If you drive by the museum in Welland, you might find yourself doing a double take.

On May 12, a set of replica doors were unveiled on the front of the Carnegie building – home to the former library built in 1923 – in honour of its 100^th anniversary.

The doors were designed and crafted by faculty and students in Niagara College’s School of Trades, with custom work by carpentry and welding experts based on the original blueprints.

Jeff Burch, MPP of Niagara Centre, cuts the ribbon at the unveiling of the new, made-at-NC doors to the Welland Museum. Burch is pictured with Greg D’Amico, Chair of the museum.

Their work was celebrated at the unveiling event, attended by Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre, representatives from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Bonnie Fokkens, Councillor for the City of Welland, Julianne Brunet, CEO of the Welland Library, and Greg D’Amico, Chair of the Welland Museum. Members of the College’s Executive Team, faculty, and students also attended.

“The Museum is very impressed with the work done by Niagara College for the reconstructed doors. The building has now been restored to its original grand appeal,” said Chair D’Amico. “It has been such a bonus for us to work with Niagara College for this project and we look forward to a continued partnership with them.”

“Niagara College is passionate about and embedded in the communities we serve, and we are honoured to support the efforts of the Welland Museum to bring the history of our community to life,” said Jeff Murrell, Associate Dean of the School of Trades. “We are proud of the remarkable students and faculty in our School of Trades who lent their time and talents to this one-of-a-kind restoration project.”

Associate Dean of the School of Trades at NC, Jeff Murrell.

The collaborative project was led by Carpentry and Renovation professor Alexander Lukacs, lab technician Marco Giorgi, and a team of student volunteers – in partnership with Welding professors Brendan Ryan, Vic Barker and technologist Bob Lukacs – who devoted their time to this community project.

Lukacs – a professional carpenter-turned-educator with over 17 years’ experience – jumped at the chance to work on the doors which he described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” restoration project. He saw the potential for his students to have a unique learning opportunity to advance their skills, try out new techniques, and work with premium construction materials.

“It was an incredible experience to watch these students progress over two years and see them build their confidence on such a complex project,” said Lukacs. “Our students are the reason we are here; we cannot operate without them and so it is our duty to provide them the best education we can.”

 

Carpentry and Renovation Technician students Dongwoo Kang and Hyuk (Evan) Kim from South Korea, Patrick Silva from Hamilton, and Jose Antonio Sandoval Sanchez from Guatemala volunteered their time to work with Lukacs after class.

In addition to donating the material costs, the NC team devoted over 200 hours to the project. This included the artful construction of the frame from sapele wood, artisanal millwork to the trim, installation of shatterproof lexan glass, and custom welding work to create the mail slot, handles, and hinges.

Silva heard about the project from a friend in Lukacs’s class and was eager to get involved.

“This project reinvigorated my interest in historic restoration projects and more artistic work in fine carpentry,” Silva explained as he helped with laminating and milling the boards for the doors.

For Silva, the true value in the project was the one-on-one instruction and the chance to give back to a local organization.

“I’ve learned a lot from Alex in a short amount of time. It means a lot to us as students because we’ve had the chance to experience his expertise in a unique way,” said Silva. “Alex will sit down with you until you get it right, no matter how long it takes.”

In the welding lab, Ryan and the team took inspiration from old photos. They incorporated metal work and blacksmithing techniques to construct the mail slot, handles, and hinges from mild steel, aging the plates to create an antiqued, weathered look to fit the era of the building.

Ryan explained how the team used welding techniques to create the illusion that pieces were cast as they would have been at the time the doors were originally built. As a final step, the pieces were painted black.

While the mail slot and door are purely decorative, Ryan welcomed the chance to collaborate with colleagues, problem-solve, and apply skills – like scroll-making by hand – that he brings from industry.

“Every time we get together, we learn something from each other or from a different trade,” said Ryan. “We learn about ourselves through a challenge like this project, and those ‘aha’ moments when you make something work.”

Earlier in the Winter Term, the NC team designed and constructed three moveable display cabinets that are being used inside the Welland Museum. The cabinets were secured to a welded frame to ensure stability and have hidden wheels so the cabinets can function as movable walls. They were designed with a dark brown, American walnut frame to match the rustic building interior.

Kim and Kang applied skills from their second-year Architectural Millwork course to sand, glaze, spot-putty and spray paint the cabinets. Kim, who came to NC following time in the military back home, hopes to do renovation work. Kang has his sights on cabinet-making.

A truly made-at-NC project from design to construction to delivery, the doors have opened to a great community partnership and represent the impact that students have in our community.

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:

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

 

Brock University and the University of Windsor are the newest members of Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a Niagara College-led consortium of academic research institutions supporting the research needs of greenhouse and related technology businesses through applied projects.

In 2019, the new network for research and technology in southern Ontario’s greenhouse sector was established with support from a $5-million Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

GTN is a consortium of research-focused centres that increases innovation capacity to grow the Ontario greenhouse industry. Members collaborate with greenhouse and related technology businesses in southern Ontario and solve challenges through applied research projects. The addition of Brock University and the University of Windsor to GTN now brings the total number of members in the network to five, including: Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, the Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF) at the University of Guelph, and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

“Thanks to the investment by FedDev Ontario, we’ve been able to support greenhouse and technology industries in southern Ontario and allow students to gain experience in applied research projects,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Niagara College’s Vice-President, Research, Innovation, and Strategic Enterprises.

“As GTN grows, we’re thrilled to have Brock University and the University of Windsor join the network as members. With their unique capabilities, plus the offerings our other members have, we will be able to take on even more innovative projects to help move industry forward.”

Brock University

Brock University has existing relationships with greenhouse ecosystem stakeholders. Being a member of GTN will allow GTN to leverage the research capacity and assets of Brock University where more than 70 undergraduate programs, 50 graduate programs, and 600 faculty researchers in seven faculties offer breadth and depth of research opportunities and research facilities for industry partnerships, student training, and knowledge translation.

Brock’s Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute is a landmark facility aimed at making Niagara a research and innovation leader in bioagriculture, bioscience and chemical manufacturing sectors. Brock houses over 300 square-feet of sophisticated temperature and humidity-controlled research greenhouse and plant transformation facilities. Brock also has a national grapevine germplasm repository, a facility that maintains high-quality, virus-free plant materials and eliminates viruses and other pathogens of concern in grapevines. Finally, Brock includes strong expertise and research capacity in the areas of environmental sustainability, plant and fungi science, data science and analytics, the Internet of Things, environmental and biomechanical ergonomics, business, and operations management, and more.

“I am delighted that Brock University has joined the Greenhouse Technology Network. Brock’s expert researchers and state-of-the-art equipment, including phytotron and plant growth chambers, have enabled us to develop strong leadership in the agricultural sector, particularly through our research institutes,” said Tim Kenyon, Brock University, Vice-President, Research. “We look forward to contributing to, and learning from, our new partners. Our combined strengths will open new doors in the development, adoption, and implementation of technologies to support the greenhouse industry.”

The University of Windsor

Agriculture at the University of Windsor (AgUWin), enables collaborations between growers, retailers, and technology providers through access to unique research infrastructure, expertise, and resources. It supports the security of Canada’s food supply chain through the adoption of research and technology commercialization while growing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

In engineering, AgUWin supports development in energy systems, waste-water management, sustainable growing practices, sensors and electronics, robotics and automation, network and communications, supply chains and logistics, policy and governance, and sustainability and the circular economy.

Science focus areas include computer science (systems, AI, vision systems), water treatment and chemical analysis, analytical services and testing, integrated pest management (IPM) and integrative biology.

AgUWin will become a centre for commercialization of new technologies, knowledge mobilization, the development of strategic partnerships and innovative training opportunities that incorporates the entire agri/agri-tech ecosystem.

AgUWin has also partnered with Horteca, a joint venture between JEM Farms, a major greenhouse operator in Essex County, and Ecoation, a multi-national agriculture technology solutions provider headquartered in Essex County, to operationalize two acres of active research and development greenhouse space in Ruthven, Ontario into the AgUWin Innovation Greenhouse. This space will further support the research and development of commercially viable research and technology in a live environment and enable experiential learning opportunities for students.

“The University of Windsor is excited to join the Greenhouse Technology Network as we invest in new research, academic programs, and partnerships that will support the growing greenhouse industry in Windsor-Essex and across Canada,” said Chris Houser, PhD, Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor.

Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN)

GTN helps greenhouse and related technology businesses in southern Ontario solve innovation challenges by:

• Growing connections across the greenhouse ecosystem and facilitating research collaborations;
• Solving challenges by linking businesses with subject matter experts;
• Giving greenhouse and related technology businesses in southern Ontario access to the best research expertise, equipment, facilities, and agile research project managers; and
• Leveraging funding to help businesses lower the risk of innovation.

Members of GTN have a wide range of expertise and capabilities that include:

• Optimizing production with technology;
• Value-added sustainability through technology; and
• Growing businesses using technology.

GTN will leverage over $9 million in cash, which involves $11.5 million in total projects costs directed at research and development. GTN will direct $1.35 million toward productivity improvements. Projects with GTN members will commercialize 65 products, services, and processes. These projects will support $7.6 million in sales resulting from innovations commercialized and create or license over 77 intellectual properties.

Business that have an innovation challenge or a project idea can contact their local institution or the GTN Project Manager Rita Sterne at [email protected] or 905-984-0486. Visit the GTN website for more details.

For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring FedDev Ontario’s pivotal projects, Southern Ontario Spotlight, and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

NC’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.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 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.

 GTN quick facts

GTN was established in 2019, led by Niagara College in partnership with the University of Guelph, and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, with a $5-million contribution from FedDev Ontario. The network has now expanded its members to include Brock University and the University of Windsor.

• GTN is a network of research-focused centres that collaborate with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to advance the development, adoption, and implementation of technologies to support the greenhouse industry.
• This network leverages researchers, faculty, students, and state-of-the-market facilities and equipment, together with funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario, to support greenhouse and related technology businesses.
• 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 research and development by leveraging a 1:1 funding match on projects.

 

Media inquiries, contact:

 

Julie Greco

Niagara College, Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

Cathy Majtenyi

Brock University, Research Communications and Media Relations Specialist

Cell: 905-321-0566

[email protected]

 

Tom Schnekenburger

University of Windsor, Director, Research Partnerships

Cell: 519-984-1485

[email protected]

The Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), led by Niagara College, has been awarded $290,000 from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) to participate in the pilot program augmenting the capacity of Ontario postsecondary institutions’ innovation and commercialization efforts. This program is part of the Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework which was first introduced by the Government of Ontario in January 2022 to help colleges and universities advance the shared goal of ensuring that “made-in-Ontario” research and innovation benefit Ontarians.

The investment will allow Niagara College to hire a commercialization specialist to work alongside SONAMI staff to maximize engagement in commercialization among industry partners (small- and medium-sized businesses) in the manufacturing sector. The goal will be to educate and enhance Intellectual Property (IP) opportunities with SONAMI industry partners who have started or completed an applied research project with the network. The specialist will offer consultation to industry partners on options to protect IP developed in collaboration with an institutional partner.

“We are thrilled that Niagara College has the opportunity to take the lead in supporting manufacturing companies to successfully commercialize their research and associated IP,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Niagara College’s Vice-President, Research, Innovation & Strategic Enterprises. “As with the vast majority of our industry applied research projects, for SONAMI projects the IP developed belongs to the industry partner. For partners who aren’t ready or do not have the means to commercialize their IP at the end of a project, we now have this dedicated resource to support those companies in their commercialization journey.”

Within the province, colleges and universities are a large contributor of innovation outputs which are critical to productivity growth in today’s global knowledge-based economy. Through various consultations and engagements with Ontario’s postsecondary sector, IPON heard that more support and resources are needed to improve IP and commercialization efforts.

“IPON’s funding support is always coupled with our wider services such as access to dedicated IP talent, mentorship and education programs that can be implemented across campus. This is important because having these additional supports provides a better opportunity for long-term innovation and commercialization success which is what we want to see,” said Peter Cowan, CEO, IPON.

“This investment is just one example of how IPON is supporting our province’s postsecondary institutions and innovators, by providing them with the funding, tools, knowledge and connections they need to harness the value of their IP,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Initiatives like this are helping our province’s innovators benefit from IPON’s expertise and ensuring the economic and commercial benefits of home-grown innovation remain right here in Ontario.”

Of 23 applicants, seven were successful, receiving a total of $2 million. The investment for Niagara College is $290,000.

“Through IPON, our government continues to support Ontario’s innovators, businesses and researchers as they bring more of their made-in-Ontario research and innovation to market,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario is home to some of the brightest minds in the world, and this funding will help ensure that we remain a global leader in innovation. Together, we’re building a strong Ontario.”

SONAMI’s established collaborative network structure means commercialization support will be offered across southern Ontario, through the award-winning collaboration of nine post-secondary institutions (PSEs) supporting SMEs with their manufacturing-related challenges, through their research centres.

SONAMI leverages faculty, students, and state-of-the-market equipment, together with funding from the federal government, to conduct projects that provide innovative solutions. Network research centres partner with SMEs to design and test prototypes, evaluate new technologies, and develop and commercialize new or improved products, in many sectors, including transportation, medical devices, food processing, and energy systems.

Since the network’s creation in 2016, SONAMI partnerships have resulted in 318 completed projects (as of Dec. 31, 2022). For those who did not immediately commercialize their IP, the new commercialization specialist will be ready to offer IP strategy and protection planning education and services.

To maximize outreach efforts, SONAMI will hold five in-person outreach or education events throughout Southern Ontario as well as online training opportunities. The training will be offered in general recruitment events as well as in IPON’s priority sectors of medtech, artificial intelligence, and automotive as specified in their call for proposal.

 

Quick facts:

 

• In late February, IPON put out a call for proposals for up to $300,000 in funding. Submitted proposals included: a demonstrated need for additional resources; a proposed project or activity related to commercialization; how results will be achieved in eight months or less; and, how impact will be measured. IPON received 23 applications in total.
• The following institutions have been selected to receive between $215,000-$300,000 in funding totaling $2 million: Niagara College leading SONAMI, Conestoga College, Lambton College, Durham College, La Cite College, York University, and a joint proposal led by Laurentian University with Trent, Lakehead and Nipissing universities.
• 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 five additional academic institutions: Centennial, Conestoga, Fanshawe, Lambton, and George Brown colleges.
• SONAMI has completed 28 Automotive/Transportation, 57 MedTech and 15 Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning projects since its inception.
• 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 10 partners, enhancing its reach to help manufacturers innovate.
• 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% and help more manufacturers participate.

Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) is a provincial agency that provides trusted IP support and services to enable Ontario businesses and researchers to innovate and grow. IPON works directly with clients and postsecondary institutions to better understand how to protect and maximize the value of their IP, strengthen their capacity to grow, compete in the market, and advance the province’s economic growth. For more information visit www.ip-ontario.ca.

The Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) is a Niagara College-led network of post-secondary 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.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 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: Representatives from SONAMI industry partner EarthOne Inc. and applied researchers from SONAMI member Mohawk College’s Additive Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) at Mohawk College are pictured (from left) Daniel Hacikyan (EarthOne Inc.), Sidhanth Pereira (EarthOne Inc.), Sherif Abdou (AMIC), and Edward Garcia-Torres (AMIC).

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Kristy Smith
IPON Communications & Policy Advisor
[email protected]  

 

Julie Greco

NC Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

 

After a three-year hiatus, Niagara College’s annual gala returned in full force to support student success, with record attendance and a surprise $1-million pledge for student scholarships.

The College’s 31^st annual gala drew more than 700 guests to the Fallsview Casino Resort on April 15. ‘Celebrating Dreams’ was the theme for the elegant evening event – a reflection of the College community’s dedicated supporters who gathered to celebrate students, their goals and ambitions – and to help ensure that students have the support they need to achieve their dreams.

“It’s great to be back with a reimagined gala after three years, and it’s clear that our community has missed this event as well, given the record attendance this year,” said NC President Sean Kennedy, who attended the first NC gala since he became president. “Our annual gala is at the heart of what our College is all about: helping students achieve their dreams. We are so grateful for our generous supporters.”

Representatives from the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), an organization run by students for students, announced a pledge of $1 million to support NC scholarships at the event.

Outgoing NCSAC President Sam Jemison announced the donation and spoke about the importance of financial support for students.

“For many students, the cost of attending college can be insurmountable … this is why scholarships play a crucial role in creating opportunities for students to not only overcome financial barriers, but to realize their dreams,” said Jemison.

“Investing in scholarships is not only an investment in the future of our society but a celebration of the dreams of those who will change the world for the better, and they ensure students have the support they need to achieve their goals.”

The Dan Patterson Legacy Fund was also celebrated at the Gala. Named for Niagara College’s President Emeritus, the $1-million fund supports bursaries and scholarships, as well as global student experiences through the College’s Be World Ready program.

“During my 25 years-plus at Niagara College, student success was at the core of what (my late spouse) Saundra and I believed in,” said Patterson. “I’m truly humbled and honoured to have this fund created as a legacy in my name.”

Organized by NC’s Advancement team, the event featured a silent auction in support student scholarship and bursaries, speeches, a buffet dinner and live entertainment.

“It’s clear the community was looking forward to coming together in person to celebrate Niagara College and to support our students. Our College values include a commitment to being welcoming and student focused and the Gala clearly demonstrated these values in action,” said Gord Arbeau Vice President, Advancement.

Niagara College thanks sponsors and supporters who made the event possible including Niagara Casinos (presenting sponsor), guard.me International Insurance (reception sponsor), Rankin Construction Inc., TD Insurance, Simplii Financial/CIBC and Global University Systems Canada (diamond sponsors), Niagara Dailies, Bell Media, COGECO, Design Electronics, Ron Shaw, as well as all those who donated to the silent and live auctions and attended the event.

Save the date: NC’s 32^nd annual gala will be held on April 6, 2024 at the Fallsview Casino Resort.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 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.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

 

 

A class assignment has led Niagara College Business students to sharpen their sales acumen along with their spirit of community giving.

Five weeks of participating in Raising the Roof’s Toque Campaign culminated in a donation to the tune of almost $40,000 to help prevent homelessness.

“We are incredibly proud of the students and their efforts in giving back to the community. Not only did the students learn valuable lessons about the skills required of sales professionals, they supported a very deserving organization within the Niagara region,” said Associate Dean, Business and Management, April Tyrrell. “We are grateful for the time and extra effort of the committed faculty who coordinated and implemented this important project.”

More than 350 students began selling the toques in late January for their Professional Sales course, which is required for most term two students in the College’s School of Business and Management. By the time the project wrapped up five weeks later, the students sold more than 1,000 toques.

“We usually collect around $25,000-$28,000 every winter but, this year, our students topped all charts at $40,000,” said Professor Monique Finley, who is the course lead, and teaches a class who participated in this year’s toque sales, along with professors Lucy Silvestri, Zach Hallborg, Rachel Mostert, and Susan Wedsworth.

Raising the Roof representatives visited the College in January to supply the toques and kick off the initiative by providing information to students about Raising the Roof. They returned at the end of March to collect funds raised.

“We are so thrilled with how this project went and the amazing fundraising done by the students,” said Shoshana Coodin, Marketing Manager, Raising the Roof. “This year was better than ever, with the students raising nearly $40,000 which is above and beyond what the classes have done before through this partnership.”

Funds raised by the Niagara College students will go towards Raising the Roof’s homelessness prevention initiatives including its Reside project, which renovates vacant or under-utilized spaces into energy efficient affordable housing through partnerships with social enterprise contractors and local housing providers. A portion of the funds will also go towards Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold – Raising the Roof’s community partner in the region, which supports people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Raising the Roof’s Toque Campaign has been running for 26 years and has raised more than $9 million towards homelessness prevention initiatives across Canada.

“The toque has become a symbol of solidarity, that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home,” said Coodin.

The collaboration between Raising the Roof and Niagara College started years more than eight years ago and NC students have raised more than $175,000 over the years.

Finley noted that the project offers valuable experiential learning for students as they have an opportunity to apply their sales learnings from class to a real-world initiative.

“The sales techniques can be taught in the classroom but the pressure and excitement of the sale is best experienced between salesperson and customer,” said Finley.

Several students raised $200 or more, including St. Catharines resident Sarah Gowan, who won the ‘golden hat’ for being the overall top student seller. The first-year Business Sales and Marketing student raised $460 by selling toques at the College’s career fair, and by reaching out to family, friends and various groups she is involved with.

“I think this was a great hands-on class assignment; everyone got real world experience with selling and, in the process, supported a great cause,” she said.

Gowan was motivated by the competitive aspect of the assignment and had her sights set on first place once she learned a winner would be named at the end.

“This activity definitely helped me build my confidence as a salesperson and really reminded me that staying dedicated pays off. Nearly everywhere I’d go I would bring a few hats with me,” said Gowan. “I really value how the community around me all recognizes the need to raise money for the homeless and less fortunate people around us … Many want to help yet just don’t know how to.

“Through the hats, they were able to have an easy way to make a direct impact in helping out their community.”

Business and Environment Dean Alan Unwin noted that the initiative aligns with the College’s recent signing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Accord as it supports many of the UN’s 17 urgent calls to action (including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities, and more).

“This initiative as a clear illustration of ongoing student experience that is always a priority for us at NC,” said Unwin. “We know the present generation of college-aged students are looking to contribute to a variety of social issues in a meaningful way through collaborative efforts like this one.”

 

Based at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara College’s School of Business and Management offers, diploma, certificate, and two- and four-year degree programs to prepare students for a wide variety of industries spanning from accounting to marketing, human resources, international business, and more.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 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: Caps off to this class of students from Niagara College’s School of Business and Management who were among those who raised funds for Raising the Roof through toque sales.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

905-328-2532

[email protected]