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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit usopenwhiskey.com to learn more about the awards. 

Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility equipped with five stills, four mash tuns and 10 fermenters. Home to the College’s Artisan Distilling program, students produce a variety of distilled products including vodka, gin, brandy, rum, whisky and other spirits. It opened in September 2018, completing the trifecta of beverage fermentation sciences at NC’s learning enterprises, following the footsteps of its Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery which were also the first of their kind in Canada.

Niagara College offers more than 150 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Niagara College offers more than 150 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

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

Media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Niagara College kicks off Pride Month with rainbow flag raising

Rainbow flags will fly over Niagara College campuses this June, to celebrate equality, inclusivity, and acceptance in support of the College’s LGBTQ2+ community during Pride Month.

With physical distancing measures in place, Niagara College president Sean Kennedy and Niagara College Student Administrative Council president Tom Price led a flag-raising ceremony at the Welland Campus on the morning of June 1. A flag was also raised at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“The Niagara College Student Administrative Council believes it is imperative to foster an unrestricted awareness of inclusivity and equity, and it is our resolute desire to provide a welcoming and safe space for all individuals and communities at Niagara College,” said Price. “The Rainbow Flag raising is a collaborative partnership with Niagara College that is symbolic of our unwavering support for not only the LGBTQ2+ community, and other marginalized communities, but for all students, faculty, support staff, administrators, and visitors at the College. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we work together as a community to strengthen and support each other.”

In addition to raising the rainbow flag for the month of June, in 2019, rainbow crosswalks were painted at both campuses as permanent markers of support for not only the LGBTQ2+ community on campus, but all communities and students at Niagara College.

“The rainbow flag raising event is a new tradition for Niagara College, and one that we felt was important to continue this year, even while we are physically apart, as it signifies our commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment and workplace,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “An important part of Niagara College’s DNA is our welcoming nature and we are proud to work with our Student Administrative Council to celebrate our LGBTQ2+ community.”

Niagara College student Dalton Bird joined Kennedy and Price for the flag-raising ceremony. Bird, a second-year student in the Business Administration Human Resources three-year advanced diploma program, is an advocate for the College’s LGBTQ2+ community as the current vice president of NCSAC’s Loving Out Loud (LOL) Club. Under Bird’s leadership, the Club was recently nominated for a 2020 Pride Niagara Unity Award.

“The raising of the rainbow flag at Niagara College is a symbol of inclusiveness,” said Bird. “Niagara College is a very inclusive environment that allows students to express themselves.”

In addition to the flag raising, NCSAC will celebrate Pride Month with several virtual initiatives throughout the month of June:

  • NCSAC Ask Me Anything (AMA) live Instagram feature with NCSAC LOL Club president Felipe Reis and vice-president Dalton Bird on June 4 at 1 p.m. The AMA will highlight the club and their Pride Niagara Unity Award nomination, while promoting the Pride Niagara Awards taking place June 5.
  • In partnership with NC’s Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership (CSEL), members of the NCSAC and LGBTQ2+ community will appear on CSEL’s Go To College They Said podcast. CSEL and NCSAC will co-host a podcast episode with guests Enzo DeDevitiis from Pride Niagara and Vanity a la mode the week of June 1, while Felipe Reis, NCSAC’s LOL Club president, will join the podcast the week of June 8. The podcast is available on iTunes, Spotify and the Podcast App and weekly episodes are typically released on Thursdays.

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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Pictured above (L-R):
Niagara College Student Administrative Council president Tom Price, Niagara College president Sean Kennedy, and Dalton Bird, NC student and vice president of the NC Student Administrative Council’s Loving Out Loud Club, celebrate the raising of a rainbow flag at the Welland Campus in recognition of Pride Month on June 1.


Media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Andy Hall
Marketing Communications Manager, NCSAC
Cell: 905-537-0438
[email protected]

College hours and operations during mid-term break

Please note the following hours for College operations during the mid-term break, February 24 to 28:

Reduced transit schedules will be in effect for mid-term break. Visit yourncsac.ca/transitschedules

NCSAC Offices will be open regular hours.

Rise and Shine breakfast program will not be operating during the mid-term break.

The Undergrounds at the NOTL Campus and The Shack at the Welland Campus will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Core at the Welland Campus and The Armoury at the NOTL Campus will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cafeteria hours will be adjusted during the mid-term break:

  • Welland Campus dining hall will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Tim Hortons Welland Campus (Secord) will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (breakfast program open)
  • Pizza Pizza will be open 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Nourish/On the Go will be open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Chef Inspired will be open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Market Grill will be open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Subway Welland Campus will be open 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Tim Hortons AHI will be closed.
  • Tech Building Café will be closed.
  • NOTL Campus dining hall will be closed.
  • Tim Hortons NOTL Campus will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (breakfast program all day)
  • Subway NOTL Campus will be open 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NC Libraries will be open regular hours on the weekends before, after and during the mid-term break.

Bookstores will be open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed for inventory at both campuses on February 25.

In Student Services, Health Wellness and Accessibility Services will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Test centres will be open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Centre for Student Engagement, Career Services and Academic Advising offices will be open regular hours during the mid-term break, 8:30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m.

Enrolment Services will be open regular hours at both campuses, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday’s from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NC International (Welland and NOTL campuses) will be open regular hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NC Athletics (Welland and NOTL campuses) will be open regular hours Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be closed Saturday and Sunday (weekends before and after). Fitness classes are cancelled during mid-term break. The regular fitness class schedule will resume on March 2.

NC Winery and Brewery retail stores (NOTL Campus) will be open regular hours, Sunday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bench To Go (NOTL Campus) will be open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The NC Greenhouse will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Niagara College Community Employment Services, located at 43 Church Street in St. Catharines will maintain regular hours.

Success uncorked: NC’s Gastronomy Chardonnay earns 2019 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines

The awards keep pouring in.

The Niagara College Teaching Winery shone at the 2019 Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Ontario Wines, with NC’s 2017 Gastronomy Chardonnay making the shortlist of just 11 winning wines.

This is the second award for the student-crafted, barrel-fermented chardonnay from the College’s on-campus estate vineyard (St. David’s Bench), which won gold at the 25th annual Ontario Wine Awards this June for the Oaked Chardonnay Award Under $20 category.

The Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented the awards at a ceremony on June 24 during the 4th Annual Winetario event at George Brown College. The NC Teaching Winery 2017 Gastronomy Chardonnay was a standout win among big names in wine for overall excellence, regardless of vintage or varietal, including Peller Estates, Jackson-Triggs, and Trius. The winning wines were chosen from 542 wines submitted by 78 wineries. The variety was created for Les Marmitons Niagara, a gastronomic and social club of men who share a common interest in food, wine and the culinary arts.

“All of you have made remarkable wines, and each is richly deserving of these awards,” said Dowdeswell in her opening remarks. “And how wonderful it is to see the Niagara College Teaching Winery in the winners’ circle this year! Not only are you pioneers of education in the field of winemaking in Ontario, but your students are already making good on their promise. Your achievement bodes well for the whole industry.”

Steve Gill, general manager, Niagara College Learning Enterprises, attended the award ceremony. “The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines is a testament to applied learning at Niagara College,” said Gill. “Not only did our students play a key role in producing this award-winning wine from our Teaching Winery, we are tremendously proud of the winemakers behind many of the other award-winning wines who are graduates of Niagara College’s wine programs – including our own Niagara College Teaching Winery winemaker Gavin Robertson.”

‘It’s always great to see our Teaching Winery products do well in competitions because it demonstrates to our students – who are very much a part of our everyday winemaking operations – that the lessons that we deliver in lecture and labs hold true when scaled-up in commercial application,” said Gavin Robertson, winemaker and instructor at NC’s Teaching Winery. “Our hope as instructors is that this marriage of science and practice provides a sound foundation for our students to enter the workforce and become leaders, producing their own award-winning wines and also contributing to the growth and development of the Canadian wine industry in other significant ways.”

In addition to Robertson, who graduated from the College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program in 2011, many of the award-winning wineries are staffed by winemakers who are graduates of NC’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program. They include Chris Frey, winemaker at Megalomaniac (2009 graduate), Yvonne Irvine, assistant winemaker at Creekside Estates (2008 graduate), Paul Pender, winemaker at Tawse Estates (2006 graduate), and Allison Findlay, assistant winemaker at Flat Rock Cellars (2014 graduate).

The award-winning wine is available at Niagara College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre, located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus (135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON). Proceeds from sales support student learning. Visit niagaracollegewine.ca

Niagara College’s Teaching Winery is the first and only commercial teaching winery in Canada. It is located at the College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, along with the NC Teaching Brewery and – the latest addition in September 2018 – the NC Teaching Distillery which were also the first of their kind in Canada.

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

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Office: 905 735-2211 ext. 7773
Cell: 905 328-4101
[email protected]

Andrew Korchok
Communications Consultant
Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7430
Cell: 905 329-1642
[email protected]

Niagara College seeks next Many Hands Project recipient

 

Niagara College is ready to dedicate ‘many hands’ to assisting Niagara’s most vulnerable citizens, and is seeking a recipient for its next Many Hands Project.

Applications are now being accepted for the College’s 2019-2020 Many Hands Project. The 23rd annual Many Hands Project will provide resources for much needed programing to a Niagara-based non-profit organization. The value of the project will be approximately $5,000.

Run by the Event Management graduate certificate program of NC’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport, the Many Hands Project has been assisting non-profit organizations throughout Niagara since 1998. Event Management students will plan and execute fundraising events throughout the 2019-2020 academic year to raise money for the selected recipient. The project will rejuvenate the facilities of a local non-profit organization in a one- or two-day upgrade, or provide resources for programming that supports Niagara Region’s vulnerable citizens. Not-for-profit agencies and organizations based in the Niagara region are welcome to apply.

“Niagara College is proud to continue its Many Hands Project, which is an example of applied learning at its best,” said Damian Goulbourne, associate dean of NC’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport.

“Students in our Event Management program gain hands-on experience in planning special events, along with important lessons in community service and leadership, while helping to make a difference in the community at the same time,” said  Christine Blane, faculty and program coordinator for NC’s Event Management program.

The most recent recipient to the College’s Many Hands Project was Pathstone Mental Health. In 2019, Event Management students raised more than $40,800 for Pathstone: $35,858 was raised by hosting a series of fundraising events, while $5,000 was donated by Canadian Tire Bank – a long-time sponsor and supporter of the Many Hands Project. Funds were dedicated to supporting play therapy at Pathstone, which treats Niagara children who are diagnosed with mental health issues.

Applications for the 2019-2020 Many Hands Project must be submitted by August 23, 2019.  View application here: Many Hands Project Application 2019-20. The selected non-profit organization is expected to be announced during the fall of 2019.

For more information about the Many Hands Project, visit niagaracollege.ca/manyhands.

Event Management is a one-year graduate certificate program at Niagara College that prepares graduates for a career in a fast-paced and multifaceted industry. Students develop skills in planning and logistics, public relations, marketing and sponsorship strategies, and volunteer and risk management in a highly experiential learning environment.

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]