About us

Dear fellow Grizzlies,

It is an honour and a privilege to be writing to you today in my first address as your incoming Chair of the Alumni Association Executive Council.

As you may have read in the recent GeorgianView magazine, I immigrated to Canada from India in 2004 and like many international students, I struggled with this transition. I enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering Technology – Automotive Manufacturing program and found a new home at Georgian.

In 2007, I graduated from Georgian College, and even though my journey brought me to other institutions of higher learning, my connection to Georgian remains strong. Georgian is where my Canadian journey began and I will always be grateful.

In 2008, I found myself unemployed due to the global financial crisis, but through this challenge, new opportunity emerged. I established the Doon School, which has now graduated more than 1,000 students with their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas who have pursued their own postsecondary dreams. Today, Doon is tasked with meeting the needs of our students thorough another global challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team is working hard and we will meet this challenge.

I know my situation is not isolated. COVID-19 has impacted most of us, but we are resilient. My experiences from 2008 remind me that despite the many challenges we face, we all can shape our future. It can be hard work and, in some instances, emotionally exhausting. However, as the adage goes, ‘when life hands us lemons, we make lemonade’.

Two years ago, I was introduced to skiing while on a casual trip to Blue Mountain. I spent more time rolling on the snow than I did skiing, but I loved it. With many activities now on hold, I see an opportunity to enhance my skiing skills this year. Life is what we make of it, so I encourage you to see the opportunity through the challenges.

I am looking forward to another milestone this month, as my girlfriend of four years accepts my hand in marriage. She is currently completing her medical school residency, so I’ve had a unique glimpse into healthcare workers’ lives in these difficult times. To my fellow alumni who work in healthcare, thank you. I know how challenging the days and nights can be, but the work you are doing matters, and your alma mater is proud of you.

And speaking of alumni, I want all of you to know that your alumni relations team and Executive Council are committed to making our alumni experience even better.

This fall, you will see GeorgianView grow from one annual magazine to two. The first 2020-21 issue of the magazine will be emailed to you this fall in a digital format, and you can look forward to receiving the second issue in both your physical and digital mailbox in February. As our alumni family grows, so does the need to share the stories of our members, so be sure to let our alumni relations team know of any great alumni stories that need to be shared. Perhaps it’s your story – we would love to share it!

In closing, I want to issue you a challenge.

I challenge each of you to consider the opportunities that life has afforded you and to identify a single way to help the future generation of Georgian alumni. Perhaps you are at a stage of your career where you believe that offering advice or mentorship would be your greatest gift to give; or perhaps your time is limited, but a gift to our COVID-19 Hardship Bursary Fund or the Food Locker would be possible.

Regardless of what you give, or how much you give, we are strong and united family of 85,000 proud Georgian graduates. Imagine the impact we can have if we come together to help future generations. I get excited just thinking about it! Visit us online for more information on giving back to your alma mater.

I wish you and your loved ones all the best for the year ahead.

Arjun (class of 2007)
Chair, Alumni Association Executive Council

The Georgian College Alumni Association Executive Council (AAEC) is led by a dedicated group of volunteers who help fulfil the Alumni Association’s vision. We’re currently seeking graduates with a passion for their alma mater who:

• have proven leadership skills
• are comfortable with public speaking
• are inspired to mentor others
• wish to expand their professional network
• have previous board experience (an asset, but not required)
• are passionate about helping students and alumni achieve their goals
• have experienced success due, in part, to their Georgian College postsecondary education
• are interested in supporting the growth and evolution of Georgian College
• like to meet new people from all walks of life who share the common thread of being educated at Georgian College

If you are interested in joining this dynamic group, please complete the Georgian College Alumni Association Executive Council application form and submit this, along with your cover letter and resumé, to alumni@georgiancollege.ca.

Qualified candidates will be contacted by a representative from Georgian.

Arjun Batra, Chair: Mechanical Engineering Technology – Automotive Manufacturing, 2007

Maria Artuso, Member: Business Administration 2001 and Human Resources Management, Certificate of Achievement, 2001

Amanda Baysarowich, Member: Developmental Services Worker, 2006 and Addictions: Treatment and Prevention, 2008

Christina Beaudin-Smith, Member: Indigenous Community and Social Development, 2018

Lisa Buchanan, Member: Practical Nursing, 2011

Jordan Carbone, Member: Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – Golf Management, 2017 and Big Data Analytics 2020

Kevin Collins, Member: Hotel and Resort Administration, 1984 and Tourism Management, 1985

Connor Dorey, Member: Research Analyst Post Graduate Program, 2016

Jeff Czetwerzuk, Member: Child and Youth Care, 2019

John Fisher, Member: Mechanical Engineering Technology, 1980, Justice and Public Safety, 1996 and Museum and Gallery Studies, 2018

Christine Hiles, Member: Business Administration, 2005

Alison Houston, Member: Business Administration, 2007 and Human Resources Certificate, 2007

Jennifer Hunt, Member: Business Marketing, 2004

Shravan Pai, Member: Mechanical Engineering Technology Automotive Manufacturing, 2006

Courtney Rogers, Member: Human Resources Management, 2013

Diana Soto, Member: Interior Decorating, 2014

Mark Wretham, Member: Hotel and Resort Operations, 1997 and Hotel and Resort Administration, 1998

GeorgianView magazine

Georgian’s annual publication featuring news from our 87,000 alumni worldwide.

It focuses on Georgian successes, alumni profiles, tips for career development and stories about donors and industry partners who are helping to grow the opportunities available to students.
Below are links to the current edition of GeorgianView and past editions.

The Loop

Georgian Alumni Association’s monthly publication featuring news from our 85,000 alumni worldwide.

Read past editions below, or better yet, have The Loop delivered directly to your inbox by filling out the form below.

Georgian College Advancement and Alumni Relations

c/o Alumni Office
Room E200, Barrie Campus
One Georgian Dr.
Barrie ON, Canada
L4M 3X9

• email: alumni@georgiancollege.ca
• phone: 705.728.1968, ext. 1128

Office hours

• 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday
• Barrie Campus, Room E200