Algonquin College Pembroke Campus

Outdoor Adventure Program Celebrates 25-Year Anniversary on the Ottawa River

It had to involve whitewater rafting. 25 years after the Pembroke Campus launched its highly successful Outdoor Adventure diploma program, alumni from across Canada returned to the rapids of the Ottawa River to mark the significant milestone. More than 75 alumni participated in the two-day celebration, which included a Friday night reception at the Waterfront campus, some rock climbing in the campus gymnasium, and then an afternoon of rafting the following day at Wilderness Tours.

Program coordinator Jeff Jackson spoke passionately about how the program has changed the adventure tourism industry, producing graduates who now work around the globe. Jackson, who is highly respected as one of the world’s leading adventure tourism risk management experts, has a special rapport with the students he teaches. That resonated throughout the weekend as alumni re-engaged with him, some of whom he had not seen in decades.

Faculty and staff of Algonquin College's Outdoor Adventure program pose for a picture.

Faculty and staff of Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure program pose for a picture at the program’s 25th anniversary celebration. (L to R: Chris Melmoth, Cam Dube, Jeff Jackson, Kate Monahan, Bobbie Gormley and Jamie Bramburger.)

The celebration was a time to reflect on the program’s origins as former Algonquin College President Kent MacDonald provided a video message that shared the program’s genesis. MacDonald is now the President of Northwood University in Michigan, but in 1999, when the program launch was announced, MacDonald was the Chair of the Business, Technology and Outdoor Training department at the Pembroke Campus.

“There is no doubt in my mind that it is the preeminent outdoor adventure program,” said MacDonald, who highlighted the unique partnership the college struck with Wilderness Tours to bring the program to fruition. “This type of partnership was new for a college to work with a private industry partner. I can’t imagine the multi-billion dollar tourism industry in Ontario and Canada if it didn’t have the Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure program to produce these graduates with the latest education and training and being prepared to lead this industry,” added MacDonald.

Representing alumni, Abigail Dunford, who graduated from the program in 2017, spoke about how the program has allowed so many students to do what they want to do. Dunford came to the program from the Toronto area. Like so many others, she relocated to Pembroke because of her passion for the outdoors and the opportunity to enroll in a program that would allow her to turn that passion into a career.

Wilderness Tours Founder Joe Kowalski spoke to the alumni, sharing his own story of starting his company in 1975 after he fell in love with the thrills of whitewater. Kowalski talked about how his business has changed, highlighted by his company’s relocation to a new site along the shores of the Ottawa River four years ago, a place many alumni were visiting for the first time. “I’m impressed that so many of you have come back to celebrate this special occasion,” said Kowalski, who will mark the 50th anniversary of his Wilderness Tours enterprise next year.

Outdoor Adventure alumni listen to speeches.

Outdoor Adventure alumni gather at Wilderness Tours to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary.

The Wilderness Tours partnership with the college was paramount to the program getting off the ground. The company was well established in adventure tourism and had the expertise to deliver the hundreds of hours of practical training experiences that have been the cornerstone of the program since the first intake in the Fall of 2000. Wilderness Tours also had the required resources for the training, including rafts, kayaks and mountain bikes.

Not much has changed in terms of how the program is delivered. Students still spend two days each week at the Wilderness Tours resort or Mount Pakenham ski hill, where they hone their skills, earning several industry-recognized certifications. When on campus, students learn about risk management, accounting, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship, and communications. This recipe of courses has helped many alumni start their own adventure tourism businesses or position them for leadership roles within the sector.

Algonquin College alumna Abigail Dunford speaks to a group of Outdoor Adventure graduates.

Algonquin College alumna Abigail Dunford , who graduated from the Outdoor Adventure program in 2017, speaks to a group of Outdoor Adventure alumni at the program’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Interim Dean Jamie Bramburger spoke about the impact the Outdoor Adventure program has had on the Pembroke campus. “When the program was launched, it showed us that if we created unique programs, we could attract students from outside of our area. I believe this program played a significant role in our ability to build the new Waterfront Campus because it demonstrated we could be a destination campus for students,” said Bramburger.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Outdoor Adventure program, the Pembroke campus announced the establishment of an endowment to support Outdoor Adventure students in financial need. The goal is to raise a minimum of $15,000, but it is hoped that the endowment will continue to grow to support more students by providing bursaries. Outdoor Adventure has one of the highest tuition of all programs offered by Algonquin College. Donations can be made at this link: Outdoor Adventure Bursary | Advancement and Strategy (algonquincollege.com)

Twenty-five years ago, the Pembroke Campus created one of the most exhilarating college programs in the world. By doing so, Canada’s multi-billion dollar tourism sector provided a skilled labour force focused on risk management and leadership skills. Since then, hundreds of graduates have taken their skills across the country and worldwide, starting up new adventure tourism businesses and strengthening the workforce in existing businesses. The program has left its mark and will continue to feed an evolving industry that remains vital to the nation’s economic prosperity.

New School Year Starts at Pembroke Waterfront Campus

There really is nothing like Day One at a college campus. It is filled with energy as new students arrive and returning students rekindle relationships with classmates they haven’t seen in several months. In a word, it is “fantastic.”

Indigenous drumming

Elder Barry Sarazin leads Indigenous drummers as they sing a morning song on Day One of classes at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront campus.

Day One at the Pembroke campus started with Indigenous drumming. Elder Barry Sarazin led drummers in singing a morning song under a crystal blue sky along the shores of the Kitchissippi or Ottawa River. Using the campus Grandfather drum, Elder Sarazin reflected on his own experience when he studied at Algonquin College’s Ottawa campus in the 1980s, sharing the excitement that he felt in being a post-secondary student for the first time.

As classes got underway, students had plenty of time to socialize and meet new people. Over the lunch hour, the Students’ Association had mentalist and illusionist Wayne Hoffman entertain students with his trickery, leaving students with plenty of questions on “how did he do that?” On Day One and throughout the first month of classes, there are always plenty of social activities and events for students to participate in. It helps them get comfortable with their new surroundings and plays an important role in student success.

For some students, Day One meant engaging in practical learning activities that are a key component of their programs. For example, the Urban Forestry and Arboriculture program students got their first taste of climbing trees. It was an opportunity to put on harnesses and learn about tree climbing safety, as the students will spend many hours honing their climbing skills during their program.

At the Wilderness Tours Resort, Day One for Outdoor Adventure students meant lots of time on the Ottawa River. Students will spend their first-week navigating whitewater rapids, a key program component. Students are trained to become whitewater guides, learning how to maneuver a raft safely through the turbulent waters of the Ottawa River, one of the top destinations for whitewater rafting and kayaking in Canada.

Arborist students get ready to climb trees.

Urban Forestry-Arboriculture students get ready to climb trees at Riverside Park in Pembroke on day one of their program.

The Pembroke Campus has always been a destination for students because of its unique mix of programs. More than 50 percent of the more than 800 students who started classes on Day One had to relocate to the community. This group includes students from across Canada and more than 160 international students who have arrived from all around the world. The list of countries that are represented by these students includes India, China, Ghana, Philippines, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Brazil, Nepal, Mongolia, Kenya, Chile, Pakistan, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Egypt, United Kingdom and Uganda.

Day One was great. It’s the beginning of a new chapter in our students’ lives, an opportunity to position themselves for career success. Getting off on the right foot is important. The journey is just beginning.

 

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean of the Pembroke Waterfront Campus

 

Forestry Technician Students Celebrate at Silver Ring Ceremony

Forestry is weaved into the tapestry of the Ottawa Valley. For hundreds of years, the abundant forests that attracted Samuel de Champlain have provided a livelihood in an industry one of the largest drivers of Renfrew County’s economy.

Not surprisingly, the Forestry Technician program is the longest-standing full-time program offered at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. It started in 1968, only a year after Premier John Robarts and his education minister Bill Davis created Ontario’s publicly funded college system. Since those early days, the Pembroke Campus has been among a small group of post-secondary schools in Ontario that have produced thousands of Forestry graduates.

Picture of students wearing silver rings on their pinky fingers.

Students in the Forestry Technician program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus show their silver rings from the Canadian Institute of Forestry.

Recently, the class of 2024 completed its program of study and celebrated the occasion by receiving their silver rings from the Canadian Institute of Forestry. It’s a big deal for the students. This time-honoured tradition started in 1953 when a group of forestry and forestry engineering graduates staged their own ring ceremony at the University of British Columbia. By 1961, three other Canadian universities with forestry schools also handed out rings.

It wasn’t until 1967 that the CIF took on the ring ceremony as a project to mark Canada’s Centennial celebrations. For many years, the rings were only available to university graduates, but in 2002, technical colleges that offered forestry programs were added. The ring is now well-engrained as a symbol of success for students at Algonquin College who complete their forestry program.

Over the years, the curriculum has changed to reflect the new and future challenges that face the forestry sector. The recent wildfires in Alberta that forced the evacuation of thousands of people, leaving a trail of destruction and millions of dollars in damage to the tourist-friendly community of Jasper, is an example of the devastating consequences of a forest fire. Sadly, these fires are happening more often.

Climate change and environmental concerns, including the protection of wildlife and the demand for wood products to support housing needs across the country, emphasize the necessity of managing our forests well. Canada remains rich in natural resources, and trees are among the most renewable of those resources. Still, managing forests has become more complex with urban sprawl, a warming earth and labour shortages that have put tremendous strain on the industry.

A crowd of people gather for the Algonquin College Forestry Technician silver ring ceremony.

Families joined students as silver rings were presented as part of a program completion ceremony for Algonquin College’s Forestry Technician program.

During their silver ring ceremony, the students were reminded of the opportunity that had been presented to them to make a difference in their careers. As awards were presented to students who had achieved strong academic results in their program or had played a significant role in contributing to the overall success of their classmates, a long list of industry supporters was mentioned for having donated funds so the students could receive their rings at no cost. The message was clear: The forestry industry sticks together and welcomes new graduates to ensure the sector remains strong.

Forestry student receives award.

Student Jared Wiles receives the Canadian Institute of Forestry Gold Medal from past Forestry graduate and CIF member Sionaid Eggett and Forestry program coordinator Peter Arbour.

The ring comes with a commitment to live by a code of ethics for forestry professionals. Among the principles of that code are to always act in the best interest of the public good, to be true to their profession by being good stewards of the forest, to work in the best interests of their employer or client while performing their duties and to collaborate with other forestry workers in a respectful and supportive manner.

A new group of Forestry Technician students is about to start their program in September. It’s a full class of 50 students. Over the next 12 months, they will spend a lot of time in local forests, including time at the Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre, Algonquin Park, Petawawa Research Forest and local woodlots. Between field trips, they will dig into theory classes in their forestry lab on campus. During that time together, they will become friends, a close-knit group of students who can look forward to their silver ring ceremony and the opportunity to join a special fraternity in one of Canada’s oldest industries.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger is the Interim Dean of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

Algonquin College Pembroke Campus International Alumnus Pursues Nursing Career

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she travelled abroad to enroll in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She had grown up in the southern section of India, a tropical region where the temperatures routinely hit 30 degrees Celcius, but she had become captivated by the pictures she had seen of the snowy conditions of Canada. She knew in her heart, some day she would live in this country that seemed so far away.

“I thought the snow would feel like cotton, but coming to Canada, I never knew the snow would be so cold,” says Jacob who has now settled into her adopted country as a permanent resident and is pursuing her dream to work in health care.

Student studying in campus library.

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she left India to study in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

In India, she had written an entrance test to study medicine, but the draw to Canada and her young age prompted her to change her plans. She had no idea where Pembroke was, but she was excited when she received an offer of admission from the International Education Centre at Algonquin College.

With only one family member living in Canada, an aunt based in Calgary, Jacob was setting out on her own, eyes wide open with the hopes of starting a new life that would include the fluffy white stuff that had first drawn her to considering studying abroad. She came to the Pembroke Campus at a time when there were only a handful of international students, enrolling in the fall of 2018. Her friendly disposition allowed her to connect easily with classmates and staff, helping her make the transition to her new home.

“I am so happy I got into Algonquin College. The staff and faculty made me feel at home. I now see how much they cared,” says Jacob who now lives in Alberta and is studying to become a registered nurse at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

It was the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult isolation that came with it that prompted Jacob to re-locate to the West. She was only a few weeks away from completing her Social Service Worker program when the pandemic kept her in a tiny apartment in Pembroke, not able to make the connections with people who had helped her navigate her time in school and in the broader community.

International nursing student

Aneeta Jacob graduated from the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She is now studying nursing at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Her parents in India were worried about her safety, prompting her Aunt in Calgary to reach out, encouraging her to come live with her until things improved, but at the height of the pandemic it meant Jacob would need to stay in isolation for 14 days. Not being able to connect with her Aunt in person, despite living in the same house was really difficult, but in the pre-vaccination world of COVID, she did what she needed to do, following public health guidelines to protect others.

“It was very tough on me living alone in the basement of the home. I watched a lot of youtube videos,” says Jacob who stayed with her aunt for six months.

During COVID, many government services were not available. Jacob desperately wanted to get her post graduate employment permit so she could start working in the social work field, but she would have to wait. It took months to get it, but when it did come through, Jacob was on the move, seeking employment in her field.

She moved to Edmonton, but because of the pandemic shutdowns, she had trouble finding work, until an opportunity to work with people with disabilities opened a door for her to start her career in the social work field in the small town of Saint Paul, near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Jacob stayed in the border town for a year-and-a-half, then moved to Airdrie, Alberta, about a 20 minute drive from Calgary. There she became a team lead when she found another job that used her social service worker skills and she gained permanent residency status. She took a driver’s test and got her licence, bought herself a car, giving her more independence and she again started thinking about expanding her career into health care.

International Nursing student.“Nursing called me. I always knew I would do well in a crisis and that I wanted to work in medicine,” says Jacob who has just completed the first year of her baccalaureate program. Her previous studies at Algonquin College have helped her in her university courses, particularly the Developmental Psychology and Communications courses that she completed in the Social Service Worker program.

While she has been away from Pembroke for a few years, Jacob has a longing to return, maybe for a visit or potentially to work as a nurse after she graduates. “Pembroke treated me so warmly and my goal is to do something for Canada and to be a nurse that patients can depend on. I like small towns and once I am done, I want to move back to Pembroke.”

The shortage of nurses in smaller communities has put tremendous stress on the local labour market within the health care field. Jacob is an example of an international student who has fallen in love with Canada and is eager to make a difference in our country, but what separates her from many other immigrants, is her desire to work in a smaller community. While many newcomers settle in larger urban centres, Jacob says she is most at home in places like Saint Paul and Pembroke.

For now, she will work hard to complete her Nursing degree. If all goes as planned, she will graduate in the spring of 2027. A lot can change in three years, but right now Jacob has her eye on Pembroke. She misses the city and thinks often about how her first experience in Canada has shaped her desire to someday be a Canadian citizen, contributing to rural health care.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger. Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

Protecting Our Water Supply

There are few things more precious in the world than clean water. Canada has been blessed with an abundance of fresh water, including the Great Lakes, but to ensure the water that Canadians drink and use on a daily basis is safe, technicians are needed to effectively manage water and wastewater.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus will be offering a Water and Wastewater Technician diploma program for the first time in the fall of 2024. Many of the graduates will find work within municipalities, wherever there are water treatment plants.

Two Algonquin College students take water samples as part of a research project.

Algonquin College students take water samples as part of an applied research project.

The field of water and wastewater management emerged after the Walkerton water tragedy of early 2000. An e-coli outbreak at the Walkerton water plant resulted in the deaths of seven people and many more people became critically ill. The Ontario government ordered an inquiry, leading to much more rigid safety standards. Today, the small community that become the focal point of the inquiry is home to the Walkerton Clean Water Centre which offers research, training and testing services.

Since the centre opened in 2004, it has trained more than 80,000 people in clean water management, serving both urban and rural areas of the province. The tragedy and the creation of the centre has shone a spotlight on career opportunities within this important public safety field. Students in the Water and Wastewater program will learn about preventing waterborne illnesses, how to manage industrial waste and the operation of off-site wastewater treatment units.

In addition to their theory courses, students will have plenty of labs and field work, where they will be exposed to industry standard equipment and subject matter experts who will help understand the operation of mechanical systems. These applied learning experiences will prepare graduates to work as water and wastewater treatment operators, compliance officers, water analysts within municipalities or government operations and lab assistants in private and public research and monitoring laboratories.

Two Algonquin College students working in a pond as part of an applied research project.

Students in the Water and Wastewater program will find employment working in both public and private sector industries where water sampling is need to protect the public.

The role is detail oriented and involves plenty of team work. It requires individuals who are conscientious and committed to public safety and because the program is a compressed diploma, offered over 12 months instead of a traditional two year delivery format, the student timetable will be full. The program will have a lot of instructional time each week.

The primary admission requirement for the program is a high school diploma with successful completion of grade 12 English. However, having a strong foundation in math and sciences will help students succeed. The college offers free academic upgrading classes in Math, Chemistry and Biology to eligible Ontario residents, for anyone interested in the program but who feels they could use some additional preparatory courses to be better prepared.

Applications for the Water and Wastewater Technician program are available now at www.ontariocolleges.ca. More information can be found on the Pembroke Campus website at www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke.

(Post by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus)

 

 

 

The Year in Review at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

As the calendar turns to a new year, there are many things to celebrate at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Our year in review starts with several new partnerships that are creating more opportunities for the college to have an impact in the communities that it serves.

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall sign a Memorandum of Collaboration on April 15, 2023 at Algonquin College Pembroke.

Photo: Corporal (Cpl) Lanny Jellicoe

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall sign a Memorandum of Collaboration on April 15, 2023 at Algonquin College Pembroke.

Photo: Corporal (Cpl) Lanny Jellicoe

In the spring of 2023, the campus signed a memorandum of collaboration with Garrison Petawawa. The Pembroke Campus and the local military base have had a long-standing working relationship, but this formalized agreement has engaged both organizations in meaningful strategies that align with their respective goals. An example is the development of two free courses to support military spouses and military members who are transitioning to the civilian workforce. Both courses were offered for the first time in the fall and will continue into the New Year.

The Petawawa Research Forest has been a familiar place for students who have studied in the Forestry Technician program. For many years, students have visited the site to learn about forest management and different species. A memorandum of understanding signed with the Canadian Wood Fibre Association, which manages the forest, has opened the door to more applied research and learning opportunities for students in the program.

Country recording artist Jason Blaine performs at a hometown concert in Pembroke in December of 2023.

Country recording artist Jason Blaine performs at a hometown concert in Pembroke in December of 2023.

Alumnus Jason Blaine has continued to make the campus proud. He returned to Pembroke for a sold out hometown concert in December where he handed out more than $100,000 in grants to area organizations that support vulnerable people in our community, including the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club and the Robbie Dean Counselling Centre. Blaine’s annual concert and golf tournament in Pembroke will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2024. It is closing in on raising a million dollars, all money that has been put back into great causes such as supporting students in financial need at the college.

Students at the campus continued to make great contributions to the community. A few examples included the Carpentry and Renovations Technique students building a new pavilion for Champlain Discovery school and a garden shed for Pembroke’s waterfront volunteers. Other students participated in co-op placements, filling workforce gaps while learning more about their chosen careers. Some Urban Forestry Arboriculture program students were recognized for their volunteerism when they were presented with an award for having the most original float in the Pembroke Santa Claus parade.

For the first time, the Pembroke Campus was able to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day at its new medicine wheel garden. The special ceremony was led by Campus Elder Aimee Bailey and was well attended by students and employees of the campus. This spiritual place has become a special area for reflection and learning about Indigenous teachings. The garden is located on a hill top on the western tip of the college’s property and will eventually be surrounded by trees as part of an arboretum project being led by the college’s Forestry department.

College employees, students and Elder holding wampum belt.

The campus medicine wheel garden was dedicated at a special ceremony in June.

The campus continued to attract students from around the world in 2023 with more than 100 international students enrolled in the Fall term. They came from many countries including India, the Philippines, Ukraine, Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia. More international students will arrive in early 2024 as the college continues to diversify its enrolments.

The campus speaker series continued to attract many well-known Canadians, including former Governor General David Johnston who drew a sold-out crowd to his talk on his book, entitled ‘Empathy’. Other presenters at the speaker series included investigative journalist Julian Sher who spoke about the Steven Truscott Case, war historians Margaret MacMillan and Tim Cook and TVO’s The Agenda host Steve Paikin who shared stories from his book on former Prime Minister John Turner.

Elizabeth Manley, former figure skater

Elizabeth Manley delivered a great keynote address in October at the Fall Business Leadership conference.

Former Olympian skater Elizabeth Manley and Environment Canada’s Chief Climatologist David Phillips were on campus for the Fall Business Leadership conference. The conference was very well attended and also included key note presentations by retired General and CTV military analyst David Fraser and author and mental health expert, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe. The College has already confirmed that retired General Rick Hillier will be one of its keynote speakers next year at the conference.

It’s been a busy year, but as we close out 2023, everyone at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus wishes our students, alumni, employees and community partners a Happy New Year! We look forward to 2024 including celebrating our graduating class at our June convocation ceremony. That’s the ultimate goal for our campus, to help our students turn their hopes and dreams into life-long success.

(Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The campus will be closed for the holiday season from Friday, December 22 until Tuesday, January 2.)

 

 

 

From the Gridiron to Climbing Trees at Algonquin College

Football is a tough sport and some would argue the ultimate team sport. The X’s and O’s that make up the play sheet for a game is heavily reliant on everyone doing their job, but there’s one position that is critical to the success of the team-the quarterback role.

Ryan PyearRyan Pyear has held that position and 18 years after he steered Wilfrid Laurier university to a Vanier Cup title, he has called an audible and is trying to re-set his career at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The former football star who was named the most valuable player when his Golden Hawks defeated the Saskatchewan Huskies in the 2005 national championship game is far removed from the grid iron, having turned in his football jersey for climbing boots, ropes and a hard hat. These days he spends most of his time climbing trees and learning from his professors as a student in the Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program.

Climbing treesNow in his early 40’s, Pyear has made a bold move to switch careers. Like football, he has found a new passion, one that is far removed from his more traditional roles that have involved office work and ironically recruiting students to post secondary education. After graduating with a Kinesiology degree from Laurier, he returned to the sidelines as a coach for the school’s football program for the next seven years. He then joined the student recruitment office, eventually moving across town to the University of Waterloo where he continued to work as a recruiter, but the years of office work and travel started to wear on him and he looked elsewhere for new career pathways. That’s what brought him to the Pembroke campus.

“I was at a point where I was unhappy working inside most of the time. I’ve always loved trees and nature and wanted to spend more time outside so I decided to make a change before it was too late. I looked around and the Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program had everything I was looking for so I decided to choose happiness over money and take a leap,” says Pyear.

It literally was a leap. In his football days, Pyear would look down a field and try to identify what the defence was going to do once the ball was snapped. These days, he finds himself high above the ground with a unique perspective of nature’s beauty as he learns the art of climbing trees. It’s technical work where safety is paramount, but Pyear has found there is a correlation to his five years of playing university football.

Playing football“As a QB I learned to simplify things and just focus on the task at hand. That’s helped me when I’m in the tree, especially when doing climbing exams 50 or more feet above the ground. I also learned to identify what I need to improve at, which has transferred nicely into the program. There’s also the competitive nature of it and wanting to be better than I was yesterday. There’s no shortage of skills to learn and improve on,” says Pyear.

When you speak to Pyear about his football legacy, his face lightens up. It was a special time in his life, and now years later with more life experience to draw on, he has set himself up for a new challenge. Like football, climbing trees is physically demanding, but he is enjoying the experience.

“The program is both challenging and extremely interesting. We have ideal instructors and although I’m a fair bit older than my classmates, I find them more relatable than what I experienced in my old profession. I love the city too. I’m always down by the waterfront or exploring somewhere, and I’ve met some amazing people just out and about that I end up speaking with for sometimes close to an hour,” says Pyear.

Pyear is a long way from the former Ivor Wynne stadium in Hamilton where he became a hero at Wildrid Laurier university on an early December night almost two decades ago by engineering a game winning drive that gave him and his teammates a chance to lift the Vanier Cup above their heads. With the clock winding down, Pyear got his team into field goal range, leading to a climactic 24-23 win over the Huskies.

The performance not only resulted in Pyear being named the most valuable player of the national championship game, it also made him an All Canadian quarterback for the second time in his playing career and earned him a first ballot introduction to the Legends of Laurier Football Ring of Honour.

But that was then. Pyear will still pick up a football occasionally and throw it around with friends, but the grid iron is far removed from his thoughts. He has a new game plan now, one that is focused on being an arborist, a career that has replaced cheering fans with the stillness of nature. It’s a contrast that Pyear has embraced. He’s turned the page and is writing a new chapter in his life story.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

 

Former Military Police Officer Begins a New Adventure at Algonquin College

Daniel Larente is looking for adventure, literally. The 43-year old Algonquin College student has already packed a lot into his life, but now he is about to explore a new career pathway, one that is driven by his passion for the outdoors.

Two years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Larente enrolled in the Outdoor Adventure program at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus. It was a big step forward and an escape from a troubling time in the former soldier’s life.

He was trying to move forward after suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, a condition that led to severe depression and anxiety. The mental health challenges he faced came after a more than seventeen year career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a military police officer, a career that took a toll on his well-being.

Military Police Officer in Afghanistan.

Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a military police officer prior to enrolling in the adventure program.

“It all stemmed from bottling up the issues that I held due to severe events I attended, never seeking the help I truly needed,” says Larente. Some of those difficult experiences included serving in Afghanistan in 2008 as a member of the Police Operational Mentor Liaison Team, a group that trained with the Afghan Police force. It was dangerous work, the team often coming under enemy fire. The Taliban targeted the Afghan police and so the liaison group needed the support of an infantry division to try to keep it safe.

The path to become a soldier came from Larente’s upbringing. He grew up in a military family and when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred at the World Trade Centre in New York City and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. it was the catalyst for Larente to pursue a career in military policing. “I wanted to serve and protect the country and its people,” and understanding the military way of life, Larente was attracted to joining the Canadian Forces.

He completed the Police Foundations program at Algonquin’s Ottawa Campus and then joined the military, soon after becoming a member of the military police. Posted to Garrison Petawawa he enjoyed the natural resources paradise that is the Ottawa Valley, known for its pristine lakes and rivers and its rugged terrain which is ideal for outdoor adventure activities.

When he released from the military in 2021, Larente met with a career counsellor and identified his interest in the Outdoor Adventure program with a plan to start his own business. “I hope to open an outdoor guide business within the Petawawa/Pembroke area to truly show the beauty we have here in the Valley and help others see it to by way of canoeing or backpacking,” says Larente.

An Outdoor Adventure student canoeing.

Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente enjoys one of his favourite outdoor activities, canoeing.

It’s not surprising that Larente has a love of the outdoors. He thinks Canada is the best place in the world to live, and throughout his military career he has had the opportunity to explore many parts of it, in addition to his time spent in other countries as a soldier. He has lived in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, but for the time-being Petawawa is his home.

“As for the next chapter, the Valley is home and I hope to continue to explore and grow within the community,” says Larente who will graduate from the college with his second Algonquin diploma in a few weeks. He will do so as the President of the Algonquin College Students’ Association

As a mature student in the Outdoor Adventure program and with a long career behind him in the armed forces, Larente easily transitioned to being a leader in the program for its younger students. After completing the first year in the program and realizing he could help other students succeed by sharing his life experiences and helping them access the supports that are available to them, Larente chose to put his name forward for student government. He became the Student Director for the Pembroke Campus and was then elevated to Vice-President of the Students’ Association.

Midway through his term as Vice-President, Larente was again promoted, this time he became President of the Students’ Association, giving him more influence in his quest to support student success. With thousands of students enrolled at Algonquin’s Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth and online campuses, Larente now had a bigger voice and given his own personal experiences, student mental health become one of his key priorities.

Through the leadership of Larente and the other Students’ Association Directors, an enhanced health plan was put in place for students this year that offered additional access to counselling and other services that support mental health and well-being. Larente has also advocated for more affordable housing for students and in the case of Pembroke Campus students, he has been a voice for the need for public transit.

Student sitting on a chair at Algonquin College.

Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente is the President of the Algonquin College Students’ Association.

Wherever he travels, he bends the ear of anyone who can help students. Recently he participated in a community consultation for the city of Pembroke, where he spoke about how public transit would help students get to and from their classes, part-time jobs and to pick up groceries. As a member of the Pembroke Campus student success committee he has reminded faculty and administration of the stresses that some students are facing as they manage life and school. When it comes to helping promote the campus to prospective students, Larente is one of the greatest spokespersons the campus could have. He often steps up to be part of student recruitment activities.

As Larente approaches the completion of his program, he can reflect on a life that has been filled with rewarding , sometimes tough and challenging experiences while he embraces a fresh start with a new career. Moving forward his challenges will come in the tranquillity of the outdoors, a space where he has a connection with nature and an appreciation for all that the Ottawa Valley has to offer.

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

Note: Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus will be holding a Canadian Armed Forces educational day on Saturday, April 15th from 9 a.m. to 12-noon to share information with current and exiting military members, veterans and military spouses on the programs and services available to the military community. Register here.

March Break Open House for Prospective Pembroke Campus Students

It is now the time for college bound students to start finalizing their plans for post-secondary education. Many have already applied or are in the process of doing so, but making a firm commitment to a program or a college campus requires a bit more research.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus is hosting its annual March Break Open House on Saturday, March 11th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be the first time since the spring of 2019 that this event has been held. In March of 2020, the Open House was the first major event the College had to cancel because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Student

The March Break Open House is primarily intended to help prospective students learn more about all that the campus has to offer. Campus tours are a big part of the day as they provide an opportunity for students to see great facilities like specialized training labs, trades shops, classrooms, the library, the gymnasium, rock climbing wall and the fitness centre.

Guided tours by the campus student recruitment team are more in depth, sharing information on everything from what student services are available to help students succeed to the campus operating hours. There’s always time to answer questions while groups of prospective students and their families make their way through areas like student services and the Student Commons.

Throughout the morning there will be scheduled presentations on financial aid, supporting students with disabilities, the Students’ Association and a special parent session. Parents are often involved in the decision making when young people are choosing the right college that suits their career interests and their personalities. They remain the most influential person in a young person’s life as they begin their post-secondary journey and the college encourages them to attend the Open House Spouses are also welcome as they provide a great deal of support for mature applicants who are returning to school. Parent Info Session, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Students who are currently studying at the Pembroke Campus will be on hand for a student panel, an opportunity for campus visitors to hear first hand about what their experience has been like at the campus. Ove the years, a consistent theme has been shared about how welcoming the campus is and how genuinely interested the faculty and staff are in helping students achieve their hopes and dreams for life-long success.

take the quiz

The Pembroke Campus offers more than 20 full time programs. Given the significant labour market shortages in many sectors, these programs offer a direct link to filling job vacancies in our local region as well as across the province and country. Some programs are eligible for government funding to help pay for post-secondary education and new incentives such as the Learn and Stay grant offers free tuition to nursing applicants who enroll in the Fall 2023 intake at the Pembroke Campus.

Applicants who have already applied to the campus will have received an emailed invitation to attend the March Break Open House. Anyone who is interested in attending, but has not yet applied to college, can visit the campus website to pre-register at algonquincollege.com/pembroke.