Alison Houston, class of 2007 and current AAEC member, shares her experiences from this past year, and reminds Georgian graduates that recruitment is well underway for the next slate of council members, with terms beginning this September. More information is available on our website.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, field placements and co-ops have been challenging for many Georgian students who need the credit to graduate, but thankfully alumni in an array of programs have stepped in to help. This is certainly true for Mary Dobson’s students in the Interior Decorating program.

"I can’t begin to tell you how pleased we are with the way our alumni have stepped up," says Mary.

Typically, students find a physical placement for one day a week with a working decorator and log in just under 100 hours of hands-on experience. This year, placements could only be done remotely. Many struggled to find a position, so Mary created a variety of modules for them to complete, trying to simulate some of the activities they may have experienced.

"The highlight for many has been our mentorship module where they were remotely connected with an experienced decorator and guided to ask questions on a weekly basis," says Mary. "Roughly 20 grads from our program generously responded to the request to mentor and some true friendships have been formed already. Being able to speak with someone who has been in the same position has encouraged and inspired our students."

Two alumni were part of Georgian’s effort to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to a remote Indigenous community. Steve Prophet, Assistant Team Lead and Georgian staff, class of 2006 and 2013 and Shane Ellis, vaccinator, class of 2017, were part of a team of six from Georgian’s paramedic programs that travelled to a fly-in Indigenous community in northern Ontario to give the vaccines. Read more

Rebecca (Selin) Armstrong and Brianne Morehouse, co-founders of Honey Bee the Change, won the Student Entrepreneur Medal at the annual Henry Bernick Medal Awards. The two alum met in Georgian’s Business – Entrepreneurship program and created their business out of a class project. Read about the virtual celebration, including winner of the Community Entrepreneur Medal, Michael Agema, a former faculty member and owner of Agema Work, who has provided paid employment to hospitality and tourism students and has hired hundreds of Georgian grads.

Lorri-Ann Champagne, a graduate of the Advertising program in 1993, has just published her third historical fiction novel. The Common Threads Trilogy – Common Threads I, II and III is a story lasting 150 years with main characters who are a set of multi-racial twins.

"I wrote the book, mostly for myself, but I love that you all had an interest in my tale of fiction and history," the Barrie resident recently wrote on her Facebook page. "I will remember your cheering me along, believing in me and having enough confidence in me that I completed my project."

Lorri-Ann has been interviewed by the Barrie Advance and former Barrie Examiner newspapers and on ‘This Week in America’ with Ric Bratton. Her second book was also in a Sunday weekend magazine in the ‘Books Section’ of the New York Times.

Lorri-Ann was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and over the years, through surgeries and recovery times, writing has become more challenging, but she has persevered to complete her trilogy in 14 years.

"Although I am not in traditional advertising, I would never change anything I learned in the Advertising program because during my writing, I appreciated knowing what I learned and it brought out and developed skills to help me to succeed! Thank you, Georgian College!"

Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship has launched its Innovators Central site to foster an integrated culture of research, scholarship and collegiality that connects students, faculty, staff and the community to inspire innovation, advance knowledge and enrich learning in and beyond the classroom. Visitors to the site can also sign up for the Shifting Gears newsletter.

The spring edition of GeorgianView magazine will be in your mailbox soon! In this issue, you will find inspiring stories of frontline heroes, entrepreneurs overcoming disruption, Georgian's proud Indigenous connections, digital innovation, new scholarships promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and so much more!

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

Are you thinking of going back to school? There's so much to consider as you make postsecondary choices this year. That's why Georgian is hosting a series of one-hour virtual Get to Know Georgian sessions. You may think you know your alma mater, but these sessions offer helpful information on specific topics, so you can get answers to the questions that matter most to you. Each online event includes a Q&A session with friendly and knowledgeable staff experts. You'll also learn how to apply for free!

Did you miss the Trends in Big Data webinar? Watch it now and other episodes of the Virtual Alumni Speaker Series on YouTube.

Chris Dyck, class of 2019

Professor and Program Co-ordinator, Research Analyst/Big Data Analytics programs

Browse over 40 perks partners, providing discounts to our members. Follow us on social media and GeorgianAlumni.ca for contests and giveaways.

Charitable Registration 11893 7283 RR0001