City of Kelowna supports OC trades programs through garbage truck donation
November 1, 2023
One person’s trash certainly can be another’s treasure. The City of Kelowna proved the old saying true by donating a garbage truck to À¦°óSM’s Trades and Apprenticeship program this September. “When we determined that this garbage truck was at the end of its service life, we were happy to donate it as a hands-on training tool for À¦°óSM students,†said Scott Hoekstra, Manager, Landfill & Composing Operations, City of Kelowna. “We’re facing a shortage of skilled trades professionals, and we know that this donation w...
Read more...À¦°óSM marks 60 years of alumni and employee success
November 1, 2023
Sixty years is worth celebrating – that’s what brought out over 100 alumni, staff and À¦°óSM supporters last month, as OC marked its 60th anniversary and the impact of tens of thousands of graduates since post-secondary came to the region. The College’s story began in 1963, when the B.C. Vocational Institute was first established. Since that time more than 60,000 graduates have passed through OC’s campuses in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Penticton and Kelowna, and sites in Revelstoke and Oliver. OC’s alumni have made huge impa...
Read more...Westbank First Nation and À¦°óSM sign updated MOU
October 30, 2023
À¦°óSM and Westbank First Nation (WFN) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding continuing a long partnership which aims to strengthen the recruitment, mentorship and retention of Syilx learners at À¦°óSM. The MOU lays out the objectives and principles of a partnership that will help guide the College to embrace the spirit and intent of reconciliation and ensure culturally appropriate, meaningful, and quality education and skills training opportunities for WFN learners. Chief Robert Louie, Westbank Fir...
Read more...THRIVE HERE campaign kicks off with record-level support
October 25, 2023
À¦°óSM Foundation launches campaign to build a new Recreation and Wellness Centre at its Kelowna campus; Folk family makes record-setting gift KELOWNA - It’s ‘Game Day’ at À¦°óSM! Today, OC students, donors, leaders, staff and community members came together to celebrate the launch of the Thrive Here campaign to build a new Recreation and Wellness Centre on the Kelowna campus. Making the announcement to the approximately 100 people in attendance, including members from the OC Coyotes basketball and baseball teams, Okan...
Read more...Dr. Samantha Lenci appointed À¦°óSM Provost and Vice President, Academic
October 25, 2023
Dr. Samantha Lenci, a well-respected leader with experience working across multiple post-secondary institutions in Western Canada, has been named the new provost and vice president academic at À¦°óSM, effective Dec. 1, 2023. “Dr. Lenci is an outstanding leader and team builder who brings expertise in program design, development and implementation, as well as an understanding of the transformative power of post-secondary education in communities,†said Dr. Neil Fassina, OC president. “Most importantly, in addition to her imp...
Read more...OC’s Red Dot Players present The Haunting of Hill House  
October 23, 2023
As the weather gets chilly something is heating up the stage at À¦°óSM. A supernatural horror story that promises to be a hauntingly good time for attendees. The Red Dot Players are excited to present The Haunting of Hill House, a psychological horror story about an investigator of supernatural phenomena who arrives at Hill House to unravel its morbid history. The play is written by F. Andrew Leslie and based on the novel by Shirley Jackson. The performance is directed by OC faculty member Sarah Foss.   "I was drawn ...
Read more...OC hockey players chip in for collegiate hockey team
October 20, 2023
The Okanagan Lakers hockey team, consisting of students from À¦°óSM, earned two wins in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League last weekend, beating rivals Logan Lake/TRU and Simon Fraser University. The team is back in action this weekend with games Friday October 20 at 7:30 p.m. against the University of Victoria Vikings and Saturday Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. against the Vancouver Island Mariners. The win over the SFU Red Leafs last weekend, a 5-3 victory over the perennial powerhouse SFU club on Saturday night, was the Lakers f...
Read more...OC fundraiser to light way for new childcare centre
October 18, 2023
Dress up with your kids, enjoy a matinee, then parade downtown Vernon with glow up lanterns and a stilt walker. An upcoming event aims to cast a glow on children’s faces while also lighting a path for a new childcare centre at À¦°óSM’s Vernon campus. The À¦°óSM Foundation is hosting Glow UP: A Matinee, Masquerade and Lantern Light Up Saturday, Oct. 28. Participants can make their own lanterns at an upcoming workshop hosted by local artists at À¦°óSM Saturday, Oct. 21 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.&nb...
Read more...Hundreds of students graduate into workforce at OC’s Fall Convocation and Commencement
October 4, 2023
When À¦°óSM student Miranda Lockhart crossed the stage to be awarded her À¦°óSM certificate as a health care assistant today, it will be with amazing memories and a solid career path in front of her. Miranda, along with more than 100 peers are graduating from a variety of programs and courses in À¦°óSM’s fist ever Fall Convocation and Commencement Ceremony, being held today (Oct. 4, 2023, 4:30 p.m.) at À¦°óSM’s Kelowna campus. “This is my second time graduating from OC, and what keeps me comin...
Read more...Empowering Tomorrow: Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship Celebrates Future Leaders
October 4, 2023
The Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship continues to be a launchpad for South Okanagan high school graduates as they begin their educational journey at À¦°óSM. This year, Mackenzie Lucier and Kendall Pennington from Princess Margaret Secondary, Eva Braam from Summerland Secondary and Ollie Jaques from Penticton Secondary have each been awarded $2,500. The scholarship annually champions students who combine academic achievement with community involvement. "These young individuals are ou...
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