Georgian College Alumni Relations

Aviation Management Grad Receives Public Safety Award

Aaron Putnins - receives GTAA Public Safety Award

Aaron Putnins was patrolling the perimeter of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport last summer when he noticed four out-of-control baggage carts hurtling toward a United Airlines aircraft parked on the Terminal 1 tarmac. The graduate of Georgian’s Aviation Management program quickly assessed the situation, jumped into action and stopped the carts within a foot of the aircraft.

His quick action averted a potentially dangerous situation and saved both the airport and the airline damage to equipment, loss of inventory and millions of dollars in revenue.

Aaron was honoured with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Public Safety Award for his efforts last November. The award is bestowed on those who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the safety and security of Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Aaron graduated from the Canadian Aviation Institute (CAvI) in 2006 and currently works for Falcon Environmental Services, a wildlife control company based at Pearson. His job is to keep aircraft and wildlife safe from each other, which he does with the aid of a specially trained hawk. The company employs such methods as falconry, trapping and relocation and pyrotechnics to control problematic birds and mammals at airports in Canada and the United States.

His combined knowledge of airport management and airline operations gives him the momentum and foresight to assess potentially dangerous situations both in the air and on active airfields, says Aaron.

“The Aviation Management program provided me with a good foundation in operational management and airline operations as well as the opportunity to network and build on my knowledge through co-operative work placements. I received a fuller picture of how all of the parts of the aviation industry work, including airside vehicle safety, so I’m well-equipped to assess potential hazards in the air and on the ground.”

Aaron’s unique set of skills and knowledge of wildlife helped him land his dream job just one week after graduation.

FREE “Lunch & Learn’s” at the The Last Class.

“Learn how to get a mortgage at .8% below prime, before the end of the month!”

Limited to 10 alumni. Now reserving seat(s) for April 23rd.

Presented by: Catherine Harding, The Mortgage Centre : Affinity Partner of the Alumni Association

For info on other Free Lunch & Learn sessions and to reserve go to www.bankfighter.com/harding or call 705-716-9080

Keep in Touch

Everyone plans to stay in touch with high school classmates, college friends and work colleagues, but our busy lives often get in the way and our best intentions fall by the wayside. When you’re a Georgian College alumni, losing touch can mean you don’t receive access to all the benefits of being a graduate.

Many benefits and services are available to Georgian Alumni:

• Preferred rates on car and home insurance and mortgages
• Discounted tickets to popular attractions such as Wonderland and Ontario Place
• Discounts at local businesses
• And, of course, a copy of the Alumni View Magazine twice a year

Reconnecting with our alumni is very important to us – so important that your Alumni Association Board is working on a strategic plan to locate “lost” graduates. Be sure to read future issues of the magazine on how you can help find these MIAs.

It pays to keep in touch and it’s so easy to do!!

Update your information by filling in the alumni profile form, by e-mailing alumni@georgianc.on.ca, or by contacting the Alumni Office at (705) 728-1968, ext. 1213.

Stay connected and don’t miss out!

“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 alumni. 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 alumni 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)

Preferred Rates:

• Johnson Insurance: Car and house insurance
• Industrial-Alliance Pacific: Life insurance
• The Mortgage Centre/Alumni Mortgages
• CAA Central Ontario Corporate Membership
• Georgian College Athletic Centre

Access to:

• Career Development Services
• Library Services

Discounts at:

• Choice Hotels
• Extreme Tanning
• Marguerite’s Beauty Workshop
• Speedy Muffler, Brake and Wheel
• National Car Rentals
• Canada’s Wonderland
• Ontario Place
• Santa’s Village
• Summer Suites and Conference Services

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.