Pembroke Campus

Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Looks Back at 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus is looking back on another year of great accomplishments by its students, alumni and employees. Our year in review starts in January when the campus expanded its health care program offerings by adding new sections of the Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs to help address labour shortages in our local health care sector.

In February, the process of naming the campus drum began with a special ceremony led by Elder Barry Sarazin who later revealed that the Grandfather drum was to be named Mishomis Ashage Dwegan. The drum naming came six years after it was built by students under the direction of Elder Skip Ross and knowledge holder Pinock Smith.

Indigenous drummers at Algonquin College's Pembroke campus.

Elder Barry Sarazin leads drumming at a special drum naming ceremony at Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus.

Former Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould visited the Pembroke campus in March as part of the campus speaker series. She spoke about how Canadians can become “inbetweeners” to help strengthen the relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples. After leaving politics, Wilson-Raybould has been an outspoken advocate for Indigenous peoples and has now written several books.

Tree climbing is physically demanding, but students in the Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program were highlighting their climbing skills at their year-end climbing competition in April. The event always attracts a lot of arborist employers who are eager to hire these very talented students.

The Options Skilled Trades Fair continued to promote apprenticeship training as a career option for young people when it was held in May at the Pembroke Memorial Centre. Hundreds of high school students from across Renfrew and Pontiac Counties participated in the event which again included several skills competitions among senior high school students in fields such as welding, carpentry, culinary arts, small engine repair and tire changing.

Jason Blaine holds a key to the city of Pembroke on a stage at his charity concert in Pembroke.

Pembroke campus alumnus Jason Blaine holds a key to the city of Pembroke after his charity topped $1-million raised at his annual concert and golf tournament.

June was a month of celebration. Alumnus Jason Blaine cracked the $1-million milestone in fundraising as his charity golf tournament and concert marked its tenth anniversary. Blaine was also awarded the key to the city of Pembroke, recognition for his talent and his philanthropic support for his hometown. Also in June, hundreds of graduates crossed the stage at our convocation ceremony and our campus Dean, Sarah Hall, was honored with a special coin presented by Garrison Petawawa commander, Colonel Jason Guiney for her tireless work strengthening the college’s relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces.

July brought good news to the campus as it was approved by the province to deliver the Arborist apprenticeship training program. Adding this apprenticeship program is complimentary to the full time Urban Forestry-Arboriculture certificate program that the campus has delivered for several years. The campus also offers carpentry and electrical apprenticeship training programs.

In August, the Pembroke campus sought public input on its master campus development plan. As it looks towards the future, the college is considering where investments will need to be made in its facilities.

Former Olympian figure skater and mental health advocate Elizabeth Manley returned to campus in September to be part of a tree planning activity with Forestry students. The activity was held on International Suicide Prevention Day, giving students and campus employees an opportunity to remember friends and family who have died by suicide. It also opened up a door for Manley to speak about the importance of mental health and wellness, as she shared her own personal journey battling depression during her skating career.

In September, the Outdoor Adventure program marked its 25th anniversary with a special homecoming weekend at Wilderness Tours. Alumni from the program returned to the Ottawa Valley from across the country to re-connect with former classmates and faculty while enjoying a weekend of whitewater rafting and other adventure activities.

Retired General Rick Hillier headlined our Fall Business Leadership conference in October. General Hillier helped the conference attract a large crowd as he shared his experiences leading Canadian troops and offered sound advice on leadership. Television and podcast personality Amber MacArthur returned to the conference to speak about artificial intelligence and its impact on the workforce.

Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Marie Wilson and Pembroke Campus Elder Marie Wilson pose for a picture.

Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Marie Wilson and Pembroke Campus Elder Marie Wilson.

Marie Wilson was one of three commissioners to lead Canada’s National Truth and Reconciliation commission. She came to the Pembroke campus in November to speak about her new book, North of Nowhere, which chronicles her experience working with His Honour, Murray Sinclair and Wilton Littlechild for more than six-and-a-half years as they listened and recorded testimony from survivors of Canada’s residential school system.

More than 20 campus employees visited the Chalk River labs of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in December. CNL is a major employer of Algonquin College graduates and co-op students and the tour of the site helped faculty and staff consider future partnerships.

There was so much more that happened this year, but these few highlights show what a vibrant learning community exists at Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus. The college will close for the holiday season on December 24th and will re-open on January 2nd. The Winter term begins on Monday, January 6th.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean of Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus)

 

 

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

 

Running a Marathon Into A New Career

The sweat dripped off the face of Nevill Carney as he crossed the finish line. It was a cooler and overcast Sunday afternoon in late May as he raised his arms in celebration of completing his first marathon. The pure exhilaration of running the 42.2 kilometre race was so satisfying that he forgot about the cramping pain he had experienced 30 kilometres into the Ottawa International Marathon.

He had finished the race in 5 hours, 18 minutes and one second. The time didn’t matter as much as the personal satisfaction of completing the marathon. The months of training through the winter months had been worth it. His body had responded well and the tips he had received from other runners were helpful.

For Carney, running the grueling race was the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. He had reached a pinnacle in his life, with everything coming together at once. Living in a new community, completing a college program, starting a new job and now holding on to a medal as proof that he had completed his first marathon.

Man crosses finish line at Ottawa International Marathon.

Nevill Carney completes the Ottawa International Marathon in 5 hours, 18 minutes and 1 second.

The journey to running in the marathon had started seven years earlier when Carney completed a half marathon in the Ottawa Army Run, but since then he had put running on the backburner. His focus was on choosing a second career and it brought him to Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus as a mature student.

When he was younger, Carney had completed an Advanced Diploma in the Film and Television Production program at Humber College in Toronto. That led to a job with the Discovery Channel where he travelled the world, helping to produce segments for shows like “Mighty Ships,” but when the winds of change blew through the sails of many media companies, he lost his job. That prompted Carney to move back to his hometown of Ottawa where he found employment in the trades working in home renovations. Eventually, he took a series of contracts with the federal government working in administrative roles with both Health Canada and Procurement Canada.

It was while working within the federal bureaucracy that he met his girlfriend who was from Eganville and in January 2023 Carney made the decision to move to the Ottawa Valley as the couple’s relationship became more serious. The move made finding employment in his new community a top priority, so he quickly inserted himself by becoming a volunteer with a local food bank as he started kicking the tires for job opportunities. At the same time, Carney started thinking about going back to school to better position himself for long term employment success in his new home.

He attended a career fair at Algonquin College’s Community Employment Services office in Eganville. There he met a college student recruiter and learned about the College’s new Business Fundamentals program, an eight month certificate program designed to help people move quickly back into the workforce with a fresh set of skills that were easily transferrable to many businesses. When he found out the program was offered in a multi-modal delivery format, it piqued his interest and he reached out to the Business program coordinator, Kim Drake, to learn more. He scheduled a virtual meeting with Drake and liked what he heard.

“The flexibility of being able to study in a multi-modal environment, that was huge,” says Carney about his decision to enroll in the program. “Kim did a great job explaining how multi-modal worked and left me feeling like she was my friend, not a faculty member.”

Man wearing medal he earned after running his first marathon.

Nevill Carney proudly wears the medal he earned after completing the 2024 Ottawa International Marathon.

That personal touch that Carney experienced is one of the trademarks of the Pembroke Campus. During the admissions cycle, program coordinators connect with incoming students to share more information about the program and to give the students the opportunity to ask questions. The process is called First Contact and it helps put students at ease, assisting them with building a relationship with one of their key faculty members before they start school.

As Carney had his questions answered he liked what he was hearing about the multi-modal delivery option. Multi-modal programs permit students to attend classes in person or join virtually. They can choose on a daily basis how they want to access their classes, but all students have the same timetable.

As a mature student, Carney was still weighing the pros and cons of returning to school, so he stayed connected with Drake and asked more questions. They got to know each other and Carney shared some of his personal interests, including an idea that had been percolating about running a marathon. Drake shared that the campus librarian, Patti Kim, had twice ran in the prestigious Boston Marathon and suggested he might want to talk to her about how she prepared for races. Carney acted quickly and was pleasantly surprised when Kim quickly responded to his email.

“Patti gave me some foundational pointers on nutrition, hydration and building a training plan. It was really helpful.” For Carney, the connection he was building with faculty and staff at the Pembroke Campus was increasingly convincing him he needed to follow through with his post-secondary plans. “When Patti responded quickly and was willing to meet with me, even before I started school, I could see myself studying here.”

At 36 years of age, Carney was taking the big step of enrolling again in college. He visited the campus and took a tour, introduced himself to the librarian and exchanged more running stories with her, met face to face with some of the other staff who he had been talking to as he made his decision to enroll in Business Fundamentals and then when September of 2023 arrived, he stepped into a classroom for the first time in many years.

He wanted to get to know his new classmates as quickly as possible so he chose to attend most classes in person during the Fall term, but when winter weather arrived, he increasingly joined classes from home. “Kim did a great job making everyone feel that they were part of the class environment,” regardless of how they were accessing the class. It was an eye opener into how much technology has taken a leading role in education,” says Carney.

Picture of man running in Ottawa International marathon.

Nevill Carney runs his first marathon in May of 2024.

Success came quickly for Carney. As he was nearing the completion of his program, he attended a job fair that was held on campus and had a good conversation with some of the city of Pembroke staff who were recruiting new employees. When Carney shared some of his background, he was encouraged to apply for a job with the city.

He had done well in his courses and had confidence as he interviewed for a temporary position within the city’s tourism department. When he got the summer job he quickly made an impression with city staff. That led to applying for a permanent position within the city’s planning department and just as he was finishing up his first marathon he received good news that he had won that competition too. Within a month of completing college, he had secured full time employment and had ran his first full marathon.

“When I was first humming and hawing about whether to go back to school, Kim Drake grounded me and showed me how the program would lead me to a career. The faculty care and want you to succeed,” says Carney who is looking forward to attending his convocation ceremony, the icing on the cake in a year long journey that has him running into a bright future.

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

 

Saying Goodbye to Algonquin College’s Lumberjack

There were few people who could look Chris Ryan in the eye. At well over six feet tall, he towered over most people that he met, but his intimidating physical physique was quickly swept away by a smile and dimple that could light up the room. For almost 30 years, he was a fixture in the hallways of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus and in the forests of the Ottawa Valley, wherever students were learning about the field that he was passionate about.

Chris RyanRyan passed away recently, after battling health issues in recent years. He was only 49 years of age and his death has left a big hole in the Algonquin College community and in the region’s forestry sector where he was well known as the big lumberjack with a contagious chuckle and a jovial spirit that made him a friend to many.

Growing up in the Pontiac region of West Quebec, Ryan was surrounded by trees that grew into a love of the outdoors. From a young age he was felling trees. Not surprisingly it led him to a career in forestry. After completing his high school education in Quebec, he crossed the Ottawa River to earn an Ontario grade 13 certificate and then enrolled in the Forestry Technician program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

When he graduated from college, he joined the staff of the college as a technician for the forestry program, a position he held for almost three decades, moving from part-time to full-time work. While he supported students in their many field trips, he also led some tutorials in the classroom and he became the coach of the school’s varsity loggersports team.

The team competed against other colleges and universities in activities such as pole climbing, crosscut sawing and axe throwing. It was a throwback to the forestry trade at the turn of the century before the industry was revolutionized by modern equipment. Ryan excelled as the coach. His strength and size spurred comparisons to the great Joseph Montferrand, the French Canadian logger who became a folk hero and was the inspiration for the fictitious Big Joe Mufferaw, the character that Stompin Tom Connors sang about, creating an anthem for everyone who loved forestry as much as Ryan did. Ryan received a call from the Ottawa Redblacks

In the spring of 2014, Ryan received a call from the Ottawa Redblacks. The fledgling Canadian Football League team was building its brand and wanted to link the football club to the Ottawa Valley’s rich forestry heritage. The team had learned that Algonquin’s Pembroke Campus had a loggersports team and was interested in a partnership to have the loggersports athletes perform at Redblacks home games.

Ryan at the stadiumIt turned out to be one of the highlights of Ryan’s life and made him into a bit of a celebrity, a role he relished, never shying away from a photo opportunity with a fan, a player or team executive. Over the course of several seasons, until the world wide COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended the partnership in 2020 when the CFL season was cancelled, Ryan never missed a home game.

He was on the sidelines with loggersports team members, scrambling every time the Redblacks scored a touchdown, to start the chainsaws and cut a ceremonial wooden cookie, branded with the Redblacks logo. He was there for the team’s Grey Cup parade and celebration in Ottawa after they upset Calgary in the 2016 league championship and he attended Grey Cup games in Winnipeg and Edmonton. He was the constant every time the team got in the end zone, his image splashed across the nation on TSN, a symbol of the Ottawa Redblacks lumberjack brand.

His work in forestry fit his personality. Forestry is the reason the Ottawa Valley exists. The industry dates back hundreds of years, and at his core, Ryan was nostalgic. He loved old television shows like The Dukes of Hazzard and Dallas, but beyond the forests his other passion was sports. Baseball was his true love. An avid Blue Jays fan, he celebrated team wins and dissected losses, always enjoying the opportunity to kibbitz with colleagues about the trials and tribulations of being a sports fan. Grey cup

His presence will be missed on campus and in the community. He was often there when the loggersports team performed at local festivals and fairs and given his physical stature, he was hard to miss in a crowd. He knew a lot of people and kept in touch with friends and colleagues. For those who knew him well, they will miss his texts and chats and his sense of humour. Algonquin’s big lumberjack was a lot like Joe Mufferaw. He was bigger than life.

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

 

Go To College Week A Huge Success for the Waterfront Campus

To say the Pembroke Waterfront Campus was a busy place during what should have been a quiet break week would be an understatement. With most college students taking a week off (October 23 to 27) for studying or a mental health break, the campus hosted more than 600 high school students at a series of events that allowed the campus to show off its facilities and programming.

The week started with an Open House that attracted more than 400 senior high school students from across Renfrew and Pontiac Counties. In addition to taking a campus tour, the visiting students were able to participate in several interactive activities that including trying out heavy equipment simulators that are used in the Forestry Technician program, learning more about defence tactics in a demonstration led by faculty in the Police Foundations program and connecting with students in the Outdoor Adventure program who were highlighting their rock climbing skills.

Students also spent time with faculty learning more about the programs that they were interested in and they heard from current Algonquin College students about what they can expect when they move from high school to post-secondary education. The students were made aware that applications are now open for the Fall 2024 intake and that they should apply before February 1st to improve their chances of getting a seat in the program that meets their career goals.

By mid-week, the campus was teaming up with Junior Achievement for its World of Choices event. More than 125 high school students, most of them in grade ten, rotated around the gymnasium where they met with people from many sectors and learned about different career pathways such as radiation protection roles in the nuclear sector to nursing careers.

The campus closed the week by hosting its first Jill of All Trades experiential learning day for grade nine to twelve girls. This hands-on event gave the students a chance to try out careers in carpentry, electrical, computer systems technicians, arborist, forestry and radiation protection. About 100 students participated and they were supported by about 40 mentors, people who were already working in the field that they were exploring.

In between these high school student events, the campus also hosted some of Canada’s best known personalities at its annual Fall Business Leadership conference. Two Order of Canada recipients, Olympian skater Elizabeth Manley and Environment Canada’s Chief Climatologist David Phillips spoke at the conference which was well attended by local business people who came together for a day of professional development and networking.

So while college students took some time to re-charge their batteries and get ready for the final stretch of the Fall term, the campus was very busy connecting with prospective students and the business community. It was a great demonstration of how important the campus is to so many audiences who rely on the college to access education and training opportunities and in the case of the younger audience, to help them choose a career.

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

 

 

Former Olympian Elizabeth Manley Headlines Fall Business Leadership Conference

Some of Canada’s best-known media personalities will headline Algonquin College’s Fall Business Leadership conference on Thursday, October 26 at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Among the presenters will be former Olympic skating silver medalist Elizabeth Manley, Environment Canada’s Chief Climatologist David Phillips, and CTV National News military analyst, retired General David Fraser.

They will be joined by author and resiliency expert, Dr. Robyne Hanley Dafoe, who recently released her second book, entitled ‘Stress Wisely’. Hanley-Dafoe’s first book, ‘Calm Within the Storm’ was a practical guide to helping people face life’s day-to-day challenges. A well sought after speaker across North America, Hanley-Dafoe delivers a positive message about how people can cultivate resiliency to be successful in their personal lives and their careers.

Elizabeth Manley, former figure skaterIn the 1980’s and 1990’s, Elizabeth Manley was a household name, competing in skating competitions around the world. It was a high stress career, but Manley excelled despite the intense pressure to perform. Since retiring from skating, she has become an advocate for mental health and wellness. Her talk about mental health in the workplace will build on Manley’s personal struggles by offering recommendations from the lessons she has learned in life.

When it comes to the weather, there is no more recognizable face or voice than David Phillips. With thousands of interviews under his belt, Canada’s best known weather personality has been telling Canadian weather stories for more than 50 years. At the conference, Phillips will zero in on how the weather affects our workplace, including the impact of climate change.

During Canada’s difficult mission to Afghanistan, General David Fraser was on the front line of one of the country’s most difficult missions. Now retired, the CTV National News military analyst and author is speaking about leadership in the digital age. Fraser offers helpful tips to leaders to anticipate what’s coming next at a time when things are happening so fast, it is hard to keep up with the changes.

In addition to the keynotes addresses, conference attendees will be able to choose from several workshops on topics such as marketing, sales, promotions, creating safe spaces at work to allow failure to be improve performance and integrating newcomers into the workplace. Networking opportunities are built into the schedule for attendees who attend the conference on campus, but a virtual option will also be available to attend the conference. All of the presenters will be on campus and will deliver their session in person.

Algonquin College’s Manager of Community and Student Affairs, Jamie Bramburger, says the College started the conference several years ago and it has now become very popular. “We envisioned a big city conference being available to our local businesses where they could tap into timely and meaningful professional development at a reasonable cost. We’ve delivered on that promise by bringing in some of the biggest names in Canada to present on a variety of topics that affect the workplace,” says Bramburger.

Early bird registration rates of $240 plus taxes are in place until September 30. Registration includes four keynote addresses, a choice of attending two workshops and lunch. An after conference social is also being hosted by the college.

Nominations are also open for the business innovation award that is handed out each year at the conference. The award celebrates a business in Renfrew County that has created a unique approach that has led to better customer service, improved productivity or an innovative new product line.

The conference is being sponsored by Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, Lanark-Renfrew Local Immigration Partnerships, the city of Pembroke, Lanark Renfrew Labour Market Working Group and Algonquin College Community Employment Services.

More information on the conference can be found on the college website at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/business-conference/.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus Builds Deeper Relationship with Garrison Petawawa

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has always had a close working relationship with Garrison Petawawa, but it has never been a formal partnership until now. Recently, campus Dean Sarah Hall and Garrison Commander, Colonel Jason Guiney signed a memorandum of collaboration as the campus held its first Canadian Armed Forces Day.

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall

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

The agreement had been in the works for several months and signals the start of an important and mutually beneficial relationship aimed at supporting the educational needs of the military community. The CAF Day was an example of the partnership being implemented as the college customized an agenda that was geared to current military members, soldiers who will be leaving the military soon, veterans and military spouses.

One of the most powerful activities during the event was a panel of former military members who shared their experiences transitioning from the military to attending college and then entering the civilian workforce. There were six panelists, all of whom had attended the Pembroke Campus after leaving the Armed Forces.

All of them had a different story to share, some of them describing their departure from military life as a smooth transition while others said that they had difficulty adjusting to being a civilian. Regardless of their responses to the questions that were posed to them by the audience, they were transparent and offered great advice to the military members who attended the session.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is very familiar with the needs of former military members who join its learning community. In 2019 the campus surveyed its first year students and learned that three out of ten students indicated they had a member of their family who was in the Can

Former soldiers speak at Algonquin College

Former military members who studied at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus participate in a student panel at the College’s Canadian Armed Forces Day.

adian Armed Forces. It was a telling statistic, demonstrating the close linkage the campus has with military families.

The CAF Day also included a campus tour, an overview of the programs and services offered at the Pembroke Campus, information on Academic Upgrading courses, online learning, prior learning assessment and recognition, and supports that are provided to learners who have physical or learning disabilities.

Moving forward, the college is developing a special course for military members that will help them more easily make the transition to post-secondary education. The course will be offered to members of the army, navy or air force who are about to leave the military and have a plan to pursue higher education to help them access the civilian workforce. The first intake is planned for the fall of 2023 and will be delivered in person at the Pembroke Campus.

The memorandum of collaboration is a positive step towards deeper integration between the Garrison and the college at a time when there are widespread labour shortages in several sectors of the economy. Military members have a lot to offer to the civilian workforce. Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is working towards opening more doors to allow them to earn the post-secondary credentials they desire as they choose a new career pathway after serving their country.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Jamie can be reached by email at brambuj@algonquincollege.com)

Reflecting on a Special Year 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 a very special anniversary as we marked ten great years since we opened our campus along the shores of the Ottawa River. Graduating Students

We celebrated by inviting many of the people who contributed to the building of the campus, including elected officials, donors, current and past board members, strategic partners, alumni, employees and retirees, all of whom made contributions to the project. The celebration was capped by a surprise performance by Business alumnus and Canadian Country recording artist, Jason Blaine, who has become a leading philanthropist.

Blaine had another successful charity event in the summer of 2022, raising more than $130,000 for community causes. His charity has now invested more than $750,000 into community projects and services in the Pembroke area since it launched almost a decade ago. A major benefactor of Blaine’s generosity has been Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Blaine has donated $200,000 to the campus to support the building of the campus and an endowment fund that helps students in financial need. Jason Blaine

The generosity of Blaine has been extraordinary, but there are other great examples of the college community giving back. Students in the Forestry Technician program were presented with a Changemaker award by the College’s Board of Governors for their work in planting trees in a Forest of Hope near Beachburg, an initiative to bring awareness to preventing suicide.

Promoting equity, diversity and inclusion is a core value of Algonquin College and in the summer of 2022 a new mural was unveiled at the campus that has become a focal point for celebrating the many groups of people that are represented on campus. Many students and employees had the opportunity to participate in the mural painting, making the project very special to everyone who was involved in its creation.

Diversity MuralFor the first time, National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30 was marked with a special on campus ceremony of reflection led by the Campus Elder, Aimee Bailey. The back-drop for the ceremony was a powerful Legacy of Hope display that chronicled the indignities forced on Canada’s Indigenous peoples, such as the residential school system which separated thousands of children from their families, having a devastating impact on Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Services, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusWith the guidance of the Elder and Kampus Kokum, Joanne Haskins, the campus Medicine Wheel Garden was refreshed by students and faculty. This spiritual place is located on a hill to the west of the campus and has become a special area for reflection and learning about Indigenous teachings.

As students returned to campus in the Fall of 2022 in much larger numbers, following two years of adapting to primarily remote learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was renewed energy inside the building. Social events and activities were well attended by students who enjoyed the opportunity to connect to their peers outside the classroom, and the campus recreational facilities were well used as students enjoyed rock climbing, intramural sports and the fitness centre.

Prospective students also returned to campus. For the first time in three years, the campus held its Open House for senior high school students. More than 450 students from schools across Renfrew and Pontiac Counties attended. They participated in interactive activities and presentations led by faculty as they learned about the many programs and services offered at the campus.

A change in leadership occurred as the campus welcomed a new Dean and Board of Governor’s representative. Sarah Hall replaced Keltie Jones, becoming the seventh Dean in the more than 55 year history of the campus and Tony Pollard took over for Jay McLaren at the Governor’s table. Hall presided over her first convocation in June, a welcome return to an in person celebration of the graduates after the College had been holding online graduation ceremonies since the pandemic had started. Dean, Sarah Hall

As the campus looks toward 2023, it plans for more international students, new programs, more partnerships and the continued support of communities throughout the Ottawa Valley. Mostly, it looks to welcome more students who have hopes and dreams for life-long success. Happy New Year!

(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 23 until Monday January 2.)

 

 

 

Why Every College Student Should Attend Orientation

Getting off to a good start is paramount to a student’s success when they enrol in a post-secondary program, but not all students attend their orientation. By not attending, students often start their program a bit behind their classmates, sometimes scrambling to get on the college network, accessing their text books or having trouble navigating their way around the campus. So, here are some good reasons for all students to attend orientation.

Orientation is intended to be an opportunity for students to make connections. At an academic orientation, students meet their faculty and new classmates, they review their timetable, learn about the expectations of the program and their program coordinator will go over a list of things they need to do be successful in the program. This may include submitting documents that clear them for a clinical or work place experience, purchasing equipment or supplies that they will need such as a laptop computer or safety equipment, or participating in a library orientation. It’s important to have all of this information up front so that when classes start, students are ready to go.

Orientation cardsBeyond the academic preparation is the need to be familiar with student services. There are many supports that are in place to help students navigate their way through college such as counselling, the centre for accessible learning that helps students with disabilities, tutoring, academic coaching, financial aid, co-op and health services. All of these services work together to provide comprehensive support to students who may need help with understanding curriculum, managing their time or addressing personal issues that are impacted their ability to perform to the best of their ability.

When students attend orientation, they get to know about these services and meet the staff who will help them. Making these early connections can go a long way to helping a student feel comfortable in their new surroundings. But, there are also some business items that students can check off of their to do list. Completing a financial aid profile during orientation will help students who are eligible for financial assistance to access bursaries. Students can also pick up their student I-D photo cards which give them access to printing credits on campus as well as discounts at local businesses and students can learn about the Students’ Association dental and health plan coverage.

Pembroke Campus, Games Day

Of course, there are lots of fun social and recreational activities as well, including a move in day barbeque, a 5 kilometre walk/run, a concert, comedy night and so much more. All of these activities help build a campus community of support that quickly takes away any apprehension students have about their new learning environment.

Parents can also attend some orientation activities such as the move in day BBQ and a special brunch held on Labour Day weekend for out of town families. There’s also an information session for parents which helps them better understand how the college operates and where they can be an ally to help their student success. By sharing information with parents about what services are available to students, they often can help the college ensure students are accessing the supports they need to overcome any difficulty they are having in their program of study.

Orientation ScheduleAlgonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus is kicking off its orientation activities on Thursday, September 1st and Friday, September 2nd. Classes begin on Tuesday, September 6th so attending orientation sessions in advance will have students much better prepared for day one of classes. So, make the time and attend your orientation. It will be time well spent.

(Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus)

 

 

 

History Takes Centre Stage at Algonquin College Virtual Speaker Series

Canada’s worst day of World War ll highlights the Algonquin College virtual speaker series as the country marks the 80th anniversary of the ill-fated Dieppe raid. In a single day, more than 900 Canadian lives were lost on August 19, 1942 while another 3,460 Canadian soldiers were wounded and almost 2,000 were taken prisoner.

Hugh Brewster Speaker SeriesAuthor Hugh Brewster has written two books about the Dieppe raid and has joined other researchers in poring over the details of the disastrous mission and pondered why it had to happen. Brewster will share new insights into the raid through stories he was told when he befriended several Dieppe veterans during his research and his visit to the French port of Dieppe where the massacre occurred. His presentation is scheduled for Thursday, August 18.

Banner of Elvis Speaker SeriesTwo nights earlier, on Tuesday, August 16, the College’s speaker series will mark the 45th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. The ‘King of Rock and Roll’ almost exclusively performed in the United States, but on three occasions in 1957 he travelled North of the border where he was greeted by enthusiastic Canadian audiences. Author Brandon Yip has researched and written about the three Canadian tour stops in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver and will share stories about the Elvis Canadian experience and why it was controversial.

Speaker SeriesOn Wednesday, September 14, author Christopher Dummitt presents “Knowing Too Much about a Dead Canadian Prime Minister” when he digs into the life of Canada’s longest serving head of state, Mackenzie King. The diaries of Mackenzie King exposed the very private life of the Prime Minister and Dummit believes it led Canadians to rethink the boundaries between the public and the private and what counts as important information in judging public figures.

Cuban Missile CrisisThe final presentation in the history series will cover the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 when American President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khruschchev squared off over Cuba. It is often referred to as “13 Days in October,” a time when the world held its breath as the two leaders threatened nuclear strikes. In his presentation on Thursday, October 13, journalist Andrew Cohen questions why it happened, what we learned from this terrifying brinkmanship and six decades later, whether we could be facing another nuclear crisis over Ukraine?

The Algonquin College Speaker Series has been bringing interesting people, including authors, journalists, scientists and high-profile public personalities to the Pembroke Campus for more than 25 years. Speaking events have historically been held on campus, but since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the campus has moved to a virtual speaker series platform which makes the series more accessible to anyone who has internet connectivity.

Tickets for any of the upcoming speaker series are available online and all of the virtual presentations are being made available free to seniors 60 years of age and older. All of the presentations begin at 7 p.m. (EST)

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