Niagara College Teaching Brewery wins two medals at Ontario Brewing Awards

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Student-crafted beers from the Niagara College Teaching Brewery continue to prove their mettle.

The NC Teaching Brewery, home to the College’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program – won two medals at the 2019 Golden Tap and Ontario Brewing Awards (OBA). Its popular Beer 101 Bitter and Beer 101 Strong won silver medals in the British Bitter and Strong British ale categories, respectively.

Winners were announced on September 23 in Toronto at an event hosted by Taps Media, held to celebrate the best of Ontario beer.

“Niagara College continues to lead the way in Ontario’s growing craft beer industry,” said Steve Gill, general manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises. “These medals are a testament to the applied education we offer our Brewmaster students, who gain hands-on experience crafting quality products that are earning provincial, national and international recognition, year after year.”

“Since its inception as Canada’s first Teaching Brewery, the Niagara College Teaching Brewery has played an important role in Ontario’s craft beer industry, educating our future brewers and equipping them with the skills they will need to succeed in this industry,” said Rob Engman, president of TAPS Media, parent company of the OBAs.

Brewmaster professor Jon Downing, who led the opening of more than 100 breweries around the world before bringing his expertise to NC prior to the launch of its Brewmaster program in 2010, noted that it has been a remarkable year for both Beer 101 Bitter and Beer 101 Strong; both won bronze at the 2019 Canadian Brewing Awards.

“This really does showcase the consistency and quality of our Brewmaster students, as different classes brewed each of these batches,” said Downing.

Both of the winning brews from the Teaching Brewery’s Beer 101 series have won numerous awards provincially, nationally and internationally.

Beer 101 Bitter is the can rollout of the Teaching Brewery’s Butler’s Bitter (available in bottles), originally crafted to celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The traditional light bodied, smooth drinking English style Bitter with a 4.4% alcohol content, has won several medals, including:

  • United States Open Beer Championships – gold in 2018 a bronze in 2017, silver in 2015, bronze in 2013, and gold in 2012;
  • Canadian Brewing Awards – bronze in 2019, gold in 2013;
  • Ontario Brewing Awards – silver in 2017, and gold in 2013;
  • Dublin Beer Cup – silver in 2013; and
  • World Beer Cup – bronze in 2014.

Beer 101 Strong was first brewed as a version of the Teaching Brewery’s Christmas beer, Rudolph’s Red Nose Ale. In addition to its CBA medals, the 7.5% Scottish ale’s medals include:

  • Canadian Brewing Awards – bronze in 2019, silver in 2018;
  • Ontario Brewing Awards – gold in 2016, and gold in 2012; and
  • U.S. Open Beer Championships – bronze in 2019, gold in 2018, bronze in 2017, 2016 and 2011.

Golden Boot Award

Fourth semester Brewmaster student Aaron Duff was also in the limelight at the event, as the recipient of Taps Media’s Golden Boot Award. Duff won the Golden Boot for his German wheat beer, called ‘Roll the Weiss,’ that he crafted for his third term Canadian Brewing Association (CBA) Target Brew project. Third-term Brewmaster students were tasked with creating beers according to CBA standards, and submitting them for evaluation by CBA judges.

“It was the first recipe I have ever written up so it was very surprising that I won,” said Duff, who is from a small town near Creemore, Ontario and enrolled in the program with the hopes of working for an established brewery after graduation. “Winning this award was a good confidence boost.”

‘Roll of the Weiss’ was available for a limited time at the NC Teaching Brewery retail store in August, where a rotating selection of experimental brews created by students from their own recipes are featured alongside the Teaching Brewery’s popular labels.

Duff will also receive a $2,598 cash award as part of Taps Media’s Golden Boot Scholarship for NC students. This is the sixth annual award TAPS has presented to a NC Brewmaster student for a winning competition brew.

“We are delighted to continue our scholarship support for the students in the Brewing program,” said Engman.

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 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 Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, 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 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

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Communications Manager

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7773

Cell: 905 328 4101

[email protected]

Niagara author, filmmaker wins CIFF Best Screenplay award

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Niagara College prof, alum hailed ‘one of the finest biblical screenwriters of our time’ 

Christopher Bessette is on a winning streak.

The multi-award-winning filmmaker, author, and part-time faculty member at Niagara College – as well as an alumnus – reeled in an award for the second consecutive year at the star-studded Canadian International Faith & Family Film Festival (CIFF) in Toronto on September 15.

Bessette won Best Screenplay for his epic television series pilot Prophets & Kings, which is being developed with Lana King, former executive of Fox Broadcasting and the Hallmark Channel. His screenplay was selected over eight other nominations in that category.

Christopher Bessette holds his Best Screenplay award at CIFF 2019. Pictured from left: Jason Barbeck, festival director; Christopher Bessette, series creator, executive producer, Prophets & Kings; Lana King, executive producer, Prophets & Kings; and Rafael Kalamat, festival director. (CIFF PHOTO)

While he has earned many accolades over the course of his career, the latest CIFF award marks his first for screenwriting. Bessette noted that the award is very significant not only to him but to the Prophets & Kings project.

“When you stop to think they gave this to us at the beginning of the project, I believe the recognition illustrates this powerful story’s incredible potential,” said Bessette. “I think this is just the start of a massive wave that continues to build.”

CIFF festival directors Jason Barbeck and Rafael Kalamat applauded Bessette’s talent and achievement.

“A scholar, a gentleman and a fantastic writer. Christopher Bessette and Lana King will make a huge splash in the film market when this project surfaces,” said Barbeck. “I am so excited to see this true to life historical story take shape.”

“It goes without saying that Christopher Bessette is one of the finest biblical screenplay writers of our time,” said Kalamat. “Prophets & Kings will be known as a classic masterpiece both in faith and secular media.”

Prophets & Kings is based on the story of King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, the prophet Elijah and historical characters found in the biblical text of Kings I and II. Its setting: 877 BC, where kingdoms rise and fall by epic battles with horses, chariots, swordsmen and archers, Corrupt leaders rule the divided nation of Samaria having forgotten their roots and the path that led them out of slavery to the promised land.

While he began penning the series last year, the inspiration behind it was more than 40 years in the making for Bessette, who has been reading a portion of the bible every day since he was 11 years old. He began writing the script, motivated to share the story in a way that it has never been told. Knowing that it could not fit into a two-hour movie time slot, Bessette wrote it as a dramatic television series with 30 one-hour episodes and plans are currently underway to shoot the series overseas.

“I knew it had to be seen as one long story,” he said. “That’s how the digital age of streaming and binge watching television shows has come of age, and made this story right for me.”

After submitting scripts for the first two episodes to CIFF, it was announced as a nominee for Best Screenplay in August. Bessette and King also took part in a movie industry panel at the film festival along with Sam Sorbo (Let There Be Light, Miracle In East Texas), Paul Lalonde (Cloud Ten Creative Services), and other special guests. International star Graham Greene (Dances with Wolves) was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement award at the event.

It was a welcome return to CIFF for Bessette, who won Best Director at CIFF last year for his 2012 movie Trade of Innocents, which raises awareness about human trafficking, while cast member Mira Sorvino won Best Lead Actress for her starring role in the film.

Since Bessette graduated from Niagara College in 1984, the long-time Thorold resident has built a career as a multiple-award-winning filmmaker, motion picture writer/director/producer. His international career in the television and film industry has led him across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, as well as to Central America, Russia and Southeast Asia. In addition to Trade of Innocents (2012), Bessette directed The Enemy God (2008), which spans 50 years of an Amazonian tribe. He wrote, directed and produced the documentary Niagara: Thunder of the Waters (2016). His novel, The Mythamohre, was published in 2013.

Bessette has won three Best Director awards and 10 Best Picture Awards. His work has been viewed on screens around the world. In 2012, he was nominated by Niagara College for a Premier’s Award in Creative Arts and Design.

Since 2013, he been passing on his valuable skills and experience to the next generation of film and television industry professionals at Niagara College as a part-time faculty member. He currently teaches Directing for the Screen and Dramatic Scriptwriting.

For more info about Bessette, visit christopherbessette.com.

This year marked the third annual CIFF which drew a record number of over 570 attendees, and concluded with an award ceremony to announce winners from 178 submissions, 50 official selections, 30 screenings and 14 categories. For information visit www.cifflix.com.

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, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368

Cell: 905 328-2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Communications Manager

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7773

Cell: 905 328-4101

[email protected]

Ancient beverage gets a modern twist: Niagara College helps Royal Canadian Mead develop Ontario’s first pure session meads

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Is mead ready for an urban revival? Hamilton-based Royal Canadian Mead thinks so, and with help from Niagara College, the company has introduced its contemporary twist on the fermented honey drink – known as the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage – ready to create a buzz with modern consumers.

In collaboration with NC’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre team, Royal Canadian Mead has produced a line of Canadian craft meads, the first pure session meads in Ontario.  Carbonated, refreshing and naturally gluten-free, the craft meads have a 5.6 percent alcohol content – half the alcohol content found in traditional meads.

The first release,  a hopped buckwheat called ‘Feels Like Friday’ hit shelves at the LCBO in June and is currently selling in 86  locations; while its second release, a Niagara peach named ‘ All Day Croquet’ was packaged in early August and released in bars and restaurants, with LCBO listings expected next spring.

While mead is one of the fastest-growing alcoholic beverages in the United States, Royal Canadian Mead set its sights on growing the industry and becoming a leader in the session mead category in Canada, where there are only a handful of meaderies across the country.

“We wanted to introduce people to the category of mead, but we wanted to meet them halfway,” said Royal Canadian Mead president Matt Gibson. “People are already enjoying session beers and dry ciders, so we wanted to put mead in that same frame of reference. It’s light, crisp and very crushable.”

The crisp, Canadian meads are brewed in Hamilton using modern techniques and were developed after more than a year of prototyping and innovation.

Royal Canadian Mead turned to the College’s CFWI Innovation Centre for help in recipe development. NC is not only home to an award-winning Research & Innovation Division, but the College’s trailblazing Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus is home to  Canada’s first commercial  Teaching Winery, Teaching Brewery, and  Teaching Distillery, as well as  Eastern Canada’s first Commercial Beekeeping program with actively managed hives on campus.

“We knew from Niagara College’s reputation that they had the experience and tools to help turn what was in our heads into a reality,” said Gibson. “We thought the College’s unique breadth of knowledge of honey, bee-keeping, brewing, and winemaking would all be useful tools to create our final product.”

“We were proud to work alongside Royal Canadian Mead on this project, which not only supported innovation in the beverage industry, but offered valuable hands-on learning opportunities to our students,” said  Marc Nantel, PhD, NC’s vice president of Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives.

The College’s CFWI Innovation Centre first conducted exploratory research and competitive market analysis. They discovered a main demographic of urban professionals ages 25 to 40, who enjoy food, fine dining, exploring new things, and are seeking the new and unique. They also found a sub-set of target consumers: gluten-free shoppers and low-sugar/healthier alcohol drinkers.

The research team then brought in faculty and staff from the College’s wine and Commercial Beekeeping programs to assist with recipe development. They collaborated with Royal Canadian Mead to establish parameters for a first exploratory phase recipe development, which involved nearly 30 different products, then through two more development phases before honing in on four recipes. In addition to a series of batch trials, and product testing with chemical and sensory analysis, the research team conducted parallel business development work provided by the NC beekeeping/honey experts. All recipes used 100 percent Ontario-produced honey and adjuncts, such as fruit and hops.

The research project concluded with four session meads, all with distinct flavours, produced: Hopped Buckwheat (Feels Like Friday), Niagara Peach (All Day Croquet), Ontario Cherry (Quarter Life Crisis), Ontario Wildflower (Awkward Dinner).

For College winemaker and instructor Gavin Robertson, who led the research team, this was a chance to explore a new fermented beverage category. “While I had experimented with honey ferments on a small scale in the past for fun, this was an opportunity to approach mead production in a really systematic way, from the hive up,” said Robertson.

“Royal Canadian Mead was an amazing company to work with in that they understood the unique dynamics involved with working with student researchers and they really encouraged them to think broadly and creatively about the possible formulations, and used the project as a two-way educational opportunity that was effective in achieving our goals in the end,” added Robertson. “It’s so great to see all of the work by so many people result in well-received, commercial products.”

As a student in the Winery and Viticulture Technician program, Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Emily Royal was a research assistant who worked on the project during a five-month period in 2018. She helped to create the recipe for mead fermentations while conducting trials of different locally-sourced honey, and researched Niagara College-grown hop varieties and stone fruit infusions to add to the mead ferment for complexity and balance. Now that she has graduated and works at a Niagara winery, Royal continues to value the experience she gained.

“I feel that my contribution to this research project provided an incredible opportunity to experience and experiment with different types of mead, honeys, yeast and fermentation variables while creating a recipe for desired marketable beverages,” said Royal. “There is such a feeling of pride when you see something you worked on in a team, where all the work and effort you put into it is now a finished product with a label and a story.”

The research project was made possible with funding by the Ontario Centres of Excellence’s College Voucher for Technology Adoption (CVTA) program.

This project is just one example of innovation from Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre which has a new home within the Marotta Family Innovation Complex at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. The new Complex, which opened in early September 2019, is poised to make great strides in the agri-food industry. View Sept. 3 news release here.

Royal Canadian Mead is a new venture from food and beverage enterprise New Skew. The Toronto-based food innovation company owns and operates a portfolio of craft food brands.

New Skew is a Toronto-based food innovation company, which owns and operates a portfolio of craft food brands. Founded in 2017 by Alex Yurek, New Skew comprises a team of former advisors to consumer food brands who recognize the dearth of innovation in the food and beverage category.

Celebrating 20 years of research excellence, Niagara College’s Research & Innovation Division provides real-world solutions for business, key industry sectors and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. They 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. With funding support from various regional, provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners leap forward in the marketplace. For more information, visit ncinnovation.ca

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Niagara College

Communications Consultant

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Matthew Gibson

President – Royal Canadian Mead

(647) 965-7289

[email protected]

ReuKnighted: Calling all past Niagara College Knights for alumni tailgate on November 1

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On Friday, November 1, former Knights will reign on Niagara College’s Welland Campus for ReuKnighted, the first alumni reunion of its kind.

Former Knights athletes, and alumni from NC’s Broadcasting – Radio Television and Film, and Sport Management programs, will come together for an exclusive tailgate party beginning at 4:30 p.m. in The Core, hosted by the Alumni Relations team. The indoor tailgate will be followed by the men’s and women’s basketball home-opener games in NC’s Athletic Centre. An after-party featuring entertainment will follow.

“We’re excited to welcome alumni back to Niagara College,” said Michele O’Keefe, associate director, Athletics and Recreation. “Alumni are integral to NC Knights tradition and ReuKnighted is our way to celebrate and engage them.”

“ReuKnighted is a great opportunity for alumni to come back to campus and reconnect with former classmates, teammates, faculty, and friends of Niagara College,” said Jana Boniferro, NC alumni engagement officer. “We’re very excited to host members of our alumni community and look forward to getting ‘reuKnighted’ as we help cheer on our NC Knights.”

ReuKnighted is a family-friendly, ticketed event, and a chance to reconnect with former classmates and teammates. Registration is now open at niagaracollege.ca/alumnirelations/reuknighted.

The first 100 alumni to register will receive a special gift, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Being the first alumni reunion of its kind, NC is considering future events to engage the wider alumni community, numbering over 90,000 worldwide.

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, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368
Cell: 905 328-2532
[email protected]

Michael Wales
Communications Manager
Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7773
Cell: 905 328-4101
[email protected]

 

Edible Toronto features NC as ‘A college of thirsts and firsts’

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Prepare to feast your eyes on Edible Toronto’s September / October 2019 issue.

Hot off the press, the education-themed issue shines the spotlight on Niagara College, featuring an article entitled,  ‘A College of Thirsts and Firsts: The Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College is leading the pack in education-to-industry programs’ (pages 36-40),

Written by Niagara-based writer Tiffany Mayer, the article showcases the trailblazing food and beverage education at NC’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute as well as research from the CFWI Innovation Centre. It includes statements from CFWI dean Craig Youdale, general manager of the Learning Enterprises Steve Gill, CFWI Innovation Centre manager Lyndon Ashton,  Brewmaster professor Jon Downing, and recent Artisan Distilling graduate Michael Bright. The article also offers stunning visuals from the College’s Teaching Winery and vineyards,  Teaching Brewery and Teaching Distilley, taken by local photographer Aaron Lynett.

In addition to the article itself, the Table of Contents feature a  full-page photo of rum dripping from a still at the Teaching Distillery and is mentioned prominently in the Letter from the Editor (page 4).

“For those seeking a more advanced culinary education, you don’t have to look further than Niagara-on-the-Lake, where Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute is leading the charge in viticulture, brewing and distilling – food and drink industries that are booming in Ontario,” said managing editor Alexandra Sienkiewicz, in her Letter from the Editor.

Print copies of the magazine are available in Niagara (while supplies last) at the following locations:

  • Balzac’s Coffee Roasters (223 King St., NOTL);
  • Craft Arts Market (160 St. Paul St., St. Catharines);
  • de la terre Bakery (3839 Main St., Jordan Station,);
  • Della Terra (221 Martindale Rd, St. Catharines, and 4725 Dorchester Rd., Niagara Falls);
  • Grand Oak Culinary Market (4600 Victoria Ave., Vineland Station);
  • Flat Rock Cellars (2727 Seventh Ave., Jordan Station);
  • Henry of Pelham (1469 Pelham Rd., St Catharines);
  • Oast House Brewers (2017 Niagara Stone Road, NOTL);
  • Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (1366 York Rd., St. Davids);
  • Rosewood Estates Winery (4352 Mountainview Rd., Beamsville);
  • Silversmith Brewing (1523 Niagara Stone Rd., Virgil);
  • Stratus Vineyards (2059 Niagara Stone Rd., NOTL);
  • The Good Earth Food and Wine (4556 Lincoln Ave., Beamsville);
  • The Peanut Mill (191 Welland Ave. St. Catharines);
  • The Yellow Pear (526 Lake St., St. Catharines); and
  • Upper Canada Cheese Company (4159 Jordan Rd, Jordan Station).

The digital edition of the magazine is not yet available but will be posted to the  Edible Toronto website at https://edibletoronto.ediblecommunities.com/.

 

 

Niagara College recognized as a top performer for sustainability

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Students collect benthos samples from the weltand system at Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus.

Niagara College continues to shine among the STARS when it comes to sustainability.

The College has been recognized as a top performer in the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index. A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall, and in 17 impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). With more than 900 participating institutions, STARS is the leading tool for measuring higher education sustainability performance.

Listed among AAESHE’s top 10 performers from associate colleges, NC ranked ninth overall and earned a STARS silver rating. NC achieved a third place ranking in the area of Wellbeing and Work, with a score of 86.6%. Wellbeing and Work highlights how colleges and universities can bolster the strength of their communities through student and employee wellness, health and safety programs, and other benefits.

“We are happy to recognize Niagara College for its leadership in advancing sustainability,” said AASHE’s executive director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “I’m grateful for the work being done by this institution to help move society toward a more equitable and sustainable future.”

NC last submitted to STARS in 2016 and achievements noted in its submission letter included:

  • A reduction in overall absolute electricity consumption by almost two million kilowatt hours since 2013, and over four million kilowatt hours saved per year since 2013 as a result of energy conservation projects;
  • An increase in waste diversion rate of over 32% since 2009;
  • The  Greatest Greenhouse Gas Reduction award from Niagara Sustainability initiative in 2015;
  • The establishment of a formal partnership with General Motors St. Catharines facility, Earth Force, the District School Board of Niagara to facilitate the GM Global Rivers Environmental Education Network; and
  • The installation of two aquaponics systems, as a result of funding awarded from the Natural science and Engineering Research council of Canada.

NC sustainability advisor Taryn Wilkinson noted that the College has been working to develop a multi-campus sustainability program since 2009. Its numerous sustainability milestones include the installation of a solar array and geothermal heat pump in 2011; the implementation of a College-wide water bottle ban in 2012; its inaugural BioBlitz in 2015 (which continues annually), the opening of its Green Automotive Lab in 2016 and more. NC’s sustainability achievements include prestigious Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary certification at the NOTL Campus in 2017, and a STARS silver ratings in 2017 and 2018, and a STARS bronze rating in 2013

Building on its strong history of sustainability practices and achievements, NC is charting a course for an even greener future with the launch of its first official sustainability plan for 2019-2021. The plan sets out to engage the College community in sustainability on campus and to determine key priority areas, measurable targets and associated action items to meet those targets.  View NC’s 2019-2021 Sustainability Plan here.

“Niagara College will maintain its commitment to driving a horizontally and vertically-integrated culture of sustainability that goes beyond operations, to create living laboratories that facilitate experiential learning for students, employees and community members,” said Wilkinson, who is currently working on NC’s latest STARS submission. “Recognition from AASHE as a top performer, combined with our newly launched Sustainability Plan, helps demonstrate that.”

Niagara College’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website here.

 View the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index here.

About STARS

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community. The credits included in STARS span the breadth of higher education sustainability and are organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. All reports are publicly accessible on the STARS website. For more information, visit stars.aashe.org.

About AASHE

AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. AASHE works with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. Visit www.aashe.org.

 

Media inquiries please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Niagara College

Communications Consultant

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Andrea Huggins

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)

Programs Marketing Manager

(888) 347-9997 x.123

[email protected]

Niagara College’s federally funding Greenhouse Technology Network to make waves in Ontario’s greenhouse sector

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A new network for research and technology in Southern Ontario’s greenhouse sector is about to blossom, thanks to $5 million in new FedDev Ontario funding that will allow Niagara College to create an innovative Greenhouse Technology Network.

On September 3, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle and Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey announced the project at Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, where the network will be anchored. The ground-breaking new initiative will bring together research institutions, greenhouse growers and technology providers to accelerate the development, commercialization and adoption of new technologies that will ultimately increase the competitiveness of the greenhouse industry.

The network will accomplish this by conducting collaborative projects, where industry partners will work side-by-side with faculty, scientists, graduates and students from the University of Guelph, Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, and Niagara College, to develop technology solutions to address industry challenges, and to share those findings.

A new, modern greenhouse will also be raised at Niagara College, equipped with sustainable technologies that will serve as pilot projects for greenhouse industry partners. Technology industry partners will also make use of the greenhouse to develop new products, processes and services for the greenhouse industry. These new products from Ontario companies will enable better use of energy and water in greenhouses, and establish the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 principles that will be crucial for industry in Ontario and beyond.

“Niagara College is thankful that the government has so enthusiastically supported our project to create a new Greenhouse Technology Network in Southern Ontario,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson, PhD. “This ground-breaking new initiative will combine our longstanding tradition of excellence and leadership in the horticultural and agri-business sectors with our experience in conducting world-class applied research to further encourage innovation and develop new technologies in this rapidly evolving field.”

Niagara College has a long history and deep experience in engaging academic, research and industry partners in various proven models, including the highly successful Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), which serves as the model for the Greenhouse Technologies Network. The Network will help stimulate the economy in Niagara, and across Southern Ontario, and is forecast to support over 130 businesses and organizations in projects that could create over 200 new jobs.

“This investment by FedDev will mean a lot to our greenhouse and technology industries in Southern Ontario, but also to students who will be able to participate in applied research projects, putting into practice what they have learnt in the classroom, in collaboration with industry partners” said Marc Nantel, NC’s vice-president, Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives. “The Greenhouse Technology Network will transform these students into industry leaders, and unlock new job opportunities, as well as a greener future.”

“This project will create a more diverse economy for Niagara, boosting our strong agri-business and digital media sectors, while adding good jobs for the region we call home,” said MP Badawey. “Our region continues to join forces and collaborate with our post-secondary institutions to keep jobs and opportunities local,” added MP Bittle.

on Sept. 3, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre Vance Badawey, joined MP for St. Catharines Chris Bittle and other politicians and dignitaries to announce $5 million in FedDev Ontario funding for Niagara College to create a new Greenhouse Technology, anchored at the trailblazing NOTL campus.

ABOUT RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Celebrating 20 years of research excellence, Niagara College’s Research & Innovation Division provides real-world solutions for business, key industry sectors and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. They 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. With funding support from various regional, provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners leap forward in the marketplace. For more information, visit ncinnovation.ca

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries please contact:

 

Andrew Korchok

Communications Consultant

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7430

Cell: 905 329-1642

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Communications Manager

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7773

Cell: 905 328 4101

[email protected]

Marotta Family Innovation Complex at Niagara College poised to make strides in agri-food industry

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College president Dan Patterson joins college staff, the Marotta family, politicians and guests in cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of the new Marotta Family Innovation Centre on September 3, 2019.

It’s the beginning of a new era for research and innovation in Niagara’s agri-food industry, with the opening of Niagara College’s latest addition to its trailblazing Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus.

On Tuesday, September 3, federal, provincial and regional representatives, community donors and industry partners joined staff and students at Niagara College to mark the official grand opening of the new Marotta Family Innovation Complex, which will not only enhance student learning opportunities, but will support the region’s agri-food and agri-business sector.

The four-story complex is the centrepiece of a $34-million investment in the agri-food sector, and includes more than 50,000 square feet of newly constructed space – including three research areas that expand the College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute Innovation Centre (CFWI IC). New beverages will be prototyped and processed for shelf life and microbial safety in a new processing lab, and analyzed in its new beverage analysis cluster lab; while food and beverage companies can further their product development in a new agri-business commercialization space.

“Thanks to a generous donation from community donors Benny and Louise Marotta, and family; support from our Student Administrative Council; and vital funding from our federal, provincial and regional governments; our Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus is set to become a hub for research and innovation in Canada’s agri-food industry,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson, PhD.  “The strong support for this new complex is a testament to the power of a Niagara College education, not only in the high-quality experiential learning we offer to our students, but in the strong role we play in our communities, helping small- and medium-sized enterprises innovate, which, in turn, generates jobs and stimulates the economy.”

“This is an exciting day for Niagara College’s Research & Innovation Division. The expansion of our Canadian Food & Wine Institute Innovation Centre within the new Marotta Family Innovation Complex supports the agri-food and agri-business sectors in Niagara,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, NC’s vice-president of Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives. “It also enhances experiential learning opportunities for our students, which will, in turn, expand the pool of highly qualified personnel in the food and beverage labour market to meet industry needs.

“We thank the generosity of the Marotta family, our Niagara College Student Administrative Council, and funding from our federal, provincial and regional governments for this vital investment.”

The new complex is named after the family of Benny and Louise Marotta, residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, whose generous $1-million donation to the College’s Achieving Dreams campaign – which supported the development of the complex – was announced in April 2018. The family owns Solmar Development Corp, and Benny and Louise’s daughters Angela and Melissa are proprietors of the award-winning Two Sisters Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“As a family we have always looked ahead towards progress, keeping traditions alive and making communities stronger. We are proud to be supporting Niagara College,” said Angela Marotta. “Our goal is to help ensure this vibrant student community is always looking forward and that they will achieve success in all aspects of their life. By doing this today, we ensure the future of our industry is in good hands for the next generation of students and industry in Niagara.”

The new complex also enhances student life. The lower floor includes a new 6,000-square-foot fitness centre/ studio and 5,870-square foot gymnasium (which opened in September 2018), as well as new classrooms, and student space for study and entrepreneurship (which opened in January 2019).

The Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) coordinated student contributions of $10.5 million, which supported the fitness centre and gymnasium inside the complex.

“The Marotta Family Innovation Complex is a statement piece that Niagara College is dedicated to the constant evolution of learning. This building will focus on creating innovative learning spaces, advanced modern classrooms, as well as focusing on experiential learning opportunities,” said NCSAC president Tom Price. “Furthermore, the Complex focuses not only on the educational development of our students, but their physical and mental health as well.

“Featuring a state-of-the-art fitness facility, students can unwind and take a break from studying while getting a rejuvenating workout in between classes,” said Price. “This was truly important to NCSAC, as we want to make sure our students have the best student life experience possible, each and every day.”

The Complex incorporates sustainable technologies including electric vehicle charging stations, a green roof water retention system, a high efficiency cooling system, and a rainwater collection and irrigation system.

The project received strong government support including $8.7 million from the federal government’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (announced November 2016); $1.55 million from the provincial government (announced November 2016); $816,000 from the Ontario Research Fund (announced July 2018); $816,000 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s College-Industry fund (announced July 2018). Niagara Region also contributed $1.4 million toward the development of the complex, as well as to the newly announced Niagara College-led Greenhouse Technology Network.

 “As the Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, it brings me great pleasure to be present for the opening of the Marotta Family Innovation Complex at Niagara College. This new complex will strengthen the Niagara region’s agri-food industry, enhance student learning, use sustainable technologies and grow Niagara’s economy. The Government of Canada will always support innovative ways to promote education, grow the economy and work towards a cleaner environment.”

Niagara Centre MP, Vance Badawey

“I want to thank Benny and Louise Marotta for their generous contribution to this innovation complex. It’s symbolic of the relationship between industry and higher learning that we have here in Niagara. The Marotta family’s contribution to this complex improves the lives of students, improves the potential of the local economy, and provides opportunities to students they might not have otherwise had. It’s fitting that this building will bear their name.”

St. Catharines MP, Chris Bittle

“On behalf of Niagara Region, I am pleased to see our investment of $1.4 million being put to good use supporting research and innovation in the agri-food sector. I am proud of the Region’s strong partnership with the College and I look forward to seeing the many benefits that this new facility will produce for such an important part of our economy.”

Regional Chair, Jim Bradley

“We know that in order for people to achieve their highest potential, they need access to modern tools and high-tech facilities that will help them develop the skills needed for the job markets of the future. And the first-class education students are receiving here at Niagara is critical to the future of Ontario, our economy, and the prosperity of our people. This is a place where students can prepare for their careers and the jobs of the future as technology advances and our economy continues to change.”

MPP Niagara West, Sam Oosterhoff

“Our family businesses have been working with Niagara College for almost 40 years, starting in the eighties, Harber Mfg. was involved with the robotics department and all the way up to as recent as last month with the Research & Innovation team. With their knowledge and hard work, we were able to develop the food product line to relaunch our family’s 122-year-old canning business Lowrey Bros. For all whom have been involved with this facility becoming a reality, thank you. It will be a tremendous asset to our industry. Through research and innovation, success and a better future will be sure to follow. Thank you to the Marotta family for your extreme generosity and to the visionaries of Niagara College.”

Proprietor, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Paul Harber

 

ABOUT RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Celebrating 20 years of research excellence, Niagara College’s Research & Innovation Division provides real-world solutions for business, key industry sectors and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. They 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. With funding support from various regional, provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners leap forward in the marketplace. For more information, visit ncinnovation.ca

 

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368

Cell: 905 328 2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Communications Manager

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7773

Cell: 905 328 4101

[email protected]

 

Niagara College kicks off new academic year with more than 10,000 students, new facilities

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Niagara College is ready to usher in a new academic year with more than 10,000 students projected to begin their studies after Labour Day – including close to 5,000 new students – along with a full slate of activities and new facilities to welcome them.

“We look forward to welcoming our new and returning students and providing them with an outstanding start to the new academic year,” said College president Dan Patterson, PhD. “We are also excited to unveil several new facilities that will enrich learning environments on our campuses and enhance student life for many years to come.”

New facilities

Students will kick off the fall term with newly renovated study spaces at both campuses. The Glynn Family Library and Learning Commons at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, as well as the Eva M. Lewis Library and Learning Commons at the Welland Campus have been renovated, featuring new and additional seating, as well as flexible space to accommodate individual and collaborative work.

September will mark the grand opening of the Marotta Family Innovation Complex at the Niagara-on-the Lake Campus. The new four-storey $18.25-million complex includes new research areas that expand the College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute Innovation Centre (CFWI IC) and classrooms, in addition to a fitness centre and gymnasium which opened in September 2018.

Renovations are also underway at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus that will provide new and updated spaces for NC’s Student Administrative Council, International offices, and Indigenous Education. The new NCSAC offices and International offices are expected to open the week of September 23, while new facilities for Indigenous Education will open in November.

Construction crews have been busy over the summer months to complete extensive road realignment and repave parking lots at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, to create additional parking spaces, make better use of available land, and aid in navigation.

Fall Orientation

The Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), and Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership (CSEL) are gearing up to host Fall Orientation at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses from September 3-6 with a new theme for 2019: ‘Orientation Week for All.’

NCSAC president Tom Price noted that by delivering opportunities for social engagement, Orientation plays a key role in stimulating positive well-being for students – particularly for new students who may experience a sense of loneliness during the transition.

“I believe #OWEEKFORALL is essential to the success of all Niagara College students. It provides the opportunity for students to connect with fellow classmates, make friends, and build lasting relationships, all while having fun,” said Price. “I hope that students will make a lifetime of memories and lifelong friends participating in NCSAC events.”

Orientation kicks off on Tuesday, September 3 with a day of activities for new students. For the first time, the College will host a Checklist Fair to help new students manage necessary tasks on their ‘to-do lists’ – from picking up student ID cards, to locker rentals, and ITS help. The day will also include help sessions, program and co-op information sessions, and social initiatives like a free lunch and a pub night at The Core (Welland).

The first day of class (for most full-time programs) on Wednesday, September 4 begins with a welcome back initiative for all students – free coffee, tea and baked goods from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at both campuses.

One of the highlights of the week will include a lawn party on Friday, September 6 at the Welland Campus (3-7 p.m.). Students can enjoy the Ferris wheel, carnival rides, browse vendor displays, mark the occasion with a henna tattoo, and pose for a photo near the green wall and more ‘Instagram-worthy’ moments.  A shuttle will be available to transport students from the NOTL Campus for this event.

The lawn party will also shine the spotlight on safety, with a live dorm room burn demonstration from the Welland Fire Department scheduled to take place that evening (weather permitting).

Orientation week will also include a courtyard cookout on Wednesday, September 4 at the NOTL Campus (3-7 p.m.), a BBQ lunch on Thursday, September 5 at the Welland Campus (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) and more. All Orientation week activities are free for NC students to attend. College staff and volunteers will be ready to assist students at ‘Ask Me’ stations, which will be set up at both campuses throughout the first week of classes.

Be NC Ready

The College’s International Division has had a head start in preparing students who are new to Canada for college and life in a new country – from pre-departure to after arrival. The division is offering a full suite of ‘Be NC Ready’ initiatives with a Be NC Ready website, online modules and a new student life app. From August 27-29, ‘Be NC Ready’ orientation sessions were held at the Welland and NOTL campuses addressing topics including housing and lifestyle, education and immigration, and health care and services.

In addition to college-wide Orientation activities, international orientation will be held for English for Academic Preparation students (August 29, 30 and September 3), and postsecondary and graduate students (August 30-31), including a welcome breakfast, an information fair to highlight on-campus international services, games, and an outing to Niagara Falls for a Hornblower Cruise and a shopping trip.

NC is also one of 19 postsecondary institutions in the province to partner with Destination Ontario for a welcome kiosk at Toronto Pearson International Airport running until September 8. The kiosks are set up at terminals one and three to greet international students and provide a variety of services including shuttle and transit info, accommodation and hotels, banking services and currency exchange, special assistance baggage claim, orientation and campus info and more.

Move-in Day

For hundreds of students planning to call campus ‘home’ for the next academic year, the excitement will begin on Labour Day weekend when they move into campus residences. On August 31, 250 students will move into residence at the Welland Campus, and 230 students will move into residence at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. A team of NC volunteers will assist with the move, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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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* While we strive for accuracy, please note that the Orientation schedule is subject to change.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368
Cell: 905 328-2532
[email protected]

Michael Wales
Communications Manager
Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7773
Cell: 905 328-4101
[email protected]

Niagara College partners with Society for Ecological Restoration to certify Ecosystem Restoration graduates

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A batch of 27 recent graduates of Niagara College’s Ecosystem Restoration (Graduate Certificate) program are getting a jumpstart on their career, becoming Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioners-in-Training (CERPITs), thanks to a new partnership between the college and the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).

The SER is an international organization dedicated to advancing the science, practice and policy of ecological restoration to sustain biodiversity, improve resilience in a changing climate, and re-establish an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture. This summer, Niagara College became Canada’s first post-secondary institution to become a partner with the SER’s Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner program.

The initiative supports graduates as they pursue their CERPIT designation and provides a clear pathway for them to advance to  full Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioners (CERPs).

SER’s CERP Program Coordinator Jen Lyndall said, “Certification recognizes practitioners who have met a high standard of knowledge and experience.  Early career CERPITs, like those from Niagara College, can really differentiate themselves from other candidates during job searches, but more importantly they gain access to technical information and a network of hundreds of other CERPs and CERPITs from all over the world.”

The partnership also provides the program graduates with an Emerging Professional membership to SER, which connects them with a vast network of restorationists and provides access to technical resources through SER newsletters and publications, a complimentary subscription to the Restoration Ecology journal, expert webinars, and the Restoration Resource Center.

Megan Lalli, landowner stewardship coordinator with Trout Unlimited Canada and a graduate of Niagara College’s Ecosystem Restoration program, is one of 27 recent graduates to receive her Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner-in-Training designation, thanks to a new partnership between the college and the Society for Ecological Restoration

Graduates in the first newly minted group of CERPITs are already seeing the value the designation has added to their Niagara College education. “Ecosystem restoration felt like a path that provided actual solutions to a lot of the issues our environment faces. While I enjoyed working in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education, I wanted to go one step further,” said Ecosystem Restoration graduate Megan Lalli.

Lalli, 25, is now working as a landowner stewardship coordinator with the Niagara chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada, and manages a project working with landowners to restore portions of Twelve Mile Creek running through their properties in Niagara.

“As development and climate change continue to have an impact on our lives and the environment as a whole, we need to find ways to adapt, mitigate, and restore the areas that have been affected. The more people that become part of SER and get educated through institutions like Niagara College, the more push there will be to focus on not only protecting the environment but restoring the areas to productive and flourishing habitats for biodiversity,” said Lalli.

The certification is also a boost to the resumes of graduates looking to make an impact in their field. “My time at Niagara College provided me with field experience performing tasks that I could be performing later in my career,” says Kandyce Affleck, 24, another graduate currently working as land management assistant with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. “I feel that this certification will provide me with useful resources and connections in order to further my career and keep me up to date.”

Kandyce Affleck, 2019 graduate from Niagara College’s Ecosystem Restoration Graduate Certificate program, currently works as a land management assistant with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, and recently received her Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner-in-Training designation

In addition to certifying recent grads from the College’s program, the partnership has allowed Niagara College and the SER to work together to ensure the program’s curriculum gives students the knowledge and experience their need to attain their certification when they graduate.

“Niagara College’s Ecosystem Restoration program has been preparing students to make a meaningful difference in the preservation and restoration of natural habitats here at home in Niagara, and indeed around the world, for over 20 years” said Al Unwin, NC’s associate dean of Environment and Horticulture. “Partnering with the Society of Ecological Restoration not only improves the employability of our graduates, it also allows our two organizations to work together to ensure that future professionals in this field are well-equipped to tackle the ecological and environmental challenges that face our society, now and in the future.”

Niagara College’s Ecosystem Restoration program is preparing students to be leaders in the preservation and reconstruction of the planet’s diverse environments. Graduates go on to contribute to major restorative projects around the world, and will be crucial in the implementation of the United Nation’s recent declaration of 2021-2030 as a Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.

SER is an international non-profit organization with nearly 3,000 members in more than 70 countries. We actively promote participatory, knowledge-based approaches to restoration. Learn more about us at www.ser.org.

Niagara College’s School of Environment and Horticulture prepares students for success in a wide variety of fields, including Horticultural Technician, Environmental Technician and Greenhouse Technician. The school is also home to several unique and pioneering Graduate Certificate programs, including Commercial Cannabis Production and Commercial Beekeeping.

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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For media inquiries, including interviews with any of the individuals mentioned above, please contact:

 

Andrew Korchok

Communications Consultant

Niagara College

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7430

Cell: 905 329-1642

[email protected]

 

Jen Lyndall

Certification Program Coordinator

Society for Ecological Restoration

Phone: 440-666-5334

[email protected]