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Algonquin Pauses On November 11th to Remember

Lest We ForgetAt cenotaphs, schools and public institutions, Canadians will pause to remember on November 11th. They will remember the more than 113,000 Canadian soldiers who were killed during the two World Wars, the close to 1,000 more who died in the Korean War, the 158 service men and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan, and the dozens of troops who have been killed while serving on various peacekeeping missions around the world.

At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke there is a special relationship with the Canadian military. The close proximity of Garrison Petawawa to the campus, results in hundreds of students who have direct military connections, studying at the campus each year. Some of these students are currently serving in the military as regular force or reservists, others are spouses of soldiers, and some are sons and daughters of service men and women.

Each year, the campus holds a Remembrance Day service in its Commons area. It’s an opportunity for students and staff to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is always a meaningful and emotional service as the college community rallies around those who have been impacted by military life, particularly those who have lost loved ones in conflicts around the world.

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On November 11th, Algonquin College joins Canadians from coast to coast in a visible show of support for the men and women who wear a military Ron Kinsleyuniform. Our country’s history with war can never be forgotten.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the armistice was signed ending the First World War. Regrettably, war erupted again in 1939 and it took six years and millions of lives lost to end World War Two. In the 1950’s, the Korean War cost more Canadian lives and in recent years our troops, including many from Garrison Petawawa, were on the front line in Afghanistan.

On November 11th, Algonquin College remembers. Lest we forget.

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

TSN’s Hockey Insider Speaks at Waterfront Campus

He has more than 1.2-million followers on Twitter. He is watched by hundreds of thousands of hockey fans most nights on TSN’s hockey coverage, and for almost three decades he has been known as the “Hockey Insider.” Bob McKenzie is a big deal!

TSN personality Bob MacKenzie posing in front of the grey backdrop

On Wednesday, November 4th the extraordinarily talented and insightful McKenzie will be at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus to talk about his new book “Hockey Confidential,” and to answer any hockey question the audience throws at him.

In his most recent book, McKenzie uncovers untold stories about hockey people. One chapter is dedicated to former Pembroke Lumber Kings owner and Head Coach Sheldon Keefe, who before leading the Lumber Kings to five consecutive league titles and ultimately a national championship, had a turbulent junior and short-lived pro hockey career as a player.

Keefe opens up to McKenzie, talking candidly about how Pembroke changed him and helped him focus his life on coaching and on being a better person. Now behind the bench of the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, Keefe is considered one of the top young minds in coaching today and his career is quickly moving forward.

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The Sheldon Keefe story is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to McKenzie’s incredible knowledge of hockey, both at the junior and pro level. His connections within the hockey world, built on a reputation of being fair and well informed, have allowed McKenzie to be the most trustworthy source of hockey news in North America.

The Algonquin College Speaker Series has brought several high profile personalities to Pembroke over the years including the CBC’s Rex Murphy and Bob McDonald, Environment Canada’s Chief Meteorologist David Phillips and military historian and journalist Gwynne Dyer. The College can now add Bob McKenzie to that impressive list!

Tickets to hear Bob McKenzie are on sale at the Waterfront Campus for $15 in advance or $20 at the door. All proceeds raised at the event will be donated to the Art Gallagher Memorial Bursary. Gallagher was a long time play-by-play radio voice of the Pembroke Lumber Kings. The bursary supports Lumber Kings players who study at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

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

Orientation Matters for College Students

Melissa Bishop, Olympian and Pan Am Gold medalistIn the past week students at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus have had the chance to meet a Canadian Olympian, hang out with the Ottawa Redblacks Cheer Team, take a morning off from classes to participate in a series of team building games, and pick up free tickets to the Pembroke Lumber Kings junior hockey game.

It’s called orientation and it is critically important to helping students adjust to college life.

So why is it so important? Simply stated, it’s about helping students make connections.

Pembroke Campus, Games DayTransitioning to college is a huge step for students, particularly younger students who have had to re-locate to a new community. They are meeting new people, living away from home for the first time, learning how to manage a budget, and gaining independence. That’s a lot to throw at a young person, but it’s much worse if they are feeling isolated or homesick.

Home sickness is very real for some students, but most of the time it can be overcome if colleges provide opportunities for students to connect, and that’s what happens at orientation. New friendships are formed, students interact with students from other programs, and very quickly the college starts to feel like home.

Fall Games - OrientationIn addition to hosting both academic and social activities, colleges work hard to introduce students to support services like tutoring, counseling, health services, coaching and technology help that can keep them on track in their academic studies. Without orientation, many students would not learn about all of the extra support that is available to them, at no charge.

Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus is an extremely welcoming and caring community. Orientation is like one big group hug!

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

Record Enrolment at Waterfront Campus

Flash back to 1967 and Ontario’s College system was cutting its teeth. In Pembroke, 16 part-time students were attending the new Algonquin College, which was renting space at a local high school while it was looking for its first home. Now fast forward to 2015, and a record enrolment of more than 950 full-time students are studying at the still new Waterfront Campus, opened in 2012 along the city’s picturesque waterfront.

Pavillion History PhotoOn a recent stroll along the Kiwanis Walkway, just outside the campus, I stopped to look at the pictures posted on a nearby pavilion that map out the history of post-secondary education in the area. There are photos of that first class almost five decades ago and tributes to three great men who were instrumental in establishing the campus in Pembroke, Governors Donald F. Runge and Dr. Joseph Foohey, and long-time Pembroke Campus Principal, Frank Havey.

As the college approaches its 50th anniversary in 2017 there is much to celebrate. The opening of the Waterfront Campus a few years ago was a major accomplishment, a project that was driven by an increasing student enrolment and the reality that students expected better facilities. Unfortunately, the old campus had limitations and lacked amenities such as a gymnasium and fitness centre and it was land-locked, making expansion impossible. Without a new campus, it was becoming more difficult for the campus to compete with other colleges that had more modern facilities.

Aerial Shot - Waterfront CampusThe community drive to build a new campus was inspiring. Millions of dollars was raised in a fundraising campaign after the city of Pembroke agreed to provide a waterfront piece of land for the project to proceed. The College Board of Governors unanimously approved the construction of a new campus, regardless of whether government funding was secured to help cover the bricks and mortar cost.

Boardwalk Student ProjectNow, the benefits of the new campus are really starting to be felt by the community. Record enrolments, a revitalization of the city’s downtown triggered by the new campus, and a swell in civic pride. People are genuinely proud of what the college has accomplished and clearly understand how important it has become to the region’s economic prosperity.

Establishing an Algonquin College Campus in Pembroke so many years ago has turned out to be a brilliant strategic initiative for the area. The campus truly is a jewel and is well positioned to serve the region for many more years to come.

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

Young College Students Still Need Their Parents

There really is no feeling like the start of the school year on a college campus. The energy of so many young students who are experiencing independence for the first time is palpable and generates excitement for both the students and college staff.

With a record enrolment of almost 1,000 students studying this fall at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus there are plenty of reasons to celebrate, but with more students also comes a greater need to support them in making the transition to college.

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Almost half of the students that are studying at the campus this fall have had to re-locate to the Pembroke area. That means these young people have a lot of adjusting to do, from cooking their own meals to managing a budget and of course getting to know new people to take away the very real feelings of homesickness.

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Last week during orientation, the Campus provided information sessions for parents and provided tips to Mom’s and Dad’s about how they can help their student succeed. From more frequent check-ins at the start of the school year to sending a care package from home, these small gestures can go a long way in helping a student adjust to their new surroundings. It’s also helpful for parents who may themselves be experiencing “empty nest” syndrome, particularly if they are sending their oldest or only child away to school.

mother and college-age daughter sitting on hammockThe Waterfront Campus has recently developed a website for Parents and Families that helps them better understand what it is like to be a student at Algonquin College. The site includes a glossary of common terms used by the college, a newsfeed of articles that are geared to parents of post-secondary children, information on college services that can help students succeed and much more.

Students need their independence, but having a healthy and open relationship with their parents so they can talk through issues remains important as they move on to post-secondary education. Parents need to find the balance between providing support and allowing their child the ability to make their own decisions. Young people will make mistakes, and college is a great place to learn responsibility and take ownership of their academic performance and their life outside of the classroom.

All parents want their child to be successful in their post-secondary studies. September is the start of a life-changing journey for young college students who are taking their first step in building a career. It doesn’t mean they still don’t need support from Mom and Dad. It just means they are growing up.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager 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

Some Advice for Late College Applicants

The summer is slipping away and you’ve been listening to your friends talk about going to college in the fall. They’re excited about what lies ahead and you’re second guessing your decision to take some time off before moving on to post-secondary schooling.

Well, there is a silver lining. It’s not too late to apply to college. In fact, there are still many programs that have openings because colleges offer such a wide breadth of programming, some seats don’t fill until just before classes begin in September.

So what do you need to do? Here are five top of the mind thoughts to help late college applicants not only get into a program, but to be successful in their studies.

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1. Don’t delay any longer. You’ve waited long enough, so get in touch with the college you are interested in attending and find out what programs remain open to applicants. Better yet, visit the campus and take a tour or attend an information session. Gather as much information as you can to ensure you have met the admission requirements and you have a broad understanding of what the program has to offer you. The more information you have on the program and the school, the easier it will be to make a good program choice. Remember the clock is ticking, so get moving.

2. Talk to a college financial aid officer. Investing in a post-secondary program is one of the smartest decisions you will ever make and there are lots of resources available to help students pay for their education. A financial aid officer can share information with you on government loan and grant programs, bursaries and scholarships and line of credit options offered by financial institutions. The financial aid officer will also go through the steps required when applying for a student loan, laying out what information you will need to provide and how loans are distributed to students.

Preparation

3. Enrol in upgrading classes. Many colleges offer short courses or workshops to incoming students to help them prepare for the start of their full-time studies. These classes can range from English, Math and Science upgrading to focusing on student success strategies like time management, organizational skills and test preparation. Many of these classes are free. They can be offered during the day or in the evening. It’s time well spent and will help ease you into college.

Big Joe4. Attend your orientation. Your orientation is intended to help connect you to your faculty and fellow classmates and to learn more about the many services the college provides to help students succeed. Orientation is fun and educational. Whether its getting logged on to the college network, participating in a workshop on e-text books or attending an Ottawa REDBLACKS football game, orientation is about making connections and embracing your new surroundings.

5. Build your support network. Your friends and family will have your back. Let them know what your intentions are because you’ll need them as you make your way through your college program. Having someone to talk to about your successes and struggles can make a huge difference when you are trying to balance your studies and everything else that is happening in your life. Your supporters will be thrilled with your plans to attend college. Reward their confidence in you by being the best college student that you can be.

Attending a college program is a big deal. Don’t let the opportunity slip away. There’s still time to enroll for this September.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

 

Get an Early Start on Your College Studies

The academic calendar says you don’t start classes at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus until Tuesday, September 8th, the day after Labour Day, but there’s no reason why you can’t get started earlier. In fact, the College recommends students complete some academic preparation classes before beginning their formal studies.

Why? Because it helps students succeed!

Grads Checklist

The College has two great opportunities available to students in August. The first is what is known as Jump Start, a one week program that focuses on helping students get organized for their studies. It includes helpful tips on time management, organizational skills and study habits. It also blends in some English, Math and computer applications.

There is also an optional science program where students can brush up on their chemistry and biology skills. This is important for students who will be enrolled in a program that has science involved such as Practical Nursing, Environmental Technician or Radiation Safety.

There are 60 seats available in the Jump Start program, with 30 students taking part in each of the two week-long sessions. Classes run during the day. While the program is free to incoming students, they are required to pay a $50 deposit to hold their seat. The money is refunded upon completion of the Jump Start program.

Success Strategies

The second option is a Success Strategies Course that will be offered in the evenings during the month of August. Students will take classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights and successful completion of the course will earn them a general education credit that can be applied to their full-time program.

The curriculum focuses on critical thinking, analyzing your learning style, solving problems, working in a team and establishing personal and career goals. Classes will run from August 4 to 27th from 6 to 9 p.m.

All Algonquin College students are required to have a General Education credit to graduate from their full-time program, so taking this course before formal classes begin in the fall, is very advantageous for new students. This course is also being offered free of charge.

Students that are interested in these classes can register by contacting the college Fees office at 613-735-4700, ext. 2702.

Going to college is a big step. Being well prepared is a good decision that will help you get off to a great start.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at the Waterfront Campus.

 

 

Algonquin Alumnus of the Year Jason Blaine Raises $75,000 for Charity

Five years ago, Jason Blaine asked me to go lunch with him. The Canadian Recording Artist and Algonquin College Alumnus had a vision he wanted to share with me about setting up his own charity in his hometown of Pembroke.

He laid out the plan. It would be a two-day event that would include an 18-hole golf tournament and a concert. He was confident he could call in some favours and bring in other leading country musicians to be part of the event, but he wasn’t sure how much backing he would have in the community.

My first thought was “this is going to be a lot of work.” In fact, I told Jason I really needed to think about it. Another year went by and Jason contacted me again. Another lunch appointment generated a deeper conversation. It was clear, his idea wasn’t going away.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Three years ago the concept was tested when Jason held a nine-and-dine to announce his bigger plans. The tournament quickly sold out and generated a few thousand dollars that became seed money for the launch of the Jason Blaine Charity Golf Classic and Night With the Stars Concert in June of 2014.

With Gord Bamford and Kira Isabella performing along with Jason, businesses, individuals and organizations jumped on board, helping the event raise $50,000 for community groups. That money was distributed to Algonquin College’s capital building campaign for the new Waterfront Campus, the Pembroke Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the Pembroke-Petawawa Community Foundation.

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Building on that success, Jason’s organizing committee went to work on planning the 2015 fundraiser. Tim Hicks, Chad Brownlee and Ben Rutz were secured as the headliners and more sponsors joined the party, resulting in a whopping $75,000 raised. Again, the College and Boys’ and Girls’ Club benefitted, but so did the Pembroke Regional Hospital’s MRI campaign. Jason also committed $5,000 to help pay for Mental Health First Aid training for volunteers and employees of not-for-profit organizations in Renfrew County.

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A few weeks ago, Jason spoke at Algonquin College’s convocation ceremony where he talked about believing in yourself and about the importance of helping others. His message was inspiring. He shared his story of working in a local factory, being nicknamed “Nashville” by some of his co-workers, and about dreaming of hearing his songs on the radio.

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His first step to living his dream was enrolling in a Business program at Algonquin where he learned the entrepreneurial skills he needed to propel his raw musical talent into a career. The strategy worked. He has now had several top hits, but as his celebrity has grown he has remained grounded, never forgetting where he came from.

It’s clear that while Jason Blaine may live in Nashville, Tennessee, his heart remains in the Ottawa Valley.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs