e-touch magazine - winter 2012

Meet our 2011 Alumni of Distinction Award Recipients

toucheFor Alumni & Friends of Mohawk CollegeWinter ‘12

alumni.mohawkcollege.ca

thisPublisher Mohawk College Alumni Association

Editor Wendy Makey

Design and ProductionSofa Communicatons

Photography Terra Nova Imaging, Carmine Deluca, Daniel Banko, Meaghan Drury, Ida Adamowicy, Verissimo Carvalho and Kyle Burch

Contributors Wendy Makey, Steve Kosh, Kathy Inman, Bernetta Scime, Meaghan Drury, Chris Tarpos, Ramandeep Matharu and Tom Gigliotti

Editorial Advisory BoardWayne Jourdrie – President, Mohawk College Foundation, Anne Marie Peirce – Acting Chief Development Officer, Wendy Makey – Manager, Alumni Relations, Meaghan Drury – Communications & Data Officer, Kelly Dunham – Alumni Coordinator

Content Coordinator Kelly Dunham

E-Touch is published annually by the Alumni Relations Department at Mohawk College. This magazine is circulated to alumni and friends of Mohawk College. Ideas and opinions published or expressed in E-Touch do not necessarily reflect those of Mohawk College, The Alumni Association, or the Editor.

Mohawk College, Alumni RelationsAlumni House, P.O. Box 2034Hamilton, ON L8N 3T2

To update your Alumni Record, please contact: Phone: 905.575.2258 Fax: [email protected] or the address above.

touche

featureon the Cover..

On January 19th, 2012 the Mohawk College Alumni Association celebrated with family and friends the many accomplishments of our newest Alumni of Distinction Award recipients

in every issue3 Welcoming Words 5 Alumni News

20 Calendar of Events

Meet our 2011 Alumni of Distinction Award Recipients

toucheFor Alumni & Friends of Mohawk CollegeWinter ‘12

alumni.mohawkcollege.ca

winter 2012| 2touche

slate of officersSandra Ireland, Chair Nursing, 1990

Dana McNamee, Director Business - Marketing, 2006

Ernie Vidovic, Director Electronics Engineering Technology - Telecommunications, 1990

Samara Young, Vice Chair Police Foundations, 2004

Ali Shahidi, Director Computer Science Technology - Software Engineering, 2003

Michelle Miller, Director Recreation Leadership, 1995

Diana Zanin, Past Chair Business Administration, 1980

Erin Kimbell, Director Business - Marketing, 2007

Daniel Clark, President Mohawk Students’ Association (MSA)

Amos Key, Director Communication Arts, 1976

Gary Nelson, Director Business Administration, 1985

Amanda Tallon, President Mohawk College Association of Continuing Education Students (MCACES)


2011-2012 Mohawk College Alumni Association Advisory Council

The Alumni Association thanks these individuals for their valued contributions to Alumni activities, committees and meetings on behalf of the Alumni of Mohawk College. We appreciate your dedication.

The Mohawk College Alumni Association is excited to bring you our first issue of E-Touch, our annual online magazine. E-Touch has been created as additional means of communication between Mohawk College and its Alumni. E-touch is a smaller 20 page magazine packed with great information and it will be circulated annually in February between the In Touch print issues distributed in the Fall and Spring.

Mohawk is committed to sustainability and a sustainable environment. Our Alumni E-Touch online magazine is one of the ways the Alumni Association can contribute to this goal. Throughout the next 18 pages you will read about seven amazing alumni who were recipients of Alumni of Distinction Awards due to their contributions to their communities and their career achievements. As well, you

welcome to the new e-touch

will see how the Alumni Association is reaching out to students by sponsoring events that will contribute to making them future ready Mohawk graduates.

Mark your calendars and make note of the upcoming Alumni events. We would love to have you join us to learn new skills, network or just have some fun while connecting with your Alumni Association.

We hope you enjoy your first issue of E-Touch. We value your feedback, comments and suggestions on this new initiative. Please share your input

at [email protected]. We want ensure we maintain open lines of communication and share the exiting things taking place at Mohawk.

Keep in Touch!

Wendy Makey – Manager, Alumni Relations


Truly “Business Minded” Dave Pond, starting at a young age, has been able to recognize opportunities and take chances in business. Beginning in High School Dave was the first president and instrumental in forming the Simcoe Leo Club, a youth oriented group. Throughout High School and College Dave also ran his own DJ business for 6 years. After graduating from the Business Administration Program in 1984 Dave’s entrepreneurial instincts have only expanded. He now has three successful businesses, Edge Imaging, Burning Kiln Winery and Long Point Eco-Adventures, which was recently named #2 attraction in Ontario by Ontario Tourism.

As a student at Mohawk, Dave took a keen interest in the finance and marketing courses which he found to be “instrumental programs” in his education. He remarked that the marketing courses taught him to, “always have a plan and to work that plan.” Along the way he has taken the key teachings of these courses and implemented them into his business ventures as well as the development of the Eco-Adventures park. When asked what advice he would give a student in the business program at Mohawk he said

dave pond

that students should, “have confidence in the education you are getting and set your sights high as you go into the workforce.” For Dave, Mohawk gave him the stepping stones to begin and continue a successful career. His education taught him not to settle for less and to always keep looking for the next business venture.

In recent years, he has been the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Norfolk County’s Tourism & Agriculture Symposium; the 2011 Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions for his and his business partner’s outstanding involvement and service to the Young Canada Day Committee of the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show; the Bell Canada Communications Innovation Award; as well as receiving the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Innovative Technology Award. Dave has also been a speaker at the Norfolk County’s Annual Tourism & Agriculture Symposium and currently sits on the Board for the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve.B

usin

ess

Reci

pie

nt

Business Administration, 1984Owner, Edge Imaging/Long Point Eco-Adventures/Burning Kiln Winery

alumni news


Sue Prestedge has worked in the communications field in varying positions, having enjoyed a successful career in radio, television and now as an instructor, at Mohawk College. After graduating from Mohawk’s Communication Arts Program in 1974, Sue immediately began, what became a long and successful career in the communications field. She has hosted and written for CHCH-TV, CBC TV and Radio as well as been the Senior Vice President of WTSN (The Women’s Sports Network). Her experience includes anchoring and interviewing in both news and sports. She is also the only woman to have received the Foster Hewitt ACTRA award for outstanding sports broadcast at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. From 1997- 2001 Sue was the Coordinator of the Broadcast Journalism Program at Mohawk where she coordinated the 3-year broadcast journalism program. Returning to Mohawk a few years later Sue is now the Academic Coordinator for the Pre-Media & Entertainment Program.

Sue Prestedge’s broadcasting career has spanned more than 35 years at both the local and national levels. She joined CBC Sports in 1983 and was part of the 1984 Olympic broadcast team, where she was the first woman Olympic host. Her efforts included a 13-part series that examined many issues, including the role of women in sports.

During her CBC Television career, Sue covered three Olympic games as well as women’s alpine skiing and

sue prestedge

thoroughbred racing. Sue also held the positions of anchor of “CBC Weekend,” the Science Reporter for “The Journal,” and was a replacement Host for “Midday.” At CBC Radio, Sue worked as an anchor on Morning Sports National, hosted “Ontario Morning,” was a Newsreader and a fill in host for the “Afternoon Drive Show.” Sue was also part of the CBC radio team for the 1994 Commonwealth Games and the Nagano Winter Olympics.

As the first and only Senior Vice President of the Women’s Sports Television (WTSN), a brand new station, from 2001-2003, Sue was part of the creation of the first-ever women’s sport television network. She hired staff, created programming schedules, worked with producers and other networks, which resulted in creating and maintaining a network that competed well in the digital sports genre for its 2 1/2 year run.

In her free time Sue has been involved with many aspects of her community including,

a reader and marriage preparation course instructor at St. Dominic’s Parish in Oakville, at her children’s school as a parent council member and part of the committee to get the school rebuilt, at the Oakville Soccer Club as the Oakville Phantoms’ substitute trainer and fundraising coordinator, and recently Sue was the Lead hand for the International Women’s Day Celebration at Mohawk College in 2011.

Cre

ativ

e A

rts

& D

esig

n Re

cip

ient

Communications Arts, 1974Academic Coordinator - Pre-Media & Entertainment, Mohawk College

alumni news


Mary Long, a life-long resident of Hamilton and a retired member of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, was elected as the first woman president of the Hamilton and District Labour Council on December 3, 2009. A graduate of the Social Service Worker Program in 2009 and a professional member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Mary has overcome tragic loss to embrace academic challenges and emerge as a dynamic leader, mentor and agent of change.

Mary has been the Safety Ambassador for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s “Safety Starts With You” campaign, sharing her experiences following her husband’s fatal workplace injury. It has been this tragedy, which has largely defined Mary’s volunteer and work commitments in recent years including co-founding a peer support group, through the Hamilton and District Labour Council, which counsels bereaved families through the impact of workplace fatalities. She has been elected as president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 216, where she has advocated for human rights and non-discriminatory practices. Mary has actively promoted the involvement of women from the labour movement in “Take Back the Night”, and in 2009, organized the display that won the “most inclusive” award. Mary co-chaired and hosted the Hamilton Day of Action, “The People vs U.S. Steel”, on January 29, 2011 that brought 10,000 people into City Hall plaza in support of members of USW Local

mary long

1005. She has also worked with the “Women of Steel” to enhance the annual “Norma Berti Breakfast” celebrating International Women’s Day, making the 2010 and 2011 events the best attended to date.

Using skills developed over years of workplace experience, but honed at Mohawk, Mary has championed inclusiveness and equity in the internal operations and outreach of the Labour Council, including people from various cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds in the activities of the Labour Council. She has stressed connections to the LGTBQ community in Hamilton and has pushed the Labour Council to participate in positive space training. Not only did she implement the reading of a respect statement at every Labour Council meeting and event, but she has courageously enforced it too! The values of the profession – choice, equality, justice and access – are clearly the drivers that move Mary to relate the labour movement to the community in new ways.

Mary has also been honoured with many awards for her continuing hard work, including the Labour Activist of the Year, Social Services, 2010 from the Hamilton and District Labour Council, the Dominic Agostino Memorial Scholarship Award in 2008, the Human Rights Award and the Health and Safety Award in 2002 from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and was the 1997 Woman of the Year from the Mayor’s Status of Women Committee, City of Hamilton.

Com

mun

ity S

ervi

ces

Reci

pie

nt

Social Service Worker, 2009President, Hamilton and District Labour Council (HDLC) Inc.

alumni news


Graduating from both the Enterprise Business program in 2004 and the Computer Systems Technology-Web Applications Program in 2006 Ryan set out to start his own business. By 2009, at the age of 25, Ryan had a successful business with 3 employees and over 100 clients including the Ontario College of Health and Technology, the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, and XPolice Traffic Services. At LinxSmart he has implemented a process that allows businesses to directly access their own website at all times using “LiveTools” a LinxSmart created program that, “allows anyone regardless of their technical knowledge or web design skills, to have any degree of control over their website.”

According to Ryan, “since I studied business first, and then computers, it helped me grasp both ends of the business much better.” It was his education that gave him the well rounded knowledge and the practical skills needed to ensure success. Along with technical skills, Mohawk also provided him with knowledgeable mentors. He is thankful for the overwhelming support of the faculty at Mohawk both inside and outside the classroom, “They were always there to help with questions which were beyond the scope of the program. Note that especially Duane Bender who has gone beyond our expectations and provided us with help beyond the classroom with tips, suppliers and contacts.”

ryan barichello

LinxSmart has now been in operation for 6 years offering their clients a wide range of web development services. Ryan’s business philosophy centers around “making web development simple and enjoyable,” by understanding that the development process can be difficult. He has also used his business to help non-for-profit organizations by creating websites for them. In 2009, Ryan was nominated in the Young Entrepreneur category for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

Ryan has also returned to Mohawk to speak to current students sharing with them his experiences regarding how to conduct a successful web development company and what they should take away from their time at Mohawk. Ryan thinks that, “as a graduate of Mohawk College in both the E-Business and Computer Science – Web Applications Programs, it is important to share (his) achievements and experiences with the new students.”

Entr

epre

neur

Rec

ipie

nt

Enterprise Business, 2004 / Computer Systems Technology - Web Applications, 2006Owner / Director of Business Development, LinxSmart

...since I studied business first, and then computers, it helped me grasp both ends of the business much better.

alumni news


Sharon Pierson, graduated from Mohawk College’s Nursing program in 1986. She began as a general staff nurse, but over the past two decades has progressed in her career through the positions of, Cardiovascular Nurse Associate, Clinical Educator – Intensive Care, Clinical Manager – Cardiovascular Surgery, Neurosurgical, Trauma and Medicine Intensive Care Units. Currently she is the Director of Quality, Patient Safety & Clinical Resource Management (QPSCRM) at Hamilton Health Sciences, where she has had an integral role in the success of the program, which has been recognized with multiple provincial awards for excellence under her leadership.

In her current position, Sharon offers senior operational leadership by providing strategic direction and counsel to executive team members, senior leaders, physicians and community partners to make certain the collective objective of ensuring the right care is delivered at the right time, in the right place by the right provider. She provides support to the QPSCRM management team and is directly accountable for approximately 200 staff.

Sharon’s commitment to quality care is ever-reaching as seen in her role as the current representative for “Council for Academic Hospitals of Ontario” (CAHO) on the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care (MoHLTC) ECFAA Implementation Working Group. She has been the corporate lead of the 3-year RN scheduling initiative, with project outcomes including, the elimination of RN/RPN agency nursing staff use; sustaining reduction in absenteeism and overtime, and improving staff satisfaction; and achieving $1.4 million in savings. Sharon has also designed, developed and implemented a Clinical Resource Centre (CRC) model supporting centralization of high cost “purchased services” including patient transport and

sharon pierson

therapeutic surface rentals, which has produced a corporate savings, as of 2011, of over $1.0 Million.

In 2010, Sharon organized the Hamilton Health Sciences Quality and Patient Safety Symposium, which had 500 people in attendance including staff, leaders, physicians, the local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and community partners. She was part of the Death and Adverse Event Review committee, which saw the implementation of multiple local and corporate patient safety improvements and was awarded the William Sibbald 2nd prize Award for Excellence in Patient Safety from the Ontario Government. She has also been responsible for the implementation of corporate wide, program/service based “Quality Councils”, which serve as a point of focus for organizing people, information and actions for improvement; as well as setting up automated dashboards, which monitor key metrics to facilitate evidence based decision-making.

Since graduating from Mohawk, Sharon has continued her love of learning and has completed a Bachelor of Science of Nursing from McMaster University and a Masters of Public Administration from Queen’s University. Sharon also is a committed Mohawk College Instructor for the Operating Room Certification Course. She believes her education from Mohawk College had a significant impact on her future achievements. She says, “the nursing program enabled the development of foundational nursing skills and competencies that allowed for future professional growth and success. At Mohawk College, I did not just learn how to “be a nurse” – I learned how to be: self-directed, to think critically, to ask questions, to find answers, to advocate and to be a team player. These skills were foundational to my future career achievements. My time at Mohawk also encouraged my continued path to lifelong learning – with the completion of my Bachelor and Masters degrees and multiple other professional certifications.”

Hea

lth S

cien

ces

Reci

pie

nt

Nursing, 1979Director Quality, Patient Safety & Clinical Resource Management, Hamilton Health Sciences

alumni news

After attending Queen’s University for 5 years and obtaining a BA in Women’s Studies and a BEd in Senior Social Studies, Kate McKenna decided to enroll in Mohawk’s Public Relation’s post-graduate program. It was at Mohawk that Kate honed her skills to eventually land her a dream job as Host of an Online Travel Web Series. While attending Queen’s University, Kate was involved with the school paper, played on two varsity teams and attained high enough grads to be on the Dean’s Honours List. Kate’s one year at Mohawk saw a continuation of her achievements by graduating on the Dean’s List, receiving a Faculty Award, volunteering as the student rep for the Public Relations Advisory Committee and being the Public Relations Program Assistant for Media Fest.

In a short time since graduating, Kate has already accomplished quite a bit in her young career. Upon graduation Kate was hired as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats In-game and Online Host, where she routinely hosted, edited and produced amusing online videos, interviewing players, fans and coaching staff. Then in the winter of 2010, Kate beat out 2,500 other applicants to land the dream job of Professional Vacationer for Transat Holidays. Her one-year position has brought her to 12 different destinations, where she has hosted, conceptualized, wrote, edit, shot and produced online features from her trips. During this

kate mckenna

time, Kate has also been a travel writer for The Hamilton Spectator, writing one story a month about the people she’s met on her travels.

Kate has said that, “despite having spent five years at university before coming to Mohawk, it was at the Fennell Campus, in the confines of the public relations classroom, where (she) embarked on (her) professional career path- one that began in Hamilton and managed to wind its way to places like Athens, Dublin and Istanbul in just over a year.

The practical knowledge I gained at Mohawk was critical in terms of helping me achieve success as a graduate. Taking nothing away from the theoretical, in-classroom lessons because they too were valuable, it was learning about resume building, sitting on advisory committees and creating community connections that helped me get to where I am, in a job that challenges me, that satisfies me and that makes me happy. I enjoy what I do for a living, something I’ve always hoped to be able to say and

something I will work to continue to be able to say.

Mohawk also means a lot to me on another level. It was where my Mom, Sue Prestedge, was educated and where she honed the broadcasting skills that vaulted her to a remarkable career, one that I have always emulated and immensely respected.”

Rece

nt G

rad

uate

Rec

ipie

nt

Public Relations, 2010Host, Online Web Travel Series (Transat Holidays)/ Travel Writer, The Hamilton Spectator

winter 2012| 10touche winter 2012| 11touche

alumni news


While enrolled in Mohawk College’s Electronic Engineering Technology Program, Derrick LaRiviere, was given a great opportunity to have a placement with IBM Canada, which led to a full-time position in their Calgary office upon graduation in 1978. Years later, Derrick took the skills he learned from Mohawk and the business world to start his own company, AMI, with two other partners. Since its inception in the early 1990’s, Derrick and his company have been serving the IT marketplace, working with Fortune 1000 companies to deliver significant and measurable business benefits. AMI has grown and prospered through the recession into a viable resourceful IT company. As the visionary leader, founder and president of AMI, Derrick brings more than 25 years of experience working with national and global customers across North America and the United Kingdom. A career schooled in Fortune 1000 companies such as IBM (International Business Machines) and MCI-SHL Systemhouse, Derrick’s formal education also includes; MBA (Athabasca University - 1st year completed to date, 85% GPA), Professional Manager Designation (Canadian Institute of Management). Derrick has produced lasting and meaningful change within the IT industry through the creation of service delivery best practices and the introduction of new and innovative product management services. He has also given back to the industry, volunteering to host the CIPS CIO Roundtable for two years in Calgary, AB.

derrick lariviere

While working hard on his career, Derrick has taken the time to contribute to his community in many ways including, being a Big Brother to a young boy, a Scout Leader for his son’s troop; and taking the role of President for his children’s school council, where he was involved in many fund-raisers, including one where he helped raise money to build a new playground. In 2004 (and each year after) Derrick began participating in the CIBC Run For The Cure, he has run in memory of his late mother-in-law Grace Kee, his Aunt Rose, and also for his Mother Isabel who is doing well today. Also in 2003 and 2004, Derrick worked as the liaison with CIPS National (Canada’s Association of Information Technology Professionals).

In his spare time, Derrick has written and published a children’s book, Silly Sam Squirrel and The Brown Christmas Light Bulb. With his book Derrick has done multiple readings for schools as fund raisers as well as donated many books to schools and other charities. Te

chno

log

y Re

cip

ient

Electronic Engineering Technology, 1978Applications Management Inc. (AMI), President and Co-Owner

alumni news

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2012 Alumni of Distinction Awards

Nomination package available online at alumni.mohawkcollege.ca

gaining a betterperspective


alumni news

and I was hired for a part-time position at CHCH as a news operator. I also signed with a background agency where I have worked on many television shows and movie sets as an extra. Some of the productions that I got to work on were “Degrassi” for Much Music, “Wingin’ It” for Family Channel, and “Flash Point” for CTV. I also had the opportunity to volunteer at many Canadian awards shows for CTV and CBC as a seat filler, and eventually moved my way up to being an audience

coordinator for the Junos, the Geminis, the Canadian Hall Of Fame, and the Canadian Country Music Awards.

To be successful in the industry, I would suggest to any of you who are reading this, that being reliable, having people skills, and especially networking will help all of you in your future careers and endeavours.

Chris Tarpos 3rd Year Media Student

In today’s society, the television broadcasting industry has become very competitive. I was able to meet Sheena Snively, one of the hosts of MTV Live, at the Media Alumni Panel at Mohawk College. There, Sheena gave me some great advice which was to be myself and to stay true to who I am. She also told me that networking and keeping your lines of communication open with your instructors is very important. The input from Sheena Snively gave me a better perspective within the industry and helped me as I pursue positions with different broadcasting companies. The other panelists provided great advice to volunteer as much as possible to gain experience. Not only is volunteering great for experience, but it plays a major role in networking.

So I took their advice and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with a few broadcasting companies over the summer. I was hired for an internship at Corus Entertainment and YTV as a production assistant, I also volunteered for Much Music as an on-air correspondent,

On October 14th, 2011, Mohawk’s School of Media and Entertainment along with the Alumni Relations Department welcomed back five successful Media grads to talk about their experiences in the industry and answer current media student’s questions. The 2011 Alumni Media Panel consisted of Jay McQueen - News Reporter/Producer, 900AM CHML, Cindy Wrong -Supervising Producer, Operations, ET Canada, Sheena Snively - TV Personality, MTV Canada, Kevin Wallis - Comedy Writer, Air Farce, and Linda Rourke - Producer, Cable 14 / Instructor, Mohawk College.

It’s said that manners maketh the man. A man’s manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait. I had the

pleasure of attending the 3rd Annual Etiquette Dinner organized by the Mohawk College Alumni Association on November 2nd at Carmen’s. It was a memorable experience. Fatima Di Valentin conducted the whole event in an impeccable manner. Her style of teaching about the whole concept of dinning etiquette was wonderful with the pinch of humour that she uses. She explained about the proper protocol while we were having starters, soup, salad, main course and ending with dessert. She also responded to all the questions of the audience, very well.

Thanks to the Mohawk Alumni Association for organizing such a great event. I am looking forward to more events of this kind in the future.

Sincerely, Ramandeep Matharu

etiquette dinnerManners Do Make a Difference


alumni news

On Saturday October 1, 2011, Alumni, past Student Leaders & past Student Centre staff gathered to celebrate 25 years of memories in the newly renovated Arnie. The video monitors throughout the Arnie flashed many pictures from the past; the photo booth was never empty; people danced as they listened to Backstage 11; and one of the greatest memories was when past staff modeled previous years clothing from The Arnie and The Cellar, compliments of Paul Henderson (one of our committee members). Everyone in attendance reminisced about the good ol’ days in the Student Centre. Mark 2036 on your calendar as the next celebration will be for the 50th Anniversary! — When we open the time capsule that was sealed into the building.

Kathy Inman, ‘98 Committee Chair

student centre 25th anniversary


alumni news


Nominate a Mohawk Alumnus today!

Nominat ion forms can be found onl ine at a lumni.mohawkcol lege.ca

1 recipient will be chosen for each of the 7 categories:

Health SciencesTechnology

Recent Graduate

Entrepreneur

Creative Arts & DesignBusiness

Community Services

winter 2012| 16

touche

touche

alumni news

mohawk day at the ti-cats

In support of Mohawk College’s Night at the TiCats, on Friday, September 25th, the Mohawk College Alumni Association purchased 100 tickets which were disbursed to current students during the Fall Orientation Week. A portion of tickets sales went to Mohawk College scholarships.

Proud graduate Elaine Principi gave the Alumni Address at the Fall 2011 Convocation.

Elaine graduated from the Mohawk Physiotherapy program in 1982 and has since achieved a Bachelor of Health Sciences Degree from McMaster University in 1983 and a Master of Education Degree from Brock University in 2009.

Elaine currently works at Hamilton Health Sciences as the Chief of Physiotherapy Practice. She has over 25 years experience in physiotherapy, management and education with a focus on collaboration in team building and quality service development for best patient care. Her career has had an emphasis on education as a means to enhance professional service quality and staff development.

Elaine has also been a sessional lecturer at Mohawk College and has been an Assistant Clinical Professor for the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University since 1987.

During her three years at Mohawk, Elaine was highly involved in athletics, resulting in her receiving awards every year she played, including Most Valuable Player three times for Tennis and once for Badminton, as well as being awarded the All-Round Female Athlete each year. Upon graduation Elaine was the recipient of the College Bronze Medal for involvement in college activities and academic achievement. Elaine also received the Dr. Sam Mitminger Award, which is the highest academic and athletic achievement award given to a Mohawk student in their graduating year. In 2002, Elaine was inducted into the Mohawk College Mountaineer Hall of Fame and in the same year received the McMaster University School of Rehabilitation Science Award for Outstanding Contribution in Education.

fall 2011 convocation


alumni news

The Etiquette Dinner and Awards Show held in December was a huge success. We had a wonderful turnout of students who came prepared to have a great evening. I don’t think any of us expected to get so much out of that night. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. But I think the most interesting part of the night had to be the formal etiquette training we all received thanks to the generosity of the Alumni Association. We spent the night learning about proper dinner and business etiquette. Invaluable skills were aquired that every single person in that room will no doubt use later in life. It was an insightful evening that was educational, informative, but yet remained fun throughout the whole evening.

Then came the awards show itself. The first annual Advanced Video Production (AVP) award show, which I, along-side with my good friend Kevin Da Silva, had the pleasure of hosting. Aside from a few technical difficulties and our dry attempt at humor, the show went off without a hitch and everybody there seemed happy to be a part of it. Overall it was a great night. The food, the good company, and the laughs we had on stage handing out awards was truly a worthy addition to the highlight reel of all our experiences here at Mohawk College.

Tom Gigliotti 3rd Year Media Student

etiquette dinner & awards night

For Our Media Students


alumni news

mountaineer weekendAlumni Games - November 12, 2011

grimsby regional alumni eventPuddicome Estate Farms and Winery - October 19, 2011


alumni news

Alumni athletes reconnected with past teammates during an afternoon of basketball and mingling.

Alumni living in Grimsby and surrounding areas came together at Puddicome Estate Farms and Winery to enjoy a wine tour and tastings while learning what is new at Mohawk.


Career Networking Event – learn the do’s and taboo’s during a cocktail reception and then enhance your individual networking skills. Learn your ‘MOHAWK MOMENT” and practice your newly acquired skills / $10 per person / Carmen’s C Hotel, Hamilton ON / Register online alumni.mohawkcollege.ca / Business Attire required / Cash Bar

Mohawk College Spring Open House – All Campuses open / 10am to 2pm

Josten’s Ring Days – at Fennell Campus / Stop by and see Wally in the C-wing 11am to 1pm each day

Continuing Education Students Etiquette Dinner – (in partnership with MCACES) / $10 per person 6pm to 9pm / Carmen’s / Register online alumni.mohawkcollege.ca / Business Attire required / Cash Bar

SAVE THE DATE - Professional Development Day – McMaster University & Mohawk College are pleased to offer their alumni and the Hamilton community a day that will emphasize leadership, networking, and social media through interactive sessions presented by inspiring speakers / 9 am to 4 pm / Hamilton Convention Centre / More details to come!

Ottawa Regional Alumni Event – visit our website for details

calendar of events Edmonton Regional Alumni Event – visit our

website for details

Calgary Regional Alumni Event – visit our website for details

Recreation & Leisure Services Reunion – at the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) - Niagara Falls – visit our website for more details.

RSVP to [email protected]

Nursing Grads Afternoon Tea – 3:30pm to 5pm / RSVP to [email protected]

8th Annual Mohawk College Alumni Golf Classic – Flamborough Hills Golf and Country Club, 8am Shotgun Start / $160 per person/$640 per team / Register online at alumni.mohawkcollege.ca / EARLY BIRD SPECIAL / Save $10 if you register and pay in full by May 11th, 2012

Mountaineer Hall of Fame Ceremony – The 2011 Inductees are: Kevin Bundy (Men’s Rugby), David Storoshuk (Golf), John Sozio (Men’s Soccer), Christine Stoneman (Women’s Soccer) and the 1985-1986 Women’s Basketball Team

The Arnie / 4pm to 9pm / for more information, please contact Bernetta Scime @ 905-575-2004 or [email protected]

Spring 2012 Convocation Ceremonies – Welcoming the Class of 2012 to the Alumni Family

6

24

4

4

27

8

1

9

-11

11

15

16

30

28

15

March

April

May

June

www.alumni.mohawkcollege.ca

e-touch magazine - winter 2012

Documents