Rena Bowen receives the 2007 Alumna of the Year Award from James Campbell, Alumni Association President, during the College's 40th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend Spaghetti Dinner on November 3, 2007.

Rena Bowen has held several positions in health-care and long-term-care facilities. The Salvation Army Ottawa Grace Manor long-term-care facility in Ottawa; Shelwin House a women’s shelter in Yorkton, Saskatchewan; Parkland Community College Her current role as the Grace Manor’s Director of Resident Services culminates 30 years of nursing.
In addition to her Algonquin College nursing diploma, she has studied accounting—also at Algonquin—and sociology at the University of Waterloo. She has also obtained certificates in:

• advanced leadership;
• performance measurement;
• management assessment;
• client-centered services; and
• Alzheimer care

As part of the Algonquin College continuing-education program, she offers: an eight-week course on Caregiving Skills; Some of the in-services she has provided for the college are pain management, depression, and cognitive impairment among the elderly.

Bowen is also one of three people who, in the early 1990s, established Coats for Kids now adopted in cities across North America.

Today, Bowen she tries to ensure that Algonquin Students who want to are able to complete their practicum hours at the Grace Manor.

Along with her teaching, she maintains membership with:

• the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors Association;
• the Nursing Advisory Committee at Algonquin College
• the Alumni Board of Directors

Bowen was nominee in the Health Sciences filed for the Premier’s award in 2002 and has recently been nominated Algonquin College’s Alumni of Year for 2007.

Peter has been named Algonquin College’s 2006 Alumnus of the Year in recognition of his outstanding career success and significant contribution to community and society.

Peter, a 1987 graduate of Algonquin College’s Business Administration program, is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Performance Printing Ltd. and an Algonquin College Foundation Board Director.

Michelle Valberg is the President of Valberg Imaging Inc., Ottawa’s only combined all-digital photography studio and photo gallery. She also operates Dare to Dream Productions, a publishing and special events company, under which she has published two collections of portraits, one a national bestseller. In 2000, Valberg was recognized with a YMCA/YWCA Women of Distinction Award.

She was named Businesswoman of the Year in 2003 by the Ottawa Women’s Business Network and was among the 2004 recipients of the Ottawa Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 Award. She is regarded as one of Canada’s most inventive artists.

Executive Chef Orazio LaManna, graduated in 1982 from the Chef apprenticeship program at Algonquin College with a Merit Award for highest scholastic achievement and the distinction of Top Apprentice Chef.

Orazio served on the Alumni Board of Directors before he moved to Atlanta to accept the position of Executive Chef for ARAMARK at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves Baseball Team.

Stuntman Stu, of "The BEAR’S Breakfast", was presented with the second Alumni of the Year Award at Algonquin College’s Fall Convocation ceremony in October 2003. Stuntman Stu, keynote speaker at Convocation, spoke with pride about his continued connection with Algonquin College and encouraged the graduates to stay connected with their community and with their alma mater.

Stuntman Stu is a 1997 Radio Broadcasting graduate and is currently working for The BEAR 106.9 FM.

Larry O'Brien was presented with the first Alumni of the Year Award at Algonquin College's Fall Convocation ceremony in November 2002.  Larry O'Brien is a 1972 Physics Technology graduate and Calian chairman and CEO.

Sherry Thurig, President, Algonquin College Alumni Association, presents Larry O'Brien with award.