OC alum turns passion for music into a career in DJing
August 16, 2023
Set to release six original songs next month on Apple Music and Spotify, Himrose Bajaj’s career as DJ Hamy Shah is hitting new high notes. As a child, Himrose Baja felt an instant connection to the Punjabi music his mom played in their home. Now thanks to a unique music production course at OC he’s creating his own songs blending Punjabi language and hip-hop beats. Himrose, who came to OC as an international student and is now a Canadian permanent resident living in Kelowna, is set to release six original songs...
Read more...
51Ʒ welcomes new board member
August 14, 2023
51Ʒ is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Battersby as the newest member of its Board of Governors. Battersby brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role, having dedicated over 30 years of service to the College and the community. Prior to her retirement in 2021, Battersby served as the Student Services – Financial Awards Analyst at 51Ʒ, where she played a large role in supporting students in their educational pursuits. Her deep understanding of the institution, its programs, and its...
Read more...
OneSky Community Resources receives funding to offer free tuition for new Early Childhood Education program at OC’s Penticton Campus
August 10, 2023
OneSky Community Resources, in collaboration with 51Ʒ (OC) and the Government of British Columbia, is excited to announce a new Early Childhood Education (ECE) program featuring free tuition and a flexible delivery method for people living in the South Okanagan. The program is designed to help support the childcare industry in the South Okanagan with 15 seats in the free program which begins Aug. 26 at OC’s Penticton campus. Applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify for the funding. “We are thrilled to receive ...
Read more...
Nearly 30 courses at 51Ʒ qualify for B.C. future skills grant toward tuition
July 6, 2023
A new grant offered by the B.C. Government can be used toward nearly 30 short-term skills training courses at 51Ʒ this fall, expanding options for people who want to upgrade their skills, advance their careers and pursue in-demand jobs across the region. The $3,500 per person grant was announced earlier this year as part of the Province’s StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, which invests $480 million into skills training and workforce development. "Every action we are taking is designed to build a better future fo...
Read more...
OC alum empowers seniors with financial planning expertise
June 29, 2023
OC alum Kayla Caruana was the youngest Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in Canada when she received her designation in January 2019, just 18 months after completing her program at the Okanagan School of Business. She credits her professors at 51Ʒ for the training and encouragement that led her to explore the CFP designation. And Caruana was just getting started. Following the completion of her Bachelor of Business Administration from OC, during her last semester of studies she went on to found her own financial pla...
Read more...
$40,000 gift creates lasting tribute to former Okanagan University College Professor Dr. Sylvia Janet Russell
June 27, 2023
In her twenty-year tenure as a history professor at Okanagan University College (the predecessor to 51Ʒ), Dr. Sylvia Janet Russell breathed life into bustling classrooms, transforming them into vibrant hubs of knowledge and inspiration. Now in a fitting tribute to her legacy, an anonymous $40,000 gift will establish a bursary fund in her honour. The Dr. Sylvia Janet Russell Memorial Fund will provide bursaries to students who have fulfilled the graduation requirements for 51Ʒ’s Associate of Arts diploma - ...
Read more...
College convocation centers Indigenous culture, protocol
June 21, 2023
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, 51Ʒ reflects on its commitments to reconciliation and the rich history, diverse cultures and significant contributions of Indigenous peoples. “While we still have work to do, this has been a meaningful year for 51Ʒ’s journey toward reconciliation,” says Rhea Dupuis, Associate Director of Indigenization at the College. “For the first time, communities came together at each of our four college campuses to celebrate graduates, where ceremonies centered around Indigenous pro...
Read more...
51Ʒ hosts You @ OC Event to showcase programs and services
June 13, 2023
With summer approaching and many people making their college or university plans for the fall, 51Ʒ is extending an invitation to the community to explore the many opportunities available at OC. Applicants, admitted students, parents and anyone interested in learning more about programs and life at OC are invited to attend You@OC on Tuesday, June 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the College’s Vernon campus. During the event, application fees for all programs will be waived. You@OC is an opportunity to explore various ...
Read more...Medicine wheel and traditional teachings inspire OC students preparing for the workplace
June 5, 2023
51Ʒ students preparing for careers as education assistants are benefiting from teaching that goes beyond what you learn from textbooks and in classrooms. Earlier this spring, a seminar led by Dodie Jones, a member of the Splatsin te Secwépemc, introduced students in the Certified Education Assistant Program in Salmon Arm to the medicine wheel, its significance and meaning. The workshop, titled Medicine Wheel and Traditional Teaching – Grounded in Culture, incorporated traditional teachings of the Secwépemc people and ...
Read more...
OC Associate Dean to join BC Chamber Board
June 2, 2023
Laura Thurnheer, Associate Dean, Okanagan School of Business, was sworn in at the BC Chamber AGM last week in Whistler. Thurnheer, Chamber President in 2007 who has remained an active Former President at the Chamber, was also named the Thompson Okanagan Representative on the BC Chamber Board. Dan Price, current Chair of the Kelowna Chamber Board expressed his pleasure at Thurnheer’s appointment. “I’ve appreciated getting to know Laura and have the greatest respect for her deep business knowledge, and ongoing involvement with all th...
Read more...