“That was very relaxing,” said Patterson, adding it was “interesting to see the students in the environment where they learn skills to help others.”

Caudle said the new centre will allow students to provide more services to the public, while giving them more opportunity for practical experience.

“Right now, our classroom and our clinic are both the same space,” Caudle explained. “In the new building, we’ll have a classroom plus a separate clinic, which will give students a lot more time to offer clinic outreach.”

Warden Patterson and 13 representatives of Simcoe County Council toured the college before presenting an $800,000 donation to the new Centre for Health and Wellness, currently under construction at the Barrie Campus. Some, like Patterson, received a relaxing massage, while others tried on eyeglasses from the Opticianry program and some marveled at lifelike manikins seemingly brought to life by Nursing students.

“Education in the County of Simcoe is something we are very interested in investing in,” said Patterson. “I’m also the Mayor of Wasaga Beach and our community, like many others, is in need of people skilled in health services. This is becoming more and more of concern as the baby boomers get older.”

Patterson says Barrie is the perfect location for the centre, as many students who train there will likely stay within Simcoe County and serve its residents. The tour gave Patterson and the other members of council a close-up look at how their investment will be used.

“This is one of our largest gifts to the Power of Education Campaign,” said Lisa Eveleigh, Director of Development and Alumni Relations. “The new building is going to be amazing and the representatives can see the structure rising right now. Their presence here demonstrates a commitment to education and investing in the future success of our students and community.”

J.D. Cormack is a second-year Primary Care Paramedic student who expects to be coming back to the centre long after he graduates. Labs in the centre will be double the size they are now and will be able to accommodate the ongoing medical education paramedics require throughout their careers.

“It’s good to have these guys (councillors) in here and let them know what students are studying, give them some insight and let them see their money is going to good use,” said Cormack.

The new centre will allow Georgian to double its current 1,500 health program students to 3,000 when classes start in September 2011. Students will train in a variety of clinics that will also be open to the public, such as Massage Therapy, Opticianry, dental and nurse practitioner services.

As a skills shortage looms in the health-care sector, Georgian’s strategy is to offset the challenge locally by expanding its health and wellness program as well as the number of graduates produced from such programs as nursing. The 165,000-square-foot building expansion on the Barrie Campus will house additional enrolment spaces, allowing students to pursue health, wellness and science-related certificates, diplomas and degrees, including advanced degree programs. It will also be home to leading-edge laboratories and technology-enhanced classrooms. The facility will also enable Georgian to expand its University Partnership Centre to offer even more degree and advanced-degree level studies.

Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College, said the County of Simcoe’s generous contribution is a testament to the positive impact the facility will have on Simcoe County communities, health-care employers in need of a qualified workforce, and ultimately patients in need of care.

“The County of Simcoe is not only an employer of our health and wellness program graduates, it is also a dedicated stakeholder in the project, helping to ensure health care providers are available to residents when they need them. We are extremely grateful that county councillors have the vision to support this project, and are thrilled they are standing behind Georgian’s growth,” said Tamblyn.

The County of Simcoe’s donation is the latest contribution to Georgian’s Power of Education Campaign, an initiative to raise $25 million for the expansion and improvement of key programs including health sciences, engineering technology and awards and scholarships. To date, $20.6 million has been raised.

“The County of Simcoe is committed to smart growth, and Georgian College’s 165,000-square-foot expansion is the perfect example of this,” said Warden Cal Patterson. “Not only will the new health and wellness centre help educate students, it will also help provide the region with a much needed resource.”

As a skills shortage looms in the health care sector, Georgian’s strategy is to offset the challenge locally by expanding its School of Health and Wellness as well as the number of graduates produced from such programs as nursing.  The 165,000-square-foot building expansion on the Barrie Campus will enable Georgian to make way for many more enrolment spaces. The new centre will allow Georgian to double its current 1,500 health program students to 3,000 when classes start in September 2011. Students will have the opportunity to pursue health and wellness related certificates, diplomas and degrees, including advanced degree programs. It will also be home to a bevy of health care services teaching clinics open to the public, as well as leading-edge laboratories, and technology-enhanced classrooms. The facility will also ensure Georgian has the capacity to expand its University Partnership Centre to eventually offer even more degree and advanced-degree level studies.

Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College, said the County of Simcoe’s generous contribution is a testament to the positive impact the facility will have on Simcoe County communities, health care employers in need of a qualified workforce, and ultimately patients in need of care.

“The County of Simcoe is not only an employer of our health and wellness program graduates, it is also a dedicated stakeholder in the project, helping to ensure health care providers are available to residents when they need them. We are extremely grateful that the County of Simcoe has supported this project, and are thrilled it is standing behind Georgian’s growth,” said Tamblyn.

The County of Simcoe’s donation is the latest contribution to Georgian’s Power of Education Campaign, an initiative to raise $25 million for the expansion and improvement of key programs including health sciences, engineering technology and awards and scholarships. To date, $20.6 million has been raised.

Ruth began her full-time teaching career at Georgian in 2006 and quickly became a valued faculty member in the Environmental Techniques and Technology programs. In addition to being honoured with the Engineering Technology Employee of the Year Award, she was also presented with a Teaching Excellence Award at the College’s Teaching and Learning Conference in 2008.

Ruth was recognized for her ability to develop quality courses that kept students interested, motivated and actively involved in their learning. She continually encouraged students to strive for individual excellence and involved them in many external opportunities related to their anticipated field of employment.

One of Ruth’s students said it best: “Returning to studies as a mature student presented me with challenges that sometimes can seem overwhelming. Ruth helped to ease some of these anxieties, making my college experience a pleasure. It has been a privilege to have had Ruth as an instructor; she is someone I think highly of, not only as a teacher but also as a kind, giving individual.”

Ruth’s teaching practice expanded well beyond the classroom. She was instrumental in the development of a partnership between Georgian and the Rotary Club of Barrie which saw Environmental students conduct an environmental management system audit at local companies. The project gave students a chance to apply their learning in a real-world work environment, helped businesses reduce their environmental footprint and increased awareness of Georgian’s Engineering Technology programs.

Ruth also encouraged other professionals in the environmental field to apply for part-time faculty positions within the department and mentored them in their transition from industry to academia.As a result, student exposure to industry experts both in and outside the classroom increased. She also sat on curriculum development committees, developed new programs and leveraged the expertise of local environmental experts to improve existing programs at Georgian.

Before coming to Georgian, Ruth was well-known as an environmental leader and a visionary who worked for the City of Barrie as supervisor of waste management during a critical development period. She was largely responsible for redeveloping Barrie’s waste infrastructure into something that continues to provide residents with viable, cost-effective waste management solutions. Her infectious enthusiasm and commitment to spreading the message of environmental stewardship covered all aspects of her life. She appeared on local television programs promoting waste diversion and environmental responsibility.

Ruth also sought out educators from the public and separate school boards and developed programming relevant to the educational curriculum on waste diversion.

RUTH YOLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Donations can be made in Ruth’s memory through the newly established Ruth Yole Memorial Scholarship for students whose lives have been touched by cancer. Close to $8,000 was raised for the scholarship at an informal memorial in her honour at the Barrie Campus March 13.

For more information on the scholarship, or to donate, contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at ext. 1210.

Online donations are being accepted at www.georgianc.on.ca/giving. Select the “give now” icon on the right side of the screen. This will take you to the Canada Helps website. Select “donate now.” Enter your donation amount and select the “Ruth Yole Memorial Scholarship” from the fund/designation list. Note that if you choose to make a monthly donation, you must type Ruth Yole Memorial Scholarship in the message/instruction box so your donation will be directed accordingly.

The family would also appreciate blood donations to local blood donor clinics.

Our deepest sympathies go out to David (Centre for Access), Dylan and the rest of the Yole family.

Georgian’s segment on a Great Lakes freighter airs April 21. A film crew spent two days filming at the Campus last fall.

The College was last featured on the Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet program following the opening of the marine simulation and training centre in January 2008.

The premise of “I Could Do That” is to have ordinary citizens train on extraordinary pieces of machinery and then use the machinery in a real-life situation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The show is being promoted on the Discovery Channel’s website at http://www.discoverychannel.ca/showpage.aspx?sid=24790. The site includes a trailer for the show, which can also be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B942e_z4g50.

Georgian staff and faculty members are invited to join President and CEO Brian Tamblyn at one of the following times for a casual chat about current happenings at the College. New staff members are encouraged to attend.

BARRIE CAMPUS

• Thursday, March 18, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Oak Room

ORILLIA CAMPUS

• Friday, March 19, 2:30 to 4 p.m., Staff Lounge

OWEN SOUND CAMPUS

• Tuesday, March 23, 2:30 to 4 p.m., Room A105

For more information, contact Belinda Marcellus at bmarcellus@georgianc.on.ca or ext. 1250.

Pictured: Georgian College President and CEO Brian Tamblyn at a 2008 Barrie Campus Break with Brian session.

Advance tickets for Georgian’s annual Gord Bastian Variety Show are now on sale. This annual presentation of music and comedy will unleash its unique brand of fun in March with two special shows.

Variety 18 – Goes to the Movies promises to deliver the quality entertainment audiences have grown to expect from the show over the past 17 years. Every year, the show builds on its successful formula of song, comedy and dance.

All proceeds from the show go toward a special bursary to help financially challenged Georgian students, as well as the Gord Bastian Memorial Entrance Award.

Gord, founder of the annual show, passed away in the spring of 1999. Since then, Georgian staff members and students have continued to entertain audiences in his honour.

The Variety Show committee, in co-operation with The Last Class, Barrie Campus, will offer a special dinner and show package for the March 25 show at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. Please call ext. 5280 to reserve.

Variety Show – Goes to the Movies will be held in the Georgian College Theatre, Barrie Campus, March 24 and 25. The show starts at 7 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time.

Tickets are $10 each or $5 for seniors, alumni and students. Tickets are available at the door or can be purchased in advance at the Students’ Administrative Council (SAC) office, Athletics, Bear Essentials and the Bookstore (Barrie and Orillia campuses).

VARIETY SHOW SILENT AUCTION MARCH 22

A silent auction in support of the Gord Bastian Variety Show will be held outside Bear Essentials, Barrie Campus, on March 22. There will be lots of great items up for bid.

The conference brought together close to 100 of Ontario’s finest student leaders from eight different institutions across the province.

The ORHA conference, which is held in the winter semester each year, is hosted by an ORHA member school. Currently, Georgian is the only college member in the association.

The conference gave student leaders from across the province the opportunity to share ideas and experiences and gain resources, which they can then use to enrich residence life within their respective institutions.

The event kicked off with opening ceremonies in Alumni Hall, followed by a movie screening in the Rowntree Hall and live entertainment in The Last Class.

In addition to interactive sessions (Improving Relations with On-Campus Governments, Residence as a Workplace, Programming Power and Improving Your Residence Council), the conference also included roundtable discussions, an examination of case studies, a keynote speaker and other social activities.

The conference culminated in an awards banquet, where schools and individuals were recognized in several categories.

Georgian was recognized as School of the Year for its involvement in the ORHA. The award is presented to a member school that has shown exemplary dedication and drive in improving residence life.

The Residence Student Council is a student-run organization that is committed to helping students living in residence feel like part of a community. Committee members achieve these goals though educational and team-building activities throughout the year.

For further details on the ORHA, including information on participating schools, visit http://orha-aro.ca.

Gwen Gilbert

Pictured: Gilbert, Police Foundations student Andrew Hopkins and “Wiarton Willy.”

In the event you require 50 or more parking tokens for on-campus events, please send an e-mail to the Parking Office at parking@georgianc.on.ca and to Brigitte Blair, Manager, Building and Grounds Services, at bblair@georgianc.on.ca. Don’t forget to include an explanation and/or details regarding the event.

Staff members are asked to make the request at least several days in advance of the event to ensure the parking tokens are available and will be ready for pick-up.

Lifelong healthy eating can help play a role in cancer prevention. Follow these basic guidelines to help you stay cancer-free.

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Know your Body Mass Index and keep yours in a healthy range.

Follow the Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide and be sure to:

• Get the recommended amounts of vegetables and fruit for your age and gender.
• Include no more than one serving of red meat per day.
• Use processed meats only occasionally.
• Limit foods and beverages high in calories, fat or sugar to help maintain a healthy weight.
• Drink alcoholic beverages only occasionally; if alcohol is consumed it should be limited to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
• Include physical activity every day such as brisk walking for at least 30 minutes. As your fitness improves, increase your activity to 60 or more minutes of moderate activity or 30 or more minutes of vigorous physical activity every day.

Note that supplements with antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, selenium or others have not been shown to protect against developing cancer.

If you’re affected by cancer, nutrition and healthy eating become an important part of your treatment and well-being.

The Canadian Cancer Society provides patients and their families with current and credible information on a wide variety of topics relating to cancer. You can find guidelines for healthy eating to help prevent cancer along with nutrition tips for living with cancer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• For more information on prevention, support services and cancer research, visit www.cancer.ca.
• To find a dietitian in your area, visit www.dietitians.ca/find.