Volume 12 | Issue 3 | March 2021
Alumni Association Executive Council update
It’s hard to believe that my third and final term as a member of your Alumni Association Executive Council (AAEC) is coming to a close this year – where has the time gone?
 
Since 2015, I have had the pleasure of serving with some of the most incredible people – Georgian alumni just like you and I who are passionate about their college, and who answered the call to be a representative for their fellow graduates.
 
The AAEC is a group of dedicated Georgian alumni who attend four quarterly meetings each year. Georgian ensures that we are kept up-to-date on everything that is happening at our alma mater, and we in turn provide our feedback and recommendations where needed. We also represent you – our fellow alumni, at events throughout the year; some are inside the college (or virtually this year) and designed to engage students such as alumni panels and speaking engagements, while others happen in our community and are an opportunity to be an ambassador for Georgian. Volunteering with the AAEC has enriched my life in so many ways, and I can see the strong impact we have made during my term on the council.
We have several openings coming up on our council, and are now accepting applications to join. The new terms will begin this September and each term is for two years.
 
Are you a graduate of a Georgian program? Do you believe in the power of education to transform lives? Are you looking for new ways to stay engaged with your alma mater? If you answered yes to these questions – this might be the right opportunity for you! Visit us online to learn more about our council and to complete an application. Applications are due by Friday, April 16, 2021 and can be emailed to alumni@georgiancollege.ca
 
Our council is strongly committed to diversity and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
 
Warmest regards,
Kevin Collins, class of 1984 & 1985
Women featured this month
Women featured all month
To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, the People of Georgian series is presenting a full month of features on Georgian women, beginning with a story about Lynn MacKinlay, a professor in Engineering and Environmental Technologies. A new story will be posted every Friday.
Alumna writes her history at Georgian
Lala Kelsey-Braide, came to Canada from Nigeria in 2017. When she enrolled in the Child and Youth Care program at the Orillia Campus, she had a new take on life. “God gave me a second chance to go back to school and rewrite my story.”
Sweetest season!
A dozen maple trees on the Barrie Campus are being tapped to make maple syrup. The hope is to collect 400-600 litres of sap in the green buckets in front of M Building. Once it’s boiled down in one of the culinary labs on campus, it should yield 10-15 litres of syrup. This is the first ‘tapping’ attempt and an extension of the edible landscape that was expanded last summer.

Additionally, jelly has also been made from an elderberry bush outside E building and preserve cranberries from three trees outside C building. All of these products will be used in the Culinary program.

“We use a lot of maple syrup, especially in the Baking and Pastry Arts program, so it will probably be used there,” notes Bryan Hunt, Dean, Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation. “If we produce enough it may be bottled for a give-away for guest speakers or things of that nature.”

Check out the video!
HBEC Medal awards
The 2021 Henry Bernick Medal Awards virtual event is taking place Tuesday, March 23, beginning at 4:30 p.m. View the poster.

This year, best-selling author, speaker, producer, and entrepreneur, Ron Tite will be the keynote speaker and will also be available after the awards for a virtual fireside chat and networking. You are encouraged to learn more about Ron before the event.

Georgian College President and CEO, MaryLynn West-Moynes, will also give opening remarks and the exceptionally accomplished Howard Bernick, son of Henry, will speak, as well.

The Henry Bernick Medal commemorates the qualities of its namesake, Henry Bernick. Henry was a strong and principled man, a mentor and teacher, businessman and philanthropist. He was a friend and supporter of Georgian College and his donation allowed for the creation of the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre. It is the intention of the Awards Committee to present up to three medals per year to deserving recipients in the following categories: Student Entrepreneur | Community Entrepreneur | Entrepreneurs’ Champion.

Tickets are free for the first 200 Georgian students and alumni who register. Register today
What's new
Keep updated on some of the biggest news at your alma mater, including these recent developments:
We’re proud of you. Below are some stories of success we’ve read about:
Jesse Nobleman, class of 2020; Helena Beck, class of 2019; and Cole Wright, class of 2020
Caledon OPP adds eight new recruits to its ranks in February – three of them are Georgian grads! Read more
Alyssa McKean, class of 2011
Alyssa was the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians “Career Spotlight of the Month” for August 2020. Read more
Holly Stevens, class of 2019
Holly is a recent graduate of Georgian College and a current Kinesiology student at York University. She was recently hired by Discover Wellness Massage Therapy. Read more
Marni Van Kessel, class of 1992
The past year has been a lesson in patience and hope for Marni Van Kessel. That lesson applies to both the Orillia woman’s career and music. Read more
Tiffany, class of 2009, and Miles Westall, class of 2007
Finding love at Georgian - Tiffany and Miles were both students at Georgian College when they met 14 years ago. Read more
Roxann Whittingham, class of 2020
Alumna’s hunger for higher education propels her from ‘humble beginnings’. Read more
Do you have some good news to share?
Please email us or post your updates and achievements in the Georgian Alumni Network.
GeorgianView in mailboxes soon
Our print-edition of GeorgianView magazine will be mailed out in early-to-mid April and will feature a section on our nursing alumni, the Indigenous timeline at Georgian, a new digital strategy, and of course, stories that celebrate the achievements and successes of our donors and alumni. Read past editions.
Lifelong learning
Considering a career change? The next Get to Know Georgian event takes place Tuesday, March 23, from 6 to 7 p.m. It’s a great chance to learn even more about your alma mater. RSVP today!
What’s the next step in your career: a collection of Georgian resources.
In February, we held two Speaker Series events on how to find your dream job. The response was very positive so we thought we’d provide a collection of resources on career development and success in this issue of The Loop. Are you a graduate of Architectural or Civil Engineering and looking for full-time career opportunities? Contact Maureen Koski.

Upcoming events
The following workshops and webinars are brought to you by Georgian's Career and Employment Community Services

This is an opportunity for you to have your questions answered, get some extra help with job searching, resumes, second career and apprenticeship information and review Employment Ontario services.

A big welcome to our new Perks Partners
The following businesses were approved as new Perks Partners by the Alumni Association Executive Council:
  • All Purpose Realty
  • Cavalinho
  • Custom Neon
  • Lunatik Athletics
  • The Health Depot
  • Tight Knit Clothing
  • Peter Istvan Photography
Alumni preferred rates
Charitable Registration 11893 7283 RR0001