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Murray Kyte Leaves His Mark on Algonquin College

He was a successful lawyer when he made a difficult decision to switch careers and become a college professor, but Murray Kyte never looked back. It was the summer of 2000 and Kyte joined the Business faculty at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, starting a 15-year career, most of which was spent in management as the Chair of the Business, Technology and Outdoor Training Department.

Murray KyteThis week Kyte announced he was leaving Algonquin to become the Vice-President of Advancement at historic St. Francis Xavier University in the small community of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Kyte graduated from St. FX in 1987 with a Degree in Business Administration, before earning a Law Degree from the University of Ottawa and later a Masters’ in Education while working at Algonquin.

His commitment to higher education and life-long learning is inspirational and it has helped him lead others. Under Kyte’s leadership, the Pembroke Campus launched several new full-time programs, built partnerships with industry, gained trust with major donors who helped fund the Waterfront Campus and built legacy projects for the broader community. A great example is his work in securing funding for a pre-apprenticeship construction trades program that resulted in College students rebuilding Pembroke’s waterfront boardwalk last summer.

Students, College reps, City Mayor, wood donorsIn his new role, Kyte will provide leadership in strategic areas including alumni relations, internal and external communications, integrated marketing and philanthropic development. It will be a challenging position but one that he will embrace with the same enthusiasm that helped him earn the respect of his colleagues and the broader community during his time at Algonquin.

Kyte has always worn his X ring proudly and given the strong roots his family has to the university, it’s understandable why he is pursuing this wonderful career opportunity. His father was a star athlete at St. FX, and his wife, brothers and father-in-law are also all St. FX alumni.

Kyte will remain with Algonquin until the end of November before taking a well-deserved break and starting his new role at St. FX at the start of the New Year. We offer him best wishes and thank him for all that he has done for our College and the Pembroke Campus.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Canadian Olympian Will Bring Determination Message to Students at Waterfront Campus

Melissa BishopWinning gold at the Pan Am Games was a very special moment for Melissa Bishop. After years of training, the Canadian Olympian celebrated one of the greatest races of her career and triggered an outpouring of pride across the Ottawa Valley.

As she now prepares for the World Track and Field Championships in China, and ultimately another crack at winning a medal at the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Bishop will find time this fall to tell her inspiring story at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus.

Becoming a world class athlete in a sport as competitive as running requires motivation, perseverance and commitment—all attributes demonstrated by Bishop’s gruelling training schedule. Bishop is a role model for all young people who have a dream and are willing to do what it takes to be successful.

Algonquin College has invited Bishop to be part of its orientation for new students. She will Melissa Bishop on podiumspeak to the incoming class on September 15th in the Student Commons area about determination, telling her story about the highs and lows of being an amateur athlete. It will be an inspirational message to the students at a time when they are just getting started on their career pathway.

For many students, the first few weeks of post-secondary education can be intimidating. That’s why colleges plan a variety of orientation activities focusing on opportunities for students to connect with other students and college staff. These activities can focus on academics or social experiences.

Bishop can relate to what it’s like for a student to experience post-secondary education for the first time. After graduating from Opeongo High School, she moved away from home to attend the University of Windsor. While in university, she continued to work towards her goal of making Canada’s Olympic team while completing a Bachelor’s Degree. In 2012, she competed in the London, England summer games, but a disappointing performance, has left her hungrier than ever to return to the Olympics in 2016.

Now 26 years of age, Bishop recognizes that she still has lots of work to do as she prepares to face the world’s best athletes. In fact, she must still qualify for Canada’s Olympic team by finishing in the top three in her sport at the country’s national track and field championships. Given her passion for running and her determination, we can expect to see Bishop next summer in Brazil, proudly representing her country.

Bishop’s visit to the college will be very special for the students. Many will have never met an Olympian and at a time when a lot of young people are apprehensive about their future, Bishop’s engaging story will deliver a clear message that hard work pays off.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Celebrate Your Graduation

For most senior college students their educational journey is coming to an end. They have completed their academic studies and are beginning their job search.

Getting that first job is important. In fact, it needs to be the priority, but pausing to celebrate all that they have accomplished is also important. Unfortunately, too many community college graduates don’t attend their convocation ceremony.

Convocation 2014

So the question is why don’t they attend?

I’ve chatted with a few graduates, and here are the top five reasons they gave me for not attending.

  1. I plan on being employed and I don’t want to ask for a day off to attend graduation.
  2. I’m moving away and it’s too far to travel to come back for the graduation ceremony.
  3. Most of my close friends from college won’t be attending, so I don’t want to celebrate alone.
  4. It’s not a big deal to me. I’m not into ceremonies.
  5. My family left the decision up to me and I opted not to attend.

So, now let me share the top five reasons why graduates should attend their convocation ceremony.

  1. Later in life, they will regret not attending. As we get older we have a greater appreciation for everything that we have accomplished and looking back on grad photos is a reminder of the hard work that needed to be done to earn a certificate, diploma or degree.
  2. It’s not just about the graduate. For parents, spouses and family members the celebration of a college graduate is just as meaningful for them as it is for the grad. While some parents will be passive and let the graduating student decide on whether to attend, trust me, inside they want their grad in the procession. Snapping that photo of a son, daughter or spouse walking across the stage in their gown and receiving their diploma from the President of the College is a moment of pride that they want to experience.
  3. Convocation ceremonies are fun. Yes, there is some down time when all of the graduates have their moment on stage, but for the most part, the ceremony is filled with inspirational messages, plenty of smiles and the anticipation of an even greater celebration with family and friends when the auditorium empties.
  4. You never know who is watching and paying attention in the audience. This is particularly true for award winning graduates who may catch the attention of a prospective employer as they are acknowledged for their academic prowess and college success in their field of study.Business Graduate Liam Smith received the Dean-Sinclair Chartered Accountants Awards from the Business Program Coordinator Kim Drake
  5. It’s the right thing to do. Convocation ceremonies are the closing of a chapter in a person’s life. It may not be the last time a graduate enters into an educational program, but for now, it needs to be marked as a very special moment in time, just like a marriage or the birth of a child. Graduating from a post-secondary program can be life-changing, and it needs to be recognized in a formal way.

In closing….

  • Your new boss will probably understand if you let them know up front whenNursing students look on as President MacDonald gives speech your graduation ceremony is being held and that you would like to attend.
  • Call your fellow graduates and encourage them to participate. You’ll be amazed how influential you can be. If you need to travel, make it a great road trip to see some very dear friends. You’ll be glad you made the effort.
  • Give it is the importance it deserves. It really is a “big deal.” Do it for your parents or partner. They do care and want you to be at the ceremony. Most importantly, do it for yourself!
  • Life is too short. Fill it with great memories of your accomplishments. Your grad photos will live on for family generations to follow.

Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus will be celebrating its 2015 graduating class on Friday, June 5th at 2:30 p.m. at the Pembroke Memorial Centre. I hope this blog will convince all of our graduates to attend.

Post by: Jamie Bramburger , Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus.

Celebrating Algonquin’s Iron Men and Women

It takes courage to challenge yourself to do something that most human beings would never dream of doing, but at Algonquin College there is a collection of faculty and staff that are determined to push themselves to the limit. Trekking through a 150 kilometre snow trail on a bicycle is an extreme test of cam day after finishendurance. In fact, Outdoor Adventure Technician, Cam Dube, had tried it once before when he registered in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Ultra race, but he had to drop out about 40 kilometres through because of frigid temperatures that resulted in frostbite to both his fingers and toes. He learned from that experience and was determined more than ever to complete the race, setting a goal of finishing within 30 hours. He did much better, crossing the finish line in just over 19 hours. Business, Technology and Outdoor Training Department Chair, Murray Kyte, has run a few marathons in his lifetime, but he has rarely strapped on a pair of cross country skis. When he was challenged by some friends to participate in the world famous Vassaloppet race in Sweden, he couldn’t say no. He trained for several months and completed the 90 kilometer race in just over eleven hours. Big Swim BannerWhen she was in university, Environmental Technician Coordinator, Sarah Hall, was a competitive swimmer. Winning short sprint races in a pool is very different than swimming in an ocean, but in the summer of 2014, Hall was driven to help raise money for a charity that helps critically ill children when she participated in the “Big Swim.” Hall will do it again this coming summer, as she swims the 15 kilometres across the Northumberland Strait, linking New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island. And then there is Ben Shillington, a skills instructor in the Outdoor AdventureBen Shillington - Faculty Member program, that is the ultimate warrior. Shillington has tackled the most extreme winter conditions on several expeditions including a 300 kilometer ski trek across Lake Winnipeg in the darkest days of winter. He has led an 11,000 kilometre, four-month long mountain biking expedition through Istanbul, Turkey to Beijing, China and he once biked solo across Canada in 27 days. In between expeditions, Shillington has found time to write a book on winter camping while he plans his next great adventure. There are others at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus who are planning personal endurance tests, prepared to face the aches and pains that come from these human challenges, but willing to do it for the personal satisfaction of knowing they have knocked one more thing off of their “bucket list.” What’s your “iron man/iron woman” story? Please share. Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

The Waterfront Campus Top Ten of 2014

As we turn the page on another year, there were lots of great things to look back on in 2014 at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. Here is my top ten!

# 10: College faculty giving back to great causes like Environmental Technician Coordinator, Sarah Hall, who trained for several months for the “Big Swim” across the North Humberland Straight to raise money for a recreational facility that supports critically ill children.

#9: Honouring almost 40 years of teaching by faculty icon Vivian Schutt who decided to retire. In honour of Vivian’s great career, a new award bearing her name will be given to a deserving student in the Office Administration-Executive Program.

#8: Recognizing the great work being done by students and faculty in applied research. For example, students working with community partners to take water samples from the Muskrat Lake as the community grapples with the challenges facing the watershed.

Muskrat River Watershed Project 2

#7: Terrific community support for the Waterfront Campus such as the $50,000 donation made to the college’s capital campaign by Cogeco Communications.

#6: The revival of Pembroke’s downtown, brought on by the new campus development. The best example of new business opportunities resulting from the building of the Waterfront Campus has been a new privately owned and operated student residence.

#5: A commitment made by the Waterfront Campus to train its faculty, managers and staff in Mental Health First Aid. With one in three Canadians expected to experience a mental health condition at least once in their lifetime, this training has better prepared college employees to assist students that experience a mental health crisis.

Purple couch - 5 people

#4: For this first time in its history, the Pembroke Campus hosted a national conference when rural college leaders from across the country attended the Rural Campus Symposium as part of the much larger Association of Canadian Community Colleges annual conference in Ottawa.

#3: The return of the Canadian Football League to the nation’s capital resulted in a partnership between the fledgling Ottawa Red Blacks and the Algonquin College Loggersports team. The team spent all summer at Red Blacks games performing every time the club scored a touchdown.

#2: Another record enrolment of students studying at the Waterfront Campus with more than 45 % of the 900+ students re-locating to the Pembroke area. It made for a very busy orientation at the start of the school year.

#1: The extraordinary work that our graduates do in the community. Here are two alumni that had banner years in 2014. Business graduate Jason Blaine established his own charity and raised more than $50,000 for Pembroke area worthy causes by hosting a concert and golf tournament and Outdoor Adventure alumnus Pete Schmalz gained national attention by winning CTV’s Amazing Race Canada.

Amazing Race CDA2

 

You may have other thoughts on what the top ten should have been for our campus. Please share your own top ten! Happy New Year!

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

You’ve Graduated! Now What?

Most Convocation 2014college graduates finish their programs in the spring, but at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, students in six programs are completing their studies just before the holiday season begins. What a great gift to themselves, but it won’t be long before they are making their list of New Year’s resolutions, and finding that first job in their field will be at the top of the list.

So here are a few suggestions for our new grads:

1. Take advantage of graduating several months before most college and university students are ready to join the workforce. Be aggressive in your job search in the months of January through April, because after that there will be a lot more competition as thousands of graduates from other post-secondary schools will be completing their studies and will be looking for work.

2. Access free services within your community to better prepare for your job search. For example, Employment Ontario officesprovide a large menu of free services from helping new graduates with building resumes to preparing for interviews. Some of these organizations also have access to programs that provide incentives to employers to hire new post-secondary graduates. These programs can be very helpful for grads that are looking to get their foot in the door and get their career started.

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3. Use social media wisely. You never know who is looking at your social media sites and you want to portray the best image possible. Make sure you have a LinkedIn account and that it is up-to-date. LinkedIn is a great place to join professional groups and to monitor job postings that fit with your education.

4. Don’t be afraid to move. Sometimes getting that first job requires a change in scenery. When you are looking to start your career, you need to go where the job is. Get some experience and then you can be more picky when choosing the right job and the most desirable location to work.

5. Keep in touch with your fellow graduates. Your former classmates may be the best source of information for job openings within your field. Joining the Algonquin College Waterfront Campus LinkedIn group would be a smart first step to keeping connected.
Nursing students look on as President MacDonald gives speech

Algonquin College is proud of all of its graduates and we always like hearing about their successes. Please let us know when you land that first job!

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs

Algonquin Remembers Them

More than 113,000 Canadian soldiers were killed during the first two World Wars and close to 1,000 more have died in the Korean War, peacekeeping missions and the most recent conflict in Afghanistan. On November 11th, ceremonies will be held across the nation as Canada pauses to remember its war dead.

Lest We Forget

Algonquin College has always had a close working relationship with the Canadian military, as the Pembroke Campus each year has many students that are directly connected to Garrison Petawawa. This includes current members of the military, retired service men and women that are transitioning to a civilian career, military spouses and dependents. The College also has several staff that are members of military families.

Ron Kinsley

In recent years, the local military community has suffered some great losses. Many of the 157 Canadians that were killed in Afghanistan were based in Petawawa. Others that served in the war torn region were badly injured or left mentally scarred by their experience overseas.

Each year the College holds its own Remembrance Day service in a moving tribute to the men and women that have served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Wreaths are laid by college staff and students in remembrance of soldiers, and a World War ll and Korean veteran lights a candle, a symbol of the eternal flame that glows 365 days a year at cenotaphs across the country. At the end of the service, students and staff shake the hand of the veteran, a small gesture of appreciation to an aging man who remembers the horror of war and stands as a reminder that we must never forget.

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus will go silent. On Remembrance Day, pause to remember them.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager, Community and Student Affairs

Orientation-Getting Off to a Good Start

Track athletes are trained to be ready when the starter’s pistol sounds. They know the importance of a good start! Attending College for the first time is like getting set for a race. You are excited, but apprehensive; Confident, but yet unsure; Eager, but controlled. Above all, you are looking to find your place so the journey to the finish line will begin with a strong start.

For thousands of college and university students, orientation is an opportunity to take control of those butterflies in your stomach by making connections with other students, as well as faculty and staff on campus. Those early days on campus can be so meaningful to students, and can set a foundation for academic and social success. On the other hand, not taking part in orientation activities can leave some students isolated, making it more difficult for them to develop relationships which often create the support network students need to manage their college experience.

Web Banner Orientation - Pembroke Campus

At Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley, a week of orientation activities have been planned for this coming school year, running from August 23rd to September 1st. In addition to an academic orientation when students meet with their faculty and fellow students to learn more about the expectations of the program they are enrolled in, there are also plenty of fun activities and events to attend.

games day thor

Things like scavenger hunts, pubs and sporting events can be great ways to meet new people, but structured workshops that are geared to specific student populations, such as mature students, can also take away a lot of the anxiety students feel when they first step on campus. So, let’s plan a typical student’s orientation week, by giving you an example of what it might look like.

We’ll call our student John. He is 19 years old, new to Pembroke, and studying in the Forestry Technician program. Not surprisingly John loves the outdoors and likes sports. He’s decided to come to Pembroke a week before classes start so he can take part in orientation.

John signs up for the alumni association golf tournament on August 23rd. It only cost him $30 for nine holes of golf, a streak dinner and he won a signed Ottawa RedBlacks jersey by hitting the longest drive at the tournament. More importantly he met a lot of new people including graduates from the Forestry program and some students that will be in his class.

John takes the next day off to get his apartment set up, but on Monday, August 25th he visits the campus to purchase his textbooks and parking pass. He also takes advantage of the free fitness zone passes that are available to students during orientation. After pumping weights and running on the treadmill, he shoots some basketballs in the gym. He returns the following day to the fitness centre, and walks through Pembroke’s downtown to get familiar with the area.

On Wednesday, August 27th, John checks out the Loggersports demonstrations and engages in some of the activities like cross-cut sawing. He has already planned to try out for the varsity team, and gets to know the coach of the team and some of the other graduating students who are helping out with the demos. While at the campus, he purchases his $15 ticket to the Ottawa REDBLACKS-B.C. Lions football game on September 5th in Ottawa. The ticket price includes bus transportation to and from the game, and with his new jersey he won at the golf tournament, John is really looking forward to the game.

The following day, John connects with some Police Foundations students and has a blast taking part in the college scavenger hunt. Earlier in the day, he checked in with the Information Technology staff to get his laptop computer configured to the college wireless network and to log on to his college email account. He also met with the financial aid office to go over some of the documents concerning his student loan. In the evening he attends the Tight and Bright dance put on by the Algonquin Students’ Association.

Financial Aid Banner

On Friday, August 29th, John attends his program orientation for the Forestry Technician program. He meets his faculty and the more than 40 other students that are in his program. Like him, most of them are from out of town. They decide they will be attending the “country” night at the college, and are all looking forward to riding the mechanical bull that will be there.

Saturday morning comes early after a great night at the college, and John and his new buddies attend a free brunch at the college. The rest of the day, they head over to nearby Riverside Park to check out one of Canada’s largest fiddling festivals, an event that attracts hundreds of campers and fiddling enthusiasts to Pembroke every Labour Day weekend.

On Sunday evening, John and some of his Forestry classmates take advantage of the free movie tickets made available at the Algonquin Cinemas in the Pembroke Mall, by the Algonquin Students’ Association. The next night, they cram into one of the student’s cars and attend the retro movie night at the Skylight Drive In, one of only a handful of Drive Ins that still exist in the province. It’s a new experience for John and he loves it, and so do his new friends. It’s a great way to end a week of fun!

Classes begin the next morning at 8 a.m. Thanks to orientation, John is feeling pretty good about attending Algonquin College!

Please share your thoughts on orientation.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

Click here for full Orientation Schedule for Pembroke Campus: Advantage Week Orientation