championship

NC won five medals and the top title at the 2023 U.S. Open College Beer Championship. Every beer that the College’s Teaching Brewery entered in this year’s competition achieved a medal, including two golds, two silvers, and a bronze.

Final term students from the College’s two-year Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management diploma program were behind each of the five medals.

“We’re so very proud of these students and this program,” said Maija Saari, Associate Dean, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies. “It is absolutely incredible to witness such a showing at an international competition for student-produced beers.”

Saari noted that the awards are hard evidence that students not only learn how to brew beer in the  program, they learn how to brew beer well.

“That high standard of excellence and attention to detail are terrific attributes to develop while here,” said. Saari. “These award-winners will certainly carry that sense of pride in excellence with them when they move through their careers.”

“Our trailblazing Teaching Brewery continues to raise the bar for the industry in Canada,” said Steve Gill, General Manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises. “Our students make some of the best beers in North America, thanks to the quality of applied education at NC, and bring their skills and knowledge out into the industry.”

“This year’s results are superb! It’s amazing that this class of only 10 students won five medals – a medal for each beer that they entered into the competition,” said Brewmaster Professor Jon Downing. “The students not only created the winning beers but came up with names and selected a maximum of five beers to enter in the competition which all won medals.

“The students did it all, from start to finish.”

Marye Anne Chisholm holds a can of silver-medal-winning Taylor Rd. Saison, in one hand and gold-medal winning Echoes in the Taproom in the other. Chisholm created Taylor Rd. Saison for her Target Brew class project and the recipe for the class beer, Echoes in the Taproom, which were both submitted to the U.S. Open College Beer Championship and won medals.

NC won gold for Echoes in the Taproom, a Belgian Dubbel beer made by the entire class of 10 final-term students. Each school was invited to submit a beer from this year’s specified specific category – which was Belgian Dubbel for 2023 – to be judged head-to-head according to the U.S. Open style standards.

In addition to winning gold for the class brew, four medals were won for individual student brews that were initially created by final term students for their Target Brew class project during their third term earlier this year. The Target Brew project challenges Brewmaster students to brew a classic beer to style in a test of fundamentals to master traditional standards using Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) style guidelines.

Gian Raina Arnas holds a can of his gold-medal-winning beer, Hulk Roggen. Created for his Target Brew class project, the beer won gold at the 2023 U.S. Open College Beer Championship.

Hulk Roggan, a historical beer created by student Gian Raina Armas, won gold and tied for Best of Show. Armas, who is originally from Cuba and has been living in Niagara Falls for the past 10 years, created a historical roggenbier (rye beer). Inspired to make a beer that is not often seen in the craft beer world, he worked on three homebrew versions of the beer before committing to the style.

“I feel extremely happy with the results of this competition and proud of not just being in this program but of my classmates and thankful to all our teachers who have inspired us to make all these amazing beers” said Arnas. “All the winning beers would have not gotten medals if it were not to the effort and assistance from the class as we all gave 200% of effort not just to make our individual beers, but also make each other’s beers the best representation of what that product should be.”

Santiago Hernan Ampudia Vasquez holds a can of Te-Toiset Bois which won silver at the 2023 U.S. Open College Beer Championship.s pretty much disappeared in Germany, hopefully this helps resurrect the rye beer for Canada.”

A silver medal was awarded for Taylor Rd. Saison, made by Stevensville resident Marye Anne Chisholm, who also created the recipe for the gold-medal-winning class beer.

“The wins validate that all of our hard work is paying off,” said Chisholm. “It’s rewarding to not only have the skills to create the beers, but to know that people enjoy them. It gives me more confidence as a Brewmaster student who will soon be graduating.”

Santiago Hernan Ampudia Vasquez won silver for Te-Toiset Bois Belgian Tripel. Vasquez, who taught chemistry at a university in Ecuador prior to enrolling the Brewmaster program at NC, took a scientific approach and experimented with his recipe in the lab prior to brewing. He strove for a beer that didn’t taste “too boozy” despite its 9.5 % ABV.

Jenny Lucasiewicz holds a can of her Target Brew project beer, T’Weiss as Nice’ German Wheat Ale, which won a bronze medal at the 2023 U.S. Open College Beer Championship.on bronze.

‘I wanted to create a Belgian beer, that combines my passion for beer with my scientific background,” he said.

T’Weiss as Nice’ German Wheat Ale, led by student Jenny Lucasiewicz (Port Edward, Ontario) won bronze.

Lucasiewicz praised the classmates who assisted with the beer and and considered all of the NC medals a win for the class. Lucasiewicz had been monitoring the competition website for results and was thrilled to announce the news to the class.

“They started clapping and cheering; everyone was so excited,” said Lucasiewicz.

The U.S. Open College Beer Championship is the only competition for beers exclusively from college and university brewing and fermentation programs.

Visit usopencollege.com. 

U.S. Open Beer Championship

NC’s success at the U.S. Open College Championship follows two new medals won at the 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship, which also announced results in early July. NC’s Beer 101 Bitter achieved a silver in the Bitter category, while Beer 101 Strong won silver in the Old Ale/ Strong category.

The two beers are among the most popular from the Teaching Brewery’s Beer 101 series and have won multiple previous awards including golds from the U.S. Open in 2018, and other national and international awards.

“This is a victory for all levels of our Brewmaster students who contribute to our Beer 101 beers,” said Downing. “The consistency and quality of the brewing education that our students receive shines through when the same beers win, even though they are brewed by different classes of students. It’s something that all students and graduates can be proud of.”

The U.S. Open Beer Championship is among the top beer competitions in the U.S. Visit usopenbeer.com.

Products from the NC Teaching Brewery are available for purchase alongside student-created products from the NC Teaching Winery and Teaching Distillery (while supplies last) at NC’s Wine + Visitor Education Centre at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (135 Taylor Rd.) or online at ncteachingwinery.ca.

While beer cans from NC’s Beer 101 series are regularly stocked, class Target Brew beers debuted spring 2023 and sold out quickly.

Project Brew Augtoberfest

The public will get a taste of new craft brews from NC’s final term Brewmaster class – the same class of students behind the five medals and Grand National Champion title at the U.S. Open College Championship –  at Project Brew Augtoberfest. The Bavarian themed student-organized beer festival will be held on August 11 (5-9 p.m.) at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. For info visit projectbrew.squarespace.com.

NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program was launched in 2010 as the first of its kind in Canada. The award-winning, two-year diploma program offers extensive hands-on training at an on-site, state-of-the-art Teaching Brewery to prepare students for employment in the expanding brewery, microbrewery and brewpub industries. Located at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson in Niagara-on-the-Lake, students learn from award-winning faculty and have access to on-site hop yard and local farm products to brew a full range of beer styles. Visit ncteachingbrewery.ca.

 

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

 

TOP PHOTO: Final term Brewmaster students celebrate five medals and a Grand National Champion title after hearing about the results of the 2023 U.S. Open College Beer Championship.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
905-328-2532
[email protected]

 

NC-led SONAMI rides the wave of expansion, adding Water Tech and Advanced Manufacturing capabilities

New partnership expands the range of facilities to southeast Ontario expanding its research and development capabilities in innovative water and wastewater technologies, Mechatronics, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Two of Fleming College’s research centres will oversee SONAMI projects: the Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT) and the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT). The CAMIIT is a multipurpose research centre for industrial research and design projects at Sutherland Campus in Peterborough. The CAWT is an internationally recognized water and wastewater research institute located at Frost Campus in Lindsay.

The addition of Fleming College to SONAMI now brings the total in the network to 11 postsecondary partners, including Centennial, Conestoga, Fanshawe, George Brown, Lambton, Mohawk, Niagara and Sheridan colleges, and McMaster and Queen’s University. Fleming’s SONAMI projects will be funded through a $2-million investment that the network received from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through an Applied Research and Technology Partnership (ARTP) grant. The partnership will expand the range of facilities and expertise available to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and extend SONAMI’s reach further into southeast Ontario.

Through the centralized SONAMI hub, member institutions pool their resources and talent to match them to the needs of SMEs in various industries, giving them access to cutting-edge technologies, knowledge and funding in order to de-risk their applied R&D, create innovative new products and optimize processes.

“Fleming’s capabilities through CAMIIT will empower us to deliver cutting-edge solutions in the era of Industry 4.0,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice President, Research, Innovation, and Strategic Enterprises at Niagara College. “Additionally, CAWT has the expertise in water and wastewater research that will enhance our capabilities in addressing critical environmental challenges.”

“By joining forces with Fleming, we strengthen our commitment to fostering the growth of SMEs in the manufacturing industry through collaborative research projects. Together, we will provide invaluable opportunities for students to gain practical experience and contribute to real-world projects, ensuring a skilled workforce for the future. This collaboration marks an exciting milestone in SONAMI’s journey to drive innovation and competitiveness in the advanced manufacturing sector.”

CAMIIT and CAWT’s capabilities can be used to solve a wide variety of real-world challenges.

For the past two years, CAMIIT has been expanding Fleming’s applied research activities in design, development, prototyping, testing and validation, and improving products and technologies for use in the advanced manufacturing marketplace. Its research has applications in several industries, including asset management, aerospace, computing, communications, agriculture, and mining. CAMIIT excels at working with industry partners through the entire development of a system or technology, designing and testing prototypes through rigorous lab and onsite test procedures until the final product is ready for mass production.

Established in 2005, CAWT specializes in biological treatment (including biofilms and anaerobic biofilters), membranes and filtration, advanced oxidation technologies, low energy and remote systems, stormwater management, cold climate treatment, performance testing and verification, as well as innovative technologies that target nutrients, heavy metals, and contaminants of emerging concern. CAWT has run numerous collaborative research projects in the past, for example, it assisted a manufacturer of advanced water disinfection systems to validate a new line of water purification systems that remove and disinfect contaminants from large volumes of water.

“Joining SONAMI is an exciting opportunity for our CAMIIT and CAWT research centres,” said Brett Goodwin, PhD, Executive Vice President, Academic and Applied Research & Innovation at Fleming College. “Being chosen to join this esteemed network allows our researchers and students to take part in new collaborative opportunities to support local innovation.

“Our expertise in design for manufacturing and in innovative water and wastewater technologies will help SONAMI and its SME partners address complex challenges and make a lasting impact on the province’s manufacturing sector.”

Since the award-winning network’s inception in 2016, industry partners have benefitted from collaborative projects by: increasing sales, reducing manufacturing costs, diversifying product lines, and realizing their innovative ideas. To date, SONAMI partners have worked with more than 300 SMEs to complete more than 400 projects resulting in $12.5 million in sales from commercialized innovations, created or maintained over 220 jobs and provided skills and training for hundreds of students to prepare them for future jobs.

To access the advanced manufacturing network, representatives from interested businesses can contact SONAMI’s Business Development Lead, Mitchell Lutz at [email protected]. For more information about the network, please visit the SONAMI website.

Fleming College’s Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT) is a unique water research centre with advanced infrastructure and accredited on-site facilities. Located in Lindsay, Ontario at the Frost Campus of Fleming College, the CAWT works with industry, government, NGOs and other academic institutions to develop and test innovative water and wastewater technologies. The CAWT is comprised of a core group of scientists, engineers, faculty researchers, and technologists passionate about driving innovation in the water and wastewater sector, supporting small- to medium-sized companies, and helping find new ways to protect, reuse, treat, and manage the world’s water.

Fleming College’s Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT) is a multipurpose research centre for industrial research and design projects. Located at Fleming’s Sutherland Campus in Peterborough, CAMIIT is a leading-edge hub of applied research and technology development services for the private sector, government and non-governmental agencies, and universities. CAMIIT’s areas of specialization and expertise include: system design, Industrial Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, mechatronics product development, advanced manufacturing, and 3D printing. CAMIIT is focused on contributing to innovation in Canada by creating successful research partnerships with businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs.

Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.

The Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) is a Niagara College-led network of postsecondary institutions, who, through their respective Research and Innovation Centres, collaborate with small- and medium-sized companies to tackle their manufacturing-related challenges. SONAMI leverages faculty, students, and state-of-the-market equipment, together with funding from the Federal Government, to support manufacturing in Canada. Learn more at sonami.ca.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

SONAMI quick facts:

  • SONAMI was established in 2016 – led by Niagara College, in partnership with McMaster University, Mohawk College and Sheridan College – with an initial $7.3-million contribution from FedDev Ontario, which provided funding through March 2019. The network expanded to include six additional academic institutions: Centennial, Conestoga, Fanshawe, Lambton, and George Brown colleges, and Queen’s University.
  • In July 2019, FedDev Ontario announced an additional investment of $14 million towards a five-year project (through to March 2024), which would grow the network to which would grow the network by adding members, enhancing its reach to help manufacturers innovate.
  • SONAMI is funded by FedDev Ontario, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON).
  • Niagara College received the 2019 Research Partnership Award from the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA) for the significant impact SONAMI has had on the regional economy.
  • Through specialized expertise, resources, and Research & Development (R&D) capabilities, SONAMI partners have a broad range of capabilities that provide effective innovation and technology transfer in areas of automation, additive manufacturing, product testing & validation, Industry 4.0, process optimization, simulation & modelling, and digitally enabled and intelligent manufacturing.
  • SMEs wanting to innovate but do not have the resources of time, knowledge/skills, or finances to take them to the next level can de-risk their R&D by leveraging a 1:1.2 funding match on projects. FedDev’s investment is matched by a mix of cash and in-kind contributions from the industry partner. This could reduce overall project costs by up to 50 per cent and help more manufacturers participate.

TOP PHOTO:CAWT Research Technologist Cayla Austin prepares samples for analysis in one of the CAWT laboratories.Fleming College has become the latest Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) member, a Niagara College-led consortium of postsecondary academic institutions that provides competitive, disruptive, and innovative solutions to Ontario’s manufacturers.

CAMIIT: CAMIIT Lead Research Scientist, Fereydoon Diba, PhD, P.Eng., advises a Research Assistant in the CAMIIT facility.

Videos:

https://youtu.be/1NOteUfEfjw A video showing the Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT).

https://youtu.be/yLE6QKpxzZ8 A video showing the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Niagara College, Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

Sarah Deeth

Fleming College, Communications Officer

[email protected]

705-749-5530 ext. 1161

 

Niagara College breaks ground on new cutting-edge greenhouse

Horticultural and environmental research and education will have a new place to flourish in Niagara.

Niagara College has broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse, which will plant the seeds for more innovation to benefit students and industry.

“It is an exciting time for Niagara College as we break ground on a new, cutting-edge greenhouse that will support advancements in applied research and new, hands-on student learning opportunities,” said President Sean Kennedy.

The site of the future greenhouse was recently fenced off behind the existing Teaching Greenhouse at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and construction will soon be underway, scheduled for completion by March 31, 2024.

The new greenhouse will be a hub for the College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC), which aims to meet growing demands for applied research services from industry and together, with the existing Teaching Greenhouse, will provide an expanded learning environment and new opportunities for students in NC’s School of Environment and Horticulture.

One of four research and innovation centres within NC’s award-winning Research & Innovation division, HESIC specializes in performing growth trials with horticultural crops that evaluate innovations and improvements. Currently, HESIC utilizes space within the NC Teaching Greenhouse, which is primarily used for academic purposes. HESIC offers extensive experience in innovations that are close to commercialization, including assessing technologies, production practices, packaging, media and pots, pest and disease control approaches, and more.

“The new greenhouse is a testament to the Niagara College spirit of innovation,” said Mishka Balsom, Chair of the Board of Governors. “The new facility will increase capacity for the College to meet the strong industry demand for horticultural research while providing new real-world learning opportunities for students.”

“I am very pleased that this incredibly important project will become a reality,” said John F.T. Scott, who served as chair of Niagara College’s Board of Governors from 2017-2020, and oversaw the initial conception of the project. “This new facility will significantly enhance Niagara College’s capacity for horticultural education and research which will further solidify its position as a key driver of innovation and growth in one of Niagara’s core industries and Ontario’s key economic sectors.”

Next-generation greenhouse features

Once built, the 1,258-square-metre greenhouse will include a horticulture laboratory to meet research needs for HESIC’s industry partners, as well as a new vertical grow room to allow expansion into this area of research to expose students to vertical controlled environment agriculture.

“This new state-of-the-art facility will be a game changer for HESIC, as it strives to help our vital greenhouse industry innovate while growing new learning opportunities for our students,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice-President, Research, Innovation & Strategic Enterprises.

Five individually contained bays will enable HESIC researchers to control temperature, humidity and lighting in separate environments for applied research projects in a variety of configurations, as well as integrated pest management and growth trials.

Since 2014, HESIC has supported the horticulture and agriculture industry by providing close to 90 industry projects. With demand growing from companies of all sizes in need of greenhouse expertise, the new facility will open doors for HESIC to help more businesses – with 53 leads identified for projects in 2024-2025.

The next-generation greenhouse is expected to cost $9.4 million, including a $1,566,500 million investment from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, $800,000 from Niagara Region Economic Development, and a combined $1.8 million for equipment from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation ($892,807) and the Ontario Research Fund ($893,391), with opportunities for community members and other college supporters to participate in the project.

Growing opportunities for students

The new greenhouse marks a significant advancement of NC’s cluster of controlled growing environment facilities, complementing the existing NC Teaching Greenhouse, and licensed cannabis cultivation and extraction facilities.

HESIC expects more than 125 students each year will participate in applied research and course-based projects in the new greenhouse, providing industry partners with a wealth of knowledge and competitive advantage.

“The new greenhouse facility will provide our students with greater access to greenhouse technologies and plant science innovations, paid research opportunities, engaging course-based projects, and valuable interactions with employers,” said Evan DiValentino, Associate Dean, School of Environment & Horticulture. “At the same time, major investments are being made in our Teaching Greenhouse. This development underscores the fact that NC is further establishing itself as a clear leader in practical, applied horticultural education.

Greenhouse Technician graduate (2023) Gabriela Torres, who began working for HESIC during her first week of classes and has more recently been hired full-time as a research associate, applauded the news of the new greenhouse.

“With this new greenhouse, students will have a dedicated space that enhances their learning and work environment,” said Torres, who is originally from Brazil and now lives in Niagara Falls. “It will provide us with a better-equipped facility to conduct our research trials, expanding our capabilities to work more efficiently. I am excited about the future and the possibilities that lie ahead.”

About the Greenhouse industry

Ontario’s greenhouse industry is one of the most important and fastest-growing economic sectors in Canada with 1,000 greenhouses and 14.4 million square metres of harvested area. Ontario employs more than 16,000 people in the greenhouse sector, which has more than $1.7B in sales and $79M in exports.

Niagara College’s award-winning Research & Innovation division administers research funding support from various regional, provincial, and federal agencies. Students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers and assist industry partners with leaping forward in the marketplace. Students come from a variety of the College’s programs, such as the Commercial Cannabis Production Program, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology, Business Administration – Marketing, and Computer Programmer. To learn more about HESIC, visit the website.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research fundingLearn more at niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
905-932-1520
[email protected]

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
905-328-2532
[email protected]

Niagara College to significantly expand on-campus housing

Driven by strategic commitments to student experience and success, and to address a growing shortage of housing in the communities that it serves, Niagara College will triple its on-campus housing over the next four years, adding new living spaces for approximately 1,000 students at its campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Enhancement and expansion of on-campus housing is a key element of the college’s newly adopted master plan, which will see transformational capital investments and developments at its Niagara-based campuses over the next decade or more. In addition to new residence buildings, the plan also includes renovations and improvements of existing on-campus residences to expand capacity and enhance student experience.

“As more and more students from across Ontario and around the world are drawn to Niagara College, we recognize the need to expand capacity and options for on-campus living,” said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. “Our plans support the key priorities in our Strategic Plan and reflect our enrolment growth and the evolving needs and expectations of our students. We also know that a significant expansion of on-campus housing for our students will help to address the urgent need for affordable housing across Niagara.”

As the College welcomes students who increasingly come from different backgrounds, age groups and life experiences, the College will explore residence options that are affordable and reflect and support a more diverse college community. The College hopes to break ground on new residences at the Welland Campus and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake in the new year.

“Our timelines are aggressive and reflect the urgent need for more housing for students and the broader community,” said Kennedy. “We also remain committed to working with private and public partners in Niagara to explore additional housing solutions.”

Niagara College currently has on-campus residences that accommodate 228 students at the Welland Campus and 200 students at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Wales
Director, Communications
905 328-4101
[email protected]

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

 

 

Tawse Winery founder creates scholarship in memory of winemaker Paul Pender

Award-winning winemaker and Niagara College alumnus Paul Pender, who passed away suddenly in February 2022 at the age of 54, is being honoured through a scholarship that will help the next generation of diverse winemakers.

Moray Tawse, founder of Tawse Winery in Vineland where Pender was the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking at the time of his passing, has made an endowed gift of close to $200,000 to create “The Tawse Winery Paul Pender Memorial BIPOC Student Award.”

The donation will fund annual $10,000 scholarships for BIPOC students in NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program, which Pender graduated from in 2006.

“Paul’s passion for winemaking was unmatched and his talents directly contributed to our winery’s success early on,” said Tawse. “We will be forever indebted to Paul for his dedication and friendship, and we look forward to supporting Niagara College students in his honour.”

“Niagara College is grateful to Moray Tawse for his generous donation in memory of our inspirational alumnus Paul Pender,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “Paul was a role model for so many students and a shining example of the trailblazing professionals coming out of our wine programs.”

Pender was known for his easy going and positive nature. The respected organic winemaker gave generously of his time and expertise to mentor aspiring professionals in the industry and was welcoming to everyone.

Through The Tawse Winery Paul Pender Memorial BIPOC Student Award, Tawse hopes to help expand access into the Winery and Viticulture Technician program, especially for people who are underrepresented in the beverage alcohol industry, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, people with disabilities, first generation Canadians, LGBTQ2S+ and non-binary gender diverse people.

Inspirational NC alumnus Paul Pender

Pender was part of the second graduating class of the College’s trailblazing Winery and Viticulture Technician program. After completing his studies, his career quickly blossomed within the heart of Niagara’s booming wine industry, and he became one of the most celebrated winemakers in Canada.

He joined Tawse Winery in 2005 and became head winemaker in 2006. Under his leadership, Tawse achieved EcoCert Organic and Demeter Biodynamic certification and was named Canadian Winery of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016 – repeat wins that were unprecedented.

Pender was awarded the prestigious title of Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards in 2011 and 2022. Also in 2022, the Ontario Wine Awards introduced a special trophy in recognition of Pender’s legacy called the Paul Pender Memorial ‘Rising Star’ Award, given to recipients who demonstrate the qualities that made Pender a winemaker’s winemaker – talent, selfless generosity, mentorship, and innovation. NC alumni from the Winery and Viticulture Technician program received the award in 2022 and 2023. The inaugural recipient was alumnus Alex Baines (2015), head winemaker at Hidden Bench Estate Winery in Beamsville who spent time working with Pender at Tawse Winery. In 2023, the award went to alumna Brooke Husband (2018), Assistant Winemaker at Domaine Queylus in St. Ann’s.

Through the years, Pender kept close ties with his alma mater, returning to the College on several occasions to speak to students and share his expertise. He also participated in two advisory committees for the Winery and Viticulture Technician program and consulted with the College regarding its Artisan Distilling program.

“Paul was one of our brightest alumni who always had his door open for mentoring the next generation,” said Gord Arbeau, NC’s Vice President Advancement. “It’s fitting that a scholarship in his name will support future professionals in the wine industry.”

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

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Photos:

Top photo: Moray and Paul: Moray Tawse (left), founder of Tawse Winery in Vineland, with NC alumnus and winemaker Paul Pender. Tawse has donated to NC to create a memorial scholarship in Pender’s name that will support diverse students in the Winery and Viticulture Technician program.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Wales
Director, Communications
905-328-4101
[email protected]

 

Tawse Winery founder creates scholarship in memory of winemaker Paul Pender

Award-winning winemaker and Niagara College alumnus Paul Pender, who passed away suddenly in February 2022 at the age of 54, is being honoured through a scholarship that will help the next generation of diverse winemakers.

Moray Tawse, founder of Tawse Winery in Vineland where Pender was the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking at the time of his passing, has made an endowed gift of close to $200,000 to create “The Tawse Winery Paul Pender Memorial BIPOC Student Award.”

The donation will fund annual $10,000 scholarships for BIPOC students in NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program, which Pender graduated from in 2006.

“Paul’s passion for winemaking was unmatched and his talents directly contributed to our winery’s success early on,” said Tawse. “We will be forever indebted to Paul for his dedication and friendship, and we look forward to supporting Niagara College students in his honour.”

“Niagara College is grateful to Moray Tawse for his generous donation in memory of our inspirational alumnus Paul Pender,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “Paul was a role model for so many students and a shining example of the trailblazing professionals coming out of our wine programs.”

Pender was known for his easy going and positive nature. The respected organic winemaker gave generously of his time and expertise to mentor aspiring professionals in the industry and was welcoming to everyone.

Through The Tawse Winery Paul Pender Memorial BIPOC Student Award, Tawse hopes to help expand access into the Winery and Viticulture Technician program, especially for people who are underrepresented in the beverage alcohol industry, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, people with disabilities, first generation Canadians, LGBTQ2S+ and non-binary gender diverse people.

Inspirational NC alumnus Paul Pender

Pender was part of the second graduating class of the College’s trailblazing Winery and Viticulture Technician program. After completing his studies, his career quickly blossomed within the heart of Niagara’s booming wine industry, and he became one of the most celebrated winemakers in Canada.

He joined Tawse Winery in 2005 and became head winemaker in 2006. Under his leadership, Tawse achieved EcoCert Organic and Demeter Biodynamic certification and was named Canadian Winery of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016 – repeat wins that were unprecedented.

Pender was awarded the prestigious title of Winemaker of the Year at the Ontario Wine Awards in 2011 and 2022. Also in 2022, the Ontario Wine Awards introduced a special trophy in recognition of Pender’s legacy called the Paul Pender Memorial ‘Rising Star’ Award, given to recipients who demonstrate the qualities that made Pender a winemaker’s winemaker – talent, selfless generosity, mentorship, and innovation. NC alumni from the Winery and Viticulture Technician program received the award in 2022 and 2023. The inaugural recipient was alumnus Alex Baines (2015), head winemaker at Hidden Bench Estate Winery in Beamsville who spent time working with Pender at Tawse Winery. In 2023, the award went to alumna Brooke Husband (2018), Assistant Winemaker at Domaine Queylus in St. Ann’s.

Through the years, Pender kept close ties with his alma mater, returning to the College on several occasions to speak to students and share his expertise. He also participated in two advisory committees for the Winery and Viticulture Technician program and consulted with the College regarding its Artisan Distilling program.

“Paul was one of our brightest alumni who always had his door open for mentoring the next generation,” said Gord Arbeau, NC’s Vice President Advancement. “It’s fitting that a scholarship in his name will support future professionals in the wine industry.”

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

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Photos:

Top photo: Moray and Paul: Moray Tawse (left), founder of Tawse Winery in Vineland, with NC alumnus and winemaker Paul Pender. Tawse has donated to NC to create a memorial scholarship in Pender’s name that will support diverse students in the Winery and Viticulture Technician program.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Wales
Director, Communications
905-328-4101
[email protected]