Georgian College Alumni Relations

Centre for Sustainable Technologies opens at Georgian’s Barrie Campus

Pictured (l-r): Brian Bentz, President and CEO of PowerStream, Bob Emptage, Dean, Engineering Technology, Georgian College, and Laura Formusa, President and CEO of Hydro One, watch as the ribbon to open the new Centre for Sustainable Technologies building comes apart when pulled by two bucket trucks from the power utilities.

Georgian has officially opened its Centre for Sustainable Technologies at the Barrie Campus. The new building was opened Sept. 17 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony involving bucket trucks from Hydro One and PowerStream, both major donors to the $8-million building.The Centre houses numerous Georgian programs, including new offerings aimed at the construction industry and electrical utilities sector.

Key participants in the opening event were Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll, representing Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Minister John Milloy, Laura Formusa, CEO, Hydro One, and Brian Bentz, CEO, PowerStream.

Creation of the building is part of Georgian’s strategy to continue to offer quality programs that can lead students to jobs in growth industries.

Georgian President and CEO Brian Tamblyn said the building project began to take shape in 2008 when the Ontario government announced a $4.65-million investment through the Strategic Skills Training Capital Investment Program.

“Even with the generosity of the provincial government, this building could never have been completed as a premier facility without the additional support of our corporate partners and friends,” he said.

Besides Hydro One and PowerStream other donors to the building include the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, the Ontario Road Builders Association, the Simcoe County Heavy Construction Association and the Schroeter family and Napoleon Fireplaces and Grills.

Student Jonathon Bradley, who will graduate from the current three-year Electrical Engineering Technology program, also spoke at the opening.

“Like all students, I have always dreamed of having a career that I knew would offer me a lot of room for growth and advancement. Thanks to Georgian, I am going to fulfill that goal,” Bradley said.

Eric Broger, Chair of the Georgian College Board of Governors, thanked all donors, both public and private, for their generosity and noted the contributions of the College’s Power of Education Campaign in raising more than $19 million towards its goal of $25 million for this and other Georgian projects.

Play to your strengths

by Anne-Marie McAllister, RN, B.Ed., Manager, Organizational Learning, Georgian College and Gay Ainsworth, Corporate Trainer

Anne-Marie McAllister and Gay Aiinsworth work on their strength.

Anne-Marie McAllister and Gay Ainsworth work on their strength.

Throughout our lives, we learn to turn to others to tell us our strengths. Our parents, our teachers, and, later, the employer’s performance appraisal, define our strengths and weaknesses, and we carry these “truths” (beliefs) into our work.

Imagine spending a majority of your day at work energized, inspired and engaged. Living a life that is driven by your strengths provides the pathway to this possibility. However, your strengths can only be determined by you, and you, alone.

Let’s examine a new definition of a strength. True strength has a yearning quality. It keeps you inquisitive. You remain focused, and it leaves you feeling fulfilled. In essence, you are “being” extraordinary. In a world that focuses on skills and knowledge, your strengths (talents) are what make you unique.

In Marcus Buckingham’s book Go Discover Your Strengths, he encourages readers to clearly and vividly describe their strengths. As a first step in your strengths journey, make some notes over the next weeks on the following;

• Three to five activities you look forward to doing
• Activities for which you volunteer
• Occasions where you experience energy, inspiration and engagement

In order to spend more of your day being in a place of strength:

1. FOCUS on how this strength would help in your current role
2. RELEASE (identify) missed opportunities to use this strength
3. EDUCATE by learning new skills and techniques to build this strength
4. EXPAND your job around this strength

You will make your greatest contribution when you offer up your unique combination of strengths. In a world of competition, fear and scarcity, playing to your strengths will take you to a place where you can be authentic, abundant and strong.

Centre for Health and Wellness groundbreaking

Centre of Health and Wellness Groundbreaking .

Friday, October 23, 2009 at 1 pm
across from the Administration Building at the Barrie Campus
One Georgian Drive, Barrie
R.S.V.P. to (705) 728-1968, ext. 1591 or e-mail: cwoods@georgianc.on.ca
by October 9, 2009

Students’ Administrative Council (SAC) turns 40!

On October 7th SAC will celebrate 40 years of contributing to the success of our students and you are invited to help them celebrate!

There will be a flag raising ceremony at 9am at the flagpoles located in the Governor’s Circle (the Town Crier will have a great announcement to make), and then you are invited to a celebration starting at 11am in front of the SAC office (located in the J building, directly across from the TLC). We will have cake and refreshments for all who come.

Watch for further details of another birthday event in December for alumni (keep watching our Facebook fan page).

The Georgian College Alumni Association is now on Facebook!

Join our Facebook Page and keep up-to-date with all things Alumni.
You will get information on the Alumni Association, the benefits and services you are entitled to, events on campus, and much more.

Become a fan today!

Get the best deals in travel as a Georgian alumnus

The snow is coming — book your getaway now!

The Georgian College Alumni Association partnership with Advantage InTravel means Georgian alumni, family and friends have access to great deals. Whether you are booking a package deal, flights, hotels, or even a car, you can do it for less with Advantage InTravel.
Not only will you save money, but a contribution will be made back to Georgian College for each booking you make through the website or by phone at 1-800-909-VALU (identify yourself as a Georgian alumnus).
Go to www.georgianc.on.ca/alumni, click on the Advantage InTravel logo and check out the deals that will help you face winter!

Keep in Touch

We need your help!

The Alumni Association is looking for its lost grads. If you know of a classmate, friend, spouse – any Georgian alumnus out there who is not receiving the alumni magazine or taking advantage of the benefits and services available to alumni – encourage that person to update his or her information with us.

Ways to update information:

• Alumni Profile update form on the website: www.georgianc.on.ca/alumni/
• Email alumni@georgianc.on.ca
• Phone (705) 728-1968, ext. 1210

Make sure your own information is up to date as well!

Be part of the Grad Grapevine in our upcoming magazine!

Say hi to all your old classmates, let them know what you are doing now, ask them to contact you. Just send an email to alumni@georgianc.on.ca telling us what year and program you graduated from, and any other information you would like your friends to know. We will include it in an upcoming issue of our magazine.

Alumnus serves up $10,000 donation in support of Hospitality programs

By Kelly Pottage, Communications Coordinator, Power of Education Campaign

Tina Hurst, Alumni Development Officer, David Cloutier, Alfanoos’ employee and Georgian alumnus, Mike Agema, Georgian College Hotel and Resort program coordinator, and Sam Dolyma, owner of Alfanoos Restaurant, celebrate the gift.

After commuting from Barrie to an air freight logistics job in Toronto for years, Georgian College Aviation Management graduate Sam Dolmaya finally decided enough was enough, it was time to live his dream.

“I was on the road for up to four hours there and back. And then one day I spun my car out on Highway 400. Other than being a little shaken, I was fine, there were no other cars involved, but it was the defining moment when I knew it was time to get on with what I had always wanted to do, have my own restaurant,” he said. “The timing was right, a great location became available on busy Bayfield Street, it just all came together.”

Surprisingly, Dolmaya had never worked a single day in a restaurant. But backed by a serious love of cooking and a supportive family, he opened Alfanoos in 2007, Barrie’s first and only authentic Mediterranean buffet. Business is now becoming steady, as local people have come to appreciate his dishes, all made fresh from scratch every morning.

The decision to donate $10,000 to Georgian’s Power of Education campaign, which will be directed to help build a new eco-friendly outdoor courtyard for Hospitality and Tourism programs, wasn’t difficult for Dolmaya. Given his history and experience with Georgian College, it was an emotional decision that also made good business sense.

“There are so many reasons why I donated this money to Georgian. The College is and will always be the source for quality workers who I will rely on to help me run a successful business, ” he said. “In fact, I fully intend to invite other local restaurant owners to jump on this opportunity and take part in supporting Georgian. We can all share in the reward of having an educated workforce that we can entrust with our businesses and livelihoods. “

Dolmaya’s time at Georgian as a student in the early 1990s led to a lifelong connection to the College. He is currently a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

“My Georgian experience left me with a lasting imprint on the person I am. For a guy who was an ESL (English as a Second Language) student, very shy and timid, I had the time of my life. I met great people, made friends, and even had the amazing opportunity of being a peer ambassador in the Marketing department,” he said.”It’s part of the reason that I decided to return to Barrie after I got married to begin our life together. I had so many good memories here. And now, I’m living my dream with my restaurant and am once again active at Georgian.”

Working to bring you great deals.

Johnson nInsurance is a valued affinity partner of the Georgian College Alumni Association

As a Georgian alumnus, you are entitled to preferred rates on home and auto insurance. Just another perk of being a Georgian grad!

“When I found out my insurance company (Johnson Insurance) gives Georgian alumni a discount, I called them right away to let them know I am an alumnus. They decreased my rate by $14 per month, saving me $168 a year. This was right before Christmas so it was like a nice gift just for me from the College. It pays to be alumnus in more ways than one, and I’m certainly happy the College is working to bring added benefits to being a graduate.”
Lee Miske, Engineering – Electronics (1986)

Contact them today and start saving money! www.johnson.ca/georgianalumni or call 1-800-563-0677.

Keep in Touch

We need your help!

The Alumni Association is looking for its lost grads. If you know of a classmate, friend, spouse – any Georgian alumnus out there who is not receiving the alumni magazine or taking advantage of the benefits and services available to alumni – encourage that person to update his or her information with us.

Ways to update information:

• Alumni Profile update form on the website: www.georgianc.on.ca/alumni/
• Email alumni@georgianc.on.ca
• Phone (705) 728-1968, ext. 1213

Make sure your own information is up to date as well!

Be part of the Grad Grapevine in our upcoming magazine!

Say hi to all your old classmates, let them know what you are doing now, ask them to contact you. Just send an email to alumni@georgianc.on.ca telling us what year and program you graduated from, and any other information you would like your friends to know. We will include it in an upcoming issue of our magazine.

Alumni Encounters

Interesting places you run into Georgian Alumni . . .

“I was setting out for a game of golf when the marshal asked my husband and I if we would team up with another couple. We gladly did, only to discover he had graduated from Georgian in the ’80s from the Engineering Technology program. It was great to fill him in on the changes at Georgian – and he was a very good golfer!”
Rebbeca Truax, Manager of Annual Giving, Georgian College

Georgian Goes for Growth

It will be called the Centre for Sustainable Technologies and it’s where future leaders in the construction, energy, engineering and skilled trades industries will get their start.

The Honourable John Milloy

The Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announces the provincial government’s $4.65 million investment in Georgian College.

The landscape of the Barrie campus is set to change as Georgian is preparing to construct a new 18,000-sq.ft. building to house a proposed Civil Engineering Technology program, Electrical Engineering Technology, the Architectural Technology program, Centre for Automotive Parts Expertise programs, and other skilled trades programs. This initiative is part of Georgian’s strategy to continue to offer quality programs that lead students directly to jobs in growth industries. As well, much needed corporate training certificates, seminars and programs will also be made available to further respond to industry educational needs.

The provincial government is standing behind this project, which will cost approximately $8 million. In a joint announcement on July 28, the Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO, Georgian College unveiled the plan, and announced that $4.65 million will come from the province’s Strategic Skills Training Capital Investment Program.

“The funding announcement through the province’s Skills to Jobs Action Plan comes at a critical time for Georgian College as it addresses two significant challenges,” said Tamblyn. “First, investment in the Georgian College Centre for Sustainable Technologies will allow the College to address serious capacity issues at a time when our classrooms and labs are stretched to the limit. Secondly, this significant provincial contribution will greatly strengthen our ability to provide timely education and skills training urgently needed by our many industry partners.”

The government investment will build the bricks and mortar, however, Georgian is working to raise the remaining funds to give the building its heart. The College is seeking contributions from industry, individuals and the community to support the purchase of leading-edge equipment, curriculum and technology which will ensure Georgian graduates will be the best candidates available for hire in the province and beyond.

Construction will begin this September and will conclude prior to the fall 2009 semester benefitting the region with immediate short-term employment and ongoing skills training capacity.

Is your child attending Georgian? Read on!

If you graduated from Georgian College, and your child is now attending Georgian – there is good news from your Alumni Association. A new award has been made available – the Alumni Association Endowment Bursary – which will be presented to a student who is a child of a Georgian alumnus and has demonstrated financial need. Students may apply for the $1,000 award now. For more information and to download an application form please visit http://awards.georgianc.on.ca/

Vehicles Galore!

The 2008 Georgian College Auto Show takes place at Georgian’s Barrie Campus September 19 through 21.

Run by Canadian Automotive Institute (CAI) students, the annual auto show provides a weekend of fun for our visitors.

For more information, visit Auto Show website

A new face in the Alumni Office

Georgian grad Tina Hurst is the College’s new Alumni Development Officer. She joined the Office of Development and Alumni Relations on Feb. 4.

Tina Hurst, Alumni Development Officer

In her role as first contact for Georgian’s 47,000 graduates, Tina will manage alumni programs and events designed to reconnect with alumni and engage them with the College. She’ll also be responsible for growing affinity programs and benefit and service packages for alumni. A key liaison between the College and community, Tina will represent the Alumni Association at various community and college events.

Tina is a graduate of Georgian’s Legal Secretarial program (1986) and has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors as Treasurer for the past two and a half years. Born and raised in Barrie, Tina moved to England in 1990 where she worked in human resources. She moved with her husband Ian (whom she met in England) and their two children back to Canada in 2002 and put down firm roots in Barrie. Tina most recently worked in major gift fundraising as Prospect Researcher for Ducks Unlimited Canada, a national non-profit organization committed to wetland conservation.

Tina is currently pursuing a post-graduate diploma in Fundraising and Resource Development. She can be contacted in the alumni office at (705) 728-1968, ext. 1213 or thurst@georgianc.on.ca.

Georgian College Classic tees off for students May 28

As one of the longest-running golf tournaments in Simcoe County, the Georgian College Classic has raised more than $610,000 to date. The popular event will be held this year at Hawkridge Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, May 28. Proceeds from the 21st Annual Georgian College Classic will benefit students directly through The Power of Education campaign and the Awards and Scholarships program.

The Power of Education campaign is an important initiative to raise $17 million to expand and improve several areas at the College including awards and scholarships as well as health sciences, skilled trades and hospitality and tourism.

In addition to 18 holes of golf, the day will include a driving range and golf clinic, complimentary massage, barbecue lunch, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a five-course dinner, silent/live auction, on-course and putting contests, participant gifts and much more.

Those interested in participating in this tournament or in becoming a Georgian Classic sponsor are asked to contact Hank Thibideau, Manager, Community Relations and Corporate Events at (705) 728-1968, ext. 5284 or e-mail hthibideau@georgianc.on.ca.

Registration forms are available for downloading on this page.

Lion’s Club Set Its Sights on Georgian: Group gives $15,000 to Benefit Opticianry Program

Lions Club presents $15,000 to Power of Education Campaign

Seeing is believing! Yes, that’s a $15,000 cheque presented on Friday, November 30 by the Lion’s Club of Barrie to Georgian College for the Power of Education campaign. The money will be set up as an endowment fund and distributed for years to come through the awards and scholarships program to eligible Georgian opticianry students. Pictured above are members of the Lion’s Club of Barrie, opticianry students, and health sciences administration and faculty representatives. The donation was given to honour the memory of Dr. Noel G. Stephenson, a long-time Barrie optometrist and Lion’s Club member.

Dr. Noel G. Stephenson, a long-time Barrie optometrist and Lion’s Club member, always kept the good of his community in his sights.

To honour his memory and his years of dedicated service, the Lion’s Club of Barrie donated $15,000 to the Georgian College Power of Education campaign for the benefit of the opticianry program. The money will be set up as an endowment fund, which will be distributed in increments to deserving opticianry students through the Georgian awards and scholarships program. His daughters Brenda McGregor, and Joanne Craig, also both members of the club, were thrilled their father will be remembered in this special way.

He“He’d be very humbled that the money is going to opticianry students on his behalf. This donation also just shows the immense support that he had personally from all the Lion’s members,” said Craig. “He would be more than pleased that he is being remembered this way.”

Stephenson had a perfect attendance record during his 60 years with the Lion’s Club. He also made his mark in the community by volunteering his time for many other worthy causes, and in 1989, he was named the Barrie citizen of the year. Optometry is a family tradition. His father, Joseph H. Stephenson, was an optometrist. His daughter Mary Jane graduated from the Opticians program at Georgian and later taught evening classes at the college. His son-in-law, Dr. David Hazlett, continues to practice optometry today.

“It is wonderful for us, his family, to know that the opticianry students of tomorrow will know about the significant contribution our dad made to the community through his profession and through his involvement with the Lion’s Club of Barrie,” added Craig.

A Happy and Safe Holiday to all our Georgian Alumni

Valerie Samson, Jim Tyler and Dave Brennerman, three of the five signatores for the campaign

Don’t forget to send in your 40 for 40 Alumni Campaign donations
before the end of the year to ensure your 2007 tax receipt.

A big thank you to those donors who have already sent in their gifts to the campaign.

We appreciate your support!

Students Take Hard Work to the Bank – Over $345,000 in Awards and Scholarships Distributed

Barrie campus students did the happy dance as they picked up their awards and scholarships money at a special celebration held in their honour on November 27 and November 28 in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations. Over $114,000 was handed out over the course of two days through 59 entrance awards and 86 undergraduate awards.

In total, $345,000 worth of awards and scholarships has been dispersed to students in the last quarter of the year in eight separate ceremonies in Barrie, Orillia, Owen Sound, Laurentian and at the Canadian Automotive Institute.

While many students planned to put the money towards tuition and books, others said it would come in handy for rent and groceries. A few said they were relieved because they would now have the means to buy their loved ones a Christmas gift.

“This award takes a huge weight off my shoulders, and I am very thankful and excited to have been chosen,” said Patricia Akie, a first year Bachelor of Science Nursing student, who won two awards. She was awarded the ACL & Associates Entrance Scholarship for $1000 and the St. Joseph’s Separate School Entrance Award for $500.

She said it is often difficult supporting herself completely with only a part-time job, while trying to manage the cost of schooling at the same time.

“I worked all summer to save up to pay for my rent, and so this money will go right to tuition and books. It also makes me feel encouraged to continue working hard towards great marks,” she added.

Georgian has over $550,000 available annually through its awards and scholarships program. While grades are an important part of the criteria for most of the awards, winners are also chosen based on financial need, a history of volunteerism and service to the community. Key members of the faculty including Brian Tamblyn, president and CEO; Linda Love, vice president, academics; and Bob Kennedy, vice president, external relations, were on hand to personally congratulate and meet the winners at the Barrie campus celebration.

Karen Royce, awards officer with The Office of Development & Alumni Relations, and Tara Hardy, awards assistant, were responsible for rolling out the red carpet for the winners and distributing the cheques to the students. Royce said it was extremely rewarding for her and the other members of the faculty and administration who attended the festivities to meet the students and hear first hand the positive impact the money will make on their life, and college experience.

Madelyne Cosme

“These students are extremely deserving of these awards and scholarships and it is such a thrill to be able to provide a reward that recognizes their hard work,” she said. “It’s only possible because of the support of so many businesses leaders and individuals in the community, and I know the students are very grateful to these people.”

Stephanie Zoschke, a second year Environmental Technology student, won the $3000 Wsysoglad Opportunity award, and the $500 Simcoe County Road Supervisor’s Association award.

“This money will help me in a huge way. In first year I juggled three jobs just to pay for schooling. Co-op has certainly helped with costs, but I can still use this money for tuition and books,” she said.

Laars Beam, a second year Tourism Management student, said his winnings came at exactly the right time. He won the $2500 Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship.

“I can’t think of a better way to end the semester than by being rewarded for my hard work. The whole time I was on co-op I hoped for this to happen,” he said. “It feels really good, and it certainly makes the financial responsibilities of being a student a lot more manageable.”

Female Alumni Taking Care of Business

Several of the nominees at The Barrie Examiner’s inaugural Women in Business Awards began or augmented their journey to career success at Georgian College.

Angela Brown

Over 300 people gathered at the event held in October to celebrate and recognize 17 local women for their professional achievements. Angela Brown, Barbara Campbell-Ineson and Suzanne Martin were among those nominated, and although each work in different industries, they all shared the common thread of being educated at Georgian and having a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Brown, who graduated in 1999, used the knowledge she gained though the Tourism Management Program to ensure the promotional products division at Proforma Marketing Images took flight. In a mere four years, sales soared from zero per cent to over 50 per cent of the company’s total income generation.

“Although my program was Travel, it was heavily marketing-based so that has carried through and has been extremely beneficial to my career in sales,” she says.

Barbara Campbell-Ineson

Campbell-Ineson has spent over three decades honing a picture perfect career. She started her first interior-design related business when she was student in the Art & Interior Design program in the early ’70s, and is now the owner and operator of the successful Carriage House Picture Framing in Barrie. Her staff says she is an inspiration to all future female entrepreneurs because she creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere not only for clients, but also for employees.

“Going to Georgian was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it because I still use the skills I learned in my course in my career today,” says Campbell-Ineson. “And I love challenges, they get the juices flowing. I learned at Georgian there’s always a solution to every problem, and it’s true.”

Suzanne Martin

Martin, a Business Administration program graduate from 1984, and former Georgian College student council president, is the owner/operator of Three Small Rooms. The salon is big business in Barrie, and she recently opened her second location to accommodate more than 5,000 clients. As an international award-winning hair stylist, who continues to train and compete in hair competitions around the globe, she’s also won awards for her business acumen including the Entrepreneurial Salon of the Year for Canada in 2002.

“My education from Georgian still helps to guide my business decisions today. If I’m at an impasse in a working situation and don’t know what to do at a gut level, I rely on the knowledge gained through my schooling to help me assess and resolve the situation,” she says. “The marketing portion of the program was particularly helpful and relevant to my career path.”

Swinging into a Dream: A chat with Sean Manias

By Bruce Cameron

Sean Manias

Just a couple of perfect swings and maybe one or two extremely fine putts (and that clunky, goofy, yet heavenly sound of a ball falling into a hole) can do it: before you can say the name “Tiger,” the game of golf has snuck down under your skin and into your veins, linking you forever with the links. The game of sales can be just as addictive. When you put them together you have a true believer by the name of Sean Manias.

After graduating from high school, the Burlington native attended Queen’s University for three years, all the while holding onto dreams of working in and around the game of golf. He then joined ClubLink for a couple of years, directing food and beverage operations at The Lake Joseph Club in Port Elgin. While there, Sean ran into some top execs from Xerox. The sales bug soon hit. So Sean next found himself as a sales rep for Xerox, becoming in the process

…making way too much money at too young an age.

Seven years of that was enough. And all the while, the golf course kept calling. And so his life took its eventual true course, combining both sales and Seans passion for the game.

Out of the six different college golf programs available in Canada, Sean decided to enrol in Georgian’s Professional Golf Management program. As Sean stated,

Georgian’s program was the logical choice. Obviously Georgian’s proximity to Toronto and Burlington helped but ideally it was the best school. The biggest reason was program co-ordinator Brad Doey. His knowledge, his ability to share that knowledge, his effort with everything… it just made it easy for me to make that decision.

After Sean graduated, he swung into the position of golf operation sales at The Diamond in The Ruff, near Parry Sound. Not content to rely only on traditional golf course marketing approaches, Sean took some sales principles gleaned from his fast and furious sales rep years at Xerox.

The point is this, Golf revenue these days and for the next several years needs to be ‘hunted,’ like at Xerox or IBM. Every course has their base and they probably know what they’re going to do within seven or eight per cent, one way or the other. But if you have a hunter to give you exponential growth or unencumbered revenue, it’s pure profit. Why would you not have one on board?

says Sean.

Sean decided to answer his own question. Securing a green light from Diamond In The Ruff general manager (and Georgian instructor) Doug Wilson, he went out and scored with a little help from “a former city planner who knew everybody,” a mother-lode of prominent Huntsville-area business contacts. With this huge, handy database Sean then wrote and hand-delivered a letter to each person on the list, zeroing in on one-to-one conversations with these brand new potential corporate customers. If that meant he had to “pull a little business away from Deerhurst,” well, so be it. But the main goal was to get those corporate contacts to start thinking how they could, in Sean’s words,

…improve our reward and recognition and send our customers and clients up to the Diamond.

The experiment worked.

You can expect Sean to take that particular game much further in the 2008 season. After all, as Sean said, he still has stuff to do in life:

Get to know the business side of golf, take my sales ability and my passion for the game, half-retire and do that for the rest of my life. And make a million dollars doing it.

New Partner

The Alumni Mortgage Centre has developed a revolutionary new program that allows for College Alumni to financially help themselves and their Alumni Associations when it is time to shop for a new mortgage, refinance an existing one or consolidate debt.

This free of charge service is available to all active, lifetime college Alumni and their immediate families. Through your participation in the program, you will help generate funds for your Alumni Association.
Services available include:

1. Free Credit Report Consultation – $30 value, learn about the advantages your credit score can make available to you for refinancing, home buying and credit consolidation.
2. Privileged Alumni Rate* – Minimum 2 basis points below best 5 year rate as published by Cannex.
3. $200 Donation made to your Alumni Association. The BANK who is awarded your mortgage makes a contribution to your Association on your behalf.

Apply On- Line www.alumnimortgagecentre.com for complete details.

Georgian marks 30-year Muskoka presence with new Campus

Georgian College recently marked its 30-year presence in Muskoka by moving its campus to a new location in Bracebridge.

The newly-renovated campus features 18,000-square-feet of lab and classroom space for 250 full-time students as well as 7,000 square feet of dedicated shop space for skills training such as general carpentry apprenticeship.

Population and business growth in Muskoka were key factors in the facilities upgrade, says Bonnie DeWitt, Muskoka Campus Manager.

“The needs of the district had outgrown both the space and the curriculum”,

said DeWitt.

“When local businesses identified a need for increased post-secondary and skilled trades education in Muskoka, Georgian responded.”

The Muskoka Campus will continue offering a broad complement of services geared to organizations and individuals wanting to further their education and growth.

Programs include such full-time programs as Carpentry Techniques, Personal Support Worker and Office Administration.

Part-time programs are popular too. The Campus offers a part-time Practical Nursing program and a variety of credit courses.

Other popular offerings include computer courses, career for students aged 50 and over, preparation and upgrading, personal development courses, teaching and training adults and general education.

The new Campus, which was generously donated to Georgian College by the Town of Bracebridge required further renovations and equipment to make the space suitable for educational use. The College will soon unveil the details of its Power of Education campaign, which aims to raise $1.9-million for the Muskoka Campus.

The College celebrated the official opening of the Muskoka Campus on Sept. 11.

Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund: Building a Legacy of Dreams for the Future

Valerie Samson (nee Dunn), Class of '77, Fashion Promotion

I will always remember the day I registered for my first classes at Georgian. While walking back to the car, my mother started crying. I was shocked and asked her what was wrong. She smiled through her tears and said, “I am so proud of you. You are the very first person in our entire family to enter college. I love you Val.”

Until that exact moment in time, the idea of receiving a higher education was something I had planned for and simply taken for granted. I never stopped to consider that, in the generation I was raised in, few of our parents could even dream of having this opportunity. I knew then, that I was part of a generation that would forever more consider higher education as an integral, expected part of the process of life and earning a living.

Everyone has a dream and Valerie’s words remind us all that we are fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education.

Realizing that many students need financial help to realize their dreams, we are celebrating our 40th Anniversary this year with a special invitation to every graduate to make the dream of a higher education possible for future students through the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund.

We are asking every Alumnus to celebrate the dream of a higher education and make a donation of $40 – one dollar for each year the College has been making dreams come true.

With the opening of Georgian College in 1967 post-secondary education entered a new era as one of 19 newly established colleges of applied arts and technology. The location of Georgian College also made it possible for men and women to pursue their post-secondary education closer to the communities where they lived and worked.

Valerie was of the generation who, in her own words, considered higher education an integral part of the process of life and earning a living. Yet today, sadly, there are still men and women who dream of a career, but who don’t have the financial means to achieve it.

The Office of Development and Alumni Affairs awards more than 900 scholarships and awards every year to deserving students. “We are fortunate, because of the generosity of many that we can help people follow their dream,” says Lisa Eveleigh, Director of Development & Alumni Relations. The best part about the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund is that the donor’s original gift is retained and only the interest is used to fund a particular scholarship. “Our donors love it because they feel that their gift keeps on giving,” says Lisa.

Your gift to the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund is part of Georgian College’s five-year, 17 million, Power of Education Campaign, to help make our College stronger and ensure our students’ dreams become a reality.

Georgian celebrates inaugural Alumni Day

The Georgian College Alumni Association celebrated its inaugural Alumni Day September 20th. The tri-campus event featured staff appreciation coffee breaks and an all-day student scavenger hunt at the Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses. The pub night featured more than $2,000 in prizes and a trip for four to the Mountain Springs Resort in Collingwood.

The event also honoured alumni who are now Georgian College employees.

Awards and Scholarships

Growing to Meet the Needs of Our Students

Thanks to the support of our donors, Georgian’s awards and scholarships program has grown phenomenally over the last 25 years – benefiting thousands of students. As you can appreciate, much has changed for students over these years. Both tuition and living expenses have increased substantially making financial stress a reality for most students.

The needs of our students have required the College to examine the awards and scholarships program. After speaking to students, donors, and staff, changes were made to better address our studentsí needs.

Over the next two years we will be introducing these changes for the betterment of our students. The College has introduced the Presidents’ Scholarships. These academic scholarships will encourage enrolment at Georgian College while at the same time assisting students in their first year of studies. Any size donation is welcome and donors may choose the academic area they wish to direct their donation.

Donors wishing to create named scholarships may still do so with a minimum donation of $1,000. Gift-in-kinds will continue to be accepted and will be used to supplement existing scholarships. For those donors wishing to make a lasting legacy, named endowments can be established with a minimum donation of $12,500. The principal remains intact and the interest generated supports an annual award/scholarship.

We appreciate the long standing commitment donors have demonstrated to our students over the years. Awards and Scholarships often make the difference in students’ ability to complete their studies. We believe these changes will ensure that we can more effectively support our students. The Office of Development and Alumni Relations continues to strive to ensure that the needs of our donors are also met. If you have any questions regarding our awards and scholarships program please contact Rebbeca Truax, Manager of Annual Giving at (705) 728-1968 ext. 5446 or Karen Royce, Awards Officer at ext. 1211.

Enhanced Partner Perks

Johnson Inc. Announces AIR MILES Reward Program Partnership

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland – Johnson Inc., a leader in home and auto insurance across Canada, is pleased to announce its policies will come with more than just excellent coverage, great rates, and 24-hour service. Effective June 1, 2007, Johnson home and auto insurance will include the added value of AIR MILES reward miles.

Johnson Inc. President Ken Bennett said,

“At Johnson we are excited to join the elite coalition of AIR MILES Sponsors. We are continually reevaluating our product offering and service delivery to ensure we are able to offer a value proposition that is unmatched in the marketplace. I believe that by becoming an AIR MILES Reward Program Sponsor, we have provided our policyholders with added value and have further differentiated Johnson from other insurance providers in the market today.”

Johnson policyholders who are AIR MILES Collectors can earn 1 reward mile for every $20 in premium paid (including taxes) on regular market home and auto insurance policies underwritten by Unifund Assurance Company. The offer is available on Auto and Home insurance policies in Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, and on home insurance in British Columbia.

“We are pleased to welcome Johnson Inc. to the coalition of AIR MILES Sponsors. We have a proven track-record of working with leading organizations to design cost-effective direct marketing initiatives that deliver measurable results, while providing Collectors from coast-to-coast with more options to earn reward miles on their everyday expenses,”

said Bryan Pearson, President, The AIR MILES Reward Program.

Johnson Inc. joins more than 100 AIR MILES Sponsors in Canada’s most successful loyalty program, with more than two-thirds of Canadian households actively collecting and redeeming AIR MILES reward miles. AIR MILES reward miles can be redeemed for more than 800 different rewards including movie passes, family attractions, CDs and DVDs, travel and more. Reward options start from as little as 25 reward miles.

About Johnson Inc.

Johnson Inc. is a national organization with over 60 branches from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador to Langley, British Columbia. As part of its extensive branch network, Johnson Inc. operates under a number of trade names across Canada including: Morgex Insurance, Servus Insurance Services-Home and Auto, Johnson-Shillington Insurance, Johnson-Ambassador Insurance, Johnson-Billyard Insurance, WSG Insurance Services, Fraser & Hoyt – Home and Auto Insurance, and Fraser & Hoyt – Group Edge. AIR MILES reward miles can be earned though Johnson operating under any of these trade names. For more information about Johnson Inc. and its AIR MILES® offer, visit www.johnson.ca/airmiles or call 1-866-483-8811.

Johnson Inc. and Unifund Assurance Company share common ownership.

About The AIR MILES Reward Program

The AIR MILES Reward Program is North America’s premier coalition loyalty program, with more than 9 million active Collector accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of Canadian households, collecting AIR MILES reward miles with the recognizable blue card

For more information contact:

• Brian King
• Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications Johnson Inc.
• Tel: (709) 737-7762
• bking@johnson.ca

Awards and Scholarships
Growing to Meet the Needs of Our Students

Thanks to the support of our donors, Georgian’s awards and scholarships program has grown phenomenally over the last 25 years – benefiting thousands of students. As you can appreciate, much has changed for students over these years. Both tuition and living expenses have increased substantially making financial stress a reality for most students.

The needs of our students have required the College to examine the awards and scholarships program. After speaking to students, donors, and staff, changes were made to better address our students’ needs.

Over the next two years we will be introducing these changes for the betterment of our students. The College has introduced the Presidents’ Scholarships. These academic scholarships will encourage enrollment at Georgian College while at the same time assisting students in their first year of studies. Any size donation is welcome and donors may choose the academic area they wish to direct their donation.

Donors wishing to create named scholarships may still do so with a minimum donation of $1,000. Gift-in-kinds will continue to be accepted and will be used to supplement existing scholarships. For those donors wishing to make a lasting legacy, named endowments can be established with a minimum donation of $12,500. The principal remains intact and the interest generated supports an annual award/scholarship.

We appreciate the long standing commitment donors have demonstrated to our students over the years. Awards and Scholarships often make the difference in students’ ability to complete their studies. We believe these changes will ensure that we can more effectively support our students. The Office of Development and Alumni Relations continues to strive to ensure that the needs of our donors are also met. If you have any questions regarding our awards and scholarships program please contact the Manager of Annual Giving at (705) 728-1968 ext. 5446 or The Awards Officer at ext. 1211.

Golf Classic raises money for student awards and scholarships.

The Georgian College Golf Classic raised more than $60,000.00 towards students awards and scholarships. The Golf Classic’s 20th anniversary was held at Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club in Orillia on May 29. All participants were treated to a beautiful sunny day of golf, tremendous dinner and souvenier gift. Georgian would like to “Thank” the many sponsorship who made the day a wonderful success. To date, the tournament has brought in more than $600,000.00 in funding.

Garnering More Attention:

Aaron Garner (Bus.Admin, Grad., ’02)

By Bruce Cameron

Bruce Cameron

For legendary bluesman Robert Johnson, it was a chance meeting with Satan at the crossroads in a swampy, forbidden pocket of the South on a sweltering summer night, many years ago. For Georgian grad and Collingwood singer/guitarist Aaron Garner, it was a Mars Bar TV ad. (Hey, it doesn’t matter how you answer that sweet temptress, music; it just matters that you answer her.)

But Garner does feel the need to explain:

“I wish it was something more fateful. My dad was and still is a semi-pro guitarist so that obviously was a factor. But I always thought it would at least be a fun way to pass the time and meet girls, just like in the Mars Bar commercial.”

Funny how a chocolate bar ad TV can ignite such passion and an eventual career. Garner’s now been playing guitar and singing for about 20 years. As of about 5 years ago he ‘took the plunge’ and devoted full-time attention to his calling. “I’d been a weekend warrior with it for sometime before that,” he said.

It was during those busy ‘weekend warrior’ days that Garner hauled textbooks on weekdays and his guitar on weekends. He graduated in 2002 from Georgian’s Business Administration course. It was a course that obviously didn’t feature any workshops on song writing or tips on publishing your own music: Yet it had (and continues to have) much to do with Garner’s pursuit of music as a profession – especially now, when the business of music is changing at an awesome warp.

“My marketing education at Georgian allowed me to learn to speak the language of business and understand how to deal with the aspects of the music business, skills that a lot of musicians don’t bother to acquire,”

explains Garner.

It’s a smart, survivalist attitude to take. You just have to these days look around and you’ll see some (formerly) formidable music labels on wobbly financial feet. The way Garner sees it, “Some major labels are really feeling the pinch of current music distribution technology and they expect you to show up at their door as a finished product with an image, a sound, a fan-base, and CD sales figures. They don’t have loose budgets or significant time to spend on artist development so you’ve got to have your act together from that end if you want a major label deal. That means knowing your business and your fans, how to reach them, and how to get them motivated to buy your merch and your concert tickets.”

Having said that, Garner’s keenly aware that for an artist, defining success with the major label can be very subjective:

“A friend of mine is doing well with a high-end agency and a solid, connected manager. He’s in no hurry to sign a major label deal because he’s got a good thing going for himself as an indie artist. The more business tools you have at your disposal in this day and age, the more redundant labels become for you if you can surround yourself with the right team.”

As for ‘positioning’ himself in the marketplace, Garner’s still riding on positive reaction to his 2005 indie album Between The Lines, while chipping away on song writing and arrangement ideas for the next album. And when it comes to different types of music and fans – playing in front of a well-lubricated party crowd, or walking the high-wire intimacy of working solo with just an acoustic guitar — he has a foot literally in both camps. “I’ll take any crowd that will show up, (haha)!” says Garner.

“For what I’m doing right now, I prefer a more attentive audience. It’s not that my music requires pin drop silence, but it is acoustic music and it’s more subtle. That said, it’s great fun to drop an onslaught of electric power chord rock with the band on an audience that’s gettin’ it hot out there. I like doing both, but right now the majority of my shows are as a solo acoustic act.”

As for forging a long and rewarding career in music, Garner seems content to follow the “If you build it, they will come, ethos. “I think it’s important to make music you’re passionate about,” he says.

“For me, passion and emotion are the motivations to write a song in the first place. That’s a big part of the pay-off: I get to express myself for a living. In regard to shaping my image, I shan’t be donning anything fluorescent pink or green for the upcoming summer season, despite what the fashionistas are pushing.”

FAST GARNER FACTS:

• Aaron’s best-ever gig: “Golfapalooza with guys from The Tragically Hip and Our Lady Peace.”
• Aaron’s worst-ever gig: “Having my friend Pat Robitaille accidentally blow up my PA head in the middle of our central Canada tour last spring right before the show with no music store within miles of town. Flames shooting, sparks flying, hooked up to the house system: not good.”
• Aaron’s 3 Island-Albums are: “Miles Davis (Kind Of Blue), James Brown (Funk Power), and The Beatles (Abbey Road.)”
• Aaron’s 3 Island-Books are: “The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemmingway, Half Asleep In Frog Pyjamas by Tom Robbins And Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.”
• Aaron’s 3 Island-Films: “Lawrence Of Arabia”, “The Godfather”, and “Snatch.”

For more info on Garner,check out myspace.com/aarongarner

New Face in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Karen Royce

We are thrilled to have Karen Royce join us on an appendix D as Awards Officer.

Karen has been part of Georgian for a couple years, working in the SAC office.
Her passion for the well-being of our students and for Georgian makes her ideal for the position.

Georgian’s Awards and Scholarship program is one of the largest among Ontario Colleges.
Last year over $500,000 in awards and scholarships were distributed to worthy students.

If you want more information on the awards program call 708-728-1968 ext 1214 or email me here

Georgian Dining Room hosts special wedding celebration

By Amanda Vermeersch

Alexander Rau and Erin Ingard

Two special members of Georgian’s Alumni Association were married on Thanksgiving weekend 2006. Alexander Rau and Erin Ingard exchanged vows in Heritage Park on the lakeshore in downtown Barrie. I had the pleasure of being their photographer and leading them to their reception at the Georgian Dining Room (GDR), located in the Barrie Campus Hospitality and Tourism building.

During their celebration, the bride and groom danced the night away to music provided by a live band. GDR staff created a fairytale atmosphere with the beautiful centre pieces and candles at each table. This wedding was not the first for GDR staff. They have hosted several wedding receptions since the dining room re-opened after extensive upgrades and renovations in 2005. Alexander and Erin continue to be an important part of Georgian’s Alumni Association and we wish them all the best.

For additional information about booking the Georgian Dining Room for your wedding reception or special event, contact Christine McSorley by e-mail here. Visit the Georgian Dining Room on the Web at www.georgianc.on.ca/diningroom/