Soldiers and officers from CFB Borden, along with dignitaries from the college and community, joined a strong contingent of veterans, staff, students and guests for the official commemoration. The centerpiece of the cenotaph is a stone first donated by college staff and students in the 1990s. The expanded memorial takes the form of a sweeping concrete wall sheltering four black markers. They are graced with 44 individual maple leaves cast in bronze, representing fallen soldiers.

“Today, Georgian commemorates the heroism, dedication and sacrifices of those who served in the Canadian military and merchant marine,” said Brian Tamblyn, Georgian President and CEO. “This is our way of ensuring that Canada’s new generation remembers. The cenotaph would not have been possible without the generosity of all those who either donated money, materials, labour or time.”

 ”We are very proud to support the new cenotaph at Georgian College,” said Jim Strang, President, Royal Canadian Legion, Barrie Branch 147. “Georgian is to be commended for establishing such a fine tribute to our veterans, and I am particularly delighted that this memorial will stand as a constant reminder of their service and sacrifice for our country that will be seen by young and old alike.”

The project received $25,000 in funding from Veterans Affairs Canada through its Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program, the maximum grant allowed.

Additionally, Georgian staff members have donated $21,920 to date, Georgian alumni members have given $10,000 and the Barrie Students’ Administrative Council has contributed $15,000. Many other community partners, including the Royal Canadian Legion, businesses and members of the public, have stepped up to provide funding and materials. The cenotaph will be inaugurated at this year’s Remembrance Day service on a very symbolical date – 11/11/11.

The cenotaph was designed by John D. Bell and Associates and was built by Outdoor Living Landscapes, a division of Gregor Homes.

The Hodge Research Area, located in the eastern arm of the Minesing Wetlands, about 20 minutes from the Barrie Campus, is an example of a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest. It floods each spring and autumn, which makes it great for canoe trips.

Georgian student Ryan Mueller (pictured) has initiated an independent technical report on the area as part of his studies in the Environmental Studies program. His objective is to provide localized groundwater-vegetation information to further understanding of this part of the Minesing Wetlands. As part of his report, Ryan installed shallow PVC water monitoring wells in deciduous and coniferous stands in a transition zone adjacent to a stream.

Working with faculty in the Environmental Studies program and researchers at the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Ryan will record the static water levels of the wells and analyze this with reference to the local vegetation community.

Ryan’s report will be completed in spring 2012 and will serve as the foundation for further studies by Georgian students and long-term monitoring of the ecological components in the Hodge Research Area.

“We are the only province who doesn’t have a strategy to prevent it and support the individuals with the disability,” said Sheila Burns, the new community in justice fellow for the Law Foundation of Ontario at Georgian College.

A provincial strategy on FASD will improve how “scant” resources are allocated and will result in better outcomes for individuals with the disability, said Burns, an FASD expert.

In order to move toward this goal and to provide better education to professionals such as social workers and police, Burns has been brought on board to the Orillia Campus for 10 months to develop two FASD courses for students.

“FASD is a very significant issue in society and the criminal justice system,” said Mary O’Farrell-Bowers, dean of Georgian College, Orillia Campus.

Read the full story in the Oct. 3 edition of The Orillia Packet and Times.

Leitch has donated $1.5 million to the Great Lakes International Marine Training Centre, located at the Owen Sound Campus.

The centre features four navigational training bridges and an engine room simulator, all designed to simulate real life marine scenarios.

As Chairman of the Upper Lakes Group Inc., Leitch has had close ties to Georgian since the college introduced its marine cadet program in the 1970s.

“Graduates of Georgian’s marine programs have been a crucial component of the Canadian shipping industry. It is an honour to have the opportunity to support the future leaders of the industry that has been such a significant part of my life,” said Leitch.

Three new post-secondary programs are coming to the Orillia Campus: Community and Justice Services, Human Service Foundation, and Veterinary Assistant.

Demand for the programs is so strong that classes will begin as soon as possible – in January 2012. Community and Justice Services and Human Services Foundation will also see a second group of students start studies in September.

Veterinary Assistant is a one-year certificate program focusing on providing students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to assist veterinary professionals in the practice of veterinary medicine and in other animal care settings. Students learn and reinforce their skills through a combination of lectures and hands-on laboratory practice in the Orillia Campus veterinary teaching facility.

Graduates will be prepared to work in such settings as veterinary clinics, zoos, wildlife centres, pet stores, humane societies and grooming facilities.

Community and Justice Services is a two-year diploma program that prepares students to work in a variety of settings with offenders and other high-risk client groups. Students work to protect the public and ensure the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

Career opportunities include employment with federal and provincial correctional institutions, community residential facilities, custody facilities for youth, and justice agencies that provide programs for offenders, at-risk individuals and victims of crime.

Human Service Foundation is a one-year certificate program that prepares students to enter “people helping” careers and human service fields. Students will graduate with the skills they need to find work in the field, or to work with employers who prefer to administer their own training programs.

Unique to the program is an interactive lab component that incorporates the use of computer gaming technology, allowing students to learn and practise in both “real” and “virtual” worlds of human services.

Scotiabank generously matched every dollar raised from the event.

For more information on Family Transition Place, visit their website.

Proceeds support Operation Hero, an endowed scholarship for military family members who are pursuing an education at Georgian College.  

This is Simcoe County’s fastest growing charity run – uniquely military from start to finish.

Registration includes t-shirt and commemorative dog tag. Enjoy a challenging, chip-timed course on varying terrain.

Register online and learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Aileen Carroll, MPP for Barrie, announces an additional $8-million investment by the provincial government for the Centre for Health & Wellness, at Georgian College’s Barrie Campus on Monday June 20, 2011.

The Government of Ontario is helping Georgian College finish the final phase of the Centre for Health and Wellness, giving more students access to education and training in the health care field. The government announced on June 20 an additional investment of $8-million to help complete the $62.5-million project.

“Ontario is putting students first by creating more opportunities at our colleges and universities so we can build the skilled and knowledgeable workforce needed for the global economy,” notes John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. “Our government’s investment in the Centre for Health and Wellness will help Georgian College students succeed in the future, while creating good jobs today.”

The new centre will add significant capacity in practical nursing and health science diploma programs. It will also allow for more classroom space, along with new health clinics, research labs and student life facilities.

“The addition of $8 million on top of the $20 million already provided by the provincial government will help Georgian to solidify its position as one of the largest and most stable employers in our region,” says Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College. “I would like to express my thanks to Aileen Carroll for her continuing hard work on our behalf and to the province for recognizing the need for this funding. This additional support will allow us to achieve our maximum enrolment capacity of 3,000 more full-time students.”

Staff are invited to the grand opening of the centre on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 10:30 a.m. Learn more.

Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO, said a number of factors may be contributing to the spike in summer enrolment.

“Students today are looking for more flexibility in meeting graduation timelines so they can enter the workforce as quickly as they can.

I’m delighted Georgian is able to meet their needs,” said Tamblyn.

Tamblyn added that fuller use of the college’s facilities in the summer is an efficient use of resources, helping to improve access to post-secondary studies in the community.

The enrolment increases are being seen across all Georgian campuses in study areas such as Business, Community Studies, Marine Training and Health and Wellness. Some of the programs experiencing significant increases include:

•  Business Administration – Human Resources: 375 per cent (Barrie Campus)
• Pre-Health Sciences: 150 per cent (Barrie Campus)
• Police Foundations: 142 per cent (Orillia Campus)
• Marine Engineering Technology: 61 per cent and Practical Nursing: 65 per cent (Owen Sound Campus) 

The marked increase in international student enrolment is a result of the college’s strategic focus on international recruitment. 

Tamblyn said that the summer enrolment increases, both domestic and international, as well as the recently released government audit figures showing full-time enrolment at well over 10,000 students per year, are an indication that Georgian and the University Partnership Centre are meeting the needs of the communities they serve, and will continue to do so in years to come.

“Georgian is preparing for an exciting future,” added Tamblyn. “And we will continue to break new ground in the creation of learning opportunities for our students.”

 For more information, please contact Rosemary Toth, Communications Specialist, at rtoth@georgianc.on.ca or 705-728-1968, ext. 1013.