Red Dot Players roll back the years with toe-tapping Chautauqua 1925
October 8, 2025
Pack your curiosity and warm up your singalong voice: the Red Dot Players are inviting audiences to step back exactly a century for Chautauqua 1925, an old-time musical revue written and directed by retired 51Æ·²è Education Technology Coordinator, Mike Minions.Performances will light up the 51Æ·²è Theatre in Kelowna from October 23–26.Part history lesson, part front-porch jam session, Chautauqua 1925 recreates the magic of the travelling chautauquas that [4] criss-crossed North America in the earl...
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The future is calling — and OC is making it easier to answer. Apply for free this October.
October 6, 2025
This month, 51Æ·²è (OC) is rolling out the welcome mat for Free Application Nights across each of its four campuses. Future students have the chance to go on tours, meet the people behind the programs and support systems at the College, ask all the questions — and apply for free. Yes free. Because 51Æ·²è wants to make it as easy as possible to apply to programs at campuses in Penticton, Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vernon or online. Plus, attendees who apply during the events will also be entered into a dra...
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Justice Institute of British Columbia begins EMR and Paramedic training at OC's Vernon campus
October 1, 2025
Paramedic and emergency medical responder students are fully immersed in their Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) programs this fall, located at 51Æ·²è’s Vernon campus, beginning their training to enter the workforce and support the health care system. JIBC students led a simulation as part of a welcome event at the campus Oct. 1.Thanks to a new five-year lease agreement with 51Æ·²è, JIBC is expanding access to its Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) training in the Interior ...
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New mentorship platform goes live for OC trades students and industry mentors
September 23, 2025
With more than 500 new and returning 51Æ·²è (OC) trades and apprenticeship students attending the College this fall, a new online mentorship platform is now live, to connect students with mentors who can support them on their journey to a meaningful – and well-paid – career in the skilled trades.The OC Trades Network is an easy-to-use online platform that connects apprentices of all genders with industry leaders for one-on-one mentorship along with other tools for success including educational resources, training and netwo...
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New canning line, enhanced services for the beverage industry, open at 51Æ·²è research lab
September 10, 2025
Designed to support the beverage industry with research and development, the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC) at 51Æ·²è (OC) has completed a $1.2-million renovation, adding even more services available to the beverage industry throughout the Okanagan Valley and the province.A new beverage canning line is open at OC’s Penticton campus, providing the beverage industry with opportunities to experiment with small batch beverage innovation. The line is in addition to other testing services provided at BC BTAC, whe...
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Unusually Good Food is coming home to the community
August 28, 2025
What started as a small idea in a classroom at 51Æ·²è (OC) has grown into something truly unusually good. And now, the team of OC students whose entrepreneurial start-up took off into a legitimate business is giving the enterprise back to the community that made it possible.The Enactus 51Æ·²è team is proud to announce that the Unusually Good Food Company is being licensed to Okanagan Beverage Co., the same team that helped the students bring their juice dreams to life from day one.“This is a full-circle moment, a...
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Former OC prof involved in new documentary
August 25, 2025
B.C. is Burning is a powerful 45-minute documentary, co-produced by former OC business faculty member Rick Maddison.The documentary explores the causes and consequences of British Columbia’s escalating wildfire crisis, and the science-based solutions that could help protect our forests and communities. There is a public screening at the Mary Irwin Theatre, Kelowna – Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m.Click here for tickets and more information. ...
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51Æ·²è Foundation debuts ELEVATE: an Okanagan experience
August 21, 2025
A pair of local legendary chefs will lead two powerhouse teams in a culinary competition at 51Æ·²è’s Kelowna campus this fall, as a new feature event from the 51Æ·²è Foundation will bring a battle of flavours and an evening of sensory delight to campus.Mark your calendars – on Saturday, Oct. 4, Chef Rod Butters and Chef Bernard Casavant will transform the Kelowna campus into a vibrant, first-class piazza for the inaugural ELEVATE — a tantalizing fundraising event that celebrates the region’s culinary and artistic...
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Message from President Neil Fassina
August 19, 2025
To the OC community:It is hard to believe we’re in the last few weeks of August already. Today, as you know, is the first day of our annual Connections conference, a two-day event planned and run by employees for the OC community. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the sessions and during the social at the end of the day, and I especially want to extend thanks to the organizing committee and everyone who is contributing to this year’s Connections. Your efforts are appreciated!At this time of year, I know many OC team membe...
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Welcome day is one week away
August 19, 2025
Welcome Day: Tuesday September 2, 2025Kelowna- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Penticton – 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.Vernon – 10:30 a.m-2:30 p.m.Salmon Arm – 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.The event will be filled with fun, games, music, free food and prizes! Be sure to check out all the booths, where you’ll find information about student support services and community connections.Engage with peers, meet other new students, and get to know your campus!Program sessions will also take place during the event — details about the programs, times, and locations will be po...
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