reflections DURHAM COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE FREAK OUT! CAMPUS HIP-HOP-TROUPE, THE GEEKFREAKS, WINS PROVINCIAL TITLE A NOD FROM ABROAD: ANIMATION STUDENTS’ WORK ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION SPRING 2011 | VOL. 73 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, DURHAM COLLEGE Where does the time Reading about the athletic triumphs of twin Of course the Durham College family is proud go? It seemed like just sisters Erin and Erica Dewey, the Lady Lords’ of all our alumni, now more than 55,000 strong. yesterday we were at the fastball team and the golf team, I can’t help but be Whether you’re just starting your career, or have start of another academic pleased with our varsity sports coaches and staff already established yourself in the working world, year, and here we are, who have mentored and encouraged these keep in touch, drop by for a visit and let us know celebrating spring students to push themselves and see what they how you’re doing. Who knows – your success convocation and the can accomplish both on and off the field. story could be the next one to appear in the pages successes of our 2011 The hip hop dance group GeekFreaks and the of Reflections! graduating class. awards they have garnered, along with the hard As I read the pages of work and recognition achieved by our Animation Sincerely, this issue of Reflections, I can’t help but be proud students for their DVD artwork, speak to the talent of our students’ and alumni’s accomplishments. and dedication of our students and encouragement This issue is bursting with the successes of our and guidance of our faculty and staff members. Don Lovisa students and graduates in areas like athletics, Together we are proving that the student technology, creative arts, as well as their experience comes first at Durham College. President, Durham College achievements in their specific fields of work. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Summer is just around services buildings in the province. The new teaching and learning environment for the corner and with Student Services building supports students in post-secondary students in Durham Region, the temperatures rising, their education efforts while fostering lifelong alumni Board of Directors was pleased to flowers are blooming, learning. It also serves as a vital first point of approve the Alumni Association’s pledge of the grass is green and access for potential applicants, current students $50,000 to Durham College's Building for our people are spending and graduates, establishing a familiar resource Future campaign. more time outdoors. It’s over the life of an individual's relationship with If you haven’t had a chance to visit both the hard not to get excited the college. Oshawa and Whitby campuses recently, I about the change in Phase 2 with its expanded shop area and encourage you to do so. Both campuses are seasons, especially when additional student space and programs focused growing to meet the needs of students and the it brings with it my favourite time of year at the on building trades and technology and two houses community and we are excited to share the college – convocation! – one older home with dated technology and changes with you. Convocation always gives me a great sense of wiring and a newer home being built this summer satisfaction as I watch new graduates cross the – will give students a sense of the many changes Cheers, stage to accept their diplomas or certificates. This happening in the construction and building trades. spring brings even more excitement as the Work is now beginning on Phase 3 of the college recently celebrated the grand opening of expansion focused on hospitality and tourism its new Student Services building, as well as that will be located at the west side of the Lillian Jacoby Phase 2 of the Whitby campus expansion. Whitby campus. Legal Administration, class of 1976 Durham College is now home to one of the most Recognizing the importance of this three-phase President, Durham College Alumni Association comprehensive and all-encompassing student expansion project and its creation of a unique 2 REFLECTIONS | SPRING 2011 SPRING 2011 CONTENTS 4 Dancing to the top 6 The sights and sounds of success 8 Students’ work earns a nod from abroad 9 Twins score recognition 10 Legal legacy 11 One blog, many possibilities 12 Grand slam season 13 Doin’ the PR rap 14 Enabling student success 15 Glory on Canadian green 16 Durham hosts Nationals 17 New vision, new programs 18 The career-choice challenge 19 Education shopping now easier 20 One-stop shopping 22 Alumni update REFLECTIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE REFLECTIONS IS WRITTEN AND EDITED BY DURHAM COLLEGE PUBLIC PUBLISHED BY THE PUBLISHER: DONNA MCFARLANE RELATIONS STUDENTS DURHAM COLLEGE ALUMNI OFFICE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: GINNY COLLING PUBLICATION AGREEMENT NO. 40064655 2000 SIMCOE STREET EDITORS: ASHLEY BREEDON, CHRISTOPHER RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN OSHAWA, ONTARIO L1H 7K4 CABRAL, LARYSSA HULCIO, JOSHUA ZAROBIAK ADDRESSES TO: T: 905.721.3035 COPY EDITORS: MICHELLE CHAPPELL, DURHAM COLLEGE F: 905.721.3134 AMANDA CLARKE, KRISTINA FILIPPI, LARYSSA 2000 SIMCOE STREET NORTH E: [email protected] HULCIO, LIANA KRMPOTIC,CAROLINE OSHAWA, ONTARIO CIRCULATION: 33,000 KRUCAS, JUDY LAZARO, SAGE LIVINGSTONE, L1H 7K4 REBECCA MACDONALD, COLE MCLEAN, E: [email protected] TOSHA PIGEAU, REISHA PRASAD, ALANNA WWW.DURHAMCOLLEGE.CA/ALUMNI SLOAN, SARAH TAYLOR, JOSHUA ZAROBIAK WWW.DURHAMCOLLEGE.CA REFLECTIONS | SPRING 2011 3 PHOTO COURTESY OF WAYNE CARRASCO WAYNE OF COURTESY PHOTO Members of Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)’s GeekFreaks dance crew accept their first place award at OUCH 2010. DANCING TO THE TOP by Sarah Taylor IMAGINE STANDING ON STAGE IN in front of 15,000 people, and appeared second place, I knew we didn’t make it, front of thousands of people, scared, in several music videos. As the three-year but it was okay, because our whole team nervous, but most of all feeling a rush of mark of GeekFreaks approaches, and wasn’t even in it for the win. We just excitement more powerful than anything the awards keep coming in, I think wanted to have fun and represent Durham you’ve ever felt before. As the lights go we’ve turned most of the non-believers College and UOIT. When they announced up, you're left with two things – a feeling into fans.” that we had won first place, I was in shock, of complete concentration and of course, At Summer Jam, a concert held in speechless and so happy I wanted to cry!” the beat. Kitchener, Ont., the GeekFreaks opened Most dancers wait years to gain the Three years ago Wayne Carrasco, Mark for well-known hip hop artists T-Pain, Rick amount of success and exposure Razo and Majoire Santos created the Ross, Fabulous and Busta Rhymes. The GeekFreaks has attained in three short dance crew GeekFreaks in order to tell music videos they’ve appeared in include years. By the end of 2011, GeekFreaks will their side of hip hop while attending Milkshakes and Razorblades by Kardinal have appeared at the Junos and Canadian Durham College. Carrasco is now in his and illScarlett, as well as Ups and Downs Music Week in Toronto, Ont. and Youth third year of Advertising, Razo is a by Najjah Calibur. They were invited to the Day 2011 in Montreal, Que. among graduate of the Mechanical Electronics MuchMusic Video Awards and also danced other events. Engineering Technology program and at the Durham College’s annual “Winning put Oshawa on the radar for Santos was in his second year of the CampusFest concert. their up-and-coming talent within Ontario Business – General program. Any member The group’s most recent universities and colleges. Looking back of the GeekFreaks can now tell you what it accomplishment was winning the Ontario at what started with three individuals with takes to be a successful dancer. University Competition for Hip Hop a shared passion of dancing, I am “After winning our first competition, I (OUCH) 2010, Canada’s biggest college/ extremely proud of what has become of knew we were onto something,” said university hip hop dance competition. the GeekFreaks,” said Razo. “The success Carrasco. “There were a lot of people out “I had no idea we were going to take of a dance group is the dream of any there who didn’t think we had what it first,” said Cindy Hau Lam, a GeekFreaks dancer, and I can say that my dreams have takes to dance at a competitive level. crew member. “On stage waiting for the come true.” Today, I can tell you we were the opening awards my heart was beating so hard and act for Summer Jam, danced at Youth Day fast. When they announced third and 4 REFLECTIONS | SPRING 2011 Pictured on the le, GeekFreaks crew members perform at Youth Day Toronto, and on the right, GeekFreaks Cindy Hau Lam and Majoire Santos ham it up for a promotional photo. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WAYNE CARRASCO Le, GeekFreaks crew performs at Kollaboration 11. Right and above, crew members have some fun during their photo shoots. WWW.DURHAMCOLLEGE.CA REFLECTIONS | SPRING 2011 5 THE SIGHTS by Joshua Zarobiak PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FLOWERS OF HELL OF FLOWERS THE OF COURTESY PHOTOS Durham College Professor Greg Jarvis, centre, poses with his multi-instrumental band, The Flowers of Hell. Composed of members from Toronto, Ontario and London, England, the band has played many shows on both sides of the At- IT’S A CRAMPED, STERILE, BEIGE For Toronto born Jarvis, returning to is – there are things you miss. My family office at the end of a dark hall, with a Canada to work at Durham College in 2006 lives in Canada, and I was sick of living out couple of desks, chairs, a bookcase and a was a welcome change, having spent the of a suitcase, so I returned to Ontario to single piece of art – a print of Elvis Presley previous 13 years living overseas in put down roots.” – hanging on a concrete-block wall, the last Prague, Czech Republic; Moscow, Russia; While Jarvis decided to move home to place you’d expect to find a creative type.