Ryan Gomes Reaches Medal Heights in London SG JI CCAA Mar12 HA FINAL.Ai 1 27/03/12 4:38 PM
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SPRING 2012 scent a Alumni Magazine Ryan Gomes reaches medal heights in London SG_JI_CCAA_Mar12_HA_FINAL.ai 1 27/03/12 4:38 PM centennialcollege.ca/alumni TABLE of contents Published by: Centennial College Alumni Association ] message from P.O. Box 631, Station A Alumni President [ Toronto, ON M1K 5E9 Managing Editor: 2 Krista Newton 416-289-5218 [email protected] Director of Marketing and Communications: Shahid Chowdhury ] message from Editor: Centennial College Carol J. Anderson President [ Wordstyle Productions [email protected] 3 Advertising: Krista Newton 416-289-5218 [email protected] Contributors: Alvin Guthrie ] alumni profile Ann Buller Krista Newton Carlos Benevides [ Leanna Rizzi Mark Toljagic Mary Jo Bryant of contents Penny Kirlik 6 Vish Amin 8 – Profile: Andrea Beneteau 10 – Profile: Ryan Gomes table 12 – Alumni Events 15 – Alumnus of Distinction Awards 19 – Student Awards Night 2011 21 – Alumni Benefits and Services ascent® magazine, with a circulation of 65,000, is published semi-annually by Centennial College Alumni Association. It is delivered free of charge to Centennial graduates, students and staff to encourage interaction with each other and the college, and to facilitate lifelong learning and career development. The ideas and opinions published herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Association or Centennial College. All material is ©2012 and may be reprinted with permission of the Managing Editor. Advertising rates are also available from the Managing Editor. We do not sell or rent the alumni database to third parties. Please contact the Centennial College Alumni Office at 416-289-5218 if you do not want to receive the magazine or would like to update your mailing address. ] Centennial First, Alumni Forever [ 1 Alvin Guthrie President of the Alumni Association ]ascent[ The Centennial College Alumni Association (CCAA) has This year, we were thrilled to host a series of special events been fortunate to see many of its dreams and endeavors that appealed to a variety of alumni. Our outings covered bear fruit this year. With the completion of the College’s a wide range of themes, including wine tastings at Cave state-of-the-art library and the Centennial College Springs Cellars in Niagara and Ocala Winery in Port Perry, Student Association Inc. (CCSAI) Athletic and Wellness and a ski trip to Blue Mountain. This summer, we are ann Buller Centre (AWC), we were able to share in the joys and organizing a trip to Canada’s Wonderland on its Family President & CEO, Centennial College triumphs by solidifying our space on campus with the Day, and, in the fall, a Raptors basketball game. And Alumni Courtyard, Alumni Clock, and, most recently, the coming in October, we will be hosting Homecoming Alumni Media Wall, in the main corridor of the AWC. weekend, which promises to be filled with fun and What better way to show our connectivity than to include a musical “blast from the past” in our Alumni sponsor the courtyard that joins these two magnificent Homecoming Concert. structures. These contributions are a testament to our If you’re interested in playing a more active role in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the bonds between CCAA, please join us at the Annual General Meeting on CCSAI and the Centennial College family. June 23, 2012. Make your voice heard and elect the This past year has been a transformative one for Centennial College, marked by the opening of our Library These key strategic objectives were identified a number alumni you think can best represent your interests. We are and Academic Facility, as well as the CCSAI’s Athletic and Wellness Centre at the Progress Campus. These of years ago by Board members; their aim was to always looking for fresh faces and great ideas — why not two remarkable buildings are connected by way of the new Alumni Courtyard that features a groundwater- provide solid benefits to alumni. And, over the years, it yours? Email us at [email protected] and keep friendly surface, sitting areas and our beautiful Alumni Clock. has become clear how, together, we can accomplish so in touch! much. I encourage you to stay connected, take part, and By design, the courtyard has become a welcome new meeting place for students and staff. Centennial’s take advantage of some of the benefits available to you. Alumni Association generously donated funds to help create the courtyard, and then went a step further by We’re always working to bring you even more benefits Alvin Guthrie offering the gift of the freestanding clock. This elegant interpretation of a traditional clock forms the focal and services. President, Centennial College Alumni Association point of our avant-garde, modern courtyard – lovely symbolism demonstrating new and time-honoured technology co-existing in harmony. These architectural marvels complement the amazing work being done inside our walls as Centennial College continues to earn civic, provincial and national accolades. In May 2011, both our International Department and our RPN to BScN Bridging to University Nursing program received Awards of Excellence ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING from the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. In addition, Vicki Bismilla, Vice President Academic and Chief Learning Officer, was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame in recognition of her years of Graduates of Centennial College are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Centennial commitment to education. This past February, the IPAC/Deloitte Public Sector Leadership Awards bestowed College Alumni Association a national gold award upon Centennial for our Youth and Community Engagement Relationships Model, our community outreach strategy that supports the popular summer HYPE program and First Generation Saturday June 23, 2012 Student project. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. As a graduate of Centennial, you can share in these successes. Alumni have an important role to play in our 2nd-floor boardroom mission, “To educate students for career success,” and our vision of “Transforming lives and communities Student Centre, Progress Campus through learning.” You can share your expertise by participating in advisory committees or being a guest • Free Parking speaker, and you can act as a recruiter for your industry. You can also support Centennial financially. • Light Refreshments Scholarships generously supported by our alumni allow deserving recipients – like those who benefit from our Youth and Community Engagement Relationship Model – to achieve their educational goals. AGENDA President’s Report When you read the success stories in this issue of ascent, think about how you can help to support the next Treasurer’s Report generation of high achievers. Please continue to stay in touch with Centennial ... you are a vital part of our Approval of Bylaws success story! Adoption of 2012–13 Budget Committee Reports For more information, contact the Alumni Office at Election of Directors 416-289-5218 or visit www.centennialcollege.ca/alumni Ann Buller 2 ] Centennial First, Alumni Forever [ ] Centennial First, Alumni Forever [ 3 HIRE THE BEST Alumni Board Members The Future of Learning Hire a Graduate or Co-op Student – We make it simple. When you work with Centennial we will: • advertise your job postings • provide you with résumés of qualified candidates • arrange interviews • Provide recruitment opportunities such as career fairs & networking events Additional benets include: • Over 100 programs provide qualified graduates with leading edge skills • Also available over 25 co-op programs offered Alvin Guthrie Mary Jo Bryant SM Hasanuzzoha (Hasan) Donna Robertson in different disciplines President Vice President Treasurer Chair • Access to a $3,000 refundable coop tax credit Contact us today. Career Services & Co-operative Education [email protected] Phone: 416-289-5233 centennialcollege.ca Shahid Chowdhury Sharron Reeve Joan Healey Mainul Chowdhury Director of Marketing Director of Special Events Secretary Director at Large and Communications PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE Anna Nawrocki Mujibor Rahman Golam Hossain Munir Ahm Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Show your Alumni Card and with a purchase of any The Centennial College Alumni Association (CCAA) • In October 2011, we held our first annual service over $20, receive a free eyebrow wax (valued at is run by a 12-member Board of Directors. On June Alumni Homecoming, to open the new $11). Give a SASS gift card for any special occasion! 25, 2011, the Board held its annual general meeting. Alumni Courtyard. The Alumni Clock is a beautiful new centrepiece for the courtyard We welcomed five new members: Golam Sohrab and it made for a great backdrop for photos Hossain, Mainul Chowdhury, Mujibor Rahman, taken at convocation. Munir Ahm, and Shahid Chowdhury. We look forward to them sharing their time and expertise • The Board decided to offer new events to with the board. alumni in the new year, including a Centennial Colts basketball game, two wine tours, and to book an appointment please contact During the past year, CCAA achieved many of a ski trip to Blue Mountain. Many of these 416.289.5000 | ext. 3530 or sass @centennialcollege.ca the goals set out in its strategic plan, including the events sold out quickly; we look forward to following: holding more in the near future. summer hours | monday - friday | 10 am - 6 pm fall/winter hours | monday - friday | 10 am - 7 pm • The Board introduced a new alumni scholarship For more information about CCAA and its Board centennial college athletic & wellness centre, upper level for single parents. CCAA now offers 11 different of Directors, call us at 416-289-5218, or visit our 941 progress avenue | toronto, on | m1g 3t8 scholarships. website: www.centennialcollege.ca/alumni. 4 ] Centennial First, Alumni Forever [ ] Centennial First, Alumni Forever [ 5 carlos Carlos Benevides Radio, Television and Film, benevides 1995 A Radio Voice Reaches Into the Benevides also had an interest in film and From serving up hot meals at St.