February is Black History Month and we encourage you to use this month as an opportunity to reflect, learn, grow and celebrate. In this issue, we’re pleased to share stories of inspiration and activism, and to invite you to a special panel discussion on Feb. 14, which includes a special presentation and community panel of individuals who will speak about the Black experience. 

You’ll also see in this issue that we’re celebrating some of our graduates who have competed in the Olympic and Paralympic games, and you’ll see an invitation to join us as we sit down with World and Paralympic Champion Brad Bowden for a special discussion about his experience representing Team Canada at both the Summer and Winter Paralympic games – prepare to be inspired!

I encourage you to stay connected with your college, as well. Georgian and our Alumni Association is here to support you in whatever ways we can. We also want to hear what you’ve been up to! Share your successes, stories and updates. Email alumni@georgiancollege.ca or log on to our exclusive alumni network, GeorgianAlumni.ca.

Roxann Whittingham has always considered herself an agent of change. Whenever she sees a problem, she feels compelled to do something to help. When she was a student at the Orillia Campus in the Child and Youth Care program (class of 2020), two events that shook the world took place that increased her desire to help others.

"The George Floyd incident had just taken place, COVID-19 had just hit us as a reality, and many of us had time to reflect on how to make positive change. My inspiration and desire increased with these two situations facing us ‘as a people,'" she notes.

At the same time, she noticed a lack of Black representation in the student body at the Orillia Campus and knew that many Black families struggle to send their children to postsecondary education. She started thinking about how she could make a difference and the idea came to her to start the Black Education Empowerment Fund (B.E.E.F) scholarship.

"There is one quote that stuck with me from my grandmother’s favourite saying, and she took this from the bible: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ I have been fortunate to have people in my life who saw the need to give me a helping hand and I believe in passing it on," she says.

Roxann funds the scholarships through proceeds from her Ms. Hotty Hotty Jerk Marinade business, as well as her published books, Johnny Lightening and The Magic Yellow Yam, and Seasons of Love. They can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Each year, the award, valued at $1,000, will be presented to a full-time student studying at the Orillia Campus. The student will self-identify as Black, have a minimum grade point average of 70 per cent, and demonstrate financial need.

There has already been one recipient of the scholarship with more to come. Knowing she is helping Black students fulfill their dreams has fulfilled a dream of her own.

Georgian has other awards and scholarships for Black students, too. Deadline to apply is Feb. 15, 2022.

With the Beijing Olympics underway, we take a look at a CBC Sports Oral Histories article on Georgian graduate and Olympian Jon Montgomery (class of 2000), who won gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 and became an instant Canadian icon.

They may not have realized it at the time, but love was in the air Oct. 31, 2014, when alumni Daniel Hendley and Monica Levac first met at a party.

Halloween seemed the perfect time for the self-professed ‘weird’ couple to meet. Soon after, Monica, a Hospitality Management – Hotel and Resort graduate (class of 2016) and Daniel, a Digital Photography and Imaging graduate (class of 2016), started spending most of their time together, either in the photography studio. with her as his model. or studying together.

They quickly learned – and appreciated – the weirdness in one another and immediately embraced it.

The quirky couple got engaged in 2019. In 2020, they started looking at another way to partner. While many experienced substantial challenges due to COVID-19, they look at the pandemic as a pivotal point in their lives that led them to pursue Danica Daydreams, an online business that showcases Monica’s unique artwork, marketed through Dan’s unique photos and videos. They launched their new business on Oct. 8, 2021.

"I love Daniel’s sense of humour and his ability to bring out the best in me. He never loses hope and always finds new solutions to solve problems," says Monica. "I also love how strange his dance moves are. He’s a big old caring loving fuzzy bear."

Here from the couple, themselves, how they feel about each other through their video.

Newly graduated? You may require key documents for your future plans. Here are the latest instructions on how to get your transcripts, grad letter and credential.

To prepare for our new Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing degree, Georgian needs to renew facilities, purchase equipment and transform technology at our Owen Sound and Barrie campuses, as well as raise money for nursing awards and scholarships. Just this week, philanthropist Jane Jackson announced her support to the campaign in a special story about her experiences living with a trach, which she shared with Georgian students. Read her story.

Georgian’s Advancement and Alumni Relations team and volunteer members of its regional advisory groups have now moved into the public phase of the Frontline Support: Health-care Heroes Closer to Home campaign to raise more than $3 million. On Feb. 4, we launched a social media campaign to direct people toward our new video and microsite at www.gcheroes.ca/front-line-support. Please watch to learn more and share with those who may be interested in supporting our campaign.

Get to Know Georgian sessions are your opportunity to connect with our friendly staff about all things Georgian. Whether you’re thinking about attending Georgian yourself or you are a parent or supporter of a future student, these events are for you! The next session is on Feb. 22. Learn more and RSVP today!

Please email us or post your updates and achievements in the Georgian Alumni Network.

Tom Schellenberg, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Marine Drive in Vancouver, and his brother Kyle Roberts rode a 24-hour bike ride around Lake Simcoe in Ontario in support of Michael Hall a student in the Georgian College Golf Management program. Read more

Jessica was recently hired as the new Chief Administrative Officer for the Township of Ramara. Read more

Ishaan and Arjun (your current Alumni Association Executive Council Chair) both chose Georgian College as their 'true Canadian experience' and found permanent homes in Canada. Read more

Vanessa Sieger-Wilson’s project honours local lives lost to addiction and mental illness. Read more

Janet Crowther is a Red Seal Master Electrician and started in the trades in 2003 when she enrolled in the Women In Skilled Trades Program (WIST) at Georgian College. Read more

This is an opportunity for you to have your questions answered, get some extra help with your job search, resumés, second career and apprenticeship information, and review Employment Ontario services. Click on a workshop to see a complete description.

Check out their Virtual Resource Centre for more tips and tools for your job search!

Mark your calendars! You won’t want to miss this Black History Month presentation featuring a community panel, including alumna Roxann Whittingham (class of 2020).

One-hour presentation: Starting the Conversation (If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes) Community panel and Q&A: The Black Experience and the Future of Hope. This event is open to all Georgian employees, students and alumni and brought to you by Georgian’s Centre for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDI & B) – in collaboration with faculty in Human Services and Community Safety, the Georgian College Students’ Association and Making Change.

All-Purpose Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage operating as a real estate referral service utilizing agents from a national network of REALTORS® from well-known real estate firms. The REALTORS® are vetted with quality standards in place. Receive $25 for each $10,000 increment of completed real estate transactions. Access this perk

Be sure to sign up to be a Georgian Alumni Network member to receive deals from these partners and so many more.

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