CIBC gives scholarship boost to Indigenous students
January 18, 2021
When Maria Kruger graduates as a Certified Dental Assistant from AV later this year, she will proudly stand among her people as a skilled professional. Kruger, who is of Okanagan/Shuswap descent, has a goal to graduate and work with people in her community on the Penticton Indian Band. “I want to see our people go into skilled trades and be able to support our own communities. That’s one of my main goals,” says Kruger, who also cites her two-year-old son as inspiration behind her return to school. A new donation from CIBC al...
Read more...Together, from afar: an AV graduation ceremony unlike any other
January 15, 2021
In a year unlike any other, AV student Kenzie Gorjanc found herself adapting to new ways of learning to complete her education. On Jan. 23, she will join more than 2,000 OC students who will don virtual caps and gowns as they are recognized during the College’s first-ever online convocation ceremony. Graduates, along with their family, friends and supporters in the community are invited to tune in and watch the pre-recorded virtual ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. next Saturday. To view the ceremony and learn more, visit www...
Read more...OC Enactus helps young females navigate the future
January 15, 2021
AV’s nationally recognized Enactus team is kicking off the new year with new community-initiatives, including a program preparing local young females to navigate their future with confidence, positive self-image and the know-how to tackle the world of job hunting. The project, Ivy Collective, is a free skills development program that supports females aged 15-18 through a series of one-hour online training workshops. Topics include public speaking, job application skills and confidence-building strategies. The first workshop...
Read more...Meet Pamela Rouse, Practical Nursing instructor
January 4, 2021
What is your education and experience? I was born in Vancouver and lived there until I moved to the Okanagan with my husband and two teenage children in 2010. I attended UBC and achieved my BScN and then specialized in orthopedics and adolescent medical/surgical care at B.C. Children’s Hospital. I worked there for 20 years prior to starting my teaching career in the Practical Nursing program at Vancouver Community College. I began working at OC on a term instructor basis in 2...
Read more...Loved nurse honoured with a major gift to the College
December 23, 2020
She was the type of nurse who was working even when she was off. If the phone rang in the middle of the night, Mary Miller would go to the hospital to help her colleagues. In celebration of all the love she gave her patients and especially those closest to her, the Miller family are making a $150,000 donation to AV’s new Health Sciences Centre. The gift honours Mary, who passed away in October at age 83. “My Mary would be so pleased and so honoured that we’re doing this for her,” says Dean Miller, her husband of 62 years and...
Read more...Zahra Salon takes a cut for College fundraiser
December 18, 2020
Experience in – and experience of – health care services has led management of Zahra Salon and Spa to turn their attention until the end of January to supporting the education of health care professionals at AV. Zahra Salon will be inviting its customers to make a holiday or New Year donation to the College’s Our Students Your Health campaign, along with selling raffle tickets for a gift basket valued at $1,000. The salon’s medical spa will also be donating 10 per cent of all laser treatments services to the campaign during t...
Read more...Collegial effort cooks up a recipe book for student support
December 16, 2020
After compiling recipes into a delectable read, the What We Cooked: A Compilation of Recipes During COVID Times cookbook is available for purchase. The idea for the book started when a team of College library staff members noticed their online daily conversations constantly reverted to food. With a hunger to support the community in a time of isolation and invite others to connect on a relatable subject, What We Cooked was born. All proceeds raised from book sales will go towards the AV Students’ Union and the Vernon Stude...
Read more...Season’s Eatings fundraiser surpasses fundraising goal
December 10, 2020
An evening celebrating festive cooking virtually is resulting in a very real-world impact for AV health care students. Season’s Eatings, a virtual cooking class and wine tasting fundraiser hosted by the AV Foundation, raised $315,000 on the evening of Dec. 3, surpassing its $250,000 goal. The virtual cooking and wine tasting class featured AV Culinary and Pastry Arts instructors and their students who walked participants through how to cook a gourmet dinner consisting of mouth-watering stuffed tur...
Read more...Meet Marty Paradine, SBT Professor
December 9, 2020
Q: What is your education and background? A: My education is as follows: B.Sci. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Manitoba) M.Sci. in Renewable Energy (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany) MBA (Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden) Certified Energy Manager (Association of Energy Engineers) Professional Engineer (APEGBC) I have worked in the mining, oil and gas industries as an engineer and operations manager, before moving into my area of ...
Read more...Meet Brian Rippy, SBT Professor
December 9, 2020
Q: What is your education and background? A: Undergrad in Civil Engineering and Bio Resources, and a Master's in Sustainable Design. Q: What is your area of interest? A: Beautiful, healthy and regenerative buildings. Q: When did you know you had found your discipline? A: When I discovered the impact that the built environment has on our planet, social fabric, health and wellness. Q: Why did you choose to work at AV? A: It presented an opportunity to d...
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