I would like to thank the many staff, students, alumni, employers and community colleagues who have sent congratulations and best wishes following the November 22 announcement of my retirement (effective next June) by Board of Governors Chair Charlotte Wallis. I am currently in my 30th year at Georgian, and my decision to retire next year was made with very mixed emotions, and only after a great deal of reflection. The day I was selected in the spring of 1999 to replace Bruce Hill as Georgian’s fourth President was one of the proudest moments in my life. Now, 12 ½ years later, I feel even more privileged and honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead this outstanding institution.

As many of you are aware, I grew up in Barrie, and have followed the transformation of Georgian since its creation in 1967, growing from little more than a concept into one of the finest colleges in Canada. The groundwork for Georgian’s success had already been laid well in advance of my appointment by such exceptional predecessors as Robert Crawford, Wayne Busch and Bruce Hill, each who was the right President for his time. I had the benefit of being at Georgian for 17 years when I became President, and I knew that I would have the support of an outstanding contingent of staff, student leaders and governors as we collectively tackled a multitude of opportunities and challenges.

I consider myself so fortunate to have had an entire career at such an incredible institution, where staff really do care about students and their individual strengths and challenges. This is the essence of the culture that makes Georgian unique, in so many ways, giving the new President and CEO next summer a solid base to address inevitable change. I’ll have more to say in the new year regarding what is on the immediate horizon for Georgian.

The national search for my replacement is well underway. A Board of Governors search committee, chaired by Charlotte Wallis, has been established and the executive search firm of Janet Wright and Associates (JWA) has been hired. Chair Wallis is committed to a highly consultative process where the entire Georgian community will be given every opportunity to provide comments that will guide the Search Committee’s evaluation and final recommendation. If you were unable to participate in the town hall meetings scheduled this month at each of the main campuses, remember that you can provide direct input to JWA at georgianconsultations@jwasearch.com. JWA will hold all submissions in the strictest confidence.

Culture in action

I was recently reminded how Georgian continues to pursue new and innovative ways to assist students who are most at risk, including those who have yet to reach college. Staff in School-College Work Initiatives recently introduced a new program called Prospecting Success in which 30 secondary school students from five local high schools experienced life at the Barrie Campus over a four-week period. The students were identified by their teachers as candidates not likely to finish secondary school. Their campus “indoctrination” at Georgian enabled the students to better understand college life.

Before the students arrived at Georgian, staff visited the secondary schools and conducted career assessments with each student to identify his or her career interests and to assist in matching each to an appropriate student mentor, recruited and trained for this program. They attended classes, worked with a college mentor, and attended career sessions. Once they arrived at Georgian, the positive impact of this program was immediate. On their evaluation forms, a number of the secondary school students stated that they had already applied, or were considering applying, to such programs as Hotel and Resort Management, Environmental Technician, Architectural/Interior Design, Personal Support Worker, Professional Golf Management, Opticianry, Massage Therapy, Registered Practical Nurse, Esthetician, Electrical and Aviation Management.

It is very inspiring to observe how, in such a brief period, Prospecting Success was able to bring new optimism to a group of young students, thanks to a determined and conscientious group of Georgian staff and students. While it is difficult to recognize in this newsletter all those who supported this project, I would like to thank and congratulate them as a group for providing another example of how Georgian’s success starts with each individual student.

Top 100 Employer, once again

A caring and supportive environment is strongly embedded in Georgian’s Vision 2015 strategic plan for the simple fact that it has long been an intrinsic part of our culture. As much as we make every effort internally to ensure these qualities are recognized and preserved in our strategic vision, mission and objectives, it is always gratifying when those same qualities are recognized externally.

It was announced last month that Georgian has again been selected as one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada, marking the fifth time in 10 years that we have been given the honour. Canada’s Top 100 Employers is an annual competition that recognizes Canada’s best places to work. The awards aim to identify companies and organizations across Canada that lead their industries in attracting and retaining employees. Judges for the Top 100 award reviewed applications from more than 10,000 Canadian employers before selecting the best in each category. All winners were honoured at an awards ceremony in Toronto on November 28.

Georgian earned this distinction every year from 2001 to 2004. We have been the only college in Canada selected in each of the five years that we have received this award.

In Vision 2015, Georgian specifically sets a goal of championing employee engagement, in part by fostering employees’ passion for student success. Canada’s Top 100 Employers cites many reasons for choosing Georgian, ranging from an outstanding physical workplace to superior financial and family-friendly benefits. Employee engagement was given a high rating, as was Georgian staff’s involvement in the community. Of course, the judges also recognized that all of our campuses are situated in one of the best regions in Canada to live, work and play.

Georgian was also ranked as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2011, in a separate competition administered by the same company that selects the Top 100 employers. Congratulations to all of our staff who share in these awards. To be chosen among the best of all colleges, universities and school boards who were nominated from across the country, both in terms of our workplace and environmental practices, is truly a remarkable achievement. At the same time, more can always be done on both fronts – this constant improvement is high on our agenda.

Business alumnus wins Premier’s Award

Georgian alumnus Geoffrey Stephens, the third Georgian graduate to win a prestigious Premier's Award.

Speaking of remarkable achievements, I attended the Ontario Premier’s Awards dinner on November 28 in Toronto. It turned out to be a special night for Georgian when Business Administration program graduate (1984) Geoffrey Stephens was announced as the winner of the prestigious award in the outstanding business achievements category.

Geoffrey became president and controlling owner of Capital Paving Inc. at age 35, and has grown its revenue from $18 million to $80 million in just over 10 years. He and his partners recently made a major ownership investment in Fowler Construction of Muskoka. In 2010, Capital was named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies and is an unprecedented three-time winner of the Ministry of Transportation’s Paver of the Year Award. He was one of 40 Canadian entrepreneurs chosen for the 2010 Quantum Shift at the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Geoffrey says Georgian courses in accounting, economics and business set the foundation for his success. Studies in organizational behaviour helped him recognize that employees are key in developing a truly sustainable advantage. Marketing classes showed him the value of establishing a recognizable brand for Capital, with a distinctive logo, tagline (“Quality Construction by Quality People”) and bold company colours. Geoffrey becomes only the third Georgian graduate to win a Premier’s Award. The other two were Rose Adams (Barrie barrister, solicitor and mediator) in 2003, and Stephen Flowers (President, UPS Americas Region) in 2005, both in the Business category.

China, Ireland trips build partnerships

I am pleased to report that my international business trip to China and Ireland last month was very productive. I believe this work will return strong dividends to Georgian beginning as early as next fall. Thanks to the advance work of John Donald, Ben Yang and their International Centre team, Georgian now has agreements with all of the major recruitment agencies in China, a breakthrough for the college. Most noteworthy are agreements to pursue joint programs that will provide direct pathways to Georgian for Chinese students.

In the province of Jiangsu (Ontario’s sister province, located just northwest of Shanghai), we signed several memorandum of understanding agreements for next year. Significantly, these agreements include Chinese cities that are sister cities of Barrie (Taizhou) and Orillia (Nantong). I believe these recent successes will lead to larger enrolment of students from China beginning next fall.

Following my China visit, I travelled to Dublin where I visited the Institutes of Technology Ireland as part of a Colleges Ontario delegation. That nation offers an articulated laddering system that will be very attractive to our students interested in pursuing bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees. Ireland offers the Ontario colleges impressive opportunities for degree completion and student exchanges. Our graduate certificate programs are exceptionally attractive to the Irish students. A landmark agreement between the Institutes of Technology Ireland and Colleges Ontario was subsequently signed on November 28, at the Colleges Ontario annual conference in Toronto.

Revitalized branding brings new excitement

As some of you may be aware, over the course of the past year, Georgian has been working toward refreshing the Georgian brand, a priority identified in Vision 2015. Our current brand, based on the Your College, Your Future theme, first adopted in 2000, has served us well over the past 11 years. However, as the college created greater opportunities for student access, most notably with provincial approval of the University Partnership Centre in 2003, the time was right to review our branding and positioning in the marketplace.

With the assistance of brand experts Weave Communications of Toronto, Corporate Marketing and Communications undertook a comprehensive evaluation process that included consultation with representatives of various groups throughout the college. The result is a new strategy that, while certainly not a major departure from our current brand, does represent a significant evolution in how we portray ourselves to prospective students and the wider community. The Board of Governors has approved the new brand and positioning that, in keeping with the key objectives of Vision 2015 – connectedness, engagement and collaboration – portray Georgian as a strong and vital force in the lives of our students and our communities. Corporate Marketing and Communications will roll out details of the new strategy over the next four to six weeks.

Congratulations Lisa Whalen

I join the many colleagues and friends of Lisa Whalen, Manager of the Centre for Co-operative Education, Internship and Career Services, in extending congratulations on receiving the Albert S. Barber Award for her outstanding contributions to the philosophy and practice of co-operative education in Canada. Sponsored by the University of Waterloo, this national award recognizes Lisa’s extensive work with the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE), spanning virtually every committee of the association.

Lisa has volunteered with CAFCE committees responsible for professional development, public relations, Student of the Year, and conference planning. In addition, her professional involvement with CAFCE has stretched to accreditation review as well as being the Ontario representative on its board of directors. In selecting Lisa for the Barber Award, the nominations and awards committee cited her leadership with “Education at Work – Ontario” as being particularly outstanding. The association praised Lisa as an individual who is “committed to preserving the values and integrity of co-operative education.” As we all know, Lisa is an exceptionally strong advocate for the importance of co-operative education in Canada. I commend CAFCE for this very deserving recognition of Lisa on behalf of her peers from across the country.

Thanks Monika Trickett, for helping Georgian remember

Another staff member was recently recognized for long-standing volunteer work at the college. As part of this year’s Remembrance Day service at the Barrie Campus, a special memento was presented to Monika Trickett in recognition of her years of dedication in the planning and co-ordination of the Remembrance Day ceremony. Monika’s passion and enthusiasm in arranging one of the finest ceremonies of its kind on any post-secondary campus in Canada dates back 18 years, and over that time the service annually attracted record-breaking attendance by students, staff and guests.

This was a very appropriate year to recognize Monika as the college inaugurated the new cenotaph at the Barrie Campus, coinciding with the 11/11/11 Remembrance Day. I was very disappointed to have missed the presentation to Monika as it happened to coincide with my China trip. I extend my personal gratitude to Monika for her years of unselfish dedication in delivering our Remembrance Day ceremony. She can take considerable pride in seeing how far this commemoration has grown in numbers and stature.

United we stand

Georgian is now very close to matching last year’s record-breaking employee campaign for United Way. The campaign, which has already raised almost $15,000 to date, began mid-November and will wrap up before the holidays. Thank you to staff for helping to make this year another success. Your generosity is going a long way to make an important difference locally.

Staff contribute annually to United Way through payroll deduction or direct donation. As an added incentive this year, those who gave more than $50 were entered in a draw for the chance to win an array of prizes. I extend my appreciation to the following departments for helping to make this year’s campaign exciting for donors. They include Bits & Bytes Computer Store, Grenville Management and Printing, Physical Resources, Athletics, the Georgian Dining Room, Kempenfelt Conference Centre, Chartwells, and the First Class and the Last Class. I would like to acknowledge Sinclair Dental, Clublink, Coca-Cola Bottling, Rock 95, the Barrie Colts and Microsoft for contributing prizes as well.

Happy holidays!

This will be my last newsletter until the new year. On behalf of Lisa, Evan and myself, please accept our very best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season to all staff, students and their families. Georgian will be closing at noon on December 23, and I hope that each of you takes full advantage of this opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. Be safe, and all the best in 2012!

In the weeks following the conclusion of the provincial strike by support staff employees, it has been very gratifying (but certainly not surprising) to observe the dedication and professionalism of all staff as we continue to support our students. After 32 years of labour harmony, it is fair to say that the vast majority of us neither expected nor wanted this disruption. Like many of you, I was very relieved to see such strong support of the ratification vote, particularly here at Georgian. There are always lessons to be learned by both sides during any labour dispute and I hope the post-strike analysis of this latest round of collective bargaining will provide valuable lessons in averting further strikes in the years ahead.

Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness brings new dimension to Georgian

More than 700 guests attended the grand opening of the Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness Aug. 31.

Even with the unsettled start to this academic year, we should not lose sight of the fact that there has been much to celebrate at Georgian over the past several months, starting with the Aug. 31 grand opening of the Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness. More than 700 dignitaries, guests, students and staff enjoyed the ceremony which paid tribute to Georgian’s diversity (including the singing of the national anthem in three different languages by a children’s choir). I can’t imagine a more appropriate theme for the opening of this facility which brings such a new and exciting dimension to our campus. It was a very proud day for Georgian and an appropriate tribute to all the staff who worked long and hard in the planning and construction of the new centre.

The Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness is quickly becoming a central hub for innovative on-site learning opportunities for our students, while also providing much-needed access to health care programs and services through its many clinics. Even though enrolment in Georgian’s health and wellness programs has tripled over the past 10 years, the new building will allow  health and wellness studies enrolment to double its current numbers. I would like to thank Dr. Cassandra Thompson, Dean, School of Health and Wellness, along with Dr. Liz Erwin and Dr. Sean Madorin, for their leadership in the design of the building – it truly is spectacular. I would also like to acknowledge Physical Resources and Information Technology staff and the grand opening committee members for their hard work and commitment in ensuring the event was a success.

A key feature of the building is a new Aboriginal Resource Centre. The centre features a semi-circular classroom and, during the appropriate seasons, a tipi located at the north side of the building. Special thanks to Maryann Fifield, Greg McGregor, all the staff in the Aboriginal Resource Centre, and the Anishnabe Education and Training Circle, for their design of a supportive environment that is second to none.

South Georgian Bay Campus: There’s no place like home

Another important event took place recently with the Oct. 13 grand opening of the new John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus. In the absence of one facility in Collingwood able to meet the growing demands of the region, the college and staff were forced to move location 10 times over a period of nearly 27 years. All that changed with the opening of our spectacular new campus on Raglan Street in Collingwood, on the border of Clearview Township. Not even blustery conditions could dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of the large number of people who attended. Evident in all the remarks of the dignitaries was the realization that this campus is destined to be an important piece of the economic engine of South Georgian Bay. It will be the focal point for programs that address labour market gaps, developing and strengthening key business partnerships, and equipping students with marketable skills that will enable them to pursue their goals.

The new John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus: destined to become an important piece in the economic engine of South Georgian Bay.

The new campus will accommodate 250 full-time and more than 3,000 part-time students annually. It will also expand opportunities for corporate training and small business services. Full-time studies and Continuing Education options range from Pre-Health Sciences to a new Business Fundamentals program that will accept its first cohort of students this January. Students have access to a strong Academic Upgrading/College and Career Preparation program, and there is also an e-learning lab where students can receive assistance with online learning options.

Developer John Di Poce set the wheels in motion for the project with a generous donation of 10 acres of prime land. The donation triggered $4 million in federal funding through the Community Adjustment Fund of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Community and business leaders, local municipal leaders and Georgian staff and students rallied behind the project to turn our dream of having a permanent campus in the region into a reality. At the donor appreciation breakfast held that day, I was very proud to accept a donation of $106,750 from the Students’ Administrative Council. A portion of this contribution will support the first memorial scholarship for South Georgian Bay students in honour of former faculty member Darlene Jurgens.

I would like to recognize and thank Lynn Hynd, Manager of Campus Services and Community Relations at the new campus, and her staff team, who have been tireless champions of a permanent campus in the South Georgian Bay region. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of our campaign cabinet, led by long-time Georgian supporter Barbara Weider. To date, cabinet members have helped us reach 60 per cent of our $750,000 community fundraising goal. Thanks also to our IT department and Physical Resources staff who helped make the building a fully functioning reality. Finally, I would like to thank all the staff in Collingwood and Barrie who, led by Hank Thibideau, arranged an exceptional opening event in keeping with this historic day in South Georgian Bay.

University satellite campus process update

These grand openings are the latest milestones in an aggressive and expansive capital investment campaign that has spread across all of Georgian operations during the past 10 years. This strategic investment is critical to advancing our institutional commitment to student access and success, inspiring extraordinary teaching and learning, and strengthening community and industry connections.

Student access to post-secondary education received a fair amount of play in the recent provincial election when the Liberal party unveiled plans to add three new university satellite campuses in Ontario. This could have major implications for Barrie and Simcoe County. I anticipate that The Honourable Glen Murray, the newly appointed Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, will soon announce the process that the Ministry will follow in the final selection of the communities and universities. The request-for-proposals process will be open and competitive, and it is anticipated that only very specific areas already identified by the province for high growth will be given consideration, including Barrie. It is too early to speculate as to how many universities might submit proposals to serve Barrie and region, but I anticipate interest from a number of institutions, given the attractive opportunities of this market.

I have been assured by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, that through this competitive process, the government will be looking for innovative proposals that will promote and support affordable access to university education for students. I believe this provincial priority will nicely complement the growth and success we have seen through our University Partnership Centre during the past decade. The government’s Innovation Agenda is expected to align with a number of UPC’s founding principles and core strengths, including transferability, joint programs, shared facilities and alternative delivery (including greater opportunities for online learning). It is not yet clear how long this process will take, particularly in light of the government’s sizeable financial deficit. The announcements and construction of these campuses will likely be staggered, but it is clear that the province will select which cities will receive funding for these new campuses, and will also select which universities will serve these communities.

In the meantime, Georgian will extend its full co-operation to all interested universities to ensure that: (1) Barrie and area are selected as one of the three regions for a new satellite campus, in accordance with the province’s final selection criteria and process; and that (2) the final choice of a university will provide the very best opportunities for Barrie, Simcoe County and Georgian College students. I will also extend assistance and support to the City of Barrie as it determines the best potential site for a new university satellite campus. It is worth noting that once it has been approved, the government’s new university satellite campus policy will stipulate that only those universities approved for a new satellite campus through the formal RFP process will be eligible for government capital and operating funding.

New cenotaph to ensure next generation remembers

With this year’s Remembrance Day services fast approaching at our campuses, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage as many staff and students as possible to attend these special commemorations. This is the 40^th anniversary of Remembrance Day at the Barrie Campus with thousands of military personnel, veterans, staff, students and community members having joined in the services that reach back four decades. On Oct. 6, we gathered to dedicate Georgian’s new cenotaph, located at the turning circle in front of the Administrative Centre. It was a day to honour fallen heroes, to recognize the contributions made by members of the Canadian military, past and present, and to celebrate our strong community partnerships. This exceptional cenotaph has become a new focal point for the college – a place to remember, not just on Nov. 11 but year-round. It will stand in perpetuity as a reminder of heroism and sacrifice, and will be a place for quiet contemplation. Most importantly, it will ensure that a new generation remembers.

I would like to acknowledge a few staff and faculty members who have kept alive the spirit of remembering at Georgian. Years ago, Don Mattocks, a faculty member and veteran himself, had the idea of placing a memorial stone at the Barrie Campus. He raised funds in the community and led the charge to make it happen. That memorial stone is now located at the centre of the new cenotaph. For years, too, Monika Trickett has organized Georgian’s Remembrance Day ceremonies – and this year (11/11/11) will be an extra-special and symbolic day for her and Georgian. I also would like to recognize Gay Ainsworth, who led the cenotaph restoration project as well as the excellent dedication event.

We received exceptional support for this project from Veterans Affairs Canada, many business and community leaders, including the Royal Canadian Legion, and the officers and troops at Canadian Forces Base Borden – one of our key partners. I must also recognize the Georgian community for its generosity and support – staff, our alumni association, the Barrie Students’ Administrative Council, OPSEU Local 350, and the staff and families who all contributed to the project. At this year’s Nov. 11 commemoration, we will be asking faculty and students in class at the time of the service to pause for one minute of silence. Where possible, we will use the public address system to remind staff and students about the moment of silence.

Georgian honours Reinhart Weber

Georgian bestows its highest honour, the Fellowship of Georgian College, on Reinhart Weber.

Oct. 25 was another special day as Georgian bestowed its highest honour, the Fellowship of Georgian College, on Reinhart Weber. Reinhart is the 14^th individual to receive this award in Georgian’s 44-year history. He has a long association with Georgian through his former business, Weber Manufacturing. He was instrumental, along with the late Robbert Hartog, in arranging the donation of Midland’s Industrial Research and Development Institute (now the Robbert Hartog Midland Campus) to Georgian in 2003. His family’s foundation also recently awarded $500,000 to the new Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Skills Canada-Ontario Klaus Woerner Skilled Trades Hall of Fame (as nominated by Georgian College). Reinhart’s wife Alexandra and son Robert attended the convocation at which the award was presented.

Georgian staff members recognized for their work

I would like to conclude this issue of the newsletter by acknowledging four staff members who recently received recognition for their important work at the college and in the community.

• Katie Ferguson, head coach of the Georgian Grizzlies men’s and women’s golf teams, was named Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Coach of the Year. She also won a prestigious national honour, being named the 2011 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Golf Coach of the Year.
• Administrative Assistant Arlene Stone received a 2011 Ontario Volunteer Service Award in recognition of the contributions she has made to Roberta Place, a long-term care facility in Barrie.
• Interior Design instructor Nancy Lem took home gold in the commercial category at the 2011 Canadian Decorators and Designers of Canada Awards. She was honoured for her design of the Orillia Bakery and Deli.
• Dental Hygiene instructor and Interim Program Co-ordinator Joanne Farrell was awarded the title of Tobacco-Free Champion from the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit. Joanne was recognized for her dedication to incorporating education on tobacco-free living into the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting curriculum.

Congratulations to all four on their achievements, and for being such great ambassadors for Georgian.

Georgian spirit rules at Rotary Fun Run

Georgian’s exceptional pride and spirit were most evident on May 25 when Georgian staff, students, alumni and friends laced up for the annual Barrie Rotary Fun Run. Janice Skot, CEO of Royal Victoria Hospital, issued a challenge to Georgian to see which organization could register the most participants. We accepted the challenge since Rotary is an incredible donor to the college and our new Centre for Health and Wellness, not to mention that all proceeds from the run benefit Georgian, the hospital and many other local charities. RVH was close on our heels, but more than 200 Georgian participants came out to meet the challenge. Special thanks go to Johnson Inc. for providing us with T-shirts for the event, and to all our participants for supporting Georgian and the community.

Georgian Golf Classic 2011

And yet another ‘Classic’ event

For golf lovers, May 16 was a not-to-be-missed event. It may have been a rainy day out on the course, but that did not stop 308 golf enthusiasts from raising $50,000 in support of the Georgian College 24^th Annual Golf Classic. The event was held at The Club at Bond Head and was generously sponsored by more than 45 community businesses and organizations− a record amount of sponsorship. Thank you to our golfers and sponsors, many of whom return year after year to participate in the event. I would also like to thank Hank Thibideau and the entire organizing committee for their tireless work in making this event one of the best of its kind in Ontario.

$1.5-million gift to establish endowed chair

Henry Bernick

We are blazing a new trail in the academic sector by becoming the first college in Ontario to  secure a $1-million endowed chair. The extremely generous donation has been made by Henry Bernick, one of Simcoe County’s most successful entrepreneurs and Barrie’s first land developer, and his wife Esther.

Henry has been instrumental in the growth of the Barrie real estate market since the 1950s. His gift includes an additional $500,000 to create the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre, with a goal of supporting entrepreneurship education and encouraging innovation.

I am extremely grateful to Henry and Esther for their vision and commitment. Their support will help move forward one of the goals in our strategic plan, Vision 2015, which aims to strengthen student learning experiences in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and small and medium enterprise.

The Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Chair will be filled by a business faculty member. That person will lead the Entrepreneurship Centre, which is set to open January 2012. The Chair will offer technical assistance, mentoring, coaching, training and network opportunities to entrepreneurs and students from both Georgian and the external community, to share expertise and create synergies that they need to start or grow their own businesses.

Earth Day clean-up 2011

Georgian is officially greener than ever

We continue to be a leader in sustainable development, finding practical ways to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into our operations. On Earth Day, April 22, Georgian was named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2011 – the second consecutive year we have received this award.

Canada’s Greenest Employers are selected by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Toronto-based Mediacorp Canada Inc. The award recognizes employers who lead the nation in making environmental values part of their organizational culture.

We have been recognized for our strategy of advancing and promoting three environmental priorities:

• waste reduction and diversion
• enhanced environmental literacy
• increased scrutiny of sustainability issues when purchasing goods and services

This national recognition is a credit to staff and students across the college who continue to work and learn together to achieve our objectives. This past year, a number of new initiatives have been implemented. E-waste recycling depots were introduced at all campuses, and we expanded our hydration station project, providing free filtered water for staff and students with refillable water bottles.

Major progress has also occurred on the recycling front. The amount of material that leaves Georgian campuses for recycling has increased to 55 per cent, up from 22 per cent in 2008. Previously, this material was headed directly for landfill sites.

Building diversity and inclusion

In our Vision 2015 strategic plan, the college’s commitment to diversity is reflected in both our values and our strategic priorities. We are strengthened by the diversity of our staff, our students and our communities. By fostering and valuing diversity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity, we enrich Georgian College as an educational institution and as an employer.

We recognize that employment equity is at the core of creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive environment free from barriers. In accordance with our commitment to employment equity, and to further advance our obligations under the Federal Contractors Program, the college has established a formal Employment Equity Plan. Our Employment Equity Plan is grounded in the philosophy of taking a systemic approach to eliminating barriers to employment within our policies, procedures and practices so that everyone benefits.

The plan consists of numerous goals under broad objectives designed to enable the college to achieve a more representative and equitable workplace, and serves as the foundation from which a broader diversity and inclusiveness strategy will evolve. More information will be provided to you on our Employment Equity Plan in the coming months.

It is a shared responsibility of all members of the Georgian College community to create and sustain the kind of learning and work environment that supports inclusiveness and attracts diverse students, faculty and staff. We will not fully realize this commitment unless each of us makes it a personal priority. I hope you will join me in doing so.

Recruitment, admissions and retention project underway

Thanks to the ongoing commitment of staff, I am pleased to report that Georgian is well on its way to implementing new software designed to improve overall recruitment, admissions and retention strategies.

Through a unique partnership arrangement, we are the first institution in Ontario to roll out SunGard’s Banner Enrolment Management System. This customer relationship management and business intelligence software solution will help us to more effectively approach and enrol prospective students, and enhance our level of engagement with current students. We will also assist other Canadian post-secondary institutions in implementing this new product.

The project team and SunGard have been running a series of working sessions at Georgian that will assist with product development and software training. Staff from various departments have participated in these workshops and training sessions, more of which are planned for upcoming months I want to thank those who have already taken part in some of these sessions and whose ideas and best practices are moving the project forward.

Laminated boards for making snowboards at Midland Campus skills event

First annual Skills and Trade Exposition a success

It is my hope that our relationship with Sungard will help Georgian continue to meet its goal of engaging future students and exposing them to all that the college has to offer.

We plan to identify prospects more selectively, as we did at a recent event that took place on May 17 and 19 at the Robbert Hartog Midland Campus.

High school students from 32 schools across the region were able to experience 12 skilled trades, giving them a glimpse into what their future careers could look like.

The two-day exposition was geared toward 480 selected students who have shown a keen interest in trades education.

They experienced hands-on workshops in the following fields:

• electrical
• plumbing
• solar
• power engineering
• carpentry
• cabinetmaking
• precision metals
• gas-fitting
• HVAC (heating ventilation, air conditioning)
• welding
• small engines and
• marine engines.

Without exception, the feedback we received from students and teachers was positive and encouraging. This event would not have been possible without the creativity, energy and dedication of staff who provided students with a realistic and exciting learning environment. We look forward to seeing many of these students back at Georgian to pursue their futures in the skilled trades.

China deal for Owen Sound students

The Owen Sound Campus could be welcoming as many as 20 Chinese students annually to its Engineering and Marine Navigation programs in coming years. Under an agreement signed by Georgian and the Tianjin Maritime College (TMC) in Tianjin, China, a new joint marine training program is being created.

Bob Emptage, Dean of Engineering and Technology, and Ben Yang, Executive Director of International Education and Training, recently travelled to China to sign the agreement. Our Marine diploma program curriculum will be offered at both institutions. Students studying at TMC will have the opportunity to receive a graduation certificate or diploma from both colleges. In addition, some students will have the opportunity to travel to the Owen Sound Campus to complete the final one or two years of the three-year programs.

This partnership agreement has been four years in the making and was advanced by the visit of TMC’s President Ma to Owen Sound and his attendance at the grand opening of the Great Lakes International Marine Training and Research Centre in 2008. The Centre is one of the finest marine training centres in the world, with state-of-the-art simulators for both navigation and engineering.

Construction John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus

Grand openings set for Health and Wellness, South Georgian Bay Campus

Physical Resources is busy these days, preparing to move staff to the new Centre for Health and Wellness and the John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus. Both moves are enormous undertakings requiring a great deal of planning, communication and action.

I invite staff to attend the grand openings for each of these buildings. The Centre for Health and Wellness will officially open on Wednesday, Aug. 31. This is the largest academic expansion in Georgian College’s history and an event you do not want to miss.

The opening ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. with public tours to follow between 1 and 4 p.m. The South Georgian Bay Campus in Collingwood will be celebrating its official opening with similar fanfare on Wednesday, Sept. 14, starting at 10 a.m.

Record number catch a glimpse of Georgian at Preview

This is my first newsletter since Preview Days in April, and I want to congratulate all of the staff and students who supported the events held at four campuses.

Georgian was bursting at the seams with record numbers of prospective students and their families – 2,619 in Barrie, 86 in Midland, 940 in Orillia and more than 300 Owen Sound.

Many took the time to share their thoughts and impressions of the day. Here are a few of their comments:

• “Loved the tour. Great energy from all staff and students.”
• “Excellent! Very informative and made me feel welcome and comfortable! Love it!”
• “Changed my mind to choice #1 by going to Preview Day!”
• “My wife is excited to be returning (to school). Was great to gain insight into what it is going be like for her.”

Events such as Preview do not just happen by themselves; they take months of planning, preparation and in the end, delivery. I extend my personal thanks to all staff who went above and beyond this year in their efforts to welcome our guests.

Community connections

Along with excellent participation in this year’s Barrie Rotary Fun Run, a number of other exciting initiatives took place this spring, connecting the college and the community:

• In March, we hosted our sixth Traditional Pow Wow. More than 1,000 people from across Ontario attended the Barrie Campus for the day. The event continues to grow in popularity and is a fantastic way to reach out to the community and welcome people to Georgian for a celebration of song, dance, and friendship. The Pow Wow is organized by the Aboriginal Resource Centre and includes participation from a range of program areas – Culinary, Paramedic, Digital Imaging and Photography, The Last Class, Firefighter Education and Training, Law and Security, and Physical Resources. Close to 100 volunteers combined their efforts to make the event a success. Congratulations to the students, elders, drummers, dancers and other participants on another spectacular event.
  

  Elaine and Andrea Murray, key players behind the Gord Bastian Variety Show

• The 19^th annual Gord Bastian Variety Show was also held in March, showcasing the talents of our staff and students. More than $3,000 was raised for a great cause – student bursaries.

• I reported earlier that our 2010 United Way employee campaign raised more than $15,000. A generous cheque from the Students’ Administrative Council increased our giving and our final total for donations in 2010 rests at $16,401. We grew our contributions from staff this past year by an unprecedented 100 per cent.

Reflecting back, looking forward

We closed off the academic year with Georgian Day on June 1, our annual staff appreciation and professional development day. The organizing committee worked extremely hard over the past few months to prepare an event full of workshops and opportunities for staff to connect with each other from across the college.

The day was filled with laughter, and some 450 staff participants. It was a fitting way to end the year as we reflect back on our successes and look forward to the future.

Save the Date: President’s Breakfast

In keeping with tradition, I look forward to hearing about your summer experiences when we reunite at the Welcome Back breakfasts in August and September. Please save the following dates in your calendars and stay tuned for more details on registration.

Barrie Campus

• Wednesday, Aug. 24, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 30, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 1, 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Midland Campus

• Monday, Aug. 29, 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Orillia Campus

• Friday, Aug. 26, 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Owen Sound Campus

• Tuesday, Aug. 23, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

As staff and their families look forward to their summer holidays, let us hope that the weather greatly improves over what has been mostly a dreary and cold spring. Lisa and I extend our very best wishes to all for a safe and enjoyable summer with family and friends. Please take this important time to relax, while taking considerable satisfaction in all that you have accomplished over the past academic year on behalf of Georgian and, most importantly, our students.

We were fortunate to have John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), visit Georgian on January 18. The Minister visited both Barrie and Orillia campuses. He was impressed by our Centre for Health and Wellness, and by the sheer vibrancy of the Orillia Campus (it was his first visit there).

John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, visited Georgian January 18.

Board of Governors Chair Charlotte Wallis and I had an opportunity to speak to the Minister about Phase 2 funding for our Centre for Health and Wellness project, our University Partnership Centre plans, international education, Georgian’s financial outlook, enrolment and other issues. This was the Minister’s third visit to Georgian, and his hands-on approach is greatly valued and appreciated.

Much of our discussion with the Minister focused on student access and operating funding concerns. The two issues are, of course, linked – as enrolment grows, so generally does our total net revenue (i.e., revenue less expenses). Staff often ask me if our spectacular enrolment growth over the past five years has made a difference. The answer is a resounding yes!

First, we have helped (or “inspired”) more students to make their academic and career goals come true – this is what we do as well as any institution in Ontario! Second, while we continue to face financial challenges, we would be in far worse shape if we had not grown to the extent that we have. In fact, this growth is one of our major sources of optimism – we are just starting to see some of the benefits that come with enrolment growth and size. This is a credit to staff in every position across the College. This enrolment growth is a result of focusing on the success and learning experience of every individual student. Thank you to all staff on behalf of myself, the Board of Governors and the thousands of students whose dreams you have brought to life.

Audit numbers show strong growth

Our March 1 enrolment audit is just in, and it continues to show strong growth. Enrolment is as follows compared to a year ago:

• Full-time college programs: increase of 9.6 per cent (9,037 in 2011 vs. 8,245 in 2010)
• Full-time international enrolment: increase of 13.5 per cent (445 in 2011 vs. 392 in 2010)

Bear in mind that the above figures do not include apprenticeship, co-operative education (about 800 co-op students out on placement) or academic upgrading students. We are accordingly very safe in saying that our annualized enrolment is now well over 10,000 full-time students. In addition, we have some 30,000 part-time registrations, a group of lifelong learners on whom we are increasingly focusing.

Conversion: A critically important period

Preview takes place April 1 and 2 at the Barrie Campus, and April 2 at Midland, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses.

We are now moving into an enrolment period that is critically important, the period that follows the sending of equal consideration offers to applicants on February 1. A number of activities have been planned for the coming weeks and months, designed to maximize our conversion numbers. These activities include the always-popular Preview sessions scheduled for April 1 and 2 in Barrie, and April 2 in Orillia, Owen Sound, and Midland. Students and families who cannot attend Preview will be visiting our campuses at their leisure, running right into August. I encourage all of you to provide whatever assistance you can for our visitors.

Applications to the Ontario college system promise to be very competitive this year as colleges open their doors to new buildings and an even larger number of students. Like Georgian, most colleges will have significantly higher capacity this fall as a result of their own capital projects funded through the joint provincial-federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP). This places even greater importance on our conversion efforts, given the greater latitude students will have this cycle in making their final college or university choices.

Centre for Health and Wellness on track for September

Construction on the Centre for Health and Wellness is on track for a September opening.

As for Georgian’s own KIP project, steady progress continues to be made on the new Centre for Health and Wellness as we head toward its grand opening at the end of August. The exterior is well underway, and by the end of spring, the interior will be complete. Equipment will be installed throughout the summer as work is completed on the final design elements in preparation for student occupation in September.

Not only will the Centre for Health and Wellness be a great asset to Georgian, there is also a lot for the community to be excited about, including:

• The Centre will include a number of health clinics for the community including speech, language and hearing services, oral health, massage therapy, vision, esthetics and a Nurse Practitioner-led clinic.
• These clinics will provide a hands-on learning environment for students in various programs and much-needed health care support for residents of Barrie and surrounding areas.
• The Georgian Oral Health Clinic will be twice the size of the current clinic in Orillia.
• The Massage Therapy clinic will have a separate exercise and treatment room.
• The speech, language and hearing clinic, along with esthetics, will be completely new services provided by Georgian to the public.
• Each of the health labs and classrooms will provide state-of-the-art equipment that resembles a real-life clinical environment. Students will then get a chance to apply what they have learned through the community health care clinics offered at Georgian or other clinical placement opportunities.

New programs for fall 2011

The new building in Barrie will be home to two new Health and Wellness programs this academic year:
• Esthetician
• Pharmacy Technician

These are just two of 10 new full-time programs approved by the Board of Governors for fall 2011 as part of our continuing efforts to meet the growing educational needs of Central Ontario and beyond.

The other programs are:
• Automotive Business (changing from a three-year to a two-year program; Barrie)
• Occupational Health and Safety Management (Barrie)
• Electrical Techniques (Midland, Owen Sound)
• Environmental Techniques (Barrie, Owen Sound)
• Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) (Barrie)
• Protection Security and Investigation (Orillia)
• Event Management (Barrie)
• Sustainable Systems (Barrie)

Georgian now offers more than 100 full-time programs across all of our seven campuses. Georgian has launched nearly 50 new full-time programs since 2005 – another credit to the hard work and innovation of staff.

New campus taking shape in Collingwood

In addition to the good news concerning the Centre for Health and Wellness, I am very pleased with the progress being made on construction of the new campus in Collingwood which is well on target for its official opening in September 2011. At a community celebration on February 8, our newest regional campus was officially named the John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus. This new name will come into effect once we have moved to the new facility early this summer. The name honours developer John Di Poce who donated 10 acres of land, providing Georgian with a location to build its first permanent campus in the area since it began serving the community 26 years ago.

The new campus in Collingwood is scheduled to open in September.

Construction of the new 20,000-square-foot facility is progressing well. The structural steel of the building is in place and the roof joist installation is complete and inspected. A fundraising campaign cabinet, consisting of nine volunteers and staff, has been formed and is chaired by former Board of Governors member Barbara Weider. The cabinet is busy planning our community campaign to ensure this facility is equipped with the necessary resources for our students to succeed. In addition to planning a community campaign, I have made presentations to the three municipalities in South Georgian Bay – Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Clearview –to ask their councils for financial support. I expect to visit the Town of the Blue Mountains Council and Simcoe County Council in the near future to ask for their support as well.

Space challenges

With more enrolment growth coming, the College Space Management Committee is conducting a space planning exercise to review and determine space allocations for fall 2011 and beyond. With the opening of the new Centre for Health and Wellness, we can anticipate there will be movement of people and programs at the Barrie and Orillia campuses in particular, and we will need to ensure sufficient classroom space is available to accommodate our anticipated enrolment demands. Even with the addition of new buildings in Barrie and Collingwood, Georgian will be challenged to optimize space resources to support student access and success in the years ahead. The committee is therefore carefully reviewing all space requests and consulting with program areas to develop strategic recommendations.

The College Space Management Committee is made up of representatives from each VP portfolio, regional campuses, Locals 349 and 350, and OCASA. Space change requests are reviewed by this committee to ensure that all moves are in the College’s best interests. As space continues to be in high demand at Georgian, I encourage all staff to ensure that shared space is scheduled centrally so it is available to all, and that we adopt a common practice of releasing scheduled space when it is not in use so others may benefit.

Centre for Career and Employment services

College and government officials and community members gathered recently to celebrate the opening of the Centre for Career and Employment Services in downtown Barrie.

The centre is home to both Georgian and College Boreal (delivering French language services), and is funded by both the provincial and federal governments. In addition to giving Georgian a presence in the downtown core, the centre also provides a host of in-demand services to the community. Services include access to a full range of job search and career decision-making workshops, referrals to programs in the community and the one-to-one guidance of employment consultants.

Power of Education close to total goal

In 2008, I announced that Georgian was entering into one of its most ambitious ventures in its history with the decision to launch its first major capital fundraising effort – the Power of Education (POE) campaign. A pre-campaign feasibility study conducted by an independent consulting firm concluded that our best hope for success would be a fundraising goal in the $10-million range. At the time, the Board of Governors, the POE campaign cabinet, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the Senior Leadership Team all agreed that it would be appropriate to set our sights much higher and, as a result, a stretch target of $17 million was declared. Our long history of close corporate and community relations immediately began to pay dividends for the campaign, and feeding off its initial success, the decision was made mid-way through the campaign to increase the target even further to $25 million.

Thanks to the conviction and determination demonstrated by a group of volunteers, Board members, College partners (including SAC and the Alumni Association) and staff, I am very proud to report that Georgian is very close to its $25-million campaign goal. Currently, we have raised more than $24 million toward our total goal. Not only is this campaign bringing in extremely important funds to expand the College and ensure students have state-of-the-art and technology-enhanced resources, it is also helping us to build our profile and community partnerships. We’ve been fortunate to receive the support of many service clubs, corporations, business owners and community leaders who interact with Georgian in many ways, including co-op and graduate placements, applied research and corporate training clients, and act as advocates for higher learning. Other donations are forthcoming – please stay tuned for more announcements this spring.

United Way campaign a resounding success

With this being my first newsletter of 2011, I want to thank and congratulate the staff who contributed to Georgian’s 2010 United Way employee campaign that wrapped up in December. The two-week campaign raised more than $15,000 – overwhelmingly surpassing last year’s contribution by 87.5 per cent. It was Georgian’s most successful employee campaign ever held on behalf of an external agency. Contributions were also made through special events hosted by Midland Campus staff and our Advertising students. This is an excellent example of how Georgian is meeting the goal set out in our strategic plan to be the most personally connected learning organization in Canada – including how we reach out to help those less fortunate.

Gord Bastian Variety Show: A wonderful display of talent

Please be sure to check out the 19th annual Gord Bastian Variety Show on March 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. in the Georgian College Theatre. It is a wonderful display of the entertainment talents of staff and students alike, and the funds received go to a great cause – student bursaries. Thanks to Andrea Murray and the entire cast for volunteering their time and talents, and bringing us an outstanding evening of comedy and music, ultimately for the benefit of our students.

Muriel Harper: A Georgian icon

Georgian mourns the loss of former employee Muriel Harper.

I would like to conclude this newsletter by recognizing a dear friend and colleague who passed away at the age of 80 on February 15. Muriel Harper was a Georgian icon. She was the very first employee hired by the College in 1967 when we began operations out of a storefront location in the Wellington Street Plaza (she actually began working for Georgian at Central Collegiate). I had the privilege and honour to work closely with Muriel for about a decade through the 1980s and early 1990s when she was the Georgian Benefits Manager and I was the Director/VP of Human Resource Services. She was passionate about Georgian and our staff, and was a provincial leader in terms of her knowledge of our pension plan and group benefit plans. No matter what life brought her, Muriel was always determined to succeed and to make a difference in the lives of others. She truly was unique and will always have a special place in Georgian’s history, and in my personal memories. Muriel’s family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

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INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY BRINGS SUCCESS

Internationalization has become an integral part of Georgian’s mission and strategic planning. As stated in Georgian’s strategic plan, Vision 2015, “We will connect people from all walks of life to extraordinary learning experiences that will prepare them for life and career success,” and we will “strengthen our global connections through increased international recruitment and partnership development.”

International students at the Barrie Campus

From a humble beginning in the mid-1980s, Georgian’s international student population has grown into a vibrant and growing community. This fall, about 400 international students from 43 countries are studying at Georgian, representing approximately four per cent of the total College student population, with a large January intake expected. Over the years, the College has worked on a number of projects in the Philippines, the Caribbean, China, Iran, UAE, Bahrain, Malaysia and India. Georgian has provided and continues to provide project management, subject matter expertise, teacher training, technical assistance and other educational services to international institutions and ministries.

While we have made considerable progress, we still face gaps and challenges in our internationalization efforts. Our challenge lies not in finding opportunities, as numerous opportunities are finding us – a credit to Georgian’s solid reputation. Our challenges are primarily twofold: expanding our capacity to develop and deliver programs and services for international clients here and abroad; and modifying existing processes and procedures that may not be effective in the international marketplace.

Our immediate priority, however, is to intensify our recruitment efforts to increase the number of international students on our campuses. Our goal is to have 10 per cent of our student population from outside of Canada, or approximately 1,000 international students at Georgian. This will help us to build a critical mass for a meaningful cultural diversity at the College. In addition, we will identify appropriate partnerships in various parts of the world to build more off-shore programs; increase international projects/corporate training and study tours; create more student exchange/faculty exchange opportunities; and increase our ESL capacity to build pathways to our post-secondary programs.

While we are increasing our international student enrolment and creating opportunities for our domestic students and staff to travel abroad, it is equally important to provide effective orientation, support and meaningful engagement for intercultural learning. Our goal is to offer extraordinary academic and cultural experiences for our international students so they will remain Georgian ambassadors long after they have graduated. We will also create more “internationalization at home” programs for the majority of our domestic students who may not have the opportunity to live, learn and work across national boundaries.

I recently made an international recruitment trip to China and the United Arab Emirates, returning home through France. There, I visited our Hospitality and Tourism students in Strasbourg, seeing first-hand the value of international experience for our own students (just as Nursing students gain valuable experience in the Dominican Republic each year). I want to acknowledge the dedication, passion, and caring demonstrated by Bryan Hunt, our Hospitality and Tourism professor who has led this 10-week program for our students in Strasbourg for the past several years. The students readily thank Bryan for providing them with an incredible learning experience that will serve them well in a global industry in the years ahead. This study-abroad experience is a good example of what I believe we need to do in other program areas. Even short one to two-week visits (such as what Greg Merrall does with Jewellery students in Las Vegas or England) can bring tremendous value. Watch for progress in this area in the months and years ahead, not just at Georgian, but also across the province.

NEW FACES ON INTERNATIONAL SCENE

Dr. John Donald

We fully recognize that achieving our internationalization objectives requires strong leadership, long-term commitment and support, and college-wide collaboration. For those who may have missed the news in earlier announcements, I am very pleased to report that two outstanding leaders of international education have joined Georgian College this past fall – Dr. John Donald, Vice President of Community and Business Development, and Ben Yang, Executive Director, International Education.

Prior to joining Georgian College, John served seven years at Conestoga College, holding various roles, including Vice President, Business Development and Applied Research, Dean of the School of Engineering and Information Technology, Dean of Information Technology and Media Studies, and Director of Educational Technology. John’s Vice President role included responsibility for International Education.

Ben Yang

Ben came to Canada from China in 1986 as an international student and has had first-hand experience adapting and adjusting to a new cultural and academic environment. He joins Georgian from the University of Toronto where he served as Director of the International Student Centre (ISC) for the past 12 years. He was recently the recipient of a national award (Internationalization Leadership Award) from the Canadian Bureau for International Education. John and Ben bring complementary talents to the International team, and I know that they look forward to working with many staff and departments at Georgian, as we continue to enhance our International services and growth.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL REVENUE IS KEY

International Education is an example of how Georgian can help advance provincial and federal government policies and goals, while also increasing our non-governmental revenue. This is also a key strategic goal in our strategic plan, as we recognize the need to “enhance financial sustainability through non-government and philanthropic sources.” As we approach the 2011-12 budget announcements by both governments, it is already obvious that this non-government focus is not only prudent but is, in fact, essential for our financial sustainability as an institution.

While an upcoming newsletter will comment more on the financial picture, I have decided to focus my personal energies for at least the next six months on expanding non-government income sources. Specifically, I will be working on completing, if not exceeding, our $25-million Power of Education campaign (currently at $23 million); spearheading a new capital campaign in Collingwood (about $3 million); securing Phase 2 funding ($10 million) for the Centre for Health and Wellness; and further developing our relationships with key partners, both in Canada and abroad. While the entire Senior Leadership Team will share some added responsibilities internally, Linda Love, as our Vice President Academic, will likely shoulder much of the load (with added support as required). Watch the College Capsule and future editions of this newsletter for updates.

ENROLMENT BOOMS

The November 2010 audit enrolment count released last month has confirmed all the positive indicators that I mentioned in my previous newsletter. The audit figures show a solid eight per cent increase for domestic enrolment for all funded programs (not including Second Career Strategy) compared to November 1, 2009. This represents an increase of 563 students. The grand total for domestic enrolment including funded, BScN, Second Career and Laurentian for all campuses is 9,141 – a 6.8 per cent increase from November 2009 (not including international or co-op term students). The planned target (domestic only) for January 2010 intake is 769, covering all programs and campuses. With record turnouts at the November Open Houses held in Owen Sound, Orillia, Barrie, Midland, Orangeville and Muskoka, all the signs point to Georgian meeting or surpassing this planned January target. I want to thank all staff members who have worked hard this past year to recruit and serve a growing number of students. Please know that your efforts are appreciated and really do make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students.

MCDONALD GAINS DUAL ROLE

Ron McDonald

I am delighted to join Ron McDonald’s many colleagues and friends in extending congratulations on his appointment as Acting Associate Vice President, University Partnership Centre, announced last month by Linda Love.

As many of you are aware, Cherylyn Cameron has started a one-year professional development leave. Ron, with his extensive academic experience and accomplishments, is an excellent choice for this expanded responsibility.

As Linda noted in her announcement, Ron will carry on as Dean of the School of Design and Visual Arts and the School of Computer Studies, and we will be hiring an Associate Dean to assist him in managing the dual portfolio. I want to thank Ron for agreeing to take on this additional responsibility, and I know he can count on the full support and co-operation of all staff.

GREEN AND GETTING GREENER

As I look back over the past year, a significant achievement for Georgian was the announcement on Earth Day last April that Georgian had been chosen among the “Top Greenest Employers” in Canada. Dianne Corrigan, Georgian’s Environmental Sustainability Co-ordinator, recently passed on the following updates:

• Turtle Island Recycling last month carried out our annual waste audit at the Barrie, Orillia, Owen Sound and Midland campuses. Results will be used to determine the effectiveness of the many waste diversion and reduction initiatives that have been implemented since the 2008 audit.
• Georgian will be launching an electronics waste recycling program (including cell phones) early in the new year. Proposals from e-waste collection companies have been considered and a successful vendor will be announced shortly.

• To date, Georgian’s battery recycling program has diverted more than 100 kilograms of batteries from the landfill at the Barrie Campus alone.

• As part of Georgian’s commitment to environmental literacy, the College continues to host and participate in events with community partners such as Transition Barrie and Transition Orillia.

• The environmental team is compiling a list of environmental best management practices. I am delighted to hear that the has started to collect data for a transportation strategy that will focus on ways to reduce the need for parking at our campuses.

NEW CENOTAPH COMING IN 2011

On a very different note, a record number of students, staff and guests attended Georgian’s Remembrance Day services at a number of our campuses last month. This public response is a credit to the passion and commitment of volunteers – both current staff and retirees who, each year, take it upon themselves to organize memorials that do us proud. A nice touch at this year’s Barrie service was the participation of children from the on-campus “Y” daycare centre. Georgian has a long history of successful Remembrance Day events that, in Barrie, have included the support of our partner, Canadian Forces Base Borden.

Back in early October, we received exciting news that the federal minister of Veterans’ Affairs and Finance approved a $25,000 contribution to  building a new cenotaph at the Barrie Campus. It will honour veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. In the announcement from Ottawa, the Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty, personally thanked Georgian:

“It is great to see institutions like Georgian College taking the lead in a restoration project like this,” said Minister Flaherty. “Learning and understanding are the first steps in remembrance for younger generations. I would like to thank Georgian College for doing its part in keeping the memory of our veterans alive.”

A landscape architecture firm has been retained to design the new cenotaph. It will be inaugurated at next year’s Remembrance Day, which falls on 11/11/11. The total cost of the project is estimated at $70,000, and a small committee of volunteers has been established to co-ordinate and assist with fundraising. Anyone who may be able to provide valuable contacts, or is interested in helping out with the project in other ways, should contact Gay Ainsworth at extension 1739.

GEORGIAN SHINES AT ARTS AWARDS

Following the federal government’s cenotaph announcement in October, more good news came our way last month. At this year’s Barrie Arts Awards gala, Ted Fullerton, the co-ordinator of our Fine Arts program and resident curator of our gallery, was selected for the “Excellence in the Arts” award. The arts community in Barrie is to be commended for recognizing Ted’s long-standing contribution to the visual arts in Barrie, provincially, nationally and internationally.

The arts awards also included the naming of the first Poet Laureate for the City of Barrie. That honour was awarded to English Professor and prolific author Bruce Meyer, who teaches for Georgian in the Laurentian at Georgian program. Furthermore, our own Andrea Murray provided comic relief during the course of the evening. I want to extend my personal congratulations to both Ted and Bruce on the richly deserved recognition, and to Andrea for enhancing the evening for all.

The College’s strategic plan espouses the importance of community connectedness, and the community honours bestowed on Ted and Bruce with Andrea setting the stage, reflect the immense contributions that our staff members make to our communities.

STUDENT MARKETERS WINNERS AGAIN

Staying on the theme of “people who have made Georgian proud,” the College was represented well at the 31^st annual 2010 Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition (OCMC) hosted by Sheridan College on November 18 and 19. Thirteen of Ontario’s community colleges sent their best marketing and advertising students to the Oscar-themed event.

Students and coaches practised for hours on end to showcase their knowledge and skills in various areas of marketing. The hard work always pays off, as Georgian has a record of high success at the OCMC. This year, Georgian students collected two silver medals, four bronze medals and two fourth-place finishes – on their way to a second-place finish in the overall competition. This is the second consecutive year that Georgian students have brought home the provincial silver medal.

Staff who coached the students and attended the two-day event included Barb Watts, Sarah Stevens, Sarah Davies, Alison MacCallum, Gregg Levis, Jeff Walther, Chris Treschak, Eric Snow, Ron Storey, and Gary Boydell. Other coaches who worked with the students but could not attend are Barb Moore, Cynthia Riley, Alan McGee and Norm Smith. Congratulations to all!

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

I want to thank staff and graduates who have taken the time to pass along to me stories about how Georgian has helped make students’ and graduates’ academic and career dreams come true. Just one such example comes from a successful Interior Design grad who concluded a message as follows:

“I am proud of how far I have come…thanks to Marlene, Christy, Craig, George, Lisa, Barbie, Brian and Christie S… I encourage students to keep their chins up and eyes on the prize! Back to work I go…JoAnne [Stewart] you are so wonderful!”

SAVING LIVES

Sometimes our staff members also rise to sudden and serious challenges and, in so doing, truly personify everything that makes Georgian special. One such incident occurred at the Owen Sound Campus on November 8 when a student collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest while attending class. Faculty and classmates quickly rallied.

While 911 was called, a student, Dustin Robinson, arranged for help from nearby nursing staff Marion Loougas, Dana Watson and Randi McDermott. Program Assistant Susan Page administered CPR while staff member Nicole Graham used her training to operate the campus Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The student was stabilized and is recovering.

There is no question that the coolness and professionalism under fire exhibited by all involved, and the co-ordinated team effort of students and staff, saved a life that day on campus.

Since 2009, we have placed AED units at each of our seven campuses and the Kempenfelt Conference Centre, through the Chase McEachern Tribute Fund (Chase died several years ago playing sports at a Barrie elementary school). The College maintains an ongoing program to train employees in dealing with emergencies and in using the AED machines. To date, more than 80 College staff members have completed the training, and additional sessions are taking place.

The heroics of our Owen Sound staff and students have great personal meaning for me as my own father passed away in 1981 while working out at a fitness centre. In addition, I grew up with Chase McEachern’s father, John. This is the type of story that made it easy for me to push for defibrillators at all our locations, and for John McEachern and his family to make the supply of such units in public buildings a national cause.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE

Happy-ending stories like this are always welcome, especially at this time of year as staff members and their families prepare for the holiday season.

Thank you again for your individual and collective efforts over the past year, as we have helped a record number of students reach their dreams. Lisa and I wish you and your family the very best over the season.

I hope that the slightly extended break this year (the Campus will close on December 24) helps you to enjoy this time with family and friends. Safe travels and best wishes for 2011.

Feel the connection

Through this newsletter and numerous staff presentations, I have repeatedly remarked on how Georgian’s “connection” to our communities and numerous stakeholders ultimately contributes to the College’s overall development and success. It subsequently came as no surprise that “connect” became a predominant theme in our new Vision 2015 strategic plan approved by the Board of Governors this past March.

Operation Hero launch with Defence Minister Peter Mackay

Lacing up for Operation Hero

Our community connections were evident in two events held during October in the Barrie area that were supported by sizeable cohorts of student and staff participants and volunteers. On October 16, 426 people laced up their shoes to show their support for Operation Hero, the endowed scholarship fund that will benefit family members of military personnel who are pursuing a post-secondary education at Georgian. I was very proud to see approximately 100 Georgian staff and students take part in this inaugural Fun Run which took place at CFB Borden. Danielle DeGroot, Employment Services Clerk at the Orangeville Campus, was the first woman to cross the line for the 20K runners. Amazingly, it was Danielle’s first race ever, and she completed the distance in 1:28:10! The Grizzlies cross-country team and a number of staff teams also participated. I want to thank the Barrie Construction Association and the Simcoe County Chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association for organizing this inaugural event that raised approximately $20,000 for the scholarship fund. Thanks to everyone who participated and to those who volunteered. The second event, held only a day later, was the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser in Barrie, supporting the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie. Leading the charge was a group of students from the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program who were featured in a front-page story in the Barrie Examiner. This is yet another great example of Georgian connecting with our community.

I realize these are only two of a countless number of annual events in which our students and staff rally on campus and off to support many worthy causes. This type of community service reaches all corners of our region and they are powerful ways of thanking and giving back to the many deserving organizations that have either touched Georgian or our own personal lives. This collective volunteer and philanthropic effort becomes the face of the College in the community, illustrating in yet one more way how Georgian is such an essential element of our region.

Ballroom at Casino Rama ready for guests

One night in Paris

One of the gratifying benefits of students and staff connecting with our communities is that we know such support is often returned in kind. This reciprocity was on full display on October 22 when an overflow crowd of 410 people jammed the Rama Resort ballroom for the third Dream Catcher formal gala fundraiser. Even with the lingering effects of the recession, this biennial gala was sold out a month in advance. The theme this year was “Dream Night in Paris”. Our School of Design and Visual Art students, as well as the Dream Catcher Gala Committee and numerous volunteers, transformed the ballroom at Casino Rama into a Paris streetscape. Guests dined on gourmet French foods and fine wines and were treated to a special performance by Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Roch Voisine. Funds raised from the Gala support student scholarships and the Centre for Health and Wellness. Thanks go to Master of Ceremonies Lance Chilton, Casino Rama, and numerous other VIP and major corporate sponsors, as well as individuals and businesses who made generous contributions and provided gifts-in-kind.  Special thanks go to the Dream Catcher Gala Committee comprised of community members and College staff, including the Chair, my wife, Lisa. I want to extend my profound gratitude and congratulations to all concerned for another outstanding event. The crowning touch to a highly successful and entertaining evening was a cheque presentation of $750,000 from Toronto Hydro in support of our newly opened Centre for Sustainable Technologies. Toronto Hydro is a long and valued partner of Georgian, having hired scores of Georgian co-op students and graduates over the years. I want to express my appreciation to the Board of Directors and staff at Toronto Hydro for their exceptional support. Toronto Hydro joins PowerStream and Hydro One as major donors to our new Centre for Sustainable Technologies, making this project a leading example in Ontario of collaboration and investment between industry and post-secondary education.

Taking the pulse

Whether it be Georgian participants supporting their community or vice versa, spirit at Georgian is all about engagement. This is no less important when the focus changes to the quality and level of workplace interaction and communication among Georgian staff. In October 2009, Georgian conducted an Employee Engagement survey that identified a number of areas for actionable improvement. With the launch of Vision 2015, the Senior Leadership Team is taking action on a number of concerns raised in the employee survey. Staff have been invited to participate in employee engagement workshops at every campus and in individual departments and schools facilitated by our Manager of Organizational Learning, Anne-Marie McAllister. The purpose of these meetings is to review the results of the employee engagement survey for each location and to identify any additional recommendations staff may have for continuous improvement at the departmental level, as well as College-wide. I want to thank all participating staff for taking the time to participate in these important discussions. We will be conducting a brief employee engagement pulse survey in November, and I encourage each of you to participate. The feedback from this survey will be part of a summary report that is presented to all Deans/Directors and the Senior Leadership Team in early December, where we will focus on how to advance employee engagement at Georgian.

Strategic Plan Vision 2015

Strategic plan launch phase underway

I am very pleased with the progress being made in this launch phase of the new strategic plan. Hard copies of Vision 2015 have been distributed to staff, advisory and other committees, donors, community partners and government officials. An electronic version is also available on the College website. A PowerPoint presentation template has been developed and shared with deans, directors and the Senior Leadership Team for their use in presenting to internal and external stakeholders. The strategic priorities are now embedded in this round of balanced scorecards for managers, and a semi-annual progress report has been instituted so that results can be monitored and communicated. Other steps are being taken to support operational alignment with the strategic plan that include: reviewing our recruitment and selection processes; updating the faculty performance planning process; developing a leadership model; a review of the College’s internal committee structure; and the creation of the Strategic Enrolment Management Committee (SEMC), replacing the previous Enrolment Management Steering Committee.

Lighting the way to ecological savings

The new strategic plan emphasizes Georgian’s respect for the environment and the need for us to promote environmental sustainability on our campuses and across our curriculum. As most of you are aware by now, Georgian’s selection to the list of Canada’s Greenest Employers was announced last April in Toronto as part of Earth Day 2010. I was delighted to hear earlier this month that Georgian has achieved another environmental coup thanks to the work of our Physical Resources staff and our partner Lithonia. This progressive company has been behind the new lighting technology Georgian adopted a couple of years ago (interior and parking lots), and has once again positioned the College on the leading edge of environmental best practices. Lithonia is providing, free of charge, 24 new LED lighting fixtures – technology that is unmatched in North America. The overall value of the package is estimated at $100,000. Physical Resources has yet to decide on the best location for the new fixtures, but they will provide a number of benefits in Georgian’s energy conservation efforts. This lighting solution works on the premise of providing controllable and scalable lighting for buildings and parking lots. The LED technology is fully recognized as green and environmentally sustainable – the warranty on the components extends far beyond that of a more traditional system and will eliminate any maintenance for a minimum of 12 years. I am particularly intrigued by the potential of this system to enhance campus safety and security during evening hours when security guards are patrolling our lots and grounds.

Enrolment is booming

In addition to environmental examples, Georgian continues to make excellent headway in delivering on many of the core values and principles of the strategic plan, including academic pathways and sound management of enrolment growth in alignment with government priorities.  Each year we re-write the record book on enrolment and the numbers this fall are no exception. When comparing the summer and fall numbers to the 2009/10 actual, the College has grown:

• 13.8 per cent (summer) and 9.3 per cent (fall) in full-time, post-secondary (college) enrolment
• 13.6 per cent (summer) and 4.7 per cent (fall) in Laurentian@Georgian
• 78.6 per cent (summer) and 29.1 per cent (fall) in full-time, post-secondary international

These impressive increases far exceed college system averages with the exception of international education, which is a targeted growth area for both the Federal and Provincial Governments (and had incredible enrolment growth across the province). A strong winter intake is also looking likely, supporting our strategic plan’s emphasis on access and the enrolment targets that we have with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. In any event, our full-time enrolment has now topped 10,000 students for the first time in our history.

Ben Yang

Focus on international students

The growth in international enrolment illustrates how this remains a relatively untapped market for Ontario and Georgian. John Donald, our new Vice President of Community and Business Development, brings considerable experience in international education. In related news, I am delighted to welcome Ben Yang as our new Executive Director of International Education. For those who may not have read the recent appointment announcement, Ben came to Canada from China as an international student in 1986. He joins Georgian from the University of Toronto where he served as Director of the International Student Centre for the past 12 years. Ben was responsible for providing service to more than 8,600 international students from more than 150 countries. His full profile is available on the Web. We are very fortunate to have leaders of John’s and Ben’s experience and backgrounds, and I know that they see great potential for Georgian in the international marketplace.

While all our enrolment growth – with considerable potential for more, especially in International, Apprenticeships and Continuing Education – is exciting, I am often asked by staff how Georgian will be able to manage with our facilities already bursting at the seams. The completion of the major capital projects next fall in Barrie and Collingwood will alleviate some of those pressures for the moment, keeping in mind the capacity that will be further freed up with the backfilling of space in Barrie and Orillia as classes and staff move into the Centre for Health and Wellness. The roof on the Centre for Health and Wellness building is virtually complete, and the block work has now reached the final, third floor. Parking lot construction and roadwork are well underway. With the pouring of all the floors, the concrete work is now 98 per cent complete. In a matter of weeks, the exterior walls will be fully closed in, and the remainder of the windows will be in place. The building is on schedule for “material completion” by March 31, 2011, and the project continues to be on budget.

New Collingwood Campus

Collingwood Campus takes shape

At Collingwood, the topsoil has been removed from the building site for our new campus, giving passers-by a sense of the overall footprint. The entrance roads for construction have been prepared. The footing and foundations are 80 per cent complete. The forms for the concrete foundation walls are similarly 80 per cent complete. In the meantime, preliminary work is underway that will set the stage for the official fundraising launch in the Southern Georgian Bay region. With the aid of an outside firm, community leaders will be interviewed in order to assess Georgian’s ability to raise funds to support the new campus. The College will receive the final, feasibility report in November. Fifty-five people also attended a campus Thought Leadership session on October 12 to participate in an open and informative exchange on ways the College can best support economic growth in the region. A steering committee has been formed and is meeting regularly to help to ensure that this facility will have the necessary programming and resources to meet the needs of local residents and employers.

Golf team finishes in top three

Virtually everything we do at Georgian ultimately leads to student success, which can come in many different forms. A couple of recent noteworthy examples of student success come to mind.  The College had the honour in October of hosting the OCAA golf championship in Thornbury where I was privileged to present the winning medals. I want to congratulate our men’s team (Nolan Knill, Eric Adamo, Paul Ngimat, Keegan Tyers, James Skrypec and coach Katie Ferguson) for finishing a highly respectable third in the provincial competition. They then went on to play even better in the National Championship in Kamloops, B.C., finishing third there as well.

Bookstore staff hard at work

Praise from students, parents

Barb Watts recently sent me an e-mail from a former student who is now studying at a well-known university after graduating from Georgian. Here is an excerpt from the student’s e-mail to all of her Advertising program faculty:

“I wanted to send you an e-mail to tell you that you’ve ruined me (in a good way!). You, as a whole, have set the bar for my teaching standards beyond high … it’s not that the teachers I have here are bad, not at all. It’s that you are all so good! I cannot, for the life of me, remember a class with any of you that was boring, bad, slow, dull or painful…you have helped and touched all of our lives.”

What a wonderful testimonial! It certainly reflects what is happening in Georgian’s classrooms across our campuses, each day.

Finally, the last word comes from a parent. The following e-mail was sent to the College’s general “Inquire” in-box from a mother, recapping the family’s experience from the first moment they were considering Georgian:

“I wanted to pass on how very helpful I have found staff in different departments (residence, registrar’s office, financial office, bookstore, cafeteria, library, SWAT members, and instructors). Staff have always been polite and courteous. I must also comment on how quickly I have received replies via any e-mails that I have sent (registrar’s office, Donna at the bookstore-very helpful, residence, IT department, and meal plan staff). As a mother of a first-year student living in residence my initial impression of Georgian College is very positive! I hope these comments will be passed on to the appropriate people. Thank you.”

The experience of this parent is played out countless times by other families, thanks to your efforts as a team in making our students and applicants feel welcome and helped.

Plan now for a merry Christmas

In closing, I intend to send out one more newsletter before the Christmas break, and part of it will focus on where we are headed with international recruitment and programming. In the meantime, I remind all staff, particularly those who will be making travel plans soon, that in appreciation of your collective focus on students and your dedication throughout 2010, the College will be closed on December 24. Thank you again for a great start to the 2010/11 academic year!

Feel the energy

You can literally feel the buzz and energy on campus at this time of year, and in my first newsletter of the new academic year I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to staff who have returned from vacation, as well as to new and returning students. In what was an exceptional summer as one of the warmest on record, I hope that you and your family were able to take full advantage of the great weather over the past few months. Such summers remind us of how truly fortunate we are to live and work in the recreational heartland of Ontario.

The President's Breakfast, Barrie Campus.

My annual August tour of the campuses for the President’s Breakfasts wrapped up just before Labour Day. These breakfasts are always a great opportunity to meet casually with friends and colleagues, and to talk briefly about the upcoming semester. I thank the many staff who took the time to attend the breakfasts in Barrie, Orillia, Owen Sound and Midland.

I am mindful of how busy the fall semester is as we launch our 43rd academic year, highlighted by record enrolment and milestone capital projects across our campuses. The latest admissions report released by the Office of the Registrar on September 9 shows strong enrolment by first-year students. The report shows that our first-year enrolment is 5,157, covering College and UPC students. Additionally, International admissions activity has been remarkably strong with record increases expected. We will have a more accurate “10-day count” report later this month that includes all years of students, but we are now very safe in saying that our total enrolment is over 10,000 students.

This is the time of year when anxiety is highest for new students. Research tells us that the first month is critically important as these students make the adjustment which, for many, is their first exposure to a post-secondary environment. Our ability to reach out in making these students feel at home has long been a part of Georgian’s culture, and I thank you in advance for helping to assist any wayward students you may encounter in the hallways and classrooms through the coming days and weeks.

Orientation

A smooth and seamless transition to college life often starts with a comprehensive and robust student Orientation program, and our Student Life staff have again gone to great lengths in planning such a welcome. In the two weeks between the end of the summer semester and the beginning of the fall semester, Georgian hosted “The Rush” as an opportunity for new students to get to know their campus and accomplish some of the tasks that could stress them out on Orientation day. This was a golden opportunity for them to get a head start on locating their classes, arranging gym memberships and OSAP appointments, to get their library PINs, parking passes, book purchases, etc. Another huge advantage of “The Rush” is that it helps to reduce some of the tedious lineups for students needing to complete the same tasks on Orientation day. The main campuses also hosted Summer Information Sessions (SIS) on different dates in August that served to provide a sneak preview for incoming students and their families. It is estimated that nearly 500 people attended across the three locations and participant feedback was extremely positive.

As for Orientation day on September 7 (September 1 for events in Collingwood and Muskoka), the growing numbers at the Barrie Campus meant we had to stagger start times of events. Most of the campus Orientation activities included welcoming ceremonies, academic break-out sessions, as well as an array of hospitality, sporting and social events. The preparation and work involved in Orientation grows each year along with the escalation in first-year enrolment, and I commend and thank our student and staff leaders at each location for yet again rising to the challenge.

Parking

The new parking lot at Duckworth St./Bell Farm Rd. (Barrie Campus).

With growth comes the usual pressures on our infrastructure, and there is no better example of this than on the parking front. Additional parking spaces have been created in Barrie and Orillia for the 2010-11 academic year. Four hundred spaces have been added in Barrie – 200 in Lot 6 and an additional 200 in an entirely new lot along Duckworth Street (accessible from the Bell Farm Road entrance). In Orillia, an existing parking lot has been extended to accommodate an additional 105 vehicles. Future parking goals include addressing Owen Sound’s needs, and paving all remaining gravel lots.

Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI)

The summer of 2010 started on a high note for Georgian when the new Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) opened at the Barrie Campus on June 17. This new, one-stop centre will connect local businesses with faculty and students who conduct applied research to bring ideas to life in the commercial marketplace. The focus of CARI is on innovation through development and testing of products and services that directly address real-world challenges and scientific uncertainties faced by business and industry.Georgian students participate in industry sponsored and supported applied research projects that contribute to commercialization. They also help local businesses and community organizations become more innovative and successful by assisting in problem-solving and developing new products and processes. Applied research projects provide students with the opportunity to bring the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom to a new level. This experience broadens employment opportunities for student research assistants and better prepares them for their future careers. Last April, Georgian became a member of Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII), a provincial network of 20 Ontario colleges. The Federal Ministry of Research and Innovation has allocated $30 million over the next three years to assist Ontario colleges, including Georgian, in matching faculty and students with businesses wanting to conduct applied research.

Good news for Orangeville

Georgian received good news concerning government funding on several fronts this summer, related to employment services. On June 28, David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, presented $192,172 in federal funding to the “Step Up” program at the Orangeville Campus. The program has assisted 109 youth within Dufferin County since July 2008. It has continually met targets set out by the “Skills Link” project of supporting at-risk youth under the age of 30 by facilitating key workshops to assist them in succeeding in today’s labour market. We are delighted to be able to continue to offer this program in 2010-2011 to youth in Dufferin County.

New Collingwood Campus

The 2010-11 fiscal year will be a historic one for Collingwood and the Georgian Triangle region as Georgian completes the bulk of construction of our new 20,000-square-foot campus. The deed of transfer for the 10 acres of property at the Poplar Road site was finalized in August with an estimated value of $3 million, thanks to the generosity of developer John DiPoce. This donation, combined with a $4-million grant from the Federal Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) program, cleared the way at long last for a permanent home for the Collingwood Campus after 25 years of constant moves and frustrations. The College will be launching a fundraising campaign this fall in support of the new $9.7-million Collingwood Campus, and the first priority is to retain a research firm this month to undertake a pre-campaign feasibility study to help determine a realistic goal. The new campus will officially open a year from now. Regular updates will be sent to staff over the next 12 months.

Residence news

City Council in Owen Sound has given conditional approval for construction of a new student residence by a private company – Campus Living Centres (CLC). The townhouse-style residence will consist of 15 four-bedroom units with each unit 1,800 square feet in size. The residence will be constructed on property adjacent to the Campus that CLC is donating to the College. It is an excellent example of college-private sector collaboration as it provides a fiscally prudent means of addressing a major priority at the Owen Sound Campus. Initial plans are underway for a groundbreaking ceremony next month with the residence scheduled to be ready for occupancy well in advance of the September 2011 term. Early in the fall, I expect to have an announcement on plans for a student residence for the Orillia Campus. The College is leaving no stone unturned in arriving at a final solution for a residence that is readily acknowledged as being the number one barrier to student recruitment in Orillia. A report outlining different options will be presented to the Board of Governors at the end of the month, with a 2011 residence still at least a stretch possibility.

Centre for Health and Wellness on target

In a final capital projects update, I am pleased to report that construction of the Health and Wellness Centre in Barrie continues to progress on target for material completion by March 31, 2011. An additional capital request of $10 million to cover the final Phase 2 requirements has been submitted to the provincial government, and I am hopeful that we will hear good news by the end of this fiscal year. The added investment will allow completion of renovations to the vacated space in Barrie and Orillia, as well as on the adjacent parking lot, sidewalks and landscaping (by the time the building opens, the College will have planted more trees than were displaced).

Operation Hero

In celebrating recent highlights, I would be remiss in not acknowledging a new community initiative that has taken Barrie and area by storm. “Operation Hero” is the brainchild of CFB Borden Honourary Colonel and long-time Georgian supporter, Jamie Massie. The goal of the program is to create an endowed scholarship fund that will benefit family members of military personnel who are pursuing a post-secondary education at Georgian College. Operation Hero will also provide a number of other residual benefits in helping to build bridges between Base Borden, the community and Georgian College, and is also a special way for this community to appropriately express its gratitude to the Canadian men and women serving in the armed forces. Total donations raised to date now exceed $500,000, with an unofficial goal of $1 million. These figures include a matching contribution by the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) Fund from the provincial government.

Jamie and I had the privilege in June of presenting the first scholarship to Stephanie Weatherbee, who has begun her studies in Nursing at Georgian this fall thanks to a $4,000 scholarship from Operation Hero. There are many ways that staff and the general public will be able to support the program and students like Stephanie. As an example, staff and students are invited to participate in a fun run at Base Borden on Saturday, Oct. 16. Participants are not required to raise pledges. The cost is $35 per registrant and includes a free T-shirt and dog tags. Participants can choose between a five- or 20-kilometre walk or run. The event is open to everyone in all communities, of all ages and athletic abilities. We are hoping for an exceptionally large Georgian turnout. For more information and to register, visit www.operationhero.ca. Individual donations to the run or Operation Hero directly are also of course welcome, with details available on the website or through the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Vision 2015 resonates with stakeholders

As most staff will recall, “Vision 2015,” Georgian’s new strategic plan, was approved by the Board of Governors in March of this year. I had the opportunity to present this exciting new plan to staff at Georgian Day in June, and since then I have received many positive comments from internal and external stakeholders alike. Our plan was also unveiled to community stakeholders at a series of “Thought Leadership” events in Orillia, Midland and Barrie. Georgian’s new mission statement, “To inspire innovation, transform lives and connect communities through the power of education,” resonates with our students, partners and stakeholders. In my opinion, “Vision 2015” is the best strategic plan Georgian has ever created. A great deal of work has taken place over the past five months to move this ambitious plan into action. The implementation plan for “Vision 2015” is being aggressively rolled out and includes initiatives to communicate, engage, and evaluate the strategic plan over the next five years. Materials are being developed and shared to help inform staff, students and external stakeholders about the College’s strategic direction, and the rationale behind the plan. Five-year strategic priorities have been broken down into smaller annual projects and work plans with clear deliverables, timelines and accountabilities. These annual plans will be documented through the College’s Balanced Scorecard process for all administrators.

Strong leadership focus

Georgian’s organizational structure has been realigned to ensure a strong leadership focus on each of our strategic plan’s five strategic priorities: Advance Student Access and Success; Inspire Extraordinary Teaching and Learning; Champion Employee Engagement; Strengthen Community and Industry Connections; and Build Sustainability through Innovation. As was previously announced, Bob Kennedy has assumed the portfolio of Vice President, Marketing and Student Services. Linda Love maintains her role as Vice President, Academic, and Brandon Lander will continue to provide leadership as Vice President of Administration and Secretary-Treasurer to the Board of Governors.

Angela Lockridge, Vice President, Human Resources and Organizational Development.

John Donald, Vice President, Community and Business Development.

Recently, I was delighted to welcome two new vice presidents to Georgian’s senior leadership team: Angela Lockridge is the new Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Planning, and John Donald joined Georgian on September 7 as the Vice President of a new portfolio – Community and Business Development.

Beyond our structure and senior leadership capacity, Georgian will need to engage the passion and excitement of all full- and part-time staff to deliver on our new mission. To “Champion Employee Engagement,” we will explore the themes that emerged from the 2009 Employee Engagement Survey. Over the fall semester, a series of employee engagement forums will be facilitated with departments across the College.Staff will be invited to share their ideas about strategies to strengthen employee engagement at both the departmental and College level. Input collected at these sessions will be compiled into a report with recommendations to College Council and the Senior LeadershipTeam.

Upcoming events

Staff may want to note the dates of a couple of upcoming special events. North America’s largest outdoor auto show will be held this year from September 24-26 at the Barrie Campus. This year, the Georgian College Auto Show is a historic occasion for two reasons. Firstly, the Canadian Automotive Institute is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Institute and the show. A special silver anniversary gala dinner will take place on September 24 and is expected to draw many prominent leaders from Canada’s automotive industry. Secondly, this year’s show marks the last time the event will be held in September. As many staff are aware, it has become extremely difficult to host an outdoor show on Barrie Campus grounds due to parking pressures which are a result of increased enrolment and staffing. This “perfect storm” scenario has led to potentially difficult traffic conditions extending far down Highway 400. I am pleased to confirm that the Georgian College Auto Show will remain an annual staple and highlight as a student lab at the Barrie Campus, but it will move to its new date in June 2011. A late spring event has a huge upside in providing the best and most pleasurable experience for visitors, students and staff.

The second major event this fall is the Georgian College Dream Catcher fundraising gala at Casino Rama on October 22. This formal event brings together students and supporters as part of a major fundraising event that has raised more than $450,000 for students over the past two galas. Building on the theme of A Dream Night in Paris, guests will enjoy gourmet French cuisine and wines, as well as a special performance by Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Roch Voisine. And with backdrops created by our own Design and Visual Arts students, it will not be difficult for guests to imagine they are strolling by a Parisian café and market, or along the banks of the Seine. We are very close to selling all 39 tables, but there are a few tickets still available for staff or the general public to purchase. Gala proceeds will support the new Georgian Centre for Health and Wellness and the President’s Scholarship. A new Health and Wellness Studies video will be played during the gala showing how the money raised at the event will benefit students, staff and the entire community. For event details please visit www.dreamcatchergala.com.

The Power of Education

The College’s Power of Education fundraising campaign is now into its home stretch, but the most difficult phase is still to come in what has been a great accomplishment for Georgian. More than $22 million has been raised to date. The goal in my current Balanced Scorecard is to raise $24 million by the end of this fiscal year and to reach the $25-million target by next August. The campaign focus remains on fulfilling the fundraising goal for the new Centre for Health and Wellness. Fundraising for the Centre for Sustainable Technologies is almost complete and remains a key priority as well.

And finally. . .

I would like to end this update with news that I announced to all those who attended the President’s Breakfasts last month. In recognition and appreciation for everyone’s hard work and dedication in support of student success, the College will be closed for all of December 24 this year (traditionally, our campuses have remained open until noon on Christmas Eve day). I am making the announcement now to provide as much advance notice as possible for staff and families who may be making travel plans for the holiday season. This additional day now gives staff a 10-day break over the Christmas holidays.

The 2010-2011 academic year promises to be another landmark year for Georgian. With the ongoing construction of the new Collingwood Campus and the Centre for Health and Wellness, the addition of possibly two (hopefully three!) new residences, and record enrolment across all our campuses, it is truly an exciting time to be at Georgian! I thank each of you for your commitment to our students, and for helping Georgian build a national reputation that attracts increasing numbers of students and staff to our seven campuses year after year.

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Angela joined the Georgian team in July 2010 and has expertise in the areas of human resource management, organizational development, diversity and accessibility, relationship building, strategic planning, change management and transformation, performance accountability, client services, and fiscal and systems management. She has led major strategic initiatives within the Ontario Public Service, working with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders to create positive and effective relationships and business systems.

In her current role, Angela is accountable for Organizational Planning and Development (including Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Space Planning), Human Resources, Employment Equity and Labour Relations. Angela has provided strategic support and advice while ensuring that human resource plans are aligned with corporate direction including leadership development, succession planning, learning and development, formal recognition, staff engagement strategies, and measurement/accountability systems.

Angela holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Dr. John Donald is Georgian’s Vice President, Community and Business Development. The creation of this new senior position was announced in March 2010 as part of organizational restructuring designed to support Georgian’s new “Vision 2015” Strategic Plan. Accountabilities for this position include International Recruitment and Development, English as a Second Language/English for Academic Purposes, Regional Campuses, Alumni, Awards/Scholarships, Fundraising/Capital Campaigns, Kempenfelt Conference Centre, Community and Government Programs, School-College Work Initiatives, and Government Relations.

John has over 18 years in senior management and leadership positions, both in industry consulting and post-secondary education. Most recently, John served as Vice President, Business Development, Applied Research and External Relations, at Conestoga College. In addition, he held a variety of administrative positions at Conestoga, including Dean of Engineering Technology and Director of Educational Technology (including online learning).

As Vice President, Business Development, Applied Research and External Relations, at Conestoga, John was responsible for leadership and management of International Education, the Conestoga Language Institute, Continuing Education, Applied Research, the School of Career and Academic Access, Career Centre and International English Language Testing Service. In this role, John was actively involved in external and government relations on behalf of the college. This work led to many opportunities for Conestoga, including the establishment of a new college training centre in Ingersoll, the development of an international partnership with Laurier University, and the establishment of a funded chair in Workforce Development.

John has also been an active member on Ontario college system committees including the Workforce Development Co-ordinating Committee, and as chair of the college system’s Colleges Integrating Immigrants to Employment (CIITE) project.

In the private sector, he held several management positions in the information technology/software development field where he led project teams and quality assurance processes.

John acquired a Doctorate of Philosophy (Civil Engineering) from the University of Waterloo in 1993. He also holds a Masters of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Waterloo.