Georgian College alumna Aylan Couchie (class of 2012 and 2015) and Premier’s Award recipient (2016) is a Nishnaabekwe interdisciplinary artist, curator and writer from Nipissing First Nation near North Bay. In her current art exhibit at Georgian's Art Gallery, she showcases some of the art she created while she was a student at Georgian, alongside new pieces and a series of woodworking created by her late grandfather, Thomas Couchie-ban.

The exhibition, Survival of the Fittest, is meant to provoke meaningful conversations around culture, legacy, and healing. Be sure to visit the Barrie Campus and take in this exhibit. It runs until Oct. 20. Learn more about the artist and her work. 

Although Ethan McCallum, won’t graduate until next month, the Mechanical Technician-Precision Skills student has already made a name for himself in his trade and most recently on the world stage. He was one of 28 Team Canada members who traveled to Lyon, France for the 2024 WorldSkills Competition where 1,400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions competed in 59 skill areas for the title of world champion in their trade. Read about his incredible journey.

Pictured above: Ethan (middle) with mentors Brett Austin (left) and Jurgen Hierholzer (right) at Ethan’s WorldSkills workstation.

Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to reflect on and commemorate the painful legacy of Canada’s residential schools. It’s also known as Orange Shirt Day. Learn how you can become further engaged and see what public events are taking place at Georgian campuses for the rest of the month.

Local family supports learning at Georgian

Friends of Georgian College, Lawrene and Paul Larche (Hon. degree 2022), and their family, were celebrated at a recent unveiling of the Larche Family Foundation Studio at the Barrie Campus. The generosity of the Larche family was illustrated with a $150,000 gift supporting both a new state-of-the-art studio and Georgian's Frontline Support: Health-care Heroes Closer to Home nursing campaign. 

The studio will significantly enhance the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre at Georgian and provide academic support for our innovative Game Design programs.

Guests experienced immersive activations that showcased the studio's cutting-edge technology, highlighting its potential for documentary-style shooting and product cinematography. This studio will empower our student learners and aspiring entrepreneurs, opening doors to new and creative possibilities. 

All 'fore' the students

The Kempenfelt Rotary Club raised over $62,000 for Georgian health-care students in its annual 100 Holes of Golf event held at the Shanty Bay Golf Club on Sept. 20. Thirty golfers, including three Georgian alumni, played 5.5 rounds of golf in one day to raise money for the Kempenfelt Rotary Club’s permanent endowment fund. A big thank you to alumnus Ali Khonsari (class of 1997, hon. degree 2023), president-elect of the Kempenfelt Rotary Club, for organizing the fundraising event. Funds were matched up to $50,000. 

BMO invests in Georgian students

BMO Bank of Montreal generously donated $10,000 to support Georgian College students at the start of the fall semester. This contribution will significantly aid the Georgian FoodLocker, which has seen a large increase in requests between the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic years. Additionally, part of this investment will benefit student clubs, fostering inclusivity and a strong sense of belonging within the college community.

Pictured above: Representatives from BMO attended Grizzlies Market during Orientation at the Georgian College Barrie Campus on Sept. 3 to present a cheque for $10,000. From left, David Bell (Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations), Dikshant Thukral (GCSA Barrie President), Kevin Weaver (President and CEO, Georgian College), Michele Peer Meng (Branch Manager, BMO), Wendy Cooke (Regional Vice-President, Personal Banking, BMO), Suzie Addison-Toor (Vice President, Student Success), Jerin Mathew (GCSA Barrie Vice President Administration), and Nihar Patel (GCSA Barrie Vice President Student Engagement).

Another winning alumni event

A group of Georgian alumni, students, staff and faculty witnessed in person the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the St. Louis Cardinals at the University and College Night at the Toronto Blue Jays event on Sept. 13. A great time was had by all and each ticket holder walked away with a free Georgian College/Blue Jays tumbler and pair of Alumni Association sunglasses. See you at next year’s event!

Experience a trip of a lifetime - Euro Tour 2025

This April could mark the trip of a lifetime for you. Between April 21 and May 4, students, alumni and staff from all programs and campuses can embark on a spectacular adventure to enjoy food, art and culture in Italy, Switzerland and France. Limited spots are available.

Reach out to Karen Woods or Anthony Borgo for more information.

Click poster to enlarge.

Learn how to convert your gas-powered vehicle to electric

Have you ever considered turning your gas-powered vehicle into electric? Collect all the information you need at a three-day EV conversion workshop, Oct. 23 to 25. Offered at Georgian College, in partnership with the Electric Vehicle Learning Centre (EV-LC), the intermediate-level course will cover all of the systems related to electric vehicles with emphasis being placed on converting gas vehicles to electric propulsion. 

Click brochure to enlarge.

Thinking about going back to school or know someone who is planning to go to college? Join us in person for Open House on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Barrie Campus (including the downtown Barrie location) and 9 a.m. to noon at all other campuses. RVSP today

Below are stories of success that we've read about:

Sarah Mahoney (class of 2023) opens a new pastry house in Barrie, employing Georgian grads. Read more.

Jessica Martin (class of 2010) takes a leap of faith with the expansion of her Toadally studio in Orillia. Read more.

Nursing alumni (class of 1974) celebrated their 50th anniversary since graduating with a reunion at the Barrie Campus recently. CTV Barrie was there to catch the fun.

Jeanette Luchese (class of 2000), a first-generation Italian-Canadian visual artist and graduate of the Design and Visual Arts program at Georgian College, has a piece of her artwork on exhibit at the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH). Read more.

Jennifer Lawson (class of 1974) turns 75, reflects on her 36 years of painting. Read more.

Five Georgian alumni participated in and passed a one-week Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) ‘Mind Over Metal’ welding workshop. Read more.

Chris McGill (class of 2006) has joined Tingue as the Senior Manager of E-Commerce as part of the company’s marketing department expansion. Read more. 

Members of the Georgian College Alumni Association can save up to 15 per cent on online general admission tickets during their next visit at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. Explore the wonder of the ocean and experience a world-class marine facility that fosters environmental and marine education, conservation, research and sustainability.

Georgian Alumni Network (GAN) members can access the code here. If you aren't a member, sign up to take advantage of all the benefits. 

Have questions? Email alumni@georgiancollege.ca