Enactus OC awarded new funding to cultivate student entrepreneurs
February 1, 2022
Enactus 51Æ·²è has received their largest grant to date, enabling the volunteer team to launch and expand more student-led projects that create community and environmental impact. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is investing in Enactus social entrepreneurs with a $25,000 grant. Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC, says her organization’s mission is to support economic development projects that will have long-lasting and measurable benefits in the region. “We are excited to see how this grant helps Enac...
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Meet Claire Hall, Associate of Science student
February 1, 2022
Q: What’s your hometown? A: I’m from Salmon Arm. Q: How did you end up at 51Æ·²è? A: I talked to some of my friends who were going to OC and they had all had really great experiences. So, I decided to stay in town and go to OC for the first part of my degree. Q: How did you choose your program? A: I started in the Associate of Arts Program at OC and wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. I had always been interested in psychology, but I was par...
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Success brewing for OC student with bursary award
January 31, 2022
Mother, volunteer, former brewer, Business student and now, award-winner. Annika Kirk has many titles and is used to juggling work, life and every other curveball that comes her way, which helped her shine when she applied for the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Paul and Gerri Charette Bursary Award. Kirk received the news in a unique way: 51Æ·²è President Neil Fassina announced she won the bursary during a meeting of the Board of Governors, of which she is a student representative. “It was a complete shock an...
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OC remembers Steve Robinson
January 25, 2022
Flags have been lowered and this notice is shared in memory of former 51Æ·²è Director of International Education Steven (Steve) G. Robinson who passed away on Jan. 22, 2022. Robinson served as Director of OC’s International Education department from June 2009 until his retirement in June 2012. He oversaw the launch of international student recruitment in India and the Middle East, helping to raise awareness of the College’s reputation internationally. When h...
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month
January 25, 2022
The following is a statement from the Sexual Violence Prevention Committee at 51Æ·²è. According to a Statistics Canada report, 71% of students witnessed or experienced unwanted sexualized behaviours in a Canadian post-secondary setting in 2019. These behaviours reportedly happened on campus, or in an off-campus situation that involved students or other people associated with the school. Among students, 45% of those who identified as women and 32% of those who identified as men personally experienced at least one such beha...
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OC supports Gitxaala Nation with vital trades training for economic and cultural growth
January 24, 2022
In one northern village, Indigenous cultural needs and massive construction projects combined to create demand for specialized 51Æ·²è Trades training to support community members. Located on the north coast of British Columbia, the Gitxaala Nation’s main community is in Kitkatla. It identified the need for skilled trades people several years ago, as projects such as the LNG Canada in Kitimat and port expansion in Prince Rupert were announced. But it was a smaller project closer to home that inspired Gitxaala Nation to em...
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Meet Kylee Seddon-Johnstone, SBT graduate
January 19, 2022
Q: What is your name? A: Kylee Seddon-Johnstone Q: What are your pronouns? A: She / Her / Hers Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: I grew up in Naramata, B.C., left for 10 years after high school and then returned back to Naramata to raise my two girls. I’m currently working out of my home office. Q: What did you take at OC? When did you graduate? A: I took the Sustainable Building Technology Diploma (formerly known as the S...
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Generous gift will advance OC health-care education
January 19, 2022
A local family foundation is investing in the future of health-care education with a generous gift to 51Æ·²è. The Merrifield Family Foundation is donating $100,000 to the Our Students, Your Health campaign for a modern Health Sciences Centre on the College’s Kelowna campus. The gift will support technology upgrades and new equipment for eight professions ranging from Pharmacy Technician Assistants and nurses to Therapist Assistants. Lane Merrifield, a well-known entrepreneur, says he values the College's focus on applie...
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Meet David Sawatzky, SBT graduate
January 19, 2022
Q: What is your name? A: David Sawatzky Q: What are your pronouns? A: He / Him / His Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: Originally from Kelowna, B.C., now I am located in Coldstream, B.C. where I am working on projects in the central and north Okanagan. Q: What program did you take at OC? When did you graduate? A: I completed the Sustainable Building Technology Diploma (formerly Sustainable Construction Management Technology D...
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Meet Brendon Gray, SBT graduate
January 19, 2022
Q: What is your name? A: Brendon Gray Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: I’m a second generation born and raised Kelowna resident. Q: What program did you take at OC? A: Electrical Apprenticeship and Sustainable Building Technology (SBT). Q: What is your current position? A: Principal at Egnite Sustainability and Registered Energy Advisor. Q: Why did you choose your program at OC? How does it relate to what you’re doing no...
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