Articles tagged "OC Alumni Association"
OC grad honoured for contributions to inclusion, democracy and reconciliation
May 20, 2021
When Saige Girouard arrived at AVĚěĚĂ to have her photo taken during a grad experience event this week, she took home much more than a snapshot. She left with provincial recognition of her outstanding efforts to bring people together. Girouard, a Bachelor of Business Administration student, became the first OC student to ever receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal has been a symbol of academic excellence since 1979. In 2019, eligibility for the Lieuten...
Read more...
Meet Mark Hopley
May 13, 2021
Where is your hometown and where are you located now? Penticton What did you take at OC/OUC and when did you graduate? I took the Winery Assistant Program in 1997. It was one of the first years that the course was available. I attended the Penticton campus. Our instructors at the time where Holly Birtwistle in the lab and Gary Strachan on the winemaking end. They really laid the groundwork for a great program which I enjoyed immensely. It is such a small industry, I actually...
Read more...
Starting in science at OC propel alumni to success
April 30, 2021
As the world continues to navigate life in a pandemic, it has become increasingly clear that science matters. High school students approaching graduation and pondering their future, may be considering a career in this field, but knowing what area to specialize in can be a challenging decision with so many options. AVĚěĚĂ alumna Jacqueline Barnett started her journey in sciences through the College’s Associate of Science degree program. She’s now chasing her dreams, following not just her head and her heart, but also her gut, as...
Read more...
Alumni Association honours essential workers; provides support to next generation
April 12, 2021
For 18 years, the AVĚěĚĂ Alumni Association (OCAA) has honoured OC graduates whose extraordinary contributions have positively impacted those close to home and around the world. In a year like no other and for the first time in the awards’ history, the OCAA is celebrating multiple recipients of this prestigious award: essential workers. “This year we decided to do things a little differently and honour all alumni who have been working hard in our community to keep us all safe,” says OCAA Vice President Nick Melemenis. “This pande...
Read more...
Meet Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown
March 15, 2021
AVĚěĚĂ Bachelor of Business Administration alumna Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown had to completely pivot her event management business when the pandemic hit. Through navigating the new norm, she has remained optimistic about the future of her company, RedScope Media. Where are you from and where are you now? I grew up in Edmonton and now live in West Kelowna. Looking back at your time at OC, what is your best memory? It was great to learn and grow with so many l...
Read more...
Meet Lucas Griffin
February 2, 2021
What did you take at OC/OUC? When did you graduate? I took my Bachelor of Business Administration degree and graduated with distinction in 2000 from OUC. Where are you from and where are you now? I was born and raised in West Kelowna and still live there! My wife, family and I have travelled all over the world, and the more we travel, the more we realize that the Okanagan is an amazing place to live! Who was your biggest influence during your time at OC? The p...
Read more...
Meet Danielle Walker
September 29, 2020
Danielle Walker graduated with distinction from AVĚěĚĂ with a Business Administration Diploma in Accounting. She is currently working toward her Business Administration Degree and adjusting to life as a student during a pandemic. Walker was recently announced as an honouree on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s BDO Top 40 Under 40 list. We caught up with her to see what she’s been up to. Q: What was your best memory during your time at OC? A: I am the project m...
Read more...
OC alumnus attempts World Record, doubles fundraising goal
September 15, 2020
While debilitating chafing sunk OC alumnus Nick Pelletier’s hopes of breaking the Guinness World Record for fastest swim of Lake Okanagan from Vernon to Penticton, it didn’t stop him from more than doubling his fundraising goal. In addition to the swim being a personal challenge, Pelletier was also raising funds to help support BrainTrust Canada’s Youth Concussion Clinic which provides youth aged five to 25 years old who struggle with concussions and cannot afford any services or resources to support their recovery. “This cause is close t...
Read more...Health Care Assistants thankful for bursary support
September 14, 2020
Twenty-three-year-old Shoshanna Fremont works the night shift as a Care Aide at a local long-term care home, a shift she loves as it gives her an opportunity to provide precious one-on-one time with residents who are up during the night. “When you get them a glass of water and take the time to hold their hand, especially when they can’t have many visitors, their entire mood changes,” says Fremont. “When I go home I take comfort that I took care of people today, I made them smile, or helped in whatever way I could.” Fremont is one of ei...
Read more...
OC alumnus takes on Guinness World Record
September 3, 2020
On Sept. 4, 2020, OC alumnus, Nick Pelletier will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fastest swim of Lake Okanagan, 106 km, from Vernon, B.C. to Penticton, B.C. In addition to the swim being a personal challenge, Pelletier is also raising funds to help support BrainTrust Canada, a non-profit dedicated to meeting the unique needs of people affected by acquired brain injury by providing evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation and recovery. We caught up with Pel...
Read more...
Meet Justina LeeStolz
May 15, 2020
Justina LeeStolz is a real estate professional in the Okanagan and also runs several passion projects. One of those projects is the 100AwesomePeople project that LeeStolz launched to celebrate the many awesome people in the community. The project, podcast and YouTube channel highlight the businesses and side hustles that have gone to great lengths to make a social impact in the Okanagan. Many of the awesome people that LeeStolz has highlighted are fellow OC alums, and staff from t...
Read more...
New Alumni Association board members, President reelected for 12th consecutive year
May 5, 2020
The AVĚěĚĂ Alumni Association has elected two new board members and reelected Kara Kazimer as the Board President for the 12th consecutive year. Kazimer, a Bachelor of Business Administration graduate, has served on the Alumni Association board since 2001 and has been the President since 2008. “I am proud to be a part of the Alumni Association and help find ways to support and celebrate the graduates of AVĚěĚĂ,” says Kazimer. “Our alumni are doing so many great things and I love being a part of sharing my fellow alumn...
Read more...
Meet Evan Noble
April 30, 2020
Evan Noble was diagnosed with autism at five years old. Now after earning a diploma in Computer Information Systems from AVĚěĚĂ, Noble is working with the BC Ministry of Agriculture as an intern. Here’s what he shared with AutismBC recently: “It has been an excellent opportunity for me, and I have learned a lot. I am developing stronger skills related to working with others and have had the chance to use my education and computer skills in a variety of ways. I work withi...
Read more...
OC Audio Engineering and Music Production alums send new music and gratitude out into the world
April 27, 2020
From local creators to international headliners, musicians around the world are rallying to provide sweet sounds of hope amid troubled times during the COVID-19 pandemic. And if a common thread runs throughout these live shows, between the trends and among the shares, it’s an increased awareness for the value music brings to our lives. AVĚěĚĂ students Noah Potenteau and Logan Larocque are among those brightening the digital space with their talents. The pair recently completed the Audio Engineering and Music Product...
Read more...
Meet Adam Relvas
April 16, 2020
Adam Relvas, who took Professional Cook Apprenticeship, level 2 and 3 at the College in 2006, grew up in the South Okanagan and gained a passion for food through many food-focused family events. After graduating, Relvas worked as a line cook for Waterfront Wines in Kelowna, Sous Chef at Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen in Lake Country, Sous Chef at the Hotel Eldorado in Kelowna, and later Executive Chef at Monashee’s Bar and Grill and The Kal’s Sports Bar in Vernon. Now, the cer...
Read more...
Million dollar idea: OC alumnus creates a charitable gala in time of need
April 14, 2020
OC alumnus, Drew Vincent knew he wanted to bring the community together during a global quarantine. His challenge: how to hold an in-person online and still generate the kind of participation needed. His ingenuity and the community’s generosity yielded results that surpassed expectations. In just five days, his idea turned into a $20,000 donation to help the Okanagan community during COVID-19. The event also laid the groundwork for an even bigger charitable effort on May 2. A graduate of the College’s Bachelor of Business Administration p...
Read more...